One Congregation May Withdraw From Another Congregation

Visits: 70[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction A certain city of 15,000 people has two congregations which have the name “Church of Christ” on their buildings. Congregation “A” has eight hundred members; congregation “B” two hundred. For the…

Ezra, A Model for Every Servant of God—Ezra 7:1-10

Visits: 52[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction Ezra lived during Judah’s period of captivity in Babylon in the fifth century B.C. He led a group of Jews back to Judea from their land of captivity in about 457…

A Sudden and Curious Emphasis on Balance   

Visits: 54[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction Has anyone else besides me noticed a recent upsurge in the cry for “balance” in preaching and writing? Further, am I the only one who has noticed that this emphasis is…

A Study of the Captivity in the Major Prophets

Visits: 51[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction The captivity of God’s covenant people of the Old Testament is one of the saddest chapters of all history. Never was an obscure race of men so marvelously blessed of God,…

A Review of Alvin Jennings’ 3 Rs of Urban Church Growth

Visits: 78[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction  In 1981, a brother in Christ, Alvin Jennings, owner of Star Bible Publications, Inc., wrote and published a book titled, 3 R’s of Urban Church Growth. This book raised many eyebrows,…

“Take Heed to the Ministry….”

Visits: 99Introduction Paul wrote the exhortation contained in the title above to Archippus, a member of the Colossian Congregation. Ministry is from a cognate of the Greek word from which translators gave us deacon. It simply means a servant or minister, which term the New…

“Prophesy Ye Not…”—Micah 1:6

Visits: 71[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction             The first verse of Micah’s book is ripe with several important details. The name Micah means “Who is like Jehovah?” and is an abbreviated form of Michaiah, the name of…

“Not Forsaking the Assembly…”

Visits: 78[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction Brethren have some very unusual ideas about attending the assemblies of the saints. Many years ago, a member of the church where I preached at the time told me if I…

What Is the Work of the Church?

Visits: 39[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] Introduction Several years ago, a family visited the Lord’s day morning assembly where I preached. In conversation with them afterward they asked some questions: “What sort of program do you have…

What Are Elders For, Anyhow?

Visits: 36[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] Introduction The foregoing title seems appropriate when we hear and read what some say about elders. When elders refused to let brethren teach their “anti” hobbies in the mid-20th century, they…