“Prophesy Ye Not…”—Micah 1:6

Visits: 56[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…

Elders—Their Crucial Role

Visits: 24[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] When the Lord Jesus returned to the Father, He first entrusted the church to the apostles (Mat. 16:18–19; John 14:16–18), who had the responsibility of receiving the revealed Word (John 16:13)…

“The Man or the Plan” Discussion Revisited

Visits: 72[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction In the early 1960s I was a young preacher, not long out of Abilene Christian College. I well remember the lively brotherhood discussion of the Man or the plan controversy (actually,…

The “Purpose-Driven” Church Paradigm

Visits: 60[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] Introduction Churches should have goals and aims. In this sense every congregation of the Lord’s people should be driven by purpose rather than stumbling along haphazardly. However, purpose-driven has taken on…

Thoughts on Attendance

Visits: 22[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] There is more to being faithful to God than “church attendance.” However, does faithfulness require it (to please God, to grow spiritually, to be saved)? I am not asking if…

The Church Should Have Failed

Visits: 18[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] By all human standards the church Jesus established through His apostles should never have “gotten off the ground.” Everything seemed to be against its success and survival. The men charged…

Shall We Have Deaconesses?

Visits: 20[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] For several years it has been the practice of some religious groups (including the Independent Christian Church) to appoint “deaconesses.” Predictably, some of the “faddists” among us are adopting the…

Scriptural Silence Sometimes Forbids

Visits: 37[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] Those who divided the church over a century ago by forcing in the missionary society and the instrument had to deny the significance of Scriptural silence concerning both innovations. Now…

The Responsibility of Elders and Deacons to Keep the “Unity of the Spirit”

Visits: 162[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction More than any other group of men, whether considered on a congregational basis or in the church as a whole, elders are in a position to promote and preserve the pure…

Realized Eschatology and Exposition of Acts 2:29-36

Visits: 65[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction             The Bible contains numerous outstanding sermons or at least briefs thereof. The minds of Bible students immediately go to the Lord’s “Sermon on the Mount,” Peter’s Pentecost sermon, Stephen’s oration…