LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

8 Rules for Bible Study Introduction "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Here, Paul tells Timothy how important it is to study God's word. This leads to an understanding of what God wants from us so we can be approved in his sight. The following is a list of rules that should be followed when studying the Bible so that we can divide the word of truth correctly. 1. Be objective -- seek the truth. If we read the bible with preconceived ideas, or with the purpose of proving our own beliefs, we will not find the truth. Paul warns us of the consequences of not seeking the truth: "And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe...

15 things African pastors have used to conduct 'healing' hivisasa.com Oct 26, 2018 2:00 AM A pastor steps on a woman's abdomen in a 'healing process'. [Photo/Nation] With seeking spiritual healing being the only option to turn to when all known medical interventions have failed, many have had to go through a lot of pain, suffering and psychological torture at the hands of pastors who use comical antics in ‘curing’ medical conditions.  Salvation Healing Ministries’ Victor Kanyari has been by far the most widely known ‘healer’ whose methods were but a fantasy that worked on a select group of people only.  His ‘healings’ were stage-managed, well planned and executed in the presence of the congregation. Let’s have a look at some of the methods used by the ‘spiritual healers’ from Kenya and the rest of the continent as well. 1. Use of Potassium Permanganate This was a method put to use by one of Kenya’s most...

The Blessings of Prayer   by Heath Rogers Why do we pray? (Do you pray?) Do we look upon prayer as a tiresome obligation, a “get out of jail free card” to be used when we get in trouble, or some kind of cosmic wish list? The Bible teaches us that prayer is a great blessing, and a means of receiving all the blessings that we need from God. Consider the following examples of why we pray. 1. For Forgiveness of Sins.  David expounds upon the joy of forgiveness in Psalm 32.  “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”  (v. 1). Indeed, there is no greater blessing than to know that God, out of His mercy and grace, has forgiven us of our sins; knowing that our souls, once blackened by sin, have been washed clean. David goes on to say that this blessing came to him through prayer:  “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD...

THE CHURCH JESUS LOVES by Owen D. Olbricht Does Jesus love the church? Is the church important to Him? Is there a church that Jesus loves? If there is, what church does He love? In order to answer these questions other questions should be answered. 1. What is the church?   Many people use the word church to refer to a building by saying: "The church burned." "The wedding will be in the church." "The funeral was held in the church." The word ekklesia (literally, called out), which is translated "church," never means a physical building but rather refers to a congregation of people. Saul persecuted the church by putting men and women in prison (Acts 8:3). These were the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1) who were called Christians (Acts 11:26). 2. Who built the church?   Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18). In later books of the New Testament we read about the church, which must mean that Jesus had built His c...

THE CHURCH JESUS LOVES by Owen D. Olbricht Does Jesus love the church? Is the church important to Him? Is there a church that Jesus loves? If there is, what church does He love? In order to answer these questions other questions should be answered. 1. What is the church?   Many people use the word church to refer to a building by saying: "The church burned." "The wedding will be in the church." "The funeral was held in the church." The word ekklesia (literally, called out), which is translated "church," never means a physical building but rather refers to a congregation of people. Saul persecuted the church by putting men and women in prison (Acts 8:3). These were the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1) who were called Christians (Acts 11:26). 2. Who built the church?   Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18). In later books of the New Testament we read about the church, which must mean that Jesus had built His c...

QUALIFICATIONS OF PREACHERS By  Mike Riley Much is said regarding the qualifications of elders, but what about the qualifications of preachers? Many of the admonitions to preachers and qualifications of preachers are found in Paul’s discourse to Timothy and Titus. The following is a partial list: 1)  “Charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables, and endless genealogies….” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). 2)  “….war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience….” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). 3)  Pray for those who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). 4)  Put the brethren in remembrance of the things Paul speaks of in 1 Timothy 4:1-6. 5)  Ignore worthless fables and focus on godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). 6)  Be an example of the believers, “in word, in conversation (manner of life), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). 7)  “Give ...

Who Is a Christian? By  Wayne Jackson    The term “Christian” is found three times in the New Testament. It is employed initially in conjunction with the ministry of Barnabas and Saul in Antioch of Syria. [T]he disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Later, when pressed with evidence for the validity of the Christian system, Herod Agrippa II said: Almost you persuade me to be a Christian (26:28). The King James Version suggests a man who is wrestling with his conscience. Others feel that the ruler’s remark is cynical: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (NIV). Perhaps the truth is somewhere between the two. The king’s comment may reflect a  respectful evasion . Finally, Peter writes: [I]f any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name (1 Peter 4:16). Some—especially those who are enamored with...

"FASTING" -- A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE. Introduction. 1.  The Bible has quite a lot to say about the subject of fasting, although the subject is not studied much. Consequently, much misunderstanding surrounds the subject. Hopefully, this study of fasting from the Bible will help us remove some of these misunderstandings. 2.  "Fasting" literally means to abstain from food.   a.  It could be done voluntarily, cf. Matthew 4:1-2, or   b.  It could be forced due to one s circumstances, 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:21. 3.  The subject of this study will be voluntary fasting as it relates to one’s service to God. I.  FASTING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.   A.  A Fast was Commanded on the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16:29-34; 23:27-32.     1.  "Afflict your souls" - An outward manifestation of one’s personal contrition and repenta...

" Lord, Teach Us To Pray” And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples (Luke 11:1). “How is your prayer life?” is a question that many would just rather not answer. I am a praying man, but I don’t pray enough. I do not believe that I am out of the ordinary in that regard. Jesus, our model for Christian living, prayed hours on end at times. Sometimes, it seems as if I barely have time to utter a brief “thank you” for the day’s blessings. I am grateful that we have those public periods of worship when we may collectively stop and offer prayer. It causes me to reflect upon my own prayer life and the need I have to engage the Father in prayer more often. Public prayer feeds private prayer, and vice versa. All of it tends to the glory of God.  “Lord, teach us to pray.” Men ought always to pray....

How Do I Become a Member of the Church of Christ? Or, What Must I Do To Be Saved?   Introduction You might be surprised by the title—that being in the church and being saved are synonymous concepts, but that is clearly the teaching of Jesus and the apostles as recorded in Scripture. The church = the saved Acts 2:47 God’s part in man’s salvation (see Who Is Jesus?) Man’s part in his own salvation Believe John 8:24 Repent Acts 2:38 Confess Romans 10:10 Be baptized in water Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38   The church = the saved The reason that many people don’t connect salvation with the church is because they don’t know what the word church means. It simply means the called out. Who are “the called out”? “The called out” (the church) is the group of people who have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). Wh...

ADVANTAGES FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ENJOY   Lloyd Gale         In the end, faithful Christians are the recipients of an eternal inheritance because we are God’s chosen people (1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:9). Christians sing “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done.” It’s more than a beautiful hymn, it’s good advice.          We should not focus exclusively on the turmoil, sin and chaos of the world in which we live. Christian values may cause us to wonder about the corruption around us as we hear the news and observe society continuing on its downward path of self destruction. Can things get any worse? As the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16), we seek to rescue the perishing with the Gospel. We must not allow Satan to discourage us.          Christians understand that this world and this life are but temporar...

The Lost Bible Intro. 1.  Who hasn’t misplaced something important to them (keys, Bible?). 2.  Imagine an entire nation – one that claimed to be the special people of God – losing the Bible! It has happened, 2 Chrn 34:14-19 . 3.  We are in danger of losing the Bible in our lives and in the church (God’s kingdom)! I. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN THE HOME, 2 Tim 1:5 . A.  The Bible is Lost when it is not Learned and Lived in the Home. 1. The destruction of marriage , Matt 19:6; Heb 13:4 . 2. The destruction of morality , Eph 5:3-7 . 3. The destruction of member responsibility , Eph 6:1-4 . B.  Make Room in Your Home for God’s Word, Jno 8:37 . II. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN DIVISION, 1 Cor 1:12-13; 4:6 . A.  Twisted to Satisfy Carnal Impulses Like Selfishness and Pride , 1 Cor 3:3-4 ; cf. Diotrephes, 3 Jno 10-11 . B.  Be Committed to God’s Truth and Committed to Serving Others Instead of Yourself, Eph 4:...

A Traveler's Guide to Heaven. NOTE: Arrangements for accommodations must be made in advance (John 14:2) Passports: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority (Revelation_21:27). Departure Time: The exact date of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be prepared to leave on short notice (1Corinthians_15:52) Tickets: Your ticket was purchased by a Friend named Jesus. It should be claimed by learning the gospel, believing in Christ, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus, and having sins washed away in baptism (Romans_10:17; Acts_2:38; Matthew_10:32; Acts_22:16). Keep its promises firmly in hand (John_5:24; Hebrews_5:8-9). Luggage: No luggage whatsoever is needed or allowed (1 Timothy_6:7). Immigration: All passengers are classified as immigrants, since they are taking up permanent residence in a new country. There is no maximum quota, so all are invite...

Restoring the Spirit of the Early Church by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. Members of the churches of Christ today generally recognize that they are beneficiaries of "the restoration movement" that began in this country in the late 1700's. While we recognize that our faith and practice must not be rooted in that movement, but in the New Testament, we are grateful to those involved in the movement that encouraged men and women to go back of human traditions and creeds to the "apostles' doctrine" for their faith and practice. As a result we have done a pretty good job of restoring the  doctrine, worship, work  and  structure  of the early church. As it was in the early years, we have to stay vigilant to keep these things true to the doctrine of Christ revealed to us through the New Testament writers. There is another aspect of the early church that we need to give attention to restoring – the  spirit  of the early church. By "spirit" we mean at...