LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

    NINETY-FIVE THESES OF MARTIN LUTHER. German theologian Martin Luther publicly condemned the practice of buying indulgences on October 31, 1517. His Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, popularly called the Ninety-Five Theses, consisted of 95 propositions that established a theological basis for opposing indulgences. Luther’s manifesto was widely distributed, causing a public controversy, and he was eventually excommunicated (denied the services and benefits of the Roman Catholic Church) for what the Church regarded as his heretical teachings. Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present a...

Jefferson David Tant Roswell, Georgia Immodesty, lust, adultery, deceit, drunkenness, murder. Not a very pleasant listing of words, is it? And some might wonder why we would put immodesty and murder in the same category. The reason is that all of the words listed belong in the same narrative, and are listed in the progressive order of events, beginning with immodesty and ending with murder. You should recognize the story of David and Bathsheba from 2 Sam. 11-12:25. Do women realize the power and influence they exercise over the thinking and actions of men by way of sexual attraction? Surely this is well illustrated by the sad story of Israel's great king and his beautiful neighbor. Who knows the reasons for Bathsheba's displaying herself immodestly within the view of David? But we can see that this action, however innocent it may have seemed to her, brought forth sin, sorrow and death, and its consequences reached into the distant future for the king of Israel. From his rooftop...

Is It Wrong to Drink? Dave Hart. Drinking beer, wine, whiskey and other beverages which contain alcohol, and therefore make one drunk, is a very old practice. The first time drinking is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis, chapter 9. Noah, a righteous man, became drunk and lay naked in his tent. This good man had his sense of right and wrong dulled by the evil effects of drinking. In Genesis 19, we read of another righteous man, Lot, who was overcome by the evil effects of alcohol. While drunk, he had sexual relations with his own daughters!    Again, a good man lost his sense of right and wrong when under the influence of alcohol. The writer of Proverbs warned: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).   Some people try to support their sinful habit of drinking by going to the Bible. They point out that some passages in the Bible speak of drinking wine as a good thing(Genesis 14:18; Amos 9:14; Zechariah 10:7...

Let the Bible Speak about SEX  Introduction Since the days before the flood, sex has been perverted. Since the time of Sodom, men and women have practiced immorality. Today we have many problems about sex. Many customs have not been founded on Christ's teaching but on human traditions. Turning to the Bible, we can separate out the chaff and use the wheat of divine truth.  The following principles set forth the teaching of the Bible on sex:  1  Both single and married people should remember that the body belongs to God and should be used to do His will so we may accomplish the purpose He has for us.  Romans 12.1: "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."  1 Corinthians 6.13, 15: "The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body...Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefor...

Eleven Suggestions to Make Prayer More Meaningful  Charles L. Brown  1. Pray More. The average Christian spends a very limited amount of time in prayer. We often reserve prayer for emergency use only. How much time would you estimate you spent in prayer yesterday? How much time last week? More Daniels are needed today (Dan. 6:10). 2. Be More Specific in Prayer. Prayers are often far too general, too vague. More praying should be done for specific people, specific needs, etc. Prayer should be fitted to the occasion and need. Too often our prayers are like that of the young boy when he and a friend found themselves in the pathway of what appeared to be sure disaster with no way of escape. One of the boys prayed the only prayer he had ever heard his father pray, and that before meals. He said, "God, make us thankful for what we are about to receive!" It may be that our prayers are often no more appropriate for the occasion than was his. 3. Pray with Greater Faith. James said tha...

TEN REASONS FOR BIBLE STUDY by David J. Riggs   1. The Bible yields food for the soul. It has the milk necessary forthe spiritual growth of the babe, and meat to sustain the older, mature Christian (1 Peter 2:1-2; Hebrews 5:12-14).   2. A knowledge of the truth, and obedience to it, is necessary to be made free from sin (John 8:31-32; 1 Peter 1:22).   3. The Bible reveals God's view of man. It enables the student to see himself as God sees him, for the Bible is God's mirror of the soul (James 1:22-25).   4. A working knowledge of the Bible arms one against the difficulties and hardships of life. It has a message to cover every condition and problem. It can be used in every emergency from the cradle to the grave (Romans 15:4).   5. The knowledgeable Christian is able to comfort and edify the discouraged and brokenhearted (Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).   6. The Scriptures contain all good works that are pleasing to God and give all things that pertai...