LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

TODAY'S TOPIC: ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS! TODAY'S VERSE: 2John 1:9-11 "...Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (teaching), do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds..." As we enter the month of December, the season of the year when many of our friends, relations, and neighbours will be observing the Birthday of Christ.  It will be appropriate that we give some time to a careful study of Christmas. We will attempt to give a comprehensive picture of the truth about Christmas.  Do you know about the origin and history of Christmas?  Humans are prone to take so many things for granted!  Where did Christmas come from?  Who authorized it?  Many of us will quickly answer that it was ordained by God, and orig...

TODAY'S TOPIC: Are You Defending or Defacing The Gospel? TODAY'S VERSE: 2Timothy 1:8. "...Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God,..." To deface is to act intentionally to damage or destroy the surface appearance of something, often this is done in a malicious or vandalistic manner.  This may cause harm to individuals or communities affected by the defacement. Defacing the Gospel of Christ will contribute to the loss of decency and respect for the authority of God, leading to chaos and disorderliness.  "...Let all things be done decently and in order." 1Corinthians 14:40. Over the years, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has suffered untold hardship, attack and defacement of its purity, simplicity, and completeness, from the hands of its enemies.  Men have sought to destroy and set at nought "...the Gospel of Christ, for it i...

TODAY'S TOPIC: THE FAITH OF CHRIST KNOWS NOTHING CALLED CHRISTMAS!!! TODAY'S VERSE: GALATIANS 4:9-10. "...But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years..." Every 25th of December, the religious World celebrates a holiday which they called " Christmas ", presumably to celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This celebration is supposed to be the BIRTHDAY of our Lord Jesus Christ!!! It should be kept in mind that the Gospel accounts reveal only a few incidents in connection with the early life of Jesus Christ. The following chronology of these events should be helpful: a. Birth of Jesus: Matt. 1: 2 5, Luke 2: 1-7 b. Visit of Shepherds (Same Night): Luke 2:8-20. c. Jesus' Circumcision (Eight days old): Luke 2:21. d. Jesus' Presentation (at least 40 days old): Lev...

The Church Described As "A Kingdom" And "The Called out" In this lesson, I would like to discuss two more of those biblical terms used to describe the church of Christ. There are many terms used to describe facets about the New Testament church and these two will assist us in coming to a better knowledge of its nature. The study in this lesson considers the church described as "a kingdom" and as "the called out." The Church As "A Kingdom" Through the years brethren have established several general rules by which they point out the use of the "kingdom analogy." Some of those rules are scriptural in content and are: 1. The term kingdom implies: A. A King (Christ - Luke 1:31-33). B. Subjects (all the saved ones are citizens). C. Territory (all the world - Matt. 28:18-20). D. A set of laws (Heb. 5:8,9; Jude 3). 2. The term "kingdom" is used occasionally interchangeably with church: A. Matthew 16:18,19, Jesus said to Pete...

Must A Christian Marry A Christian? I recently received this question in the mail from a sister in Christ and I thought your readers might enjoy studying this question also. Question: "Dear brother Thomas. Must a Christian marry a Christian? I have been told they must. What do you believe the Bible to teach on this?" Answer: A Christian does not sin when he marries a non-Christian! Now having said that, to advise a Christian to date or to marry a non-Christian, an alien sinner, is about the worst advice I could give a person for several reasons. The following is why I say it is not sinful to marry a non-Christian: Paul told some of the brethren in Corinth to remain with their mates who were not Christians (1 Cor. 7:10-17). It follows that anyone may enter into any relationship in which another Christian is advised to remain. If it is a sin for a Christian to marry a non-Christian, how does one go about repenting of said sin? Must they divorce without a scriptural cause (Mt. 1...

Approved Marriage Of God That every marriage contracted between a man and woman is approved of God would scarcely be affirmed by anyone. If, then, all marriages are not divinely approved it should be of great concern and interest to learn which ones are, as distinguished from those which are not, lest we should be found under God's censure. But though there may be among professed believers in God an agreement that God doesn't approve all marriages, there is not an agreement on the point of just which marriages Jehovah approves and which ones he doesn't. With some, marriage is a church sacrament, and thus properly restricted to those who are in the church. While a dogma of Catholicism, such belief is not entirely restricted to that body in some vital aspects of it. Some members of the Lord's church hold to views much akin to the Catholic concept. They would, in effect, make marriage a religious thing by virtue of claiming a Christian can only marry another Christian. Whi...

Marriage in the Eyes of God Many questions have been asked, many tracts and books have been written about this subject. I am simply trying to present what the Bible says about it. I believe the scripture that Paul wrote to Timothy and said, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for instruction which is in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (2 Tim. 3:15-16.) Therefore, I believe all information that is necessary can be given with a "Thus saith the Lord." I simply point to God's word and ask you to believe that only. The trouble with the religious world today is simply this: People do not accept God's word as absolute authority but mix into it their ideas and human creeds. I do not intend to base my convictions on the opinions of people I love and respect. Let us remember to study God's word and accept it as it is, not adding or ...

TODAY'S TOPIC: FAITH EXPLAINED CHRISTIAN LIFE. TODAY'S VERSE: Galatians 2:20. "... I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me..." It is not easy to define Christian Life without critically examining the approved Life of Faith. We must know what God prescribed as the essence of that life, noting especially the defining features and attributes of each aspect of it. Personal Faith. Sometimes, the Bible uses Faith in the sense of what one believes.  This is the faith of Hebrews 11:6:  "...But without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.”  One cannot deny that Faith is an essential part of the Christian Life. My Faith must be properly placed, but I must have faith!  In Hebrews 11:1, the wri...

TODAY'S TOPIC: FAITH EXPLAINED CHRISTIAN LIFE. TODAY'S VERSE: Galatians 2:20. "... I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me..." It is not easy to define Christian Life without critically examining the approved Life of Faith. We must know what God prescribed as the essence of that life, noting especially the defining features and attributes of each aspect of it. Personal Faith. Sometimes, the Bible uses Faith in the sense of what one believes.  This is the faith of Hebrews 11:6:  "...But without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.”  One cannot deny that Faith is an essential part of the Christian Life. My Faith must be properly placed, but I must have faith!  In Hebrews 11:1, the writer explains...