Articles
Recently I had a few younger men who wanted to study about preaching and how to give better lessons at their local congregations. While in the course of our study, I asked a simple yet pointed question: “What is righteousness?” At first, no one wanted to answer for fear of misquoting a scripture. Then I [...]
That J.W. McGarvey, the little giant of the Restoration Movement, was opposed to instrumental music in worship, is a fact too well known to be disputed. While in Lexington, KY some years ago, my wife and I visited the Broadway Christian Church, where McGarvey preached and held membership for many years. We were met by [...]
The subject of contentment is not a new one, but rather a very old concept that needs to be preached and demonstrated for our current generations. “A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16) Why is this important? Why is it better to have a little [...]
The city of Ephesus thoroughly imbibed the spirit of Paganism. They were obsessed with idols and superstitious omens. They had mingled immorality and sexual perversion with their worship. They had embraced spiritualism and occult practices such as speaking to the dead and reading signs in the heavens, and in all of this, they thought they [...]
Can you defend the faith? What do you believe? Do you think you should defend your beliefs? In Philippians 1:3-7 the apostle Paul was in prison for the sake of preaching the Gospel. He wrote, “…inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with [...]
Lord willing, this New Year will bring us many wonderful new experiences. There will be new people that we will meet, new opportunities to let our lights shine, new songs to sing, and new memories to be made. As we close the old year, let us be mindful that we have laid a landmark that [...]
We continue our thoughts on the Christian voting in political elections, and today we want to consider another idea that frequently comes up in conversations on this topic. To many people, voting, and other political activities beyond obedience to the laws, constitutes worldliness. This argument is met with the claim that we “ought not become [...]
Continue reading about Should a Christian Vote in a Political Election? Part 2
Some of our readers may remember that back during the election we posted some information about the Christian and the Civil Government and God’s relationship to the Civil Government. I am glad to inform you that much insightful and spirited conversation ensued from that article, perhaps eliciting a greater response than any we have yet [...]
Continue reading about Should a Christian Vote in a Political Election? Part 1
Today there is no doubt that Churches of Christ in America recognize a strong need for scriptural church government in “every city” and at the same time a great dearth of such government is present.
Back in 1990, Brother J. F. Dancer, Jr. made the observation that there was a severe shortage of scriptural elderships in American churches writing in the Guardian of Truth that many congregations have existed for up to fifty years (or more) who do not have scriptural Elders and Deacons, and seem to have no plan to get them any time soon.
When we read through the Bible we quickly begin to see those who successfully stood for God and His message to man, and those who didn’t. Who stood for God? We see that Noah stood for God in the face of the entire world’s disobedience. He and his family alone were spared from the great [...]
The following article is an answer to questions concerning the need for re-baptism if one has been baptized for the remission of sins in a denomination. The article was written by Ronny F. Wade and has been printed with his permission. We commend it to you. – Clint De France The controversy over the rebaptism [...]
This is a new item that will be appearing on the site. Soon we will have special locations dedicated to these topics but for now here is a sampling. The Book Review section will be called, “The Preacher’s Bookshelf” The Preacher’s Bookshelf By C. E. De France The Mission and Medium of the Holy Spirit [...]
In a recent issue of the Old Paths Advocate Brother Brett Hickey wrote an excellent article on Original Sin. As he began to discuss the age of innocence an interesting thought came to my mind. Total hereditary depravity states that, “Adam became sinful, and hence all of his posterity are born in a state of [...]
Continue reading about Abortion and Total Hereditary Depravity
Over the years there have been a great many good, honest, and sincere brethren who have held to the doctrine of a personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As I look into the teachings of scripture, though I do not doubt their wisdom or intelligence, I cannot agree that this is the truth. A number [...]
Continue reading about The Operation of the Holy Spirit: Direct or Indirect
The subject of the Christian’s relationship to the government is certainly a very controversial one, with opinions ranging from total participation (even mandatory) to living without any consideration of the civil authorities at all. Certainly both of these are extreme positions and there are numerous ideas in between them. The Origin of Civil Government The [...]
There are few subjects that evoke such controversy in the minds of men as those which deal with the Holy Spirit and his role in the life of saint and sinner. This is a truly distressing thing, for the purpose of the Spirit was not to bring controversy but comfort. One such doctrine that we [...]
To anyone who has suffered loss; to anyone who has wondered if God really cares; to anyone who has been overcome with sorrow and felt abandoned on all sides, the book of Job holds a special place. Job is a story of God’s desire for man’s love. It illustrates the faith that God puts in [...]
The congregational teacher is a most noble position in the service to the Lord. It is a position of instruction as well as leadership. Typically, as the pulpit goes so goes the congregation. I receive a number of distressing calls each week from members of various congregations. The number one problem they wish to discuss [...]
YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER… Have you ever wondered why John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees vipers? What were some of the curses God used in the Garden of Eden? What is the significance of the serpent-dragon in the Revelation letter? Who are the sons of God? Who are the sons of Satan? [...]
A great topic of discussion in sectarian circles these days is the need for instilling a “Christian World View” in the minds of believers. As I understand this term, it refers to the attitude that we have when addressing all the areas of life around us. A true “Christian World View” would insist that we [...]
Dear Interested Reader, I write this article to help you in your quest for simple, New Testament Christianity, an essential part of which is scriptural, God-pleasing worship! The Cup – What I would first encourage you to do is look through the scriptures where we are told how to commune. It is always cup, never [...]
Continue reading about Questions About the Lord’s Supper Answered
Opposing Innovation in Religion There are certainly those who will ask: why do we approve of innovations in material matters and oppose them in divine matters? Well the answer is very simple. There are two types of Innovations: Those Involving Man’s Arrangements Those involving Divine Arrangements With the first we have no problem. Why? [...]
The Question was recently posed to me asking what the difference is between bible classes and a television program or tracts. How is one any more scriptural than the other? In the Early Church their were two basic methods of teaching the Word of God according to Acts 20:20 where Paul said, “I taught you [...]
Do you get more milk or meat in your diet? “I’ll have a chocolate shake and a cheeseburger, please. ” No, no. Not that kind of diet, I mean your scripture diet. Do you study and challenge yourself to get a little deeper into the Word, or do you just read the easy texts? When [...]
In the 28th Chapter of Isaiah we find a rather interesting, and at the same time, humorous picture painted by the words of the prophet. In verse 20 he writes, “For the bed is too short to stretch out on, And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it.” It is kind [...]