FAQ: I know people who are teaching that we Christians today are required to observe the feasts and ceremonial holidays that the Jews in the Old Testament observed? Is that true? [To further help you study this subject, we suggest you open up or print off this Administrations in Scripture chart.] Although that idea is not prevalent in what is …
Do I Have to Tithe?
FAQ: Most churches I have been to teach rather emphatically that Christians should “tithe,” that is, give 10% of their income to their church. I have even heard some ministers say that if you don’t tithe, God will not bless you. Must you give a tenth (10%) to the church? What does the Bible say about financial giving? “What does …
Day of Pentecost
FAQ: I have heard it said that the Day of Pentecost (in Acts 2:1 and following) was the “birthday of the Church”? Words have specific meanings, and in any biblical discussion or exposition, defining our terms is critical. The three key words in the above question are “Pentecost,” “birthday,” and “Church.” Let’s start with the “Church.” The Greek word for …
ATTENTION Full Time Ministers of the Gospel
This article is focused upon the monumental event recorded in Acts 2 when, on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost, the Christian Church, the Body of Christ on earth, was born. None of the “about 120” who first received the gift of holy spirit that morning, or the “about 3000” who believed Peter’s subsequent message and were born again shortly thereafter, …
Are Christians Required to Keep the Sabbath?
Good question, considering how prevalent among Christian churches is the custom of getting together for a Sunday service. As usual, the question we must ask is, “What does the Bible say?” And yes, the Bible does prescribe taking one day a week, “the seventh day,” as God did, for a “Sabbath.” It is most important to understand that the word …
The Path We Have Chosen
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is a great song. Lately I’ve been thinking about what it means that you and I have chosen to walk the path of following our Lord Jesus wherever he leads us—and also how much he appreciates whatever efforts we make to do so. After all, the Son of God was tempted in all ways …
The Third Death
Most everyone knows of two deaths, the natural death that comes to all, and the second death in the lake of fire. But Jesus mentioned a third death – the death to SELF. This death, unlike the other two is something that every disciple of Christ should seek to experience. Dying to self is to deny our personal will, beliefs, …
The Trinity: Trick or Treat?
From the title of this teaching, you might suppose, “John is preaching to the choir.” But of course choir members still need reinforcement of their core beliefs, especially regarding an issue as critical as who is Jesus and what is his relationship to God. And John will take a little different tack to emphasize how this confusing, convoluted notion dilutes …
Man, The Image of God: Can An Icon Be Iconoclastic?
This month lets consider what it means to be made in the image of God, an important but controversial topic about which Christians differ greatly in understanding. Grasping its truth will help you see both yourself and others more like God does. The particular English word, “icon,” means “a picture, image, or other representation; a representation of some sacred personage, …
When Was Jesus Born?
Every December, Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and December 25 has become so closely associated with his birth that many people naturally assume the date comes from the Bible. It does not. Scripture never states that Jesus was born on December 25, nor does it give his birth date in a single verse. If we …