'New Testament' Tagged Posts
PURSUE A PAUL
Research has revealed that one of the most critical elements to preventing new converts from leaving the church is relationships. According to one study, “Each new person should be able to identify at least seven friends in the church within the first six months.”1 In other words, developing faith-based friendships is critical to faith development. Maybe that is why relationships played such a vital part in Paul’s ministry. Paul was a man who thrived on relationships. Rarely do you find…
The Framing Department – Part One
One of our favorite stores, as a family, is Hobby Lobby. We go into Hobby Lobby to look at lots of different things: I enjoy the comic book wall art (because I’m a mature adult who still likes superheroes), the girls like looking at the toys, and Brooke likes pretty much everything else. Also, you can shop for Christmas trees in mid-May, which is always a much-needed burst of festivity during the summer months. Going into Hobby Lobby, however, it…
TRIPADVISOR: ETERNITY
If you are ever traveling through Stroudsburg, PA, you might want to steer clear of the Pocono Plaza Inn. According to tripadvisor.com (a trusted consumer-based website that ranks hotels, airlines, restaurants, etc.), this hotel is in the top 10 worst hotels in the country. Some of the reviews for this hotel include: “There was a family in the room next to me. I heard them getting a shower. Shortly after the shower turned on I heard a gurgling sound in…
WHY DO CHURCHES OF CHRIST ASSEMBLE ON SUNDAY?
Under Mosaic Law the sacred day of the week was the seventh day, which was known as the Sabbath. It was a day of rest during which no work was to be done (Exodus20:9-10; Deuteronomy 5:14). According to Mosaic Law, the seventh day was to be held in high honor. The fourth command of the Ten Commandments says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The reason this day was so sacred is because it correlated to…
THE WHY SERIES – WHY DOES THE CHURCH OF CHRIST BELIEVE THAT MIRACULOUS GIFTS NO LONGER EXIST?
It is undeniable that miraculous gifts—gifts such as the ability to heal the sick, work miracles, prophesy, discern spirits, speak in tongues, and interpret tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-10)—were present in the early church (Acts 2:1-12; 3:6-7; 5:12-16; 8:5-24; 9:32-42; 10:44-48; 11:27-28; 13:1-12; 14:8-10; 16:16-18; 19:1-7; 20:9-11; 21:10-11). But does their existence in the first century necessitate their existence today? Must a church that seeks to emulate the first century church advocate the presence of miraculous gifts today? To answer this question…
Dear Paul…
Tucked into the back half of the New Testament is a one-chapter letter written by the apostle Paul. The letter is only 25 verses, and it is curiously unconcerned with presenting theological or doctrinal concepts, church instruction/correction, or a treatise on any specific issue. This letter was, in fact, written to one person: a Christian brother named Philemon. Philemon was a faithful Christian man, and a member of the Lord’s Church. In fact, the local church met in his house…