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Does the New Testament indicate that a time will come when miraculous gifts will be replaced by something better? What could be “more complete” or “unified” than the many differing gifts of the Spirit received by the first Christians?
An in-depth study of two contrasting ideas: what we’ve earned through sin and the free gift God has offered to humanity.
While the resurrection of Christ is generally recognized as the foundation of Christianity, his ascension is equally significant.
The devil is after us. He wants us to join him in hell’s fire. In Ephesians 6:12-18, the apostle Paul pleads with Christians to take the devil’s malicious plans seriously. He calls upon us to appropriate the only available means to stand against the wiles of Satan — the whole armor of God. Such w...
Three verses in the New Testament include the word “pastor” (in various forms): Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:28, and 1 Peter 5:2. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul discusses various roles that Christ placed in the church. He intends for “pastors and teachers” to serve in the church. The expression “pastors and ...
What is a miracle? What is the purpose of miraculous signs? Are genuine miracles happening today? What about the “miracles” of the so-called modern faith-healers? Do these indicate a miraculous presence of the Spirit in modern times? Study this important topic.
While the term "unity" is rare in the English Bible (Psa. 133:1; Eph. 4:3; 4:13), the idea prevails profusely in a variety of contexts. (a) Unity is that oneness that obtains perfectly among the members of the divine Godhead -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These holy Persons are "one" (Dt. 6:4; ...
The role of the Christian teacher is sobering indeed, for those who presume to "teach" will receive a "heavier judgment" (Jas. 3:1). This warning is not designed to discourage teaching (a divine obligation -- Mt. 28:20); rather, it emphasizes that the responsibility must be taken very seriously. ...
The term "evangelist" is an Anglicized form of the Greek euanglistes, derived from eu ("well") and angelos ("messenger"). An evangelist is someone who proclaims the good news, serving as a gospel herald. In a broader sense, all Christians are evangelists. However, the term is used in the New Test...
This is one of the titles of a church official who oversees a local congregation of Christ's church in the company of fellow bishops (always a plurality of men). "Bishop" translates the Greek term episcopos, literally "oversee." The bishop is the same as an elder (presbuteros -- older man; see Ac...
Is Satan an actual living, personal being? What does the Bible reveal about this malevolent enemy of God and man?
The article explores the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the church by detractors who attempt to alter God’s will and doctrine. It highlights the importance of steadfastness in preserving the church’s faith and doctrine.
History is a record of the past. One would think that this is a perception of relative simplicity. It appears not to be; there are so many perversions of history. This article deals with a number of them.
Are Bible classes, commonly called “Sunday school classes,” in harmony with the holy scriptures? Some contend they are not, and they have divided the church over this issue. Take a fresh look at this subject with a biblically based, common sense approach.
A careful investigation of the biblical text provides a powerful antidote to the postmodern confusion which alleges that truth is subjective, elusive, and ephemeral.
Does the Bible teach that a Christian cannot ever fall away from grace?
The expression “the gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38 has long been a matter of interest and discussion among the people of God.
Words are vehicles of communication. Since it is the case that “words” can lead either to salvation or to condemnation, it is important that Christians craft a vocabulary that expresses biblical ideas in their purest form. Study this issue with us in this month’s Feature.
Does the Bible contradict itself? Skeptics frequently claim it does. But a careful consideration of the law of contradiction demonstrates otherwise.
A popular Christian teacher recently stated that sincere people, regardless of their religious affiliation, should not be discouraged from praying for miracles. In this week’s Penpoints, Wayne Jackson respectfully challenges this assertion.