• Rightly Dividing the Word

    Keeping Our Sword Drawn and Sharpened 

    Published on 05-07-2012 12:17 PM  Number of Views: 38 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. False Doctrines,
    4. Sharing the Gospel,
    5. Homosexuality

    By Tom Wacaster

    My first preaching work was in a small farming community in south central Oklahoma. It was not uncommon to arrive at church services and find someone out front whittling on a stick with a pocketknife. Most of the time there was no definite purpose for "whittling," and the end result was a shortened stick with a sharp point at the end. But every now and then a good brother would be whittling away     ...
    Read More Read More

    ANSWERING ARGUMENTS - Pertaining to Prayer 

    Published on 02-11-2012 08:18 AM  Number of Views: 527 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Obedience,
    4. Authority of the Scriptures

    By JASON HILBURN

    Since the book Should We Pray to Jesus? was published in 2010, more material has been
    published by brethren who believe Christians have Scriptural authority to pray to Jesus and the
    Holy Spirit. Some new arguments have been presented in an attempt to support their doctrine.
    What this author considers to be their main arguments will now be taken into consideration, along
    with some further discussion of subjects previously ...
    Read More Read More 10 Comments

    Sons of God - "Angel Food for Thought" 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-08-2012 02:24 AM  Number of Views: 146 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. False Doctrines,
    4. Preaching the Word,
    5. Authority of the Scriptures

    Oh the joy of being called sons of God! Man has this special title given by believing in Christ and being born by the will of God (John 1:12-13). The Bible uses different terms both in the Hebrew and Greek for the word “son” or “sons”. One particular Hebrew word, “bane”, designated by Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries “H1121” appears 4924 times in the Old Testament. It is translated in many ways, the majority of which are not “son or sons”. Consider these few: children (Genesis 3:16), old ...
    Read More Read More

    “Not Knowing The Scriptures” 

    Published on 12-19-2011 04:06 PM  Number of Views: 491 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Thus Saith the Lord,
    4. False Doctrines,
    5. Authority of the Scriptures

    By Charles Box

    The Sadducees said there is no resurrection. They tried to trap Jesus with the following question: "Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, ...
    Read More Read More 1 Comment

    Can We Know When the Lord is Coming Back? 

    Published on 05-26-2011 03:18 PM     Number of Views: 1013 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. The End Times,
    4. Premillenialism

    By Jason Hilburn

    One of the most prevalent teachings of the New Testament Scriptures is the second coming of Christ. The Bible says that the Lord will return in the clouds on the last day, at the end of the world (Matt. 24:35-37; 1 Thess. 4:13 - 5:1-9; 2 Pet. 3:4-12). Peter wrote that before Christ’s return, scoffers would come along, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Peter revealed that if the Lord has not come yet, it is only because the Lord is being longsuffering with ...
    Read More Read More

    What Does the Bible Say About Salvation? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 05-24-2011 01:24 PM  Number of Views: 841 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    4. Thus Saith the Lord,
    5. Faith Only,
    6. Christianity,
    7. Sharing the Gospel

    Some individuals and groups claim that the salvation coming by God is accomplished by a singular thing such as grace, belief, or faith. The Bible refutes such teaching. Salvation absolutely includes these items and they are integral to it, however, considering the full scope of the teachings of Jesus, shared by Himself and the Holy Spirit through the apostles and prophets, a much clearer picture is displayed. Neither by grace, belief, or faith alone shall man be saved.

    ...
    Read More Read More

    Be Ye Doers 

    Published on 05-23-2011 07:16 PM  Number of Views: 691 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word

    by Tom Wacaster

    Alexander Campbell once wrote: “A man may enter a garden for three purposes; first, to learn the art of gardening; second, for pleasure; third, to gather fruit. So may a man read the Bible for three things: first, to learn to read it or dispute it; second, read the historical parts for pleasure; third, to gather fruit. This last is the true way.”

    The inspired writer put it this     ...
    Read More Read More

    The Deity of Christ 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 04-28-2011 11:50 AM  Number of Views: 682 
    1. Categories:
    2. God, the Bible, Heaven and Hell,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    4. Church of Christ,
    5. Christianity

    “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15) (1)

    The question of the Deity of Christ is debated by many. The atheist denies the existence of God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Christ was a created being. The Mormon ...
    Read More Read More

    There Is No Short Cut To A Knowledge Of God’s Word 

    Published on 03-26-2011 10:28 AM  Number of Views: 490 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Faithfulness


    by Tom Wacaster

    We live in an age of quick fixes, instant oatmeal, and disposable diapers. Get-rich-quick schemes abound, and con artists are having a heyday on the unsuspecting and gullible. Some years ago a man was asked if he had read the newest release of Random House Dictionary, to which he replied, “I’m waiting for the film version.” Patience and hard work have fallen upon hard times. Entitlements from     ...
    Read More Read More

    Miraculous Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Today? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-26-2011 01:40 AM  Number of Views: 500 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Miracles

    Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 6
    Miraculous Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Today?

    This is the final article in a series examining the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. To date a non-miraculous literal indwelling has been rejected and left the question: “What benefit would it be anyway?” A representative indwelling of Deity and man demonstrating unity according to God’s purpose stands scripturally acceptable. However, the question yet to be answered is ...
    Read More Read More

    Benefit of a Literal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-25-2011 02:05 AM  Number of Views: 403 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Sharing the Gospel

    Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 5
    Benefit of a Literal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
    Going against the illustrations presented in the four previous articles which argued against a literal non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit in favor of a representative indwelling, this article will focus on examining “what if”. What if there was a non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit as some believe today? What purpose would the indwelling serve? Some kind and earnest ...
    Read More Read More

    Sealed with the Spirit! Indwelling? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-19-2011 02:10 AM  Number of Views: 284 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Sharing the Gospel

    Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 4
    Sealed with the Spirit! Indwelling?

    As this series has progressed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has been presented as representative and not the same as the “gift of the Holy Spirit” or being “filled with the Spirit”. This article will focus on the idea of being sealed with the spirit, what it means, and whether or not it is an indwelling as some suppose. In conjunction with examining the terms ...
    Read More Read More

    Being Filled with the Holy Spirit and Indwelling 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-17-2011 01:12 PM  Number of Views: 1115 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Sharing the Gospel

    Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 3
    What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
    The previous two articles focused on Biblical associations with the topic of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the first article, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated to be non-miraculous representation of the Christian’s obedience to God’s will and not a literal indwelling. In the second, it was demonstrated a literal indwelling is not what the term “gift of the Holy ...
    Read More Read More

    Are We Wrong? 

    Published on 02-17-2011 12:11 PM  Number of Views: 267 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity

    By: Virgil L. Hale

    Peter wrote, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15). And in the next chapter, he wrote, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11).

    These verse tell us that we are to give a reason for what we teach and practice, and that reason must come ...
    Read More Read More

    Is the Gift of the Holy Spirit the Beginning of His Indwelling? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-16-2011 12:11 PM  Number of Views: 449 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Preaching the Word,
    4. Christianity

    Indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Part 2
    Is the Gift of the Holy Spirit the Beginning of His Indwelling? The first lesson in this series examined whether or not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is literal or representational. It was the conclusion of the article the Holy Spirit does not literally indwell anyone, but the term refers to a Christian putting on a Christ like life which matches the Bible given by the Spirit. It is this which allows the individual to indwell all of the Godhead ...
    Read More Read More

    Indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Part 1 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-15-2011 03:09 PM  Number of Views: 464 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Christianity

    Holy Spirit: Literal or Representational Indwelling? There are varying understandings of what is meant by the term “indwelling of the Holy Spirit”. This series of articles aims at examining the assertions of men and applications of scripture to determine the meaning of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit literal or representational? Is the gift of the Holy Spirit the beginning of His indwelling? What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? ...
    Read More Read More

    Assumptions 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 02-03-2011 02:32 PM  Number of Views: 369 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    4. False Doctrines,
    5. Preaching the Word,
    6. Christianity

    Grape cough medicine sounded like a good idea to try for my children when they had a cold, however, once was enough. The officially let me know they would rather die than ever try the grape flavor again. Satan is like Children’s Grape flavored cough medicine. The things he offers sound good on the surface, but when you accept them they are just nasty (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). The Pharisees are also another like comparison in that they appeared one way, but were another (Matthew ...
    Read More Read More

    JESUS VS. PAUL 

    Published on 02-01-2011 08:35 PM  Number of Views: 309 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Denominationalism,
    4. False Doctrines

    JESUS VS. PAUL

    By Garreth L. Clair

    A recent Christianity Today article called "Jesus vs. Paul" looks at the current debate among evangelical New Testament scholars (and their students) who seem to be divided into two main camps: those who emphasize Jesus and the kingdom, and those who focus on Paul and justification by faith. Stan Guthrie, who wrote our Bible study of the same name says, "While this ...
    Read More Read More

    A Second Chance for the Dead? 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 01-27-2011 06:38 PM  Number of Views: 393 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. False Doctrines,
    4. Christianity,
    5. Authority of the Scriptures

    What happens when a person dies? Since death happens to everyone eventually, the question is frequently pondered. Will there be a second chance at life? What happens to our loved ones when they die? Can the living do anything to make the afterlife of the dead better? There are a number of teachings on the topic of death and afterlife. Some theories say that there is nothing after life. Many eastern theologies believe in reincarnation. Christianity speaks of Hades and then an ...
    Read More Read More

    Constrained by Law 

    by
    Travis Main
    Published on 01-26-2011 02:38 PM  Number of Views: 310 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    4. Thus Saith the Lord,
    5. Preaching the Word,
    6. Faithfulness,
    7. Obedience,
    8. Christianity,
    9. Sharing the Gospel,
    10. Authority of the Scriptures

    ...
    Read More Read More

    Works of God 

    by
    Sonnie
    Published on 12-25-2010 08:55 AM  Number of Views: 169 
    1. Categories:
    2. Christian Living,
    3. Rightly Dividing the Word

    The Scriptures teach us that neither our own meritorious works nor works of the Law will earn us entrance into heaven...

    Ephesians 2:7-9 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through the faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

    Salvation is clearly the gift of God's grace, as it is not from us. Paul is not ...
    Read More Read More

    Don't Add To, Nor Take Away 

    by
    Jason Holladay
    Published on 12-25-2010 08:47 AM  Number of Views: 333 
    1. Categories:
    2. Rightly Dividing the Word,
    3. Hermeneutics

    In Deuteronomy chapter 4:2, Moses said, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Later in verse 32 of chapter 12 of the same book, he said, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

    In Proverbs 30:5-6, the Bible says, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them ...
    Read More Read More