Back to the Bible

By Jeff Smith

Most will remember that the Israelites left Egypt under the command of God’s servant, Moses, who led them through the wilderness forty years until they finally reached the Promised Land.

At that point, Moses died and Joshua took charge, leading the people into battle to take control of their land. Because Jehovah’s religion was to have one Lord and be free of idolatry and superstition, the faith of the heathen was a great danger. God commanded that they should be eliminated, but they weren’t.

Today, our strategy in dealing with the world around us involves conversion rather than extermination, but immersion in this life affords us the same opportunities to influence for good or to be influenced for evil. What are the dangers when we mingle with… Continue reading

by Steve Locklair

Many people all over the world are celebrating what is thought to be the birth of Christ and that topic will be emphasized in the majority of “churches” throughout the land. But, have you ever stopped to wonder about the origin and history of Christmas and all the various activities and symbols which are connected with it? Probably not, for few of us have. We are prone to take for granted things that we are familiar with. Perhaps you would reply, "Yes, it originated when Christ was born. It was ordained of God. Therefore we should remember his birthday which is December 25th. Jesus is the reason for the season." But are you sure? Could you prove it from the Bible? “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to… Continue reading

by Kyle Campbell

This week, CBS reported that Walmart has preliminary approval to put the kiosks in stores in Pennsylvania. The machines require customers to swipe their driver’s license and even give a breathalyzer test before they can choose between more than 50 varieties of wine. This article got me to thinking about the people I have encountered in the past who justify social drinking (they know drunkenness is wrong) by saying that Jesus made wine in John 2:1-11 at the wedding feast in Cana.

This belief is misguided because it rests on five incorrect assumptions. First, it is assumed that the word oinos (the Greek word for “wine”) indicates only “fermented-quality grape drink.” Second, it is assumed that since the word oinos is used in reference both to the… Continue reading

by Caleb Westbrook

The early years of young adulthood are full of wonderful joys and blessings as we begin to experience the world on our own. Yet it is in these crucial years that Satan seeks to enslave us to his service. As we begin to grow and have aspirations and desires of our own Satan puts before us an array of temptations in attempts to get us to stray from our God. He seeks to devour us as prey (1 Pet. 5:8).

Despite these relentless attacks during the early years of our lives, God does not leave us alone or unprepared (Heb. 13:5). We find throughout the Bible that He has equipped us with His will and strength so that we might resist the temptations of our youth and… Continue reading

by John C. Robertson

Paul has effectively dealt with the errors of the brethren in Corinth. Chapter 16 adds no new area of Corinthian error. This final chapter very typically approaches the brethren with words of encouragement and gives the location and date of this epistle (I Cor. 16:8-9). Paul gives instructions regarding a collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem (I Cor. 16:1-4; cf. Rom. 15:25-27). Secondly he gives his projected itinerary. Paul’s desire is to apparently supervise the final collection and send this money, with local church representatives, to Jerusalem and then head toward Rome (I Cor. 16:6). The reading of Romans 15:25-27, which was written approximately one year later than I Corinthians, indicates that Paul would have to go back to Jerusalem with the collected funds.

The… Continue reading

By Harry Osborne

In Luke 17, the Bible tells us of a time when Jesus came to a village near the border of Galilee and Samaria while on His way to Jerusalem. As he came into the village, ten lepers were shouting to Him in the distance. They pleaded with Jesus to heal them saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

Jesus responded by commanding them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." No doubt this gave the lepers great cause for hope. Under the Old Testament regulations regarding lepers, there was no reason for a leper to go to the priest unless some change had occurred in his status. Leviticus 13 and 14 detail the tests for leprosy, the quarantine associated with it and the sacrifices to be given in… Continue reading