Month: December 2004

I recently ran across an account of the Carl Mosser family, who several years ago were murdered while traveling in Oklahoma, after being held hostage for several days.

According to the account, while getting gas at a little gas station on a rural road, Mr. Mosser jumped their captor, and begged the station owner to help him, and call the police. Instead, the station owner got his gun, and told all of them to leave, saying, “I don’t want any trouble around here.”

Continue reading “Remaining Neutral” →

It is needful to note that several modern concepts of the origin of authority are incorrect.

The Source of Divine Authority Is Not…

The Doctrine or Practices of the Old Testament

There are a number of common religious practices today which were characteristic of Old Testament worship. Some denominations advocate the use of an instrument of music in worship because of the Old Testament practice. Others speak of tithing as required of God, or the practice of sabbath observation. Some Mormons actually appeal to the Old Testament as giving authority for the practice of polygamy. Continue reading “False Sources for Divine Authority” →

It is almost universally recognized that men can co-exist peaceably only with a recognition of authority. True anarchists (those who rebel against any established authority or power) are few and far between, because anarchy leads to confusion and chaos. Even one who occasionally breaks the rules understands that the rules are necessary. Continue reading “The Need for Bible Authority” →

Though many fail to see it, the date the Lord’s church was established is significant. It is significant because all of truth is significant. It seems the height of arrogance for man to take God’s revelation, and seek to place value on the constituent parts. While some of God’s word is “milk” and some is “meat”, nothing of God’s revelation should be considered unimportant.

This can be clearly seen by Paul’s treatment of those who taught error on the subject of circumcision. Some taught that the Gentile had to be circumcised (a Jewish covenant) as a part of their Christian profession. Continue reading “Church and Kingdom” →

Religious people differ on the date of the church’s establishment. To some it matters little, being simply a theological question with little practical value. Such a point of view is short-sighted, as misconceptions regarding this question have contributed to false theories regarding the kingdom of God. Continue reading “The Establishment of the Church” →

Numerous passages of scripture reveal Jesus Christ to have authority in the church. Authority, or “headship” is shown in such passages as Colossians 1:18, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence”; and Ephesians 1:22-23, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Continue reading “Can One Be Saved Out of the Church?” →

Because of the proliferation of denominations, there is much confusion regarding the nature of the church. Error serves to confuse, but truth enlightens. By turning to the word of God we are able to alleviate any misunderstandings about that blood bought institution (cf. Acts 20:28). Continue reading “What Is The Church?” →