Author: Stan Cox

Sometimes when Jesus gives authority through His word, what He commands allows for the exercise of some limited discretion by His disciples. The command is general in nature, allowing choices. A good example of this is the command to sing, as revealed in Ephesians 5:19, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

While the command to sing is specific in that it identifies the type of worship – singing as contrasted to playing; it is general in that choice is given regarding the type of singing. Nowhere in scripture has God identified a specific type of singing (unison, chanting, four part harmony). So, Christians are given choice in the matter.

Of course, the choice is not unlimited. A style of singing lacking in reverence, causing confusion, or interfering with proper edification would be excluded based on other guidelines given by inspiration regarding acceptable worship.

Continuing the example, other choices we make in singing include the use of song books, projection screens, pitch pipes, an appointed leader, etc. When such choices are made, they aid in the command to sing, and in no way violate the command or parameters set by the Holy Spirit. Such choices merely expedite our fulfilling God’s requirements for us. Please note that such choices must themselves be inherently lawful. They must not violate other principles established in God’s word.

Objections may be raised to an acceptable religious practice because this principle of general authority is not fully understood.

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This past week I came across a YouTube video, where an apologist for the theory of evolution was seeking to explain the origin of the universe. Said apologist is taken with a book written by Lawrence Krauss, A Universe from Nothing , which posits that the universe came from, as the apologist states, “literally nothing.” Please read the following quotes carefully from that video:

Continue reading “In the News: Something from Nothing” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

When we look for the invisible rather than the visible, it gives us the ability to handle the despair and pressures of this life. “Our light affliction” is “but for a moment.”

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The third principle we affirm is authority is established through Divine implication. The principle is wrongly under attack as an arbitrary invention of man rather than a God ordained principle.

By “Divine implication,” we mean truths to be found in God’s word that are not explicitly stated. Instead, they are implicit in the text of scripture. We use our God given ability to reason to INFER the truth that is IMPLIED.

A simple example of this principle is Jesus’ debate with the Sadducees in Matthew 22. They denied the resurrection. Jesus answered, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (29). He then established the truth about the resurrection by appealing to Exodus 3:6. He argued the phrase, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” implied a resurrection. Though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were physically dead at the time God spoke these words, the words “I AM” are used rather than “I was.”

The inference Jesus made? “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (32). The text does not explicitly mention the resurrection. Rather, it is implied.

One caveat, the implication must really be there. Our inference must be necessary as we examine the text. It is not acceptable to say that it MAY be so. We are not to read possibilities into the text. That is eisegesis. Instead, we take out only what is actually there. That is exegesis, our goal.

We must not deny the validity of a principle used by the Lord Himself as we seek to establish authority.

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The lesson compares and contrasts the modern day practice of glossolalia (ecstatic utterances of unintelligible sounds) with the New Testament practice of speaking in tongues.

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

It is easy to see the point at which the penitent achieved reconciliation with God in the New Testament. In examples such as the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8), Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9) and the Philippian Jailor (Acts 16), those who heard the gospel and were convicted of their sin were concerned, showing immediate desire to respond to God’s commands. Having done so, and finally being baptized for the remission of their sins, they “went on their way rejoicing.”

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The second principle we affirm is that approved examples give us authority to act. Whenever we find Christians in the New Testament engaging in behavior that is approved by God, we can copy that behavior. We are on safe ground, guaranteed to please Him.

This is both logical and scriptural. It is true because Christians today live today under the same covenant as those of the first century (cf. Hebrews 1:1-4; 8:10-13). It is true because God does not show partiality (cf. Acts 10:34). It is true because we are called to emulate other Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1).

The Holy Spirit intends for us to learn from all examples. Paul wrote of Israel’s disobedience, and said, “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them” (1 Corinthians 10:6-7a). However, for us to be safe in doing or teaching anything, the examples we follow must be approved by God.

A demonstration: In Acts 20, Paul was in Troas. Verse 7 states, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” Since the disciples met on Sunday to partake of the Lord’s Supper, we can do the same with God’s approval.

This principle is seldom denied. The problem is not the belief that we are wrong to emulate Christians in the first century, but that we are free to depart from that pattern they create by their actions and teaching. This will be discussed in a later article.

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A textual examination of a number of verses where the phrase “one another” is found. The lesson emphasizes our need to love our brethren in Christ, with an explanation of ways this love is to be demonstrated.

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List of verses in DOCX format

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Stan examines 1 Thessalonians 1:4, and discusses what it means to be “elected” by God. The text itself, (see verse 9) shows that in order to be elected by God, it was necessary that they had turned to God from idols. This is an indication of the necessity of repentance.

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In the next few, short articles I will write, I intend to discuss the ways we can ascertain God’s pattern for us today. Each article will be a concise affirmation of a particular aspect of that pattern, so more detailed discussion will have to wait for the comments, later articles by me, or the writings of other men.

The first principle is a simple one, easily understood. We can know what God requires of us, and the limits He places upon our behavior, by the explicit commands He reveals to us. As one wag said, “They are the 10 commandments, not the 10 suggestions!”

Put concisely, it is required that any group obeys the explicit instructions God gives particularly to it. In calling for Israel’s obedience, Jehovah said, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy” (Leviticus 10:3).

All men today are amenable to the commands of Jesus Christ. All authority has been given to Him (cf. Matthew 28:18). Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He further directed His apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would inspire them, and direct them into “all truth” (John 16:12-14). So, what the New Testament writers command, are the commands of Jesus Himself. (cf. 2 Peter 1:19-21).

It is amazing how many claim that Jesus is their Lord, and yet refuse to do what He tells them to do. The concept of Lordship requires of us complete submission. If Jesus said do it, we must obey. If Jesus said don’t do it, we must refrain. When He comes again, He will come in righteousness to punish the disobedient (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

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Jesus promised to establish his Kingdom in Mark 9:1. Many religious people todaly still look for him to keep that promise. However, he already has. Scriptures are examined to establish at what point the Kingdom came into existence.

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While the world can offer a momentary happiness, true and lasting joy comes only to one who has the hope of eternal life. It is dependent upon a relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Powerpoint Slides

I received an email a few days ago, from the Bible Questions website (biblequestions.org). They frequently send out examples of the questions and answers that are archived on the site. The question in this email was, “Why is profanity so common?”

I liked the answer given. First, it was noted that the frequency of public profanity has skyrocketed. One stat given was an 800% increase in frequency over earlier periods. Now, the survey date was not given, and the time frames were not clear, but it is obvious that profanity is heard more and more often in public. It is not only uttered by men, but also now by women and children.

Continue reading “In the News: A Profane Nation” →

FAQ’s. The acronym is well known with the advent of the internet. Frequently asked questions. Here are some simple answers to frequently asked questions about the church of Christ. Feel free to share with others:

Continue reading “FAQ Sheet: Church of Christ” →

When the angel promised Zacharias and Elizabeth they would have a child, God’s messenger promised that the boy would grow to be a great man.

The angel said that John would be a austere man, and an inspired preacher. His efforts, it was said, would “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (16).

John’s ministry would be one of preparation, the prophesied forerunner of the Christ. It would be his purpose to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (vs. 17).

The prophet Malachi spoke of him, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me” (3:1) His ministry would portend the advent of the Messiah, “Behold, He is coming,’ says the Lord of hosts’” (3:1).

Jesus himself referred to John and his ministry in Matthew 11. Of John he said, “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet” … “And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come” (vss. 9,14).

God is faithful, and all these glad tidings to the childless couple came true in every detail, to His glory.