Author: Stan Cox

Tyler uses the account of Satan’s successful temptation of Peter, and then Peter’s restoration to make some salient applications for us today.

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In this short lesson, Stan turns to Acts 14 and Acts 17 to express the truth that the Gentiles must repent by turning away from the worship of idols, and begin to serve the one true and living God.

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People often ask the question above, as they struggle with the conflicting doctrines and practices that are found among religious people. The question is valid, though present day attitudes toward such diverse thoughts and practices are not.

Many in positions of authority talk as if such diversity is to be expected, and even inevitable. They contend that it is not possible to have unity in doctrine and practice. Some may contend that truth itself is relative. Your truth may not be the same as mine.  Others claim that men are not capable of understanding God’s revelation. And some say that God’s revelation is not sufficiently clear in all areas to be understood. Continue reading “Why Can’t We Understand the Bible?” →

Another sign that society is deteriorating is the continuing legalization of marijuana use in various states. One big indication that you have crossed the border from Texas into Oklahoma is the proliferation of “head shops” where the drug can be purchased in various forms.

In Proverbs 20:1, the wise man wrote, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray is not wise.”

Whether alcohol or marijuana, or any other drug which alters the mind and looses the natural inhibitions that govern sober decisions, it is foolish to imbibe.

It is disheartening for Christians to defend intoxicants as relatively innocuous. The reality is far different. They destroy families, scar society, and have ruined the lives and health of untold millions. No one denies this is true, but many foolishly think they are immune to the dangers, and that such warnings as Proverbs 20:1 is not needed for them. I wonder the percentage of those who social drink, but who have never gotten drunk? I imagine it is very small.

Consider carefully the words of Peter, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

The Christian walk is one of sobriety and holiness. When we stoop to the moral practices of the ungodly, we compromise our ability to walk the path of righteousness as God requires.

King Herod desired the destruction of his perceived rival, the prophesied Son of David. His instructions in our text were a ruse to enable him to assassinate the child.  This is evident from verses 16-18.

We see the inability of men to accomplish any intent that God determines will not happen. The wise men departed in accord with Herod’s instructions, and did indeed find the child. They rejoiced, and worshiped Jesus, knowing He was the prophesied Savior. They shared gifts with the child. (Note: The fact that there are three gifts mentioned does not necessarily indicate three wise men. The traditions concerning the number and names of the wise men are merely speculation, not from scripture).

God defeated Herod’s plan by warning the wise men not to return to Herod. And so they returned to their own country rather than returning to Herod with the location of the child. No man, no matter how powerful, is able to thwart God’s scheme for redeeming man!

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’” (Job 42:1-2).

An example of the social gospel being implemented among institutional churches of Christ appeared in my email inbox the other day. It is from India, and is being bankrolled by numerous sponsoring churches in America.

The author of the email is Mani Padigipalli, an Indian preacher and doctor. He reports the following:  “After four years of hard work and difficult inspections from the federal government, we are all set to send bi-vocational workers into different countries in the world. Yes, you read it right—we are all set to send workers into the world from India.” (Note: their initial efforts will be in several Arab countries. They have targeted workers that speak Hindi and Urdu, and are familiar with Islamic culture. Continue reading “An Example of the Social Gospel” →

The book of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, is appealed to in showing principles of parenting that will help moms and dads raise children faithful to the Lord.

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An appeal is made to the contrast the Hebrew writer makes in the first chapter of his letter. He clearly shows the superiority of Jesus to the angels of God.

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On Thursday I was given the honor of participating in a video program that is being produced and hosted by Samuel Omaka, a preacher in Nigeria and friend of Kyle Campbell. Samuel sent me five questions, which I share below. I hope the material answers some questions you may have.

What is Christmas?

The simple definition is that it is a festival, observed each year on December 25th, intended to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed by billions of people the world over, many religiously. However, many secular people and even some who claim to know Christ, do not celebrate it religiously. They may, however, use it as a time to be with family, eat together and exchange gifts.

Continue reading “Five Questions About Christmas” →

The question is an interesting one, as Luke uses the Greek term apostolos in Acts 14:4,14 to describe both Paul and Barnabas. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out” (14:14).

However, it must be noted that the Greek term is a general term, defined by Thayer: “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” As a general term, it is necessary to go to the context of any passage to determine the way in which the term is used.

For example, there is a specific way the word apostle is used to establish the office of apostle in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” In this sense, there is a distinction between the office held by some, and the description given to Barnabas in Acts 14.

Continue reading “Was Barnabas an Apostle?” →

In Acts 13 & 14, the Holy Spirit records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. The men traveled to Cyprus, and the established churches in Galatia before returning to Antioch in Syria to give a report of their efforts.

The journey was momentous. The response to the preaching of the gospel was interesting to say the least. Paul and Barnabas were very successful in converting souls, both Jew and Gentile, to the Lord. For example, on the isle of Cyprus even the proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted (13:12). In Antioch of Pisidia (13:48), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (14:21-22), and Derbe (21), many souls were saved.

However, the journey was characterized by extreme and inappropriate responses to their efforts as well. Consider the following: Elymas the sorcerer interfered in their efforts to share the gospel with Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (13:8). Some Jews in Antioch of Pisidia spoke blasphemies against them, and persecuted them (13:45,50). An attempt was made to stone them in Iconium (14:5), and they actually did stone Paul in Lystra (14:19).

At the other extreme, in Lystra the city began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This seemed to upset the men even more than the persecutions. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes… saying, ‘Men and brethren why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (14:14-15).

The only appropriate response to the gospel is to believe! Any other response is extreme and wrong.

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Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.

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The Bible clearly establishes that God does not compel us to serve Him. Rather He calls us to Him through His gospel, and those who respond to Him are granted salvation.

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In Acts 15, the Holy Spirit reveals the first major doctrinal conflict that troubled God’s people. The question to be answered was, “Do you have to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved?” The conflict came about because of the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, which was opposed by some from Judea who claimed that such circumcision had to take place. In other words, one had to become a Jewish proselyte to be saved.

The disagreement reached a head at Antioch, and it was determined that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders about the question, which they did.

Continue reading “The Jerusalem Summit Meeting” →

A superstitious population in Lystra sought, with the blessing of a pagan priest, to worship Paul and Barnabas. Paul had healed a man who was crippled from the womb. As a result, the people began to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes “because he was the chief speaker” (Acts 14:12).

Paul and Barnabas’ response is enlightening. They tore their clothes, ran to stop the worship, and said, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them” (Acts 14:15).

What was meant by the words, “men with the same nature as you”? Simply that they weren’t different. This is important. All men are the same, in the eyes of God. Each are equally guilty because of the sins they have committed (Romans 3:23). All are equally dependent upon God’s grace for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). All have been granted access to “repentance to life” by God (Acts 11:18). All who come to Christ are considered of equal value (Galatians 3:28). All who practice ungodliness will suffer the same fate (Romans 1:28-32).

With that known, no man is worthy of worship. No man is to be respected and feared above God Himself (Matthew 10:28). Instead, as Paul and Barnabas exhorted those in Lystra, we must all turn “to the living God” (Acts 14:15).

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