DISCIPLE

       Actually it won't! People today freely use the phrases: "on the right side of history," "on the wrong side of history," "the bar of history," and how "history will judge..." this or that person or country. Nelson Mandela is one of those who said, "History will judge us..." But, how can history think? It can't! They mean historians and what they will write. What does it even mean to be on the "right side" or "wrong side" of history? What is the standard used, and who decides or decrees which is which?     Truthfully, the whole concept is fundamentally flawed. History (especially that which is written by humans) does not, will not and cannot judge anyone! There is no "bar of history." It matters little what historians or societies say about people or movements. It has often been observed that history in large part is written by conquerors, and they put things as they wish.     There is also the...

          In today’s society it’s increasingly common to see men with long hair. Sports figures, singers, actors and other artists are among those setting a bad example for young people in this and other areas. For example, many male athletes display long flowing locks, earrings, and bodies covered with tattoos. When the rich and famous, popular athletes, singers or actors have long hair, dreadlocks, ponytails, piercings, earrings, tattoos, or wear bracelets, necklaces, or a certain style or brand of clothes, the tendency is to imitate them. Others say they just like to wear their hair long; it’s a personal thing. This article focuses on men, but women are equally guilty of imitating the world’s fashions, and use the same excuses.      “Be not conformed to this world,” Romans 12:2 exhorts. Phillips in his paraphrase of the New Testament puts it this way, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.” That’s exactly what happens ...

  Many today are concerned about maintaining the standards of the Reformation; others, those of the so-called Fathers; but the author of these papers is not concerned with standards such as these. It is not sufficient to get back to the Reformation, however blessed this movement was of God; still less to the teachings and practices of the successors of the Apostles. The latter invariably warned us of those who would succeed them, and commend us alone to God and the Word of His grace.     The author, then, knows no standard of authority but the Holy Scriptures. To argue from history and tradition would be to meet the enemy on his own platform, and to court defeat. But he is silenced when, in simplicity and faith, we meet him with the Word of God.     How important then, it is for us to go to the Fountain Head of truth and to search reverently and weigh solemnly the Scriptures to which the author has appealed in support of his statements, statements whic...

  by Higgins, A. J. The Challenge     Isn’t everyone gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus? If you have ever tried explaining to one of your friends that you are part of a group of believers who do not take any denominational name but gather to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have probably been confronted by this challenge. In their sincerity and simplicity, many take Matthew 18:20 to apply to any and every time that two or three believers meet. It hardly matters whether it is over coffee, pizza, or a Bible. And it certainly applies to when they “go to church” and meet with other Christians.     But what does it mean to be gathered to the Lord’s Name? Is it applicable to any gathering of believers at any time? To any group who meets for whatever purpose? The Context     A reading of Matthew 18 will make it clear that the context for the Lord’s statement in verse 18 is a local church and not an informal gathering of fr...

Make a choice! No one with a double heart can please God or be useful to serve in His kingdom. A double heart describes people of the world (Psa. 12:2). But even they know that half-heartedness will get you nowhere! Those who desire to be of service to God must do so "without doubting" (1 Tim. 2:8). The good soldiers in Israel were "not of a double heart" (1 Cr. 12:33). "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (Jas. 1:7). Such cannot please God and will receive nothing in answer to their prayers (Jas. 1:8).       One of Eve's errors in Eden was that she was unable to quote correctly the simple instructions that God had given Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. If a child in Sunday School were to say what she said, he would be mistaken and not rewarded.       In a conference for young adults I asked for a show of hands of those who could name at least three players for the Real Madrid or Barcelona soccer teams. Many hands went u...

NONE In the New Testament Christians sang, and still do. The redeemed sing in heaven, but there are no bands, worship teams, keyboards, speakers, microphones, and none of the pop music paraphernalia. No showmanship. No concerts. No albums. Nothing even similar.   None of this is anywhere in the New Testament. The model being followed is from the world.  How many of the apostles took musical instruments with them when they went out preaching the gospel to the nations? How many gave concerts or music services? NONE. Today's music emphasis in evangelical churches came from the world, not the Scriptures. The platform in many church buildings looks similar or equal to the stage in a nightclub or discotheque, with instruments like electric guitars, keyboards, drum sets, microphones, etc. Brethren, no one wants to say it, for fear of losing the young people, but music in many churches has become the tail that wags the dog. Where is the pulpit? David Cloud...

My Reasons by George M. Landis The Reasons For My Resignation  as Pastor of the First Baptist Church  of New Castle, Pa. and From the Baptist Ministry (Read Lord’s Day morning, July 31, 1932, before the congregation of the First Baptist Church of New Castle, Pa., the last day of the pastorate of George M. Landis, after a service of seven and one-half years.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus: In accordance with the promise made when my resignation was read a few weeks ago, it is now my purpose to set forth the reasons which have led me to take this action. Justice to the congregation which has supported us so loyally during the past seven and one-half years demands that I give these reasons. Already rumors are afloat to the effect that I am leaving because the church has not supported me as it should have done; because certain individuals in the church have opposed me; because the con...

What the world says: When you're 18 you are an adult and can do as you please. Your parents have no say in your life.  It's your life, and you're free to live it as you wish, without interference. If you're married your parents have no say whatsoever and should not even give you advice. You are free from them. You're an adult. Why do you care what your parents think? They will have to get used to the idea that you don't need th em. What Scripture says:  Proverbs 1:8-9 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." Proverbs 6:20-23 "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the c...

"All Truth Is God's Truth"?* So Says "Christian" Psychology Psychology pretends to be the study of the soul; in fact, it has become known as the cure of souls. But is not the "cure of souls" the domain of the Bible? God is the only One who can take care of man's spiritual problems, and in fact, He has done so. The Bible claims that God has given to the believer "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Pe. 2:3). We don't need help from Freud , et al. .      "Christian" psychology says that we do need such help, that the Bible doesn't have all the answers we need, that prayer, repentance, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and other Biblical remedies are not enough because there are psychological problems that require something more. Does it not seem a bit odd that God has apparently inspired the likes of Freud, Jung, Maslow, Rogers, et al. , with the "truths" unknown to the apostles and...