ARE ALL WHO ARE BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS?

      In every example of New Testament conversion people were baptized for remission of sins.  "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) One cannot be a Christian without being baptized but not all who have been baptized are Christians. Why would this be true?

     Many that have been baptized have not been baptized as accountable people. Baptism is an act of submission that must come from…

A Donkey Demonstrates Obedience

          Balaam stands in disgrace as the model of apostasy. His desire for lust, power and wealth lured him to act in opposition to the will of the Almighty God. God admonished Balaam through an obedient, talking donkey. Peter wrote of the story of Balaam in 2 Peter 2:15-16. He wrote, "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet."…

A NEW YOU BEFORE A NEW YEAR BEGINS

          Our challenge in this life is to make a positive difference for the Lord. The Bible clearly teaches us that serving God is vitally important. Our main purpose is not working, hunting, texting or hanging out with friends. Instead our purpose is that of serving God faithfully. Sin is in our world because of a lack of respect for God. What is wrong with a world where Adam Lanza would kill his own mother, then go to Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut and kill 6 adults and 20 children?…

JUST SOME THINGS THE LORD HATES?

          Today we turn in our Bible to a passage of Scripture that lists seven things that God hates. All seven of these things are hated by God because any one of the seven can mar the godliness and beauty of a life. "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows…

I Want To Be In The Church That Is In The Bible

     Churches are every where to be found. Many people are members of some church or the other. It is not enough just to be in a church. I want to be in the church that is in the Bible. Denominations teach, whether intentionally or unintentionally I know not, that it is not necessary to accept and follow Bible teaching about the church. Most religious people never study and learn the scriptural nature of the church. All who believe the Bible must believe that God intended the…

What Do We Know About The Simplicity
of New Testament Christianity?

            Complex! No, complex is not a word that relates to New Testament Christianity. Man is impressed with pomp, ceremony and show. God is unimpressed with "the show of religion" which seems so important to man.  God is impressed with simple, humble love and obedience. "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." (John 15:14) The Word of God gives beauty and simplicity to the lives of all who seek Him. Simplicity brings joy and balance. We need to see the things…

A Great Church In A Great City

    Antioch in Syria was a great city. If you look at the famous and huge cities in the United States you would see New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In the Roman Empire you had Alexandria, Rome and then Antioch. Antioch was a prosperous city. It was the capital city of the Roman province of Syria. Antioch was known as a very hedonistic city. When a person is devoted to hedonism they are dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification. Everything is about pleasure; whether it eating, playing, sex, work,…

"I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"

One of the most profound statements in the Bible is Matthew 16:18. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Not many things are as misunderstood as the church. The church in the Bible was never a physical building, nor was it a denomination. The church in the Bible was always people saved by the blood of Jesus.

     The church in the Bible is made up of saved people. The…

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

      Jesus Christ established His church long before anyone ever heard of Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian or Jehovah's Witnesses. Today there are hundreds (thousands) of kinds of churches in existence. Men on men’s teaching founded these churches. Our Lord Himself established the New Testament church almost two thousand years ago.

      Jesus promised the New Testament church: "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)  Acts 2 gives the…

This is offered in the hope that it may aid your study of the Bible.

This is and will forever be a work in progress.

If you find any errors, and I'm sure there are, please let me know.

Mark H.