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Book, Chapter, and Verse
randal, Monday, 26. January 2004, 19:57
by J. Randal Matheny
[Author's note: This article is translated from Portuguese and comes from a magazine column that presents basic spiritual concepts to those new to the Way.] Our meetings as a church are marked by Bible references, readings, citations, and explanations. Our conversations are peppered with phrases, words, and thoughts taken from the Bible. The goal of our educational material and study courses is to clarify the meaning of the Bible and apply its message to our lives. That's a lot of Bible in the head and - we hope - in practice. For we want the Bible not only under the armpit but inside the heart. Why so much emphasis on the Bible? (1) The Bible is the true Word of God. The Lord used the most trustworthy means of delivering his message to humanity. This means it is the written word. In spite of attempts in the popular media to undermine confidence in the Bible, facts show that no ancient document - without exception - is as well attested as genuine and true as is the Bible. Read 2 Timothy 2:16,17. (2) No other book besides the Bible brings us God's message. Only the Bible has the inner unity, the freedom from errors, the fulfilled prophecies, and other evidences that show it to be a divine product. Read 2 Peter 1:16-21. (3) Man's need is the same since Adam and Eve. Our great problem is disobedience to God and our distance from him. The Bible shows the way back to God. Read 2 Timothy 3:14,15. (4) The Bible is our only trustworthy source of information about Jesus. Everything that God wanted us to know about Christ is in the Bible. Read John 20:30,31. (5) The Bible contains the whole plan of God for our life, godliness, joy, peace, fullness, and purpose. It is the complete guide to life on earth and for eternity. Read 2 Peter 1:3-11. For these reasons and many more, we continually investigate the Bible for the foundations of our faith. We read and study book, chapter, and verse - in other words, the entire Bible in detail, in order that we may understand its message as a whole. We invite you to accompany us in this investigation.
mikebenson, 2004.01.26, 21:59
Excellent article, Randal. I appreciate your emphasis.
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Update on FMag
Forthright Magazine continues, more dynamic than ever! We have groups created for FMag on Facebook and the Churches of Christ Network. Announcement blog is up and going on Preachers Files. Email lists about FMag and FPress are available both on Yahoo and GoogleGroups. And, to top it all off, we're twittering for both on Twitter.com. by randal @ 2009.01.20, 11:55 Titanic and How We Leave the Lord
Just wanted to thank Richard Mansel for all his articles. I used this one in my sermon today at church. I'm not a regular preacher, but we are taking turns until we get a new one. Thanks again. A Christian Friend, Ron Reynolds by ronreynolds @ 2008.04.27, 21:18 Persuaded Without Knowledge
Yesterday my cousin died,she and I were taught the gospel,neither of us obeyed at that time,she and I wer both baptist,we found comfort in the once saved always saved and we both didn't undestand Paul being so chavinistic,that was back in the mid 80's,Years latter I was taught the Gospel again and I obeyed but she never did.One of the scrptures that influenced my decesion was Ephesians 5:19,For years music was my spirit uplifter more so than preaching,and denominations know ... more ... by helenh205 @ 2005.10.13, 12:51 How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:24--47 How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless Yes, it is popular to say that we are not supposed to judge, but the truth is we all make judgments about many things daily. Otherwise, we would never succeed in life. The real question is what is our guide for judging. Why can we not simply follow the example of our Master and Lord? He said, 30 ... more ... by diane amberg @ 2005.05.18, 04:08 Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name?
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Chronicles 1--3 Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? Think on the manner, in which the Book of First Chronicles begins, 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh (1 Chr. 1:1). In this way begins the longest genealogy in the Bible. The names continue to the end of the ninth chapter! Were these just names? Adam; who is he? You know there is more in the Bible than the mere ... more ... by diane amberg @ 2005.05.18, 04:05 ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:1--23 Jesus healed a man. Praise God! However, Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. Uh oh. Some people were ready to kill Jesus for this perceived violation of the Sabbath Law. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath (Joh. 5:16). Jesus did a good thing. Yet, people criticized Him severely for it. And ... more ... by diane amberg @ 2005.05.18, 04:03 They Were His Servants
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 24 and 25 They Were His Servants As the writer of Second Kings explains whom the Lord sent against Judah, the writer said that this was 2 ...according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets (2 Kin. 24:2). Those great men we have honored for centuries were nothing more than servants of the Lord God. What does that make ... more ... by diane amberg @ 2005.05.18, 04:01 ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 4:30--54 The disciples went into a town to buy food while Jesus remained out of the town. There He engaged a woman in conversation. When the disciples returned, here is what happened, 31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know" (Joh. 4:31, 32). As you read the Gospel ... more ... by diane amberg @ 2005.05.18, 03:59
last updated: 2009.01.20, 11:55
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