Escaping Temptation

We have all known people who thought that they were great.  That is, they thought they were really nice people and that they were saved.  They thought they were obedient to God.  They thought they would be in Heaven.   They thought…well, what does it matter what they thought?  In reality, it matters not at all.  What [...]

30-minute worship

While driving from Dallas to Austin recently, I saw a banner with that phrase on it — 30-minute worship. My reaction was, Really? So who’s this targeting? People who just can’t be bothered to give more than 30 minutes out of their busy life to Jesus on Sunday morning? I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t respond [...]

Definition of Elder of the Church

In the New Testament, there are three words used to name those who have the oversight of the church.  The words vary in meaning according to the function being talked about.  Those three words, with derivation, are: Presbuteros  (Greek)  elder  (Anglo-Saxon)  designates maturity Episcopos  (Greek)  bishop  (Latin)  overseer  (Anglo-Saxon)  denotes  oversight Poimen  (Greek)  pastor  (Latin)  shepherd  [...]

What Is the Church?

The church is: (a) a body (b) of baptized believers (c) called out from the world (d) over which Christ is the head (e) directed by the Holy Spirit through the Word of truth. This is the real meaning of the word Jesus used in Matthew 16:18.  When the word is used in this manner, [...]