In the book, In the Beginning: Life Lessons from Genesis, by Justin Rogers there is a section in chapter 7 called, “Lest We Be Scattered:” Breaking up Cliques’ (pp. 54-55). In the years that I have studied the book of Genesis and the incident of the tower of Babel in particular somehow this aspect of […]
by Spencer Cromwell If you have been a member of the Church for a substantial period of time, you will have heard the term “Brotherhood” used to describe the community religion. Typically, for the Church of Christ, we use the term to describe conservative values and sound interpretation and application of Scripture within each […]
For my bulletin post this week I wish to leave you with a couple of posts from Facebook friends of mine. I love these men and I enjoy reading their posts. Hope you will enjoy them as well. When the tensions of a chaotic world and the abrasions of your family or friends (even […]
In my Wednesday night class we are studying church history. Recently we covered the 16th century Anabaptist movement, primarily based in Germany and Switzerland. Although it is not in the book we are using, I elected to discuss the Anabaptists as we know them today – Mennonites, Amish and the Brethren. The Anabaptist movement was […]
The summer of 1989 found me approaching nine years of preaching for the Baldwin church in Milledgeville, Georgia. It was an excellent first full time work in many ways, opening doors to different opportunities for service in the kingdom, but challenges exist everywhere. By that time discouragement had taken me down to the point […]
Two weeks ago I began preaching through the seven congregations of Asia Minor (Rev. 2-3). The churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia both share the distinction of receiving only praise from the omniscient Lord who addressed them. In my approach to the church at Smyrna one particular point of interest occurred to me. The fact that […]
This statement in Acts 20:35 is one of the most interesting verses in the New Testament. It is difficult for people to learn the truth that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The word “give” denotes the deep self-denial for which Paul was known (Vs. 24). It advocates a counter-worldly attitude (Vss. […]
Last Sunday morning I preached from Matthew 19:13-15, using the title above as my subject. What is it about children that might have provoked this statement from Jesus? (Vs. 14). Obviously, Jesus did not say that children are in the kingdom, but that the kingdom is “of such.” That is, the church of God on […]
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Paul said, “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” This passage addresses the attitude that the brethren at Thessalonica […]
Does the New Testament teach the necessity of placing church membership? Yes. It does by example and by implication. I think that those who like to argue this point by insisting that they are members of the church universal, and not tied down to any particular church, are looking for a command that says, “Thou […]