The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a direct overwhelming of a person by the Holy Spirit instigated by Jesus Christ Himself for the purpose of miraculously demonstrating divine approval. The Bible only records two bona fide instances of Holy Spirit baptism that are labeled as such.
The text of Psalm 17, David's prayer for escape, in which he asks God to keep him as the apple of His eye and hide him from the wicked, trusting he will see God's face.
Jesus’ teaching on the golden rule is: 1) Based on Needs, 2) Reflects God’s Character, 3) Optimistic, 4) A Practice of Love, 5) Is Proactive. Each hearer should have a better understanding of what the golden rule means and how to apply it. To cause us to consider, reflect, and think more often about the golden rule.
Yes, we are saved by grace. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." Some accuse the churches of Christ of not believing this. They reason that since we teach that baptism saves, we are not teaching salvation by grace but by works of merit. What Paul wrote, however, does not exclude works of obedience. He also says that we are created for good works.
We note that Paul's statement that Christ sent him not to baptize, didn't mean that Paul never baptized anyone. If it was the case that Paul wasn't supposed to baptize anyone, then he wouldn't have baptized Crispus and Gaius who he directly states in the context that he did indeed baptize. So the passage couldn't mean that Christ didn't send Paul to baptize at all.
It hurts to have your name defamed, but it simply isn't worth pursuing in such a manner. Sometimes it is better to suffer wrong than to demand your rights.
The Bride is Blessed with Unity: 1) The Prerequisites of unity. 2) The Principles of Unity 3) The Plan of Unity 4) The Purpose of Unity. OBJECTIVE: Each hearer should be able to state how the Bride is blessed with unity. This lesson seeks to help each individual understand the importance of maintaining unity.
The thief on the cross was saved, but was he saved without baptism? We do not know. We cannot say that he was NEVER baptized. John baptized many. Matthew 3:5-6 says, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” John 4:1 says, “…Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” How could one absolutely KNOW that the thief on the cross was not among these people? Given Matthew and John’s statements regarding the number of people who were baptized, it is more likely that he was.
It doesn’t matter if it does bring in people; you still have a dangerous problem. Just because people will flock to see something doesn’t make it safe or good. Unscriptural worship is like a toxic waste that can eat away the children of God in worldly self seeking people. Just because it may draw a crowd does not make it right.
In this lesson we will study the principle parts of Matthew 6:33 and how they apply to our lives. Each person should know Matthew 6:33 and how it applies to his life.
In this lesson, we will explore eight reasons why people are not content. Each person should reflect on their own life to see if their discontentment matches any of these reasons and take steps to correct himself.
It doesn’t matter what your voice sounds like on its own, when the church gathers together and lifts up praises to God in harmony, it is a beautiful thing to God. They are functioning like a body, each part working in one purpose for the whole. Not Me but Us.
Heaven should motivate us to live godly lives. Sometimes, however, we lose sight of it. What keeps us from seeing it clearly? 1) Do We Think We Already Have It? 2) Are We Close Enough to God? 3) Does Our Pain Prevent us From Seeing It? 4) Is Fear Keeping Us From Seeing It? 5) Do Our Worries Block Our View of It? 6) Do We Love Hell Instead?
Christian duty does not begin and end at the doors of the building. A person can never miss an assembly and still be unfaithful in regards to seeking the lost, loving one another, or doing good works. Attendance shouldn’t be the end of our commitment to Christ but rather the stimulus to do more in the kingdom.
The Jews can obtain righteousness because 1) Paul and other Jews obtained righteousness, 2) Their fall does not end their opportunity, 3) Their righteousness comes through the Christ, 4) God is Wise. Each person will understand that the Jews can obtain righteousness through the gospel but no other way.
The Preacher tells us this truth in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on?” Satisfaction doesn’t come in getting what you want; it comes in wanting what you already have.
The Bride is blessed with peace 1) Among Men, 2) With God, and 3) With Self. Each Christian should understand that peace only comes from knowing Christ. That all would seek their peace in Christ Jesus.
It was just a coincidence but the tragedy still weighed on Robert Lincoln. He isn’t the only one. Many folks get weighed down thinking they are responsible for things that they really don’t have much control of. Things like other's behavior or choices. We think if we would have done this or that maybe things would be different.
Do we have the gift of tongues today? No. We noticed that they were going to be done away in 1 Corinthians 13:8. So what about all of those people who claim to speak in tongues today? Here is the problem with modern day tongue speakers. 1) They don't speak in human languages; they speak in alleged “angelic” tongues, so there is no way to confirm whether they are truly speaking another language or not. 2) The tongues that they speak in, they speak for their own edification, not for unbelievers. 3) They don't speak in tongues to prove what they say is true. Here are at least three things in which the Bible contradicts modern day tongue speakers.
The baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is water baptism because water baptism is for everyone who believes. It is for everyone to obey. It is the baptism that Jesus commanded the disciples to practice. It is the baptism that we may preach and command today. Holy Spirit baptism was limited to a few. It cannot be obeyed. It was not commanded to the disciples, and only Jesus administers it.