Tag: tradition
Jesus’ Church: Organism or Organization? (Why Our Thinking About the Church is Wrong)
I recently read a newspaper article written by a preacher that was discussing his view of the purpose of the church. Since I’ve been thinking and writing about similar things recently, the headline caught my eye, so I read it. The contents got me to thinking. As Christians, we understand (intellectually) the individual truths that…
Why the Phrase “The Church In…” isn’t Always Clear in Scripture
In the New Testament, when you read the phrase “the church in,” what do you think about? A specific assembly of Christians meeting in a certain place? Or the segment of Jesus’ body that was living in a specific town or region (regardless of where they assembled)? In the post “Separating What is from What…
What the Early Christians Wrote about Easter
The Bible doesn’t mention the word “Easter.” Well, the King James Version erroneously translates the word “Passover” as “Easter” in Acts 12:4, but the word Easter isn’t found in the Greek. The truth is that GOD does not instruct Christians to observe a special celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection at the time of the…
Separating What is from What Should Be (The Problem with Modern “Christianity”)
Do you find it difficult to translate what you read in Scripture into modern Christendom filled with denominations? I think this process—I refer to the process as “separating what is from what should be”—is one of the most challenging aspects of being a Christian today. When we read the New Testament, Christianity seems so clear…
Why Christians Should Quit Saying ‘Worship Services’ to Describe Church
In a few recent posts, I’ve mentioned the biblical definition for worship. Well, Christians tend to have our own lingo at times. Some of it is biblical; other times it’s traditional or popular within a congregation or particular fellowship. Within this vocabulary, there is one particular phrase that I wish especially strongly Christians would eliminate entirely:…
How Do I Grow Spiritually? (Here’s the Formula for Spiritual Growth)
What is the most effective way to grow spiritually? There is a process—a formula, if you will—that, when followed, leads to spiritual growth 100% of the time. Let me show you. I have previously shown that the church exists for the purpose of helping to change the lives of people, which is GOD’s purpose for each of us…
What Does the Bible Say About Church Meetings? (What Should be Done at Church?)
Continuing the train of thought I began with “What Does GOD Want from Me?” today I attempt to answer the question, “What does the Bible say about church meetings?” First, two things: Alright, let’s dive in…
How Often Should the Church Meet? (Do I Have to Go to Church Every Week?)
Did you know that GOD never commanded the church to meet on a specific day of the week? Have you ever wondered why the vast majority of congregations assemble on Sunday mornings? In this post, I look at what the Bible says about how frequently the church met.
Think Before You Pray (Tips to Benefit More from Prayer)
Humanity’s biggest problems stem from our failure to pause and think before we act. This is why so many of us live paycheck-to-paycheck, ruin relationships in a few short moments, fail to plan for retirement, and will ultimately spend eternity in hell. Too often, we act on impulse rather than careful planning. String together a…