The weather across most of country is very chilly. In fact, this winter has been predicted to be the worst in 26 years. All across parts of Texas it has been near, at, or below record lows. The temperature in Killen is 13° F which beats the old record of 18° F (1970). In Beaumont it is 25° F. While in Dallas it is 16° F. And in Abilene it's 15° F. The wind chill has brought some of these readings even lower, as a Artic blast is going across the U.S. that will last until Sunday. In other... Read Full Story
Why We Baptize In Jesus' Name The subject of water baptism has long been called a great issue and no doubt has been made much by many church leaders of the past and present. In our study of it, let us first consider its importance, or the necessity of being baptized. The Importance of Water Baptism Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19? And why did Peter follow up by saying, "Be... Read Full Story
Put Christ Jesus back into Christianity! The active belief in God through his great grace will saves us all. Mental assent alone or the famed "I believe" without resulting acts is not enough according to Jesus, Paul, and James. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor... Read Full Story
The Essenes (Greek Εσσηνοι, Εσσαιοι, or Οσσαιοι) were a Jewish religious group that flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE that some scholars claim seceded from the Zadokite priests. Due to the various spellings of "Essene" the word could also mean "pious one," or "doers," or "doers of the Torah" All of these meanings seem to have been derived from the word. Being much fewer in number than the Pharisees and the Sadducees (the other two major sects at the time) the Essenes... Read Full Story
Acts 2:38 andres adelphoi; Petros de pros autous Metanoêsate, kai baptisthêtô hekastos humôn en tôi onomati Iêsou Christou eis aphesin tôn hamartiôn humôn, kai lêmpsesthe tên dôrean tou hagiou pneumatos Metanoêsate baptisthêtô hekastos eis aphesin hamartiôn : Metanoêsate baptisthêtô hekastos eis aphesin hamartiôn Change one's mind Dip in or under water; every one , each one into the letting go, dismissal of fault committed by one Concur change purpose Kataduô duck the whole person every... Read Full Story
Various Quotes from Books, Commentaries, and Dictionaries relating to Matthew 28:19 "Generally, the Oneness position has been the complete harmonization of the Matthean expression with that of the Jesus' name form. But, interestingly, some Oneness arguments have appealed to textual critical scholarship which denies Jesus ever spoke the words recorded in the Matthew 28:19 account. More typically, it is maintained that the one apostolic formula is 'in the name of Jesus,' and the account in... Read Full Story
The following article is taken from The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, (1964) page 380 ff. The main Scripture passages concerned are Mt 28:19, Mk 16:16, and John 3:5, of which Mt 28:19 is the central piece of evidence for the traditional view of the institution of baptism by Christ. It describes the risen Lord as saying to his Disciples, 'Go ye and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' If it were... Read Full Story
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30) Have you ever tried so hard to make things great for your family that you ended up frustrated, bitter, and snapping at every one of them? You know, something like, “Go away and be quiet, can’t you see that I’m trying to be a good mother?” Did you feel guilty because you could not be the person you were trying to be? Great news! The world of being a wife and mother is no different... Read Full Story
Have you noticed the perplexity of the world's problems today? The Lord Jesus Christ told us this would be one of the signs that would occur just before the coming of the Son of Man. Luke's Gospel records the words of the Lord. " And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity ; the sea and the waves roaring. Luke 21:25. Perplexed means to be filled with uncertainty, full of difficulty. Puzzled. A problem or a... Read Full Story
One of my most favorite stories in all of the Bible is the story of Jonah which gives us a wonderful example of the mercy and compassion of God, and the need for all of us to examine our own hearts from time to time as the world grows darker and darker from sin and wickedness abounding in these last days. Looking around us today in a world full of wickedness and evil, I often hear Christians speaking of how can anyone possibly find mercy and show compassion toward some of the evil people we... Read Full Story
