Where is the Church referenced in Scripture? The foundation for today’s global church can be found in the book of Acts and the example of the early church led by the apostles of the New Testament. The earliest apostles were mostly comprised of Jesus’s 12 Disciples and closest followers during His earthly ministry. However, more than a follower, an apostle was (and is) an anointed leader commissioned by Jesus to build the church, represent His kingdom, and spread His teachings. An apostolic ministry is distinguished by its support from leaders in the church and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus. (Acts 1:8, John 14:16, 1 John 2:20, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22) Paul writes in the book of Ephesians that the ministry and teachings of the apostles are the foundation of the church ...

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Revelation 7:4) Who is included in the 144,000? Much debate and discord has resulted from the study of exactly who the 144,000 in Revelation are. Christians agree the 144,000 does not denote the total of souls throughout history who will be ultimately be saved from the wrath of eternal damnation. Generally, Christians either interpret this verse as literally 144,000 people, or they believe it is a definite number to symbolize an indefinite number of people. Literal Theory: 144,000 Are the “Sealed Jews” One can believe the number in Scripture is a definite count and still have the hope of attaining heaven. This futuristic count refers...

After outlining “25 Myths” in Monday’s blog, I thought it equally important to follow it up with “25 Truths” to address why each of them is considered a myth. So here we go with a few thoughts on each that can be used in general conversation, not attempting to offer an entire apologetic (though that could certainly be done). 1. Christianity is clearly anti-intellectual. If Christianity is true, it will stand up to any amount of intellectual scrutiny. Many intellectuals have applied such scrutiny and chosen to believe. Jesus Himself said our devotion to God should not only include our heart, soul and strength, but also our minds. 2. To be a Christian is to be judgmental and intolerant. You can be a Christian and be both judgmental and intolerant, but it doesn’t come with the territory. No r...

July 12, 2018The Cure for RestlessnessGwen Smith Today’s Truth Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:21 NIV) Friend to Friend It’s recorded in the book of Genesis that at the dawn of creation God made the heavens and the earth, separated light from darkness, and that everything was good. Then He held the sky away from the water, established day and night, and it was good. Next, He spoke the land, seas, sun, moon and stars into existence, and again all good. He went on to fill the earth with fish, birds, and animals, and fashion man in His own image … and it was good, good, good and good. Then He rested – which we ALL know is awesome. Amen? Amen. Peace covered the earth like a warm blanket. God had a perfect relationship with all that He created. Adam and Eve got to kno...

1. The Spirit Created and Sustained Life We observe the initial work of the Holy Spirit in Genesis. The Spirit hovered over the waters that God made out of nothing (Genesis 1:1-2), bringing life and setting things in order. Unlike people in contemporary culture who promote evolution and natural selection, Old Testament saints understood creation was a sovereign act of God. The Spirit of God was involved in creating and sustaining all natural life (Psalm 104:30). In the book of Job, his friend Elihu illustrates this understanding of the faithful Jews: “The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (33:4). 2. The Spirit Spoke God’s Words Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is connected to God’s words. The Lord said He would put His words in His peopl...

Thursday, July 11, 2019 A Better World Ahead For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT) Deep inside us, there is a sense of something more in life that drives us on. No matter what experiences you’ve had, no matter how wonderful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. You are really homesick for a place you have never been before, and that place is Heaven. You were wired this way. The Bible says that God has put eternity in our hearts (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). This simply means there is a sense inside of us that there is more to life. That is what keeps us moving forward. It is sort of like the homing instinct we see in the animal kingdom, like the...

The problem of suffering is challenging, and people often wonder how a kind, loving God can allow suffering. Responses to suffering are deeply personal and evoke strong emotions, but the Bible offers examples that reveal not only the mystery of human suffering, but God’s eternal perspective. Let’s look at 10 things the Bible says about suffering and how we should respond so that we our faith can be built. 1. Suffering has many faces. Christians can experience “many troubles”—mental, physical, emotional or spiritual suffering (Psalm 34:19). All Christians have or will suffer (John 16:33; Acts 14:22). The Apostle Paul experienced various faces of suffering (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Suffering can come because of foolish choices. We see this in Proverbs: fools suffer harm (13:20), lazy peo...

At a meeting with some fellow ministers to discuss pro-life issues, I watched a clip of a film, taken in utero, of a six-week old unborn baby. I was in awe as I watched the little fellow moving his hands and feet, even rubbing his face. Contrary to the “blob” imagery so many Americans assume about our neighbors in the womb, it is very easy to see these days that these unborn boys and girls are not only human in abstract biological terms, but they also look human. What does it mean that we are created ‘in the image of God?’ Christians often disagree about what the Scripture means when it tells us we are created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27). Is the image rational? Moral? Dominion/kingship? Or, as I believe, does it entail all of the above? But what about your body? ...

July 10, 2019Emotional IntegrityMary Southerland Today’s Truth Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Proverbs 25:28, NIV). Friend to Friend It is not enough to acknowledge the presence of negative emotions, or even understand why they exist. We must take action. If we don’t, negative emotions will take control. Many of us are imprisoned by feelings of inferiority, and the results are always disastrous. Constructive criticism is perceived as an emotional attack. Jealousy burgeons as others receive the accolades we desperately crave. Decisions are made, and a course of life is determined so that fragile egos are fed, excluding God’s plan and purpose. Comparison reigns as a false idol, attempting to validate worth and success. Inferiority crosses over t...

Buried in a letter to the Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2), John has a number of remarks against this church located in a city that had a famous temple to Diana (the Roman version of the Greek god Artemis). Ephesus, compared to a number of other churches that received letters in Revelation, had quite a few good marks from God. Aside from growing a bit stagnant in their fervor for God, they had resisted wicked practices, endured persecution, and weeded out false apostles from destroying their church. The letter also makes one more positive remark. They hate the practices of a group called the Nicolaitans, which God also appears to hate (Revelation 2:6). Although it’s not out of the ordinary for God to hate practices of pagan groups, such as the child sacrifice of the Canaanites (Leviticus 2...