Danger of False Teaching and Importance of Truth

How serious is the problem of false teaching? Does the Bible contain many warnings about religious error and false teachers? 

Should we compromise and overlook differences in doctrine and fellowship people regardless of their errors? How important is spiritual truth? How concerned should we be about false prophets? 

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Resurrection: Factual Reality or Legendary Myth?

Some people deny resurrection from the dead because they do not see it today. What evidence is there that people in the past were raised? Especially, is there proof for Jesus' resurrection? Will the dead be raised when Jesus returns? Is resurrection a fact?

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Lessons from the Prodigal Son and His Family

What should we learn from the story of the prodigal son about sin, forgiveness, repentance, confession, and obedience? What do we learn from the father and the older son about love for the lost, free will, love for brethren, and self-righteousness?

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Does Jesus Reign as King and High Priest?

Will He Become King and Rule over an Earthly Kingdom during the Millennium after He Comes Again?

What are the consequences of premillennialism regarding Jesus' reign as king? Is Jesus Christ now reigning as King over His kingdom, or will the Messiah rule 1000 years on the throne of David over an earthly, civil kingdom beginning at His second coming? What are the implications for His priesthood? Does Jesus reign now as King and High Priest, or will He establish an earthly kingdom and reign for a thousand years on earth (the millennium)?

This is part of a series of articles about premillennial teaching. To see a list of all the articles, please click here. 

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The Value of the Old Testament Today

What value do the teachings of the Old Law have today? Are they binding as law? Do they benefit us as evidence for our faith, history, and understanding of the nature of God and of man?

 Are there principles that are unchanging under both Old and New Testaments? Can the Law of Moses help us understand and appreciate the gospel?

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Hospitality: What Is It? Who Should Do It?

What is hospitality according to the Bible? Is it just enjoying good times with friends or is it caring for people with needs? How important is it? Who is responsible to do it: individual Christians or the local church? What principles should guide our hospitality?

Elders' Work: What It Is and Is Not

May elders make decisions the church must follow? Should members follow if elders lead into unauthorized activities? Should elders emphasize spiritual or physical work? May they oversee individual activities?

Introduction:

The gospel teaches that each local church should develop and appoint qualified men to serve as elders or bishops to oversee the local congregation (Acts 14:23). The purpose of this study is to consider the work these men should do and what work they should not do.

Agnosticism: An Honest Mistake?

Are agnosticism and atheism just honest mistakes? What are the consequences of unbelief? How serious does God view people's failure to believe and obey Him?

Many people do not seem to seriously consider the consequences of believing in God versus disbelieving. Consider some quotations from agnostics: *

“I’m Going to Live to Be a Hundred”

People often make future plans without considering their relationship with God. Consider a serious lesson about a man who failed to account for the uncertainty of the future, the brevity of life, and the need to plan according to God's will.

The following true story occurred June 8, 1971. Jerome Rodale was a health advocate who coined the term “organic.” On a late-night TV show, he said, “I’ve decided to live to be a hundred.” “I never felt better in my life!” And “I’m going to live to be 100…” Following his interview, he was seated on a couch when he suddenly slumped over. Doctors in the audience attempted unsuccessfully to revive him. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital at age 72.

Steps to Spiritual Maturity: Growing up in Christ

What does it take to grow up and become spiritually mature? Why do some Christians not grow as they should?

God's word presents steps we can take toward growth and spiritual maturity by Bible study, patience, and diligent practice of good works.

View a related Video Bible Study at
https://biblestudylessons.substack.com/p/bible-principles-about-spiritual

2000-Year-Old Seeds and the Bible

Some people believe the Bible is not relevant today because it was written 2000 years ago. Others think we need to trace a history of religious organizations through the centuries to find the right church. What can seeds teach us about the power of Scripture?

Evolution and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF)

 

Some people say Christians can believe in Darwinian evolution. What do the Freedom from Religion Foundation and other unbelievers say about the relationship between evolution and unbelief? Should schools and the government promote evolution but not creation? 

Attacking the Barometer: Rejecting Warnings of Danger

Instead of heeding warnings, people often become angry and attack or reject the source of the warning. This is especially true in religion. People even ridicule or persecute those who show them their errors.

The Story

In 1938 a huge hurricane hit New England with winds of 200 MPH. 700 people died and 63,000 were left homeless. (The U.S. Weather Bureau was in its infancy then; no warning had been issued.) The following story is told about a man who lived on Long Island, New York:

On the morning of the disaster he had received [by mail] a barometer he had [ordered] … While unpacking it, he was irritated to see that the needle pointed to the place on the dial which read “Hurricanes and Tornadoes.” First he shook it and then he banged it against the wall, but the needle wouldn’t budge. Annoyed, he repacked it and drove to the post office to mail it back. While he was gone his house blew away. (via Words of Life, 12/20/1987)

The moral of the story is that you cannot eliminate the reality of danger by getting angry and even attacking the source that warns you.

Knowing the Lord: What Does It Involve?

Many people do not know the true God. Some do not want to know Him. Others think they know Him but only know facts about Him, or their conduct shows they do not really know Him. What does it mean to personally know God according to the Bible?

Reminder of Sin vs. Reminder of Forgiveness

The Old Law had only animal offerings that could not completely remove guilt of sin. The gospel has the perfect sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross.

Matthew 26:28 – For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

In instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said we remember His blood shed for our forgiveness. I read an interesting comparison between this and the Old Law.

The Work of the Local Church

What work did God assign to local churches? Should they focus on spiritual work (teaching God's word, worship, and evangelism) or may they participate in recreation, entertainment, and social activities? What constitutes local church fellowship, edification, and good works?

A Marriage License and Faith (Alone)

How does a marriage license illustrate faith? Are we saved by faith only without obedience? Is baptism necessary to forgiveness? What about repentance and confession?

A news item from years ago read as follows:

“Court Clerk Everett Rains of Corbin, Kentucky, issued a marriage license to a young couple… Several days later he met the mother of the bride on the street. ‘Well, how did the marriage ceremony come out?’ Rains asked. ‘You should know,’ the woman said. ‘After all, you married them.’ Rains, taken aback, explained diplomatically he didn’t marry the couple when he issued the license. The honeymooning couple was brought back from Cincinnati, Ohio, and a preacher did what Rains hadn’t!” *

What’s the lesson?

Is Faith a Blind Leap in the Dark?

Many think that believing in God, Christ, and the gospel is a “blind leap in the dark.” They say Christians cannot defend their faith with evidence but accept it blindly. Some who profess to be Christians would agree; they say we should simply accept the gospel without proof. What is the truth?

Consider what God’s word says about blindness vs. sight and light vs. darkness.

Gambling (Sports Betting): Is It Morally Acceptable?

Gambling, including sports betting, has become a huge legal business. Does the fact it is legal make it moral? Should Christians participate? What does the Bible say?

Click here to read a more detailed study of gambling.

Fox Business was quoted as predicting that legal betting for the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament would reach more than $3 billion.* Years ago I worked in an office where office pools were regular events. Now sports gambling is legal and widely promoted.

Legal or not, why should God-fearing people avoid gambling?

Christians' Use of Indecent Materials

How common is the use of sexually indecent materials even among those who claim to follow Christ? Why is this such a danger in our society, and why should we avoid it? What does the Bible say Christians should do to overcome such enslaving habits?