Web Articles
In this section you will find articles written to be shared through the CE Journal’s online channels. Check the website or Facebook page regularly for new articles!
The Eldership: An Overview
June 12, 2020
Not long ago a brother suggested that congregations with elders tend to weather religious storms with greater ease than those who are led by evangelists. As I considered this observation it became evident to me that this brother had perhaps put the proverbial finger right on the real issue. When it comes to leadership in the local congregation, God’s design is that elders be ordained to guide the flock.
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
July 26, 2018
In the spirit of “honor to whom honor” is due, David writes in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” With the ever-increasing knowledge of our universe and the ability to explore with high-powered microscopes that which is invisible to the naked eye, the truth that was so obvious to the psalmist three thousand years ago has become many times more evident.
Must I Wash Your Feet?
March 15, 2018
I read recently about a preacher who travels on foot across the United States and other countries carrying a large wooden cross and a large bowl from which he washes the feet of those he meets. His reenactment of Jesus’ act of loving service garners attention and a venue to share the gospel, but did Jesus bind foot washing on all Christians?
Is the Bible Anti-Slavery?
February 15, 2018
We are so familiar with barbaric forms of slavery that we naturally consider all forms of slavery inherently evil. We see the cruelties of the Egyptian pharaoh and the abuses in American history against African-American slaves and we recoil. Slavery is not merely a problem of the past. Recent studies show as many as 30 million people living in slavery today in 162 countries. Research indicates that there are 14 million people living as slaves in India. These unfortunate individuals live as “forced laborers, forced prostitutes, child soldiers, child brides in forced marriages and … as pieces of property”
Is God our “Daddy”?
January 11, 2018
One of the great mysteries of Christianity is that God wants to have a relationship with His creation. When we consider the contrasting natures of man and God the mystery deepens. By very definition God is omnipotent. Man, on the other hand, is weak. By very definition God is omniscient. Man, on the other hand is limited in knowledge. By very definition God is omnipresent. Man, on the other hand, is but a speck in the universe. This contrast could be extended to God’s moral characteristics as well. God is holy. Man is sinful. God is sacrificial. Man is self-seeking. On and on the list could go. The point then is that there is an “otherness” to God that mankind will never understand this side of eternity. Paul says in Roman 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
The Tri-Unity of God: Q & A
September 7, 2017
The topic of the God-head and the Trinity is one that interests and perplexes many people. Do Christians serve one God or three? How can three be one? Is it important? In this brief article, Andrew Richardson tackles a few questions concerning the tri-unity of God.
If Others Followed You…
March 8, 2017
In Philippians 3:17, Paul encouraged the brethren to be “followers together of me” and to “mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” When the Apostle Paul told the Philippian brethren to “follow” him, he also instructed them to first make sure he was worthy of being followed. It was not that the apostle thought highly of himself or of his service. In fact, he was quick to point out in a later writing that he was “chief” of all sinners. His point to the brethren was that he knew some of them WOULD emulate him; some of them were already looking to him as an example. His caution to them was to only follow him if he was worthy of being followed. They should only follow his example if it was one that would lead them in the right direction. Similarly, in First Corinthians chapter eleven, he told those brethren to be followers of him “as I am of Christ.” With those two scriptures in mind, let us consider this question: Would you want others to follow you?”
Does Genesis 6:5 Teach Total Hereditary Depravity?
February 15, 2017
Genesis 6:5 says, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Those who teach the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity cite several Bible passages which they allege support their doctrine. The purpose of this article is to review one such passage—Genesis 6:5—to determine if it supports the notion of Total Hereditary Depravity.
Baptism, Acts 15, and John MacArthur
January 31, 2017
John MacArthur, of Grace to You, has reasoned incorrectly against baptism’s necessity for salvation on the basis of Acts 15. In his article, “Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation,” he says such texts as Acts 15 and Romans 4 show “no external act is necessary for salvation,” and that “salvation is by divine grace through faith alone.”
The “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and the Deity of Christ
December 27, 2016
I once had a study with two “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” and I asked one of them if it would be acceptable if I bowed down to him exclaiming, “Worthy are you to receive honor, glory, and blessing!” His companion adamantly answered, “No, he’s not God.” I said, “I agree, but you also say Jesus is not God, yet this is what the multitude of angels proclaimed to Him in Revelation 5:11-12:
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Why Believe in God? Part 3 – Because of Jesus
May 24, 2016
Every person, religious or not, must decide what to do with Jesus. This was the predicament Pilate found himself in when Jesus stood trial. Pilate had tried to be upright in his dealings with Jesus and reached the conclusion He was faultless. However, the crowd demanded, “Crucify him!” (Mk. 15:14). After the crowd chose the release of the murderer and robber Barabbas, Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Mt. 27:22). This very question must be dealt with by every individual alive today, however, the consequences of the answer are much more serious for us.
If it can be proven historically that Jesus is who He claims to be, then He is the meaning of everything. If He is not who He claims to be, then we have been duped into believing an elaborate hoax. The questions now before us are: (1) who did Jesus claim to be, and (2) is there evidence to validate His claims?
Great Gain
April 16th, 2016
“If I just had a little bit more…” Have you ever found yourself saying that? If we’re honest, we’ve probably all thought that at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a bigger paycheck, a larger home, more vacations, or any number of other things, we often think that we just need a little more to be happy. We don’t need an excess; we just think a little more would do the trick. The truth is, when we find ourselves thinking this way, it’s time for a reminder on what the Bible says about contentment.
Why Believe in God? Part 2 – It Gives Life Meaning
April 2nd, 2016
One of the most perplexing questions of life is simply, well, life! In other words, “Why am I here?” or “What is the meaning of life?” Philosophers and humanists from time immemorial have discussed and debated these questions. Yet for all the reams of writing generated, they have failed miserably in comparison to God’s wisdom. Paul spoke of the Gentiles and their reputed knowledge: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor. 1:19-20). The point is simple: God gives meaning to life. Without God life has no true purpose. An attentive study of Scripture will demonstrate the significance that God gives to life.
Why Believe in God? Part 1 – It’s the Intellectual Road
March 24th, 2016
A false accusation, which is becoming increasingly popular, is that Christians cannot believe in God and be intellectual. It is based on the assumption that Christians reject true science and cling tightly to a “fairy tale faith” instilled in them by their parents and grandparents. It is common to hear agnostics and the New Atheist claim, “Christians check their brains at the door of the church building. They take everything the old time preacher says by faith with no substantial proof.” Such philosophy is a gross misrepresentation, but if accepted it will undermine the faith of our youth. It is ironic, but the truth is, faith in God is the intellectual road.
Good News from Unlikely People
March 12th, 2016
Great news demands a great messenger—or so we might typically think. When we think of big news and major events, we often expect that a skilled and talented messenger might be required. With that in mind, it’s interesting to note that in regards to the greatest news in the world, it was first told by some very unlikely people.
We’re All People of Faith
March 5th, 2016
Religious people, particularly those of a “Christian” persuasion, are frequently referred to as “People of Faith.” Such are understood to be people who strive to live their lives according to a principle, a moral code, or a holy law because of their belief in God. By default, then, those that are irreligious are often called “unbelievers.” The truth is, there are many misconceptions about faith in the world today. One of the primary misconceptions is that only religious people have faith.
Jesus – An Atheist?
February 13th, 2016
Jesus–an Atheist? Jesus has been called many things, but an atheist? According to Richard Dawkins, an advocate for the religion of atheism and author of the popular book The God Delusion, Jesus would have been. According to a post on The Blaze, Dawkins suggests, “Somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist if he had known what we know today.” Of course, Dawkins, along with many modern skeptics and atheists, have a distorted view of truth and Jesus Christ. Let us examine why there is no possible way for Jesus to be an atheist.
Worship – Too Good to be Wrong?
February 5th, 2016
Worship. Ask any person of faith about their ideas on worshiping God, and you’re likely to get a rather passionate response. Individuals claiming to be followers of Christ usually take their views of worship very seriously—and rightfully so. The topic of worship is one of the most important topics the Christian must consider with regard to their life of faith. But with that being the case, why are views concerning worship so different? Why are there so many various views about what is right and wrong, allowable or not allowable in worship? Is it because God has not been clear? Is it because God has left worship up to man to define? Or is it because man has injected his own ideas, philosophies, and practices into God’s prescribed plan?
John the Baptist
January 30th, 2016
John the Baptist is the name given by the KJV translators to the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth (Lk. 1:5-25). He was a cousin to Jesus (Lk. 1:36). Far more importantly he served as the forerunner to Jesus, the Christ and Messiah (Mk. 1:3). It was prophesied he would be the one to prepare the minds and hearts of the people to accept the long awaited Messiah. Isaiah foretold, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isa. 40:3). Matthew affirms John is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, for he wrote, “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…” (Mt. 3:3).
Is your name written?
January 23rd, 2016
As the Seventy returned from their commission, they joyously reported their success to Jesus, specifically reporting that even the demons were subject to them in Christ’s name! (Lk. 10:17). That must have been an incredible experience for those seventy followers of Christ. However, Jesus let them know there was something far more worthy of their joy: “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20). Feeling the power of Christ was wonderful, but Jesus taught that far greater was the fact that they followed Him and their names were known by God and recorded in Heaven.
Without God – by Brad Shockley
January 16th, 2016
At the opening of the final round of the 2011 U.S. Open Golf championship, NBC, trying to capture the patriotism of the moment, aired a clip of children reciting the pledge of allegiance. It was obvious to all watching the event that something was amiss—they had left out the phrase “under God.” Whether this was intentional or an unfortunate oversight, I know not, however, it shows there has been a paradigm shift in American culture concerning God. According to a Gallup poll conducted in May of 2010, three out of ten people now say, “Religion is out of date.” What a sad turn of events in the mindset of this country. Without God there are many sad tragedies. Let us consider a few…