First, it is important to recognize that the term “age of accountability” is not used in the Bible. The age of accountability is not an age at all, but a level of readiness and maturity. However, what the Bible teaches about personal responsibility for sin and the nature of salvation compels us to define this concept. Basically, the age of accountability is that time in the development of a person when he or she can and invariably does sin against God and thus stands in need of personal redemption through Jesus Christ.

Calvinism teaches that all humans have inherited a corrupt spiritual nature due to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Due to this marred and perverse nature, the human heart is desperately deceitful, and man’s nature is therefore » Continue reading “Is There An Age Of Accountability?”

This year’s Youth Lectureship is titled “Young Christians in a Nutshell” and runs from Friday, March 27, through Saturday, March 28. Speakers and topics include:

• Chris Nicholson–”Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t: when to speak up and when to stay silent”; Friday, March 27 at 7PM
• Ryan Sollars–”The nut shouldn’t fall far from the tree: a young person’s place in the church”; Saturday, March 28 at 10AM
• Derek Long–”From a small acorn a mighty oak is grown: young leaders in the Bible”; Saturday, March 28 at 11AM
• Chris Nicholson–”Not cracking under pressure: maintaining your faith”; Saturday, March 28 at 2:15PM

Download the 2009 Youth Lectureship Flyer to hand out to your friends, family, co-workers, classmates and neighbors. Also on Wednesday and Thursday nights (March 25 & 26) at 7PM, Chris Nicholson will give lessons on how parents can encourage their children.

The rapture theory is the belief that when the Lord comes He will come suddenly and secretly in the air and He will resurrect the righteous dead from their graves and along with the living saints they will be caught up somewhere in the air for some seven years. The people left on the earth will not know where all these have gone. They will not be able to account for their totally unexpected disappearance. They will not have an adequate answer for the open graves once occupied but no longer inhabited by bodies once placed there. While the righteous saints are with the Lord somewhere in the air there will be a time of tribulation on earth never experienced previously. Does the Bible teach there will be a Rapture? Is there a Biblical basis for all this popular propaganda? Absolutely not! The word rapture is not even in the Bible. This false theory contradicts plain Bible teaching.

The primary passage used to support the idea of a “rapture” is found in a statement Paul » Continue reading “Does the Bible Teach There will be a Rapture?”

In recent years, people have been advocating the partaking of the Lord’s Supper on any day of the week. Some churches have partaken of it only three or four times a year. It is only natural that this question would arise by those who sincerely want to know what the Bible teaches regarding this subject.

When one considers everything the Bible has to say about the Lord’s Supper, you will find no statement, example or implication that saints in apostolic times observed the communion on any day other than “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). By that same token, you will find no Bible authority for New Testament Christians living to observe the communion on any day other than “the first day of week.”

According to the New Testament, the early Christians met on the first day of each week, the Lord’s Day, and observed the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Spirit, through Luke, stated, » Continue reading “When Is the Lord’s Supper To Be Served?”

One of the first impressions obtained by a visitor to our services today is the fact that mechanical instruments are conspicuous by their absence. Being so commonly used in churches of today, the fact that we do not use mechanical instruments of music causes surprise and wonder on the part of many and not infrequently the question is raised, “Why do churches of Christ refuse the use of instruments of music in worship?”

Essential to a proper understanding of this matter are two very important questions: First, “What is the purpose of our worship anyway?” The Scriptures are crystal clear that our worship must be for the purpose of pleasing our Heavenly Father, inasmuch as that is the design and end of all of our worship. Jesus said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and » Continue reading “Did The First Century Church Use Instrumental Music In Worship?”

The important element in preaching is the message of God. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16 NAS). The same apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor 1:21 NAS). Then Paul also said, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor 4:7 NAS). Man is a means through which the message comes, but the message itself is the absolutely essential element in preaching because it is from God. » Continue reading “How Important Is Preaching In Worship?”

The local churches of the New Testament were independent and autonomous, i.e., self-governing. They were not dependent upon a hierarchy, a denominational headquarters, or a “mother” church. Each church was responsible for its own leadership, its own business, its own discipline, and its own affairs.

When Paul and Barnabas visited the newly established churches of their first missionary journey, they appointed elders for them in every church. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23 NAS). When Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17), he urged them to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has » Continue reading “How Is The New Testament Church Governed?”

Common expressions heard today are: “One does not have to be a member of the church to be saved; the church doesn’t save anyone; one can be a Christian and not be a member of any church.” We must examine the Scriptures to see if these expressions are true.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord saves. “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:21 NAS). However, the question is, where does the Lord save—in the church or out of it?

God has always placed certain restrictions or requirements that exclude all » Continue reading “Is Church Membership Essential To Salvation?”

Christian unity is not achieved by accident. It is achieved with diligence, purpose and commitment. The inspired apostle declared, “Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3 NAS).

Often the question is asked, “How can unity of God’s people be obtained and secured?” The Bible is the answer. Never has God’s word caused division! People are not divided over what the Bible teaches. They are divided by what the Bible does not teach; or by ignoring, or violating what the Bible does teach.

There is a way for unity; a way so right that it cannot be wrong; that is God’s word and God’s way. This way that cannot be wrong is found in Ephesians. » Continue reading “Does God Have A Plan For Unity Among All Believers?”

Unless the church of Christ is different from all other religious institutions it has no lawful right to exist as a separate body. To establish another church and create more division among professed followers of Jesus Christ is both foolish and wrong. There are therefore certain distinct factors that distinguish the church of Christ from all others and we believe that these differences are absolutely essential.

One of the significant features of the church of Christ is its attitude toward the Holy Scriptures in terms of the nature of the Bible, and the authority inherent in this sacred Book. We believe the Scriptures are from God, and through them the divine Mind has been revealed. » Continue reading “What Makes The Church Of Christ Different?”