Anyone who reads the Bible carefully knows that baptism is a vital part of the Christian life. Some religious groups dismiss its importance on theological grounds that stem from a misinterpretation of Scripture. Others take it very seriously but see baptism as optional. The serious reader of Scripture can see the many places where baptism… Read More Baptism In Ancient Literature And Archaeology — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
There are many issues on which the churches of Christ are often criticized about. “You think you are the only ones going to Heaven!” “You don’t respect the Old Testament!” and others are often thrown our way. Perhaps the most well known criticism is the one that people give about water baptism. They will say… Read More “You Believe In Water Salvation!” — Drew Milligan
Philip, the evangelist, had just finished a great work in Samaria converting many to Christ, including a “sorcerer”. His next mission would be one individual (Acts 8:26). God used an angel to direct Philip to the right location to meet a man who was ready to hear the gospel. Angels are used in many ways,… Read More The Conversion Of The Ethiopian — Cougan Collins
One major point of contention in the religious world is how is one to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. One might ask you, as they did on the day of Pentecost, “Men, and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) There are so many responses to this question in the twenty-first century… Read More Fellowship and the One Baptism — Will Hester
Among the most common obstacles a Christian may encounter when sharing the gospel is objection to or misunderstanding about the role and purpose of baptism. Some teach baptism for the dead, others teach baptism by the Holy Spirit while others teach that faith and/or grace alone saves us with nothing being required by us. The… Read More Soul-Winning For Jesus: Teaching About Baptism — Adam Carlson
The Scriptures clearly teach that baptism is something one must do in order to be saved and have sins forgiven (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Yet many disagree with this for several reasons. One such objection stems from a very understandable line of thought, mainly this. The Bible says we are not… Read More Baptism: Are We Saved By Works? — Jon Mitchell
There is a sense in which everyone is saved just like the thief on the cross. Every person that will stand justified and reign with the Savior is saved the same way the thief was as he hung nailed on a Roman cross next to the Lord. Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved… Read More Being Saved Like The Thief On The Cross — Byran Hatcher
Baptism is an old and much discussed topic by gospel preachers. It has long been a theological battleground, the subject of much discussion and many debates. Preachers who want to be true to the word of God must continue to set forth what the Bible says about this subject. Nearly every church as an “official… Read More The Necessity of Baptism For Salvation — Hugh Fulford
Sin…humanity’s most common and deadly problem ever. Every mentally competent person has committed rebellion against the God who created everything from nothing. The apostle Paul declares that “all have sinned and continue to fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). If we are among that accountable group of people, then we have acted… Read More An Immersion of Forgiveness — Gantt Carter
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Those words of our Lord have sparked many religious debate, caused many to turn away in anger and unbelief, and many to simply do what that passage says. Yet, sadly many who have attempted to turn… Read More Is Baptism Immersion? — Dale Barger
On May 27-28, 2016, a public discussion took place in Lafayette, Tennessee, between Michael Brawner, a Missionary Baptist preacher, and myself, a minister of the gospel, on the question, “Is Water Baptism Essential For Salvation?” Several months prior I had been invited to a study that one of our deacons was having with two Baptist… Read More Baptism Debate Recap — Jack Honeycutt
Acts chapter 2 discusses in great detail many of the attributes and details of the church established in Jerusalem. It can and often has been often argued that the ideal, perfect, and biblical precepts of how a church is to be operated is exhibited within this chapter of Acts. In this article, we will briefly… Read More Lessons Learned From The Jerusalem Church – Tim Bench
Acts 19:1-5 provides precedent for a person being “re-baptized” when his previous baptism was not according to scriptural instructions. In the case of the persons in the text they had been immersed according to the preaching of John the Baptist, which had only anticipated the redemptive work of Christ. John never baptized in the name… Read More Thoughts on Acts 19:1-5 – David R. Pharr
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