Category: Apostasy

Several times in the history of Watchman Magazine I have written articles explaining the present state of the effort, and desires for the future.  As…

You have heard the precious gospel of the Lord, and have responded in faith, repenting of your sins, confessing Jesus as your Lord, and have…

The lesson we must learn today involves both the power of false gods and the influence that takes place between us and those around us, either for good or evil. We are commissioned for conversion rather than extermination, but the same dangers exist in that we may mingle with the lost in such a way that we receive more negative influence than we ever give positively.

If you “grew up church of Christ”. what caused you to leave? If you “grew up church of Christ” but are not faithful now what is keeping you from serving God?

There are two truths which are confirmed by a multitude of scriptures in God’s holy word. The first truth is that God’s children have always been hated by the religious world.

One great concern that Paul shared with all of us who undertake some difficult and personally emotional objective is that the work might turn out…

As long as one draws near to God, he is “saved forever,” but if one ceases to believe, departs from God and is “defiled,” a punishment worse than death awaits him!

The journey to our Canaan begins with blood and water and ends in milk and honey. Along the way, Pharaoh Satan will attempt to lure the pilgrim back, but abiding in Christ’s word will lead to the Promised Land.

Intellectual arrogance can touch us all. But, by its nature, it is seldom recognized by the guilty. The Corinthians fancied themselves tolerant, and yet Paul called them “puffed up.” Such pride is subtle, and can affect us all. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Neo-Calvinists erroneously believe that some sins do not separate man from God

Before one can trust in Christ and be saved, he must hear the gospel (Ephesians 1:13). That faith comes by hearing the word of God as found in the New Testament. It can be received in no other way (1 Corinthians 4:6, 15; 15:1-4, 11).

A generation reared on spiritual junk food is growing up, facing decisions of morality without moral foundation and preparing to take the lead in churches which they will surely continue to transform into just another worthless, destructive denomination. Once you have sown the wind, it is hard to stop the whirlwind. The time has come to get back to the Bible, or better, catch up to it. Before it is too late.

It is not unusual these days to see a bumper sticker with some message indicating that the owner is an alumnus of some college, or member of a fraternal order or church group. Recently I saw one indicating that the driver of the car was an “ex-Ranger,” probably a past member of the Rangers baseball club. This triggered a thought about the possibility of forming an association, complete with bumper sticker, of those people who used to be members of the Lord’s church and calling it the “Ex-Christian Association.” Surely there are enough people around who qualify.

Language could not be plainer to one who believes what the Lord said. To those who are wedded to a doctrine rather than love for the truth, nothing will suffice to convince their hardened hearts (2 Thessalonians. 2:10-12).

The Jews preached Moses as the law and the prophets were “read in the synagogue every Sabbath day” (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 15, 27; 15:21). But hearing, they heard not, and seeing they saw not, for they rejected him who was the sum and substance of all they read and heard. Both in an out of the church, it is likewise true today.

You might gently remind your granddaughter that if we must simply keep quiet and pray for those who are in error, why didn’t she do the same with you? According to her reasoning, she should never have confronted you about your actions. Instead of making you feel “uncomfortable,” ask her if she should not have kept quiet and simply prayed for you and your husband? It is a poor rule that won’t work both ways. If her rule is true, she broke it by rebuking you.

Romans 14 is the vehicle of syncretism in our day. Based on a poor study of this chapter, many preachers are teaching that anything done in good conscience is not to be rejected. I have read sermons and quotes from men advocating the tolerance of every one of the unfruitful works of darkness, and instead of mourning, they are puffed up over their tolerance and their “big tent” approach to evangelism. “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6)?

The one principle upon which we must stand is not difficult to know. It might be difficult to accomplish. Those not strong in the faith cannot achieve it. Those who love the Lord, must do it as honorable soldiers of Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” From this line of battle we must not be moved!

We do not want to send our young people to a college run by brethren if we can’t trust that they will be taught the truth while there. We don’t want to send our children to summer camps run by brethren if an appeal to emotionalism is the rule. We don’t want to have our children attend youth retreats and lectureships if they get the idea that fun and frolic is the work of the church. While we want our children to know how very precious their souls are, we do not want them to think that the work of the church is to cater to their whims.