An old friend recently asked my thoughts on the local church and it occurred to me that I’m odd. If anyone should hate the local church, it’s me. I grew up in an extreme wing of Christian Fundamentalism. My childhood pastor—my Dad—is currently in prison. My world is full of […]
Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Twenty centuries later, Christ’s church has crossed the globe. Yet, in its visible form, we often define it by buildings or large gatherings of people. So how big does a church need […]
I’ve recently been teaching a class on the topic of martyrdom. Since we enjoy the blessing of religious freedom and tend to take our liberty for granted, it’s sobering to learn of persecution against Christians today and in church history. I’m struck by the resolution, even optimism, of the early […]
Defining KJV-only Before we consider this question, do you consider yourself to be KJV-only? By this, I mean: Do you believe that God preserved His word to us in the King James Version only? Do you believe that any other Bible translation is unreliable and must not be used? Do […]
This week we attended a friend’s ordination and induction at the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (Sydney congregation in Riverstone). The church had been without a resident pastor for over 30 years, so you could definitely feel the weight of the occasion! It was appropriately solemn, yet also a joyous […]
Right. So you finally find the perfect church. The pastor, the preaching, the music, the fellowship… everything. It’s perfect. And it’s a good thing because after all these years, you were beginning to think it didn’t exist. But it does of course. You have proof. You’ve just found it. Thus […]
I feel especially blessed to have attended church from childhood! But one risk of growing up in church is that you can become mentally mechanical during the church service. Communion time is one example. I think many Christians acknowledge the significance of Communion but often feel "in a rut" during Communion. So it's helpful to rethink what is taking place as you participate.
There’s nothing in all the world like the local church. There’s joy. There’s friendship. There’s fellowship and life. People are being born again. People are testifying publicly through baptism. People are learning to love and know God. There are wise elderly mentors. There are children. There are families. There is […]
By Steven Mock The first church in Jerusalem was formed in Acts 2 when Peter preached a powerful, Spirit-filled, convicting message. God used Peter’s words to convert 3,000 people who were baptized and started meeting together. Verse 42 tells us they had four priorities as a local church: the apostles’ […]
By Charles Spurgeon The tree can do without some of its branches, though the loss of them might be an injury; but it cannot live at all without its roots: the roots are essential; take those away, and the plant must wither. And thus my dear friends, there are things […]