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The Law of Moses And The Gospel of Christ (3) The Law Nailed to the Cross Cecil WillisMarion, Indiana This is now the third lesson that we have devoted to a study of the relation of the Law and the Gospel. Already, the Law has been defined as the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandment. Law, and the Gospel refers to the system of salvation in Christ. This is one of the most misunderstood teachings of the New Testament. Last week we pointed out from the teaching of Jeremiah the prophet that the Law of Moses was only intended to...

The Law of Moses And The Gospel of Christ (3) The Law Nailed to the Cross Cecil WillisMarion, Indiana This is now the third lesson that we have devoted to a study of the relation of the Law and the Gospel. Already, the Law has been defined as the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandment. Law, and the Gospel refers to the system of salvation in Christ. This is one of the most misunderstood teachings of the New Testament. Last week we pointed out from the teaching of Jeremiah the prophet that the Law of Moses was only intended to...

The Gospel of Christ (2) The Law of Moses Done Away Cecil WillisMarion, Indiana Last week we tried to focus the problem for the discussion of the following weeks. We want to study the relationship between the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ. This is one of the misunderstood subjects in religious matters today. Last week, however we pointed out that this is not a problem peculiar to modern times, but that many of the epistles in the New Testament were written to correct misimpressions concerning the Law of Moses. It is our prayer that our lessons may...

The Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ (1) Cecil WillisMarion, Indiana This week we want to begin another line of thought to pursue for the next few issues. Beginning with this lesson, we would like to suggest some thoughts concerning "The Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ." Definition of "The Law" Inasmuch as we shall be mentioning "the Law" and "the Gospel" for the next few weeks, it will be best for us to understand what the Bible means when it speaks of "the Law" and "the Gospel." By the Law, the Scriptures ordinarily mean the...

"Not of Works"Robert H. FarishLewisville, Texas Paul preached the Gospel for three years in the city of Ephesus; five or six years after this, while a prisoner in Rome, he wrote a letter "to the saints that are at Ephesus." In this Ephesian letter he described these saints before their conversion as "dead through your trespasses and sins." He then describes the magnificent proportion and glorious accomplishments of the grace of God - "But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with...

Except A Man Be Born AgainDon Willis There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter...

The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ Faith in the eventual second coming of Jesus is a fundamental tenant of Christianity. Around it, our lives are built. Wrapped up in it are all of our hopes and dreams. Interest in that momentous day is always high; but presently it is once again rising to fever pitch. As the year 2000 draws near, so does the air of expectancy among those who see prophetic significance in that date; even the curiosity of casual observers is whetted. Bible students have always wanted to know what the Bible says about the end of the...

Q. What is the purpose of Baptism? A. Acts.2 [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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Lord's Supper Christmas Authorized & Commanded by Christ (Matt. 26:26-29) Not Authorized or Commanded by Christ - But "Of Men" Two Elements Specified for Use in Observance - Unleavened Bread & Grape Juice/Wine (Matt. 26:26-28) Nothing Revealed or Specified for Use in Observance - All Such Is "Of Men" Meaning of Observance Often Explained in Scripture (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:17-34) No Observance Appointed or Explained in Scripture - Came Later With Mixture of Pagan Religion & Traditions "Of Men" Time Revealed: First Day of Each Week (Acts 20:7) No Time Revealed - Set...

Folks have all kind of ideas as to how faith is produced in their hearts. Some believe that they have to pray for faith and then God gives them faith as a result of prayer. The Bible does not teach this! One fellow was heard to say as he played golf, "God I will believe if I hit a hole-in-one." He did and then he believed! Some base their faith on feelings or some kind of experience they have in life and the list goes on. Did you ever study the Bible to see how faith comes? Let's take...

Predestination and Election Historical Background One of the greatest periods of human history was the Protestant Reformation. Prior to this movement, the Roman Catholic Church held the world in a dark, corrupted, and stagnant mire. Out of this confusion arose great men of courage such as Martin Luther in Germany and John Knox of Scotland who were intent upon reforming the religious world. One of the greatest reformers and brilliant thinkers of his day was John Calvin. Although born in France, he had to flee for his life to Geneva, where he became a leader in the Swiss reform movement....

I SAT IN MY SEAT OF THE BOEING 767 I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long , uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well.  I was anxious to get...

Among my dearly beloved brethren in Christ, the New Testament doctrine of salvation by grace needs a defense today just as baptism for remission of sins needs defense among the people of the denominational world. Yet, though most gospel preachers with whom I talk agree completely with the things I shall write in this series of articles, seldom do we hear a sermon on these matters and almost never do we read essays in the papers about it. Now it is true that we read a great deal about grace, but 98% of it is intended to show the abuses...

Different Purposes It is most important to note at the beginning that James and Paul were writing for different purposes. Paul's purpose was to explain how the gospel works, the method of justification through Christ. This can be seen not only in Romans but also in Galatians. James, on the other hand, is reproving idle brethren. Apparently some had become inactive as Christians. James tells them that a faith that permits them to do nothing is a dead faith. Thus, Paul is dealing with the gospel system which we are under, justification coming through faith rather than law-keeping. James is...

Although the name of John Calvin may be less of a household name than that of Martin Luther or John Wesley, yet he is second to none in influence among Protestant orders. While studying law in Paris, Calvin experienced what he called a "conversion" which placed him in the class of a heretic when Francis I began his persecutions. Calvin then fled to Switzerland where he had the liberty to follow and develop his religious beliefs. Here he set forth a system that is considered a masterpiece of logical reasoning. This work The Institutes of the Christian Religion which was...

The claim is made by the Catholic Church that they have given the Bible to the world. From an issue of Our Sunday Visitor, a Roman Catholic paper, we quote the following: "The Protestants cannot be sure that the Bible contains the word of God, pure and unadulterated, while we Catholics can. You depend upon us for the Bible you possess. The New Testament writings were not gathered and declared to be infallible until the 4th century. Moreover these witnesses were all Catholics, and they accepted the scriptures as divinely inspired because their church declared them to be so. How...

Matt.22 [1] And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, [2] "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, [3] and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. [4] Again he sent other servants, saying, `Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' [5] But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm,...

What is Tradition?Webster defines it as:1 : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)2 : the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction3 : cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions4 : characteristic manner, method, or styleStrong's defines it as:1.giving up, giving overa.the act of giving upb.the surrender of cities2.a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, i.e. tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc.a.objectively, that which is...

Hope no one minds the vanity too much.I was thinking last night about this idea and was trying to make it jive somewhat with the notion of predeterminationalism if that is the correct word.Also was curious regarding what the various Christian denominations taught on this subject.