True Christianity is so radical it puts die-hard Communists to shame. I’ve seen it in China, and it made me wonder, If that’s Christianity, what are we playing at? There is a widely repeated view (even by those who claim to closely adhere to the New Testament pattern for the Church) that the spirit of […]
Surrounded by a roomful of eager young disciples, I had just finished “waving the flag” for the idea of meeting according to the Church pattern as laid out for us in the New Testament. It was not only a good theological idea, I told them passionately; it was a good practical idea as well. The […]
It is a rare chapter in the book of Acts that does not prominently remind us of the strategic influence of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the Church. The early chapters emphasize the once-for-all baptism of the Spirit, a (partial) fulfillment of Joel 2 and of the promise of John the […]
A key element in the work force of the New Testament Church. Peter, in his discussion of priesthood, never mentions either gender or gift (1 Pet. 2:5-10). Every believing woman is as fully a priest as any man. She has equal access to the Spirit and to the truth of the Word. She is welcome […]
We need David thinking in a Goliath world. How does the book of Acts begin? The disciples asked the Saviour (only moments from leaving), “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (v. 6). He responded, “Ye shall receive power…and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in […]
How important it is to begin by aligning ourselves under God. This issue is the result of a deep exercise that seems to have been growing simultaneously in the hearts of many North American believers. It cannot be stressed enough that if this burden is going to bear fruit for God (rather than being a […]
An excellent evangelistic Bible study guide! Jesus insisted that children be given access to Him. “Permit the little children to come unto Me, and do not forbid them,” He said. Somewhat confused, the disciples stepped back and gave way to these seemingly unimportant little people. Jesus picked one of them up, held the child in […]
In 2 Corinthians 9, the Spirit of God brings before us in a very impressive manner our responsibility to give of our means both for the support of the Lord’s work and in order to meet the necessities of Christians who are in distressing circumstances. Our Lord enjoyed in a peculiarly rich way the happiness […]
It is always instructive to note likenesses between similar passages in the Bible. In Matthew 25 and Luke 19 we have two similar parables. In each parable a rich man, about to go on a journey, calls his servants to him and entrusts them with a part of his wealth, expecting them to invest it […]