Posts by John Stephen Smith

1. Give the founder and approximate date of foundation of the church of Christ (Matt. 16:16, Acts 2). • Jesus founded his church on the first Pentecost after his crucifixion. 2. What is the relationship of the church to the kingdom (Matt. 16:18, Daniel 2:36-45, Acts 2:29-33, Col. 1:13)? • The church is the kingdom of God from prophecy into which all saints are now conveyed and the throne of which Jesus now holds. 3. What are the three ways…

As the twenty-first century and third millennium dawn, the church of Jesus Christ is again faced with some very divisive, controversial issues among its members. The seeds for the present discussions were sown nearly three decades ago as some began to contend for unity-in-doctrinal-diversity like the denominations. Teachings on divorce and remarriage have provided the clearest test scenario for this philosophy. Unity-in-Doctrinal-Diversity The sects of men have long championed the concept of unity-in-doctrinal-diversity, whereby people and churches with contradictory beliefs…

Although Jesus only built one church and prayed that its members might be unified, and although the Holy Spirit sought unity through his revelation, the church of Christ has periodically faced divisive controversies throughout its history. The original controversy among members of the body of Christ involved the assimilation of Gentile converts into a group that had formerly been exclusively and proudly Jewish. When God was ready to send the gospel to the Gentiles, he proved his intentions to Peter…

There are many practices among religious people regarding discipline within their memberships. Many churches today practice no form of correction, for they have little instruction upon which to base reproof. The Bible calls on the local congregation alone to practice discipline among its members, with the oversight of the bishops. Discipline should be proactive (through teaching and example) and reactive (through reproof, rebuke, withdrawal and marking). In academic circles, one’s major focus of learning is called his discipline. Thus mathematics…

Most would agree that the Holy Spirit is the most mysterious of the three persons of the Godhead. We see his presence in the Old Testament but are more deeply introduced to him through Christ’s discussion with the apostles and his subsequent work among them. Calvinism holds that the Holy Spirit must directly influence the heart of a person, apart from the Bible, to convince him to accept Christ. Pentecostals believe that the Holy Spirit still works supernaturally through the…

The Old Testament is a book of history, law, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy. Each of these categories lends instruction to the Christian today and yet it must be remembered that the law under which we live is found exclusively on the pages of the New Testament. What Moses said about divorce and remarriage and the Sabbath are not binding upon those who exist under the law of Christ. David’s dance and stringed instruments in worship are not authoritative examples for…

Religious worship in the late twentieth century reflects the whims and desires of the masses, especially appealing to youth. There is very little attention to the worship pattern of the New Testament; instead, the intent is to please man rather than God with collective worship. Hence, we see dramatic presentations instead of gospel preaching, raps and orchestral performances instead of congregational a Capella singing, and personal testimonials given in the place of objective proofs. Christ demanded that worship is according…

Most of Protestantism is centered around the ideals of Calvinism, the theology of John Calvin, a Presbyterian who formulated the concept of salvation by faith alone. His doctrine, like the reformation effort of contemporary Martin Luther, was an extreme reaction to the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church, in which salvation is attained through meritorious works. Calvinism went to the opposite extreme and said that man had no responsibility for his salvation. Catholicism and Calvinism are opposite swings of the…