Faithful Sayings

Is the clergy/laity distinction seen in so many churches today have any biblical precedent? If not, what does the Bible actually say? Should I find security and hope in associating myself with a certain party?

People of God: The Local Church by Leon Valley Church of Christ

People of God: The Church of the Living God by Leon Valley Church of Christ

People of God: Living For The Lord by Leon Valley Church of Christ

The New Testament frequently uses words like "chosen" or "elect" to describe God's people. What I would like to do is consider how the Bible uses these words, and what it means to be called, chosen/elected.

Q & A: What is the Law of Love? by Leon Valley Church of Christ

The word “heart” is used nearly one thousand times in the Bible, where it predominantly refers figuratively to the seat of thought, emotion, and will. Note: “the thoughts of your heart,” “love God with all your heart,” and “obey from the heart.” Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words says “it came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity.

Let's take time to examine Acts 2 and the prophecies that pointed to the pivotal events of that particular Pentecost. What we find will help us better understand the nature of the church and the identity of God's People.

Q & A: Your Music Program Is Unusual. Is This Standard Practice? by Leon Valley Church of Christ

Prior to His coming, faithful offerings of the types and shadows of Christ were the ancient Jew’s only hope for becoming one of God’s people in the true moral sense. Sacrifice pertained directly to the atonement for sin, and sin is what separates man from God (Isaiah 59:2). Isaiah clearly prophesied of Christ’s sacrifice (Isaiah 53), saying, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (verse 5, see vv. 1-12). Then Hebrews 10 makes it clear that the types of Christ needed His actual sacrifice to give them substance. Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected, is the key—the only means—by which sinful people may become the people of God.

In Acts 4, the disciples prayed for boldness to preach God's Word and for God to confirm that Word with miraculous signs. Should we pray for something similar today?

Let's consider a few more texts that speak to the kind of person God desires.

The local church is charged with helping needy saints, and individual Christians have the responsibility to help those in need just as the good Samaritan did. But how do we determine if someone is in need?

God selected one individual–Abraham–through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. From Abraham God would bring forth His people, the Hebrews. But He had a greater purpose in mind than mere land, prosperity, and peculiar religion–He desired the salvation of every person.

The Lord our God is ONE (Deut. 6:4). Biblically, when someone worships God (prayer, praise, service), one can address the Father, Son, or Spirit, but understand you are not addressing Father or Son or Spirit exclusively. It’s impossible to do so, because God is ONE. Let's read some Scripture.

In one sense, all people are the “people of God” and they were created with a high and noble purpose indeed. Whatever God's purpose for man may be, man’s greatest good can be realized in achieving that end. In God’s Word and in this study those who seek to satisfy His divine purpose are called the “people of God” in a very special sense (1 Peter 2:9- 10). In this series we will seek to trace the unfolding of God's purpose and plan for the development of His people.

Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and Earth." (Matt. 28:18). What exactly does that mean and what are the implications of it? Why was authority important to Jesus? Why should it be important to us?

As we conclude our series in Romans, we find Paul’s final exhortation to his brethren whom he loved very much. There are some thirty-five names mentioned in this chapter, most of which are original to the letter and mentioned nowhere else. What can we learn from Paul’s farewell?

Since Proverbs began with a father’s words, it seems fitting that it should end with a mother’s words to her son. She counsels him on how to rule well and warns that the wrong kind of woman can ruin him. The strange woman, like alcohol, can drain a man’s strength and willpower, leading him into sin to the detriment of himself and others (Pro. 31:4-9). Thus she urgently appeals to her son to use wisdom in making one of life’s most important choices–deciding who he will marry. By inspiration Lemuel’s mother describes a wise woman, worthy of affection and praise, and one who would be a strong spiritual force for good in his life.

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together, and we cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together. Paul concludes with a final exhortation to unity and steadfastness in the Gospel.