April 8, 2024
April 14 Study | Spiritual Gifts
Every Christian has received grace (charis) and therefore has been given gifts (or charisma) from the Holy Spirit to be used in ministry in the body of Christ. . . .
Articles for tag: Speaking In Tongues
March 25, 2024
March 31 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, "Edification" (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; 14:1-12), by Mark Scott.
September 8, 2016
Spiritual Gifts Today
By Mark S. Krause Emily and Michael’s Story Newlyweds Emily and Michael have decided to begin their life together by choosing a “neutral” church to attend. Michael, raised Catholic, has had little interest in church since his confirmation 15 years ago, but he is committed to church involvement with his new wife. Emily”s family moved frequently when she was growing up, exposing her to a wide variety of Evangelical-flavored churches, small and large. Finding a new church seems easy to her, but she has never had a church where she felt grounded and committed. The couple agreed to attend a
May 25, 2015
Lesson for May 31, 2015: The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone This week concludes a study of key passages in Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. Members of this first-century congregation had written Paul with several questions. We have considered some of their concerns in past weeks. Today”s study of 1 Corinthians 13 is best understood when we realize that it is sandwiched in with a discussion of spiritual gifts
May 18, 2015
Lesson for May 24, 2015: Gift of Languages (Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 17 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The first-century church in Corinth faced special challenges. One problem was that many members placed undue emphasis on those who spoke in tongues. Today we will first study Acts 2, when the church began, so that we can understand the context of Paul”s teaching on this subject to the Corinthians. Tongues at the Church”s Birth | Acts 2:1-7, 12 The Day
May 4, 2015
Lesson for May 10, 2015: Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 3 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The apostle Paul spent about 18 months in the prominent Greek city of Corinth during his second missionary journey. Although he faced strong opposition (Acts 18:1-11), still the church grew and prospered. Later Paul received a letter from Corinth raising several important issues. He addressed them in 1 Corinthians. His discussion of spiritual gifts extends from 12:1″“14:40. Obviously this was a
April 8, 2013
Lesson for April 14, 2013: The Lord Sends the Spirit (Acts 2:1-41)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jesus had told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to them (John 14:15-17). Today”s lesson tells when that occurred. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following his resurrection. Pente means 50th. Pentecost was observed on the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. At Passover, Jesus had been crucified; at Pentecost, the inauguration of his earthly kingdom took place. Passover provided a time to remember when the Lord “passed over”
September 24, 2012
Lesson for September 30, 2012: Faith Instills Love (Hebrews 13; 1 Corinthians 13)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The book of Hebrews teaches us a number of things about true faith. In this unit”s final lesson, a familiar text””1 Corinthians 13″”is added to show how the believer”s faith is expressed in love. Consistency of Love Hebrews 13:1-3, 6 Although brotherly love was not a common virtue in the first century, the early Christians were already practicing it (see Hebrews 6:10 and 10:33, 34). For this, the writer commends them. Showing love to other
July 19, 2011
The Holy Spirit and the First-Century Church
By Jack Cottrell The Holy Spirit, as one of the three persons of the Trinity, has been working alongside the Father and the Son since the world began (Genesis 1:2). He was involved in the life of God”s people, Israel, from the days of Moses onward (Numbers 11:17, 25; Isaiah 63:10-12). When the church took the place of Israel as the people of God, the Spirit continued his work and indeed added a new blessing, as indicated in Acts 2. He will continue to work among God”s people throughout this age and in the age everlasting. This essay focuses upon
July 18, 2011
The Holy Spirit Today
By Chris Seidman Let me begin with some good news. Our imperfect understanding of the work of the Spirit does not serve to limit his actions in our churches. For thousands of years, humans enjoyed the benefits of oxygen without the slightest idea of its chemical properties or how it works in our bodies. When scientists began to better understand oxygen, however, their ability to work in partnership with it also grew. That increased knowledge has improved everything from fighting fires, to saving lives, to optimizing the performance of athletes. Jesus likened the Spirit to wind in John 3, and
January 2, 2011
What Should We Believe About Hell?
By Glen Elliott People of the Restoration Movement know the declaration well. These days I hear it quoted by many in the church worldwide. I use it when I introduce our doctrinal position to the new members at our welcome event. Most attribute the statement to St. Augustine. This 1,500-year-old declaration remains powerful in its simplicity: “In essentials, unity. In opinions, liberty. In all things, love.” Nothing has the potential to divide us so much as differences over doctrine and theology. We take different stands regarding the end times and the “rapture.” We still have debates over speaking in tongues.
August 24, 2008
Especially in Bible Translation . . . Close Only Counts . . .
By Jeff Miller The list usually begins with horseshoes, followed by a couple clever additions. Thankfully, however, no one has proposed Bible translation as an area where “close only counts.” Indeed, problems with the details of a translated text can nudge a reader off course to the point that accurate understanding is all but impossible. Many Christians and many congregations are engaged in discussions about women in ministry and leadership. While some disagreement is inevitable, we all agree the Bible should drive these discussions. The accuracy of our English Bibles is therefore at the heart of the matter. How can
