The WatchmanMinistry is a solemn responsibility. The charge that Paul places on Timothy is a responsibility that Timothy will someday give an account of before the judgment bar of God.
“I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things… I Timothy 5:21
One of the most sobering passages in the Bible relates this truth to the task of the watchman. View full article »
Pie in the Sky“No longer drink Ol1ly water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent illnesses.”
I Timothy 5:23
In the middle of instruction to Timothy on how to select and install elders, Paul takes a parenthesis and gives Timothy some fatherly council.
Although it is really impossible to know why (we can only speculate as to the reason) Timothy had broken with the common practice and was drinking water without any wine. View full article »
Received with thanksgiving“…to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” I Timothy 4:3
As 21 century Americans, one of the things we take for granted more than any other thing is the availability and affordability of our food. Due to refrigeration, mass transportation and modern agricultural techniques we have available for our consumption a rich variety and massive amount of the best food in human history. View full article »
Dietary RestrictionsToday we consider one of the heresies that was a flanking attack on the gospel: the issue of Jewish dietary restrictions. God had restricted the Jewish diet by only allowing them to eat things that He called “clean”. Anything called “unclean” was strictly forbidden.
One of the questions we always ask is “why”? Was this mainly for hygienic and health reasons? View full article »
Demon Doctrines
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.” I Timothy 4:1
Although much evil in the world is the result of the total depravity of man; nevertheless there is much evil in the world that is the direct result of the kingdom of darkness. View full article »
Spiritual GiftsNo subject is sure to elicit as many strong feelings among Christians as the subject of spiritual gifts. The charismatic movement has propelled the issue to the fore front of many church divisions. Sadly, a treasured component of the Holy Spirit’s work on the behalf of believers has become the source of so much confusion.
This text in Peter makes clear several things about spiritual gifts. View full article »
Marriage MattersI Timothy 3:2 “The husband of one wife”
Chapter 24 of the Westminster Confession of faith contains the clear teaching of Scripture concerning the permanence of marriage, Biblical reasons for divorce and the way the church is to confront divorce when it happens in its midst.
The text of the confession reads:
24.1
Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; View full article »