In last week’s bulletin, we discussed the question of whether women should cover their heads during worship. After consideration of the text of 1 Corinthians 11, the conclusion was clear that if we bind head covering as law for women in the assembly, then we have twisted the context of Paul’s words. For Paul was specifically not referring to women covering their heads in the assembly, but only outside of the assembly, and this was only for select women who had miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit that enabled them to lead prayer in the Spirit and prophecy in the […]

I received a note in the question box asking me to explain the women’s head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. This is an important conversation to have, especially since members of the church elsewhere hold views that women must wear a head covering during worship services. The only way to handle such differences is to go back to the text of 1 Corinthians 11 and diligently examine what is revealed by the Spirit of God. “but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head” (1 Corinthians 11:5). Now, like any statement, the meaning of the […]

Q: Who has the power of death? It is not within man’s power and authority to have the dominion of death, this is painfully clear.  “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death….” (Ecclesiastes 8:8)  “What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?” (Psalm 89:48) But God had promised to Israel that, after Assyria destroyed them, he would “ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? […]

Last week we discussed Samson, the thirteenth judge of Israel, and although there are two more judges after him (Eli and Samuel), Samson is the last judge recorded in the book of Judges. And yet, after Samson’s death, the book of Judges does not end; in fact, it continues for another FIVE CHAPTERS! What happens within these last chapters may have happened following the death of Samson, although some believe that these chapters record events that happened earlier in the period of the judges. Whatever the case, it is not necessary to pin down a specific date, because these chapters […]

One of the most fascinating narratives in the Old Testament is that of the man Samson. From the reading of Judges, chapters thirteen through sixteen, we will see an average man with life struggles and common emotion; a witty man with an excellent sense of humor. Samson had a love for God and His people, so he despised the Philistines who burdened Israel. The difference between Samson and every other person is his strength, which we will consider later in this article. Although the conception of Samson was prophesied by the Angel of the Lord to his parents, they are […]

We have been going through the Judges of Israel in the Sunday bulletin, and we have come to the curious situation of Jephthah. Jephthah is a favorite among many to speculate about, especially about what happened to his daughter. So as we look into this matter, we will stick to the information given in the scriptures, and with this alone, I believe we will have sufficient knowledge to properly understand what happened to Jephthah’s daughter. Now, Jephthah did not have the best start in life, as we can read in Judges chapter 11. He was the son of a prostitute, […]

Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. How readily do we recognize these five names? These are the names of some of the lesser-known judges of Israel. Their names don’t ring echoes of great valor and conquest, like Samson, or even Gideon. Their time spent as judges was different, and they all have a couple of things in common with each other that I’d like to point out, but let’s first take a look at these texts: Judges 10:1-5             After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and […]

We have discussed several Judges of Israel so far in the past weeks of bulletins. Next on the list is a man very different from the ones before. All previous judges were people of faith in God, but this next leader was vile through and through. His name is Abimelech, and ironically, he is the son of Gideon, who was one of the few named in Hebrews 11 for his faith in God. But Abimelech was nothing like his father, who had previously marched an army in faith against Midian and had torn down idols. Abimelech was a leader whom […]

This is a continuation of last week’s bulletin concerning the life of Gideon, the fifth judge of Israel. His activity is recorded in the book of Judges, chapters six through eight. Gideon, now ready to be a warrior and free the Israelites, begins to build his army. He joins the Abiezrites with the men of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. While Gideon prepares for war, the enemy awaits in the Valley of Jezreel. Even though Gideon has a great many behind him, he still lacks faith in accomplishing what God told him He would do. Therefore, Gideon asks for a […]

Hebrews 11:32-34  “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—  (33)  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  (34)  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” Many examples of people of extraordinary faith in God can be found throughout the Bible. Many of these examples may even but us to shame when we consider how these men […]