Welcome

My article, A Literal Bible Faith, is now available in my Bible Basics page. It is also available in Publications On Christian Evidences.

Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.

My Commentary on Mark 3: Restoring a Withered Hand is now available in Commentaries: Assorted Chapters.

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Question: It’s so depressing to think Evil is winning. What can we do to keep from being discouraged?

Answer: “We do not lose heart” means “we do not give in to evil.” The Bible gives us reasons why we do not: 1. We can pray to God.

More of the response can be found in Publications On Covid Quarantine 2020.

Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.

Every time a catastrophe occurs, gloom & doomsday predictors turn to Scripture to justify their glum attitude. Scriptures are twisted beyond recognition as predicted in 2 Peter 3:14-18. All Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus Christ were fulfilled in the 1st Century, as Peter said: “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days” (Acts 3:24). Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in A.D. 70 as being preceded by “signs” (Matthew 24:1-35). But Jesus said nothing is known to predict His Second Coming when He said: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). He gave five illustrations to prove “no one knows” (Matthew 24:37-25:30). Nothing in Scripture, nor in world events, is a “sign” of the end! - Words of Wisdom, March 16, 2020

Keep Calm and Carry On Studying God’s Word ACCORD WITH GOVERNOR BILL LEE'S EXECUTIVE ORDER #17, FROM MARCH 23-APRIL 6, THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED SERVICES AT THE BUILDING OF THE ONEIDA CHURCH OF CHRIST. 

PLEASE KEEP THESE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS IN MIND, HOWEVER: 

1. Systematically read the Bible, and not just randomly search. Don't lose sight of the planned organization God has given each Bible Book. (I have Bible Books outlined at: johntpolkll.com)

2. Lay in provisions to "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26), on the "first day of the week" (Acts 20:7), which includes unfermented grape juice and unleavened bread. Jesus began the Lord's Supper with Passover elements, none of which had any leaven ("yeast") in them (Mark 14:12-26; Exodus 12:14-20). Please make arrangements with the local church to go by for the wafers if you cannot find it at your local grocery.

3. Choose an appropriate worship service to sing, pray, and study along with. (We support and recommend "In Search of the Lord's Way," from Edmond, Oklahoma. Each program is available from their website, or on TV, or on a requested dvd, and has an excellent Bible lesson from Phil Sanders and congregational singing (searchtv.org)

4. Remember when, "On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside" (1 Corinthians 16:2), we may turn it over to our Treasurer, or bring it to our first gathering together after EO#17 expires.

Don't forget the convenience of the local church building with separate rooms and/times for groups of 9 or less to use. Call and make arrangements.

5. Many Bible-activities are available for use by adults and children. From our brethren, these are free:

http://www.johnhurt.com

http://biblecharts.org

http://apologeticspress.org/homestudycourses.aspx

6. Stay connected with brethren in every way available. (Colossians 3:12-17). 

7. Don't ever forget: God is in charge and richly deserves our highest consideration and deepest adoration. "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him." (Psalm 89:7). Since only Christians are priests, it is our sacrifices of prayers, good works, songs, giving, and Bible study that can bless us now. "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:15-17)

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.' Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.' They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" (1 Peter 2:1-9)

AS SOON AS WE CAN, WE'LL GREET ONE ANOTHER AND WORSHIP GOD!

JOHN T. POLK ll

Further questions or comments can be submitted by clicking here.

Keep Calm and Carry On Studying God’s Word ACCORD WITH GOVERNOR BILL LEE'S EXECUTIVE ORDER #17, FROM MARCH 23-APRIL 6, THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED SERVICES AT THE BUILDING OF THE ONEIDA CHURCH OF CHRIST. 

PLEASE KEEP THESE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS IN MIND, HOWEVER: 

1. Systematically read the Bible, and not just randomly search. Don't lose sight of the planned organization God has given each Bible Book. (I have Bible Books outlined at: johntpolkll.com)

2. Lay in provisions to "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26), on the "first day of the week" (Acts 20:7), which includes unfermented grape juice and unleavened bread. Jesus began the Lord's Supper with Passover elements, none of which had any leaven ("yeast") in them (Mark 14:12-26; Exodus 12:14-20). Please make arrangements with the local church to go by for the wafers if you cannot find it at your local grocery.

3. Choose an appropriate worship service to sing, pray, and study along with. (We support and recommend "In Search of the Lord's Way," from Edmond, Oklahoma. Each program is available from their website, or on TV, or on a requested dvd, and has an excellent Bible lesson from Phil Sanders and congregational singing (searchtv.org)

4. Remember when, "On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside" (1 Corinthians 16:2), we may turn it over to our Treasurer, or bring it to our first gathering together after EO#17 expires.

Don't forget the convenience of the local church building with separate rooms and/times for groups of 9 or less to use. Call and make arrangements.

5. Many Bible-activities are available for use by adults and children. From our brethren, these are free:

http://www.johnhurt.com

http://biblecharts.org

http://apologeticspress.org/homestudycourses.aspx

6. Stay connected with brethren in every way available. (Colossians 3:12-17). 

7. Don't ever forget: God is in charge and richly deserves our highest consideration and deepest adoration. "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him." (Psalm 89:7). Since only Christians are priests, it is our sacrifices of prayers, good works, songs, giving, and Bible study that can bless us now. "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:15-17)

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.' Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.' They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" (1 Peter 2:1-9)

AS SOON AS WE CAN, WE'LL GREET ONE ANOTHER AND WORSHIP GOD!

JOHN T. POLK ll

Further questions or comments can be submitted by clicking here.

QUESTION: Why does it seem that society is out of control?

REPLY: Because the media focuses almost entirely on the “lawless,” or those who are “out of control! 

1. The “lawless” are in charge because the “lawful” have not insisted otherwise! “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, froma good conscience, and fromsincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for thelawless and insubordinate, for theungodly and for sinners, for theunholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust”(1 Timothy 1:5-11). The people who want to live in violation of any restriction from God’s control are allowed to direct :government leadership and legislation, church policies, entertainment values, and educational institutions. The Media microscopekeeps the focus on these, as if they are the norm, while completely ignoring the multitude who are striving to live lawfully!

2. Those who crucified Jesus Christ were ignoring:(1)Moses’ Jewish Law on guilt:"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15). With Jesus, “the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none” (Matthew 26:59-60); (2)Roman Law:“Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, ‘You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Himin your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him’” (Luke 23:13-15). Neither Religious nor Civil “courts” could condemn Jesus Christ! That’s why, Peter and the Apostles concluded: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it”(Acts 2:22-24). By Jesus’ resurrection, God declared forevermore His total opposition to the “lawless!”

3. God has kept the door open, however, for the “lawless” to become “lawful.”“Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself Hisown special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The lawless were commanded: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In Sodom, Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8). The “righteous soul” must never accept the “lawless” as if they were right!  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). -----JTPII

Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.

My commentary for Psalm 6, David's Repentance and God's Forgiveness, is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.

Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.

My commentary #115 on Proverbs 16:27-29, Neighborhood Watch, is available in Studies in the book of Proverbs in Commentaries.

Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.