Teaching

THE INDISPENSABLE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (May 11, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, highlights the primary purpose of Pentecost.

The first Christian Pentecost that took place 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a pivotal event in the life of the church. It celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church to enable it to accomplish the mission given to it by Jesus.

Yet Christians have often either failed to recognise its essential importance or have swung to the other extreme by misinterpreting and overemphasising its significance.

Let’s consider the biblical basis of the importance of Pentecost for the church today.

1. The promise of Pentecost
Pentecost had always been part of God’s plan for the world. It was not intended to be a surplus add-on event to the Christian faith to make it more exciting! From the beginning it was central to God’s grand plan for world redemption. (more…)

THE TYRANNY OF PASTORAL VISITATION! (May 3, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, challenges a modern pastoral attitude…

Before you read further, I hasten to say that I wrote the title of this article with ‘tongue in cheek.’ It does, however, reflect what now appears to be the attitude of many pastors today regarding the pastoral work of ministry.

There was a time when pastoral visitation was a central pillar of the ministry of many pastors. But, sadly, not any longer.  Many reasons can be given to justify the trend among pastors for not visiting their ‘flock.’ But, frankly, such reasons are usually nothing more than excuses – especially for the lazy pastor!

The position taken by some is this – pastoral visitation is not necessary if a person attends church every Sunday; and, if they don’t attend church, they clearly are no longer interested in belonging! (more…)

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL? (Apr 26, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, considers the above pertinent question…

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to be our Saviour (1 Timothy 1:15), to rescue ‘us from the coming wrath’ (1 Thessalonians 1:10), and to give us eternal life (John 10:28).

That is something that all who have responded in faith and repentance to God’s gracious invitation through Jesus Christ may have full confidence in.

But what about those who have never heard or understood the gospel message? (more…)

AGEISM (Apr 9, 2016)

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, highlights a troubling trend.

Two conversations I had this week set me thinking about a troubling trend in society and in the church.

First conversation:
Recently I was speaking on Skype to my brother who lives in Ireland.  He is in his late 70s.  He told me about waiting at a bus stop with a friend (who is in his 80s). The schools were ‘getting out’ and many schoolchildren joined them at the bus stop. When the bus arrived, the schoolchildren pushed ahead to board it and get a seat. When my elderly brother and his older friend (who had to walk with the aid of a walking stick) boarded the bus, there was standing room only. Not one of the schoolchildren offered their seat to the elderly men. (more…)

THOMAS AND THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS (Mar 7, 2016)

Jim McClure
Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, highlights a crucial point about accepting Christ’s resurrection.

Thomas was not with the other disciples on Easter evening when Jesus appeared to them.

It would be pointless to speculate as to the reason for his absence, but in a sense it was well that he was not because when he eventually saw the Risen Christ, he made one of the most powerful confessions of faith to be found in the New Testament. ‘My Lord and my God’ (John 20:28). (more…)

CONFUSION IN THE CHURCH – PART 6

Jim McClure

Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, writes about two more current dangers …

Church leaders ‘must stick to the true message they were taught, so that their good teaching can help others and correct everyone who opposes it’ (Titus 1:9 CEV).

This article concludes the series Confusion in the Church in which I have turned the spotlight on issues in the contemporary church that misrepresent biblical teaching or question dubious practices that result in causing confusion in the church and bring discredit to the Christian message. (more…)

CONFUSION IN THE CHURCH – PART 5

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, writes about three more current dangers …

‘Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.’ (1 John 4:1).

John wrote this letter towards the end of the 1st century. It is interesting to note that although the ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the church on the day of Pentecost had taken place less than 70 years earlier, already Christians had to be warned to be on their guard against the infiltration of false teaching and false ideas. (more…)

CONFUSION IN THE CHURCH – PART 4

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, shares more current church dangers…

‘When I came to proclaim to you God’s secret purpose, I did not come equipped with any brilliance of speech or intellect. You may as well know now that it was my secret determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ and the fact of his death upon the cross. As a matter of fact, in myself I was feeling far from strong; I was nervous and rather shaky. What I said and preached had none of the attractiveness of the clever mind, but it was a demonstration of the power of the Spirit! Plainly God’s purpose was that your faith should not rest upon man’s cleverness but upon the power of God’ (1Corinthians 2:1 1-5 JB Phillips). (more…)

CONFUSION IN THE CHURCH – PART 3

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, writes more current dangers …

‘If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?’ (1 Corinthians 14:8).

Paul wrote those words to the Christians in Corinth who were using the gift of tongues in an undisciplined way that resulted in confusion and a diminishing of the effectiveness of the church in its unity and evangelistic ministry. He went on to say, ‘Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air’ (1 Corinthians 14:9).

The result was confusion! (more…)

CONFUSION IN THE CHURCH – PART 2

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, writes more on this current danger …

‘The days are coming when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord’ (Amos 8:11).

In Part 1 I mentioned that the Hebrew word translated as ‘hearing’ in the above verse means ‘hearing with understanding.’ Despite the ready availability of the Bible today in many languages, there is much confusion in the minds of many Christians concerning many aspects of the Christian faith. (more…)