News sources are filled with sensational reports that the “bones of Jesus” have been discovered in Jerusalem. This is but another tale for the illusional. Read about it. Society has just been treated to the almost-yearly attempt of entertainment exploiters, who seek to line their pockets with “filthy lucre” by hitching a ride on the reputation of Jesus Christ.

  It would be a laughable, though stupid enterprise, were it not for the fact that so many gullible souls ingest any trash that purports to have the endorsement of “science.” Never has the reputation of “science” been so low. There is nothing new that is “scientifically credible” in this story. The knowledge of these “bones” has been around for more than a quarter of a century—scarcely raising an eyebrow.

  In 1980 an archeologist by the name of Yosef Gat explored a tomb in the southeastern region of Jerusalem that dated from the time of Herod the Great (the ruler who was king when Jesus was born). The main room of the tomb had six coffin-shaped chambers that housed ten ossuaries (stone bone boxes). According to the current reports, one box had an inscription, “Jesus, son of Joseph,” another was inscribed with “Mara,” and a third, “Yose”—the latter two, it is said, being “Mary” and “Joseph.”

  Reportedly, DNA has been collected, and a few speculators have scientifically concluded that these bones are the remains of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—along with Mary Magdalene and a male named “Judah,” found nearby.  Read More >>
 

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  101 Questions For Campbellites, Answered
 by Chuck Northrop

  The pastor of the First Baptist Church in Nowata, OK was A. A. Davis. In a book containing a series of sermons and other information, he listed 101 questions for “Campbellites” which have been posted on several denominational websites. I’m sure these questions have been answered many times before by more capable defenders of truth than I. Nevertheless, we must give a defense of the Gospel, and I, like Paul, “am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17).

  Before beginning his 101 questions, Mr Davis asks, “What are Campbellites?” His answer is simply, “They are otherwise known as ‘The Church of Christ’ or ‘The Disciples of Christ,’ and believe that Water Baptism is essential to salvation in Jesus Christ.”

  It is no wonder why he uses such a derogatory term in reference to members of the church of Christ. He is clearly trying to bring us down to the level of the manmade Baptist Church. His Baptist roots go back to a man, and if he can take “church of Christ” roots back to Alexander Campbell, then we are put on the same par, and we have become nothing more than “Campbellites.” However, be assured we are not “Campbellites.” The church of Christ goes much further back than either Alexander Campbell or his father, Thomas — yea, nearly seventeen hundred years before either were born.

  You can read about the church of Christ in prophesy (Isa. 2:2-4), and in the promise Jesus made to His disciples when He said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Whose church? Christ’s church — the church of Christ. You can read about the church of Christ as it was established in the city of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost during the days of the Roman empire (A.D. 30) in Acts 2. You can also read about its evangelistic efforts in the remaining pages of the book of Acts. In addition, you can read about individual congregations of the churches of Christ in the pages of the epistles from Romans through Revelation. And, if you want to read about it specifically by name, read Romans 16:16, “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.” Find such about the Baptist church! You cannot!

  The Baptist church, with all of its manmade doctrines, didn’t exist until 1607 AD — about sixteen hundred years too late! It is not our desire to be harsh but to point out facts, and these are the facts of the matter. Unlike the churches of Christ, the founder of the Baptist church was John Smythe, not Jesus Christ. And, instead of being founded in Jerusalem, it was founded in Holland. I’m sorry Mr. Davis, I’m not a Campellite! You can try if you will to pull me down to your level and give me some manmade name, doctrine, and church, but what is the purpose? Is it to effect an honest evaluation of truth? Or, is it to slander and steer people away from the facts? I have spent the major portion of my life “searching the scriptures,” and though I have read a little about Campbell, I really do not know what he taught or believed, and don’t really care, for Campbell was a man, and my desire is to go far beyond what man teaches — back to a “thus saith the Lord.” Read More >>

Roanoke church of Christ, P.O. Box 737, Roanoke, TX. 76262 (817) 491-2388