How Long Was Jesus in the Tomb?
Critics claim that the Gospel records contradict due to the fact that some passages speak of Jesus being in the tomb three days and three nights, while other texts mention only three days. What is the solution to this alleged discrepancy?
Why Couldn’t Jesus Perform Miracles in His Hometown?
When Jesus came to Nazareth, Mark says at that time, “And he could there do no mighty work” (Mark 6:5). If Jesus was truly the Son of God, why does it say he could not perform miracles in his hometown?
Baptism: Essentials and Nonessentials
Baptism is a very important rite in the divine scheme of salvation. But it is imperative that one be able to distinguish between the “essential” and “nonessential” items associated with the command. Study this matter with us in this week’s Penpoints.
The Role of “Works” in God’s Plan of Redemption
Many sincere people labor under the illusion that “works” play no role whatever in Heaven’s plan of redemption? Is this a correct view? Actually, it is not. Study this theme with us in this week’s Penpoints article.
Some Contrasts Between the Nature of the Mosaic System and Christianity
The Mosaic system was preparatory to the coming of the Christian system. While the two systems were complimentary, there are significant differences.
The Resurrection of the Wicked
The Bible teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected from the dead. Such being the case, what will be the difference in the composition of these respective bodies?
The Philanthropic Nature of Christianity
The arrival of Christianity provided refreshing encouragement of love-of-fellowman to a time that was marked by the lack of philanthropy.
Why Racists Hate Christianity
Christianity is viewed by promoters of hate and bigotry as an obstacle. Atheism, however, is not.
Notes from Isaiah 55
In the book of Isaiah (55:1ff) there is a thrilling prophecy of the salvation that was to be made available as a result of the promised Messiah’s victory over death.
A Profile in Christian Courage
John F. Kennedy authored a popular book, Profiles In Courage. The New Testament contains its own profiles in courage. In this Penpoint, Jason Jackson discusses the courageous tone of Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Justification
Justification may be defined as the divine process by which God acquits the sinner and reckons him as righteous. The noun dikaiosis (“justification”) is used but twice in the N.T. (Rom. 4:25; 5:18)...
If “Tongues” Have Ceased, Why Hasn’t “Knowledge”?
A critic, who believes that “speaking in tongues” is a gift available in this age, believes he has detected a flaw in our position that the gift of tongues was restricted to the first century. Based upon his view of 1 Corinthians 13:8ff, he argues that if “tongues” are obsolete, then “knowledge” should be as well. Since we still have knowledge, it is claimed, tongues remain as well. Here is our response to the gentleman’s objection.
Did Jesus Exclude Repentance from Forgiveness?
To answer this question, let’s review a very fundamental principle of Bible interpretation.

The Analogy of Faith and the Doctrine of ForgivenessThere is a principle of Bible interpretation known a...

What about Braided Hair?
In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he instructs his young protege to teach:

“that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or p...

Was the Lord’s “Second Coming” in A.D. 70?
A major problem with the A.D. 70 doctrine is in explaining clear Bible passages which depict the Lord’s return in a visible manner, which did not occur, of course, in A.D. 70.
Our Eternal Abode
Will heaven be on earth as some have speculated? Or is their biblical evidence that heaven will be something apart from the physical planet on which we live.
The Hope of Immortality
Man has ever entertained the hope that there is more to human existence that the experiences of earthly life. Even skeptics have a difficult time quenching this desire.
Miscellaneous Questions
This week we answer several brief questions:     (1) Do Acts 9:7 and 22:9 contradict one another?
     (2) Did Moses err in classifying bats with birds?
     (3) How should Luke 23:43 be punctuated?
The Work Ethic
We are living in a time when the “work ethic” is suffering enormously. More and more people want to do less and less for higher pay.
A Realistic Look at Sin
If you want to liven up a conversation, introduce the subject of sin. Is sin a reality or a figment of our imagination?