Category Archives: Baptism

Got Your Baptismal Certificate with You?

Posted on May 13, 2022 by russellmckinney

The two ordinances that God has given the church are the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism. The Lord’s Supper points us to Christ’s death, and Believer’s Baptism points us to His resurrection. Each ordinance hinges upon a right understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Backsliding, Baptism, Character, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Commitment, Conviction, Crucifixion, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Dying To Self, Eternity, Faithfulness, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Idolatry, Lust, Lying, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Temptation, The Lord's Supper | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Blessing of Changing a Sermon

Posted on May 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

On Sunday, July 1st, 2009, I had in mind to preach a sermon on prayer. Specifically, I planned to preach on the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” But as I began to ease into my studying and preparing for that sermon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Change, Children, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Know Jesus as Savior? Or Do You Just Know About Him?

Posted on July 5, 2021 by russellmckinney

I subscribe to a certain Christian publication that recently featured an old sermon from Oswald J. Smith. Smith was a Canadian pastor/church planter/author who is probably best known for founding The Peoples Church in Toronto and serving as the church’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Backsliding, Baptism, Belief, Church, Church Attendance, Church Discipline, Evangelism, Heaven, Repentance, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Don’t All Christians Believe the Same Way?

Posted on May 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

People wonder how sincere Christians can come to such different opinions in regards to what the Bible teaches. Why are there so many denominations? Why are there so many Christian groups? Why are there so many offshoots? Why are there … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Church, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, Eternal Security, Giving, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Greed, Marriage, Money, Scripture, The Bible, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Baptism For the Dead

Posted on January 20, 2020 by russellmckinney

Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? When then are they baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29, N.K.J.V.) In Mormonism, living members of the Mormon church who … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Salvation, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pet Verses

Posted on January 4, 2020 by russellmckinney

Why are there so many different denominations, groups, cliques, and movements, with each one claiming the title “Christian”? It is because they all have “pet verses” to which they give favored preference over other verses from scripture. Allow me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Baptism, Bible Study, Calvinism, Church Attendance, Discernment, Election, Eternal Security, God's Word, Scripture, The Bible, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dead IN Sin or Dead TO Sin?

Posted on July 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

One little word can make a big difference. A Biblical example of this is found in the salvation experience. The difference is the difference between the words “in” and “to.” Ephesians 2:1-5 and Colossians 2:13 teach that each of us … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Baptism, Belief, Commitment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The World’s First Megachurch

Posted on October 31, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #8) A megachurch is generally defined as being any Christian congregation that has a sustained weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services. With that definition in mind, we can … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Stewardship, Sunday School, The Bible, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rightly Understanding Peter’s Answer

Posted on October 23, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #4) Peter’s Pentecost sermon, which was the first sermon of the church age, caused his listeners to ask, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). His answer was, “Repent, and be baptized, every one … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Catholicism, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, God's Work, Repentance, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem" | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peter’s Famous Answer

Posted on October 20, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #3) To say that Peter’s Pentecost sermon was powerful and impacting would be an understatement. His listeners were so “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37, N.K.J.V.) that he didn’t even have to give an … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Repentance, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments