Misconceptions

18
Jul
2022

Your Pastor Probably Isn’t A Preacher

Preacher

The New Testament uses several words to describe the role of those who have the spiritual oversight of a local church. They are elder (or presbyter), shepherd (or pastor), overseer (or bishop), and steward. The word preacher is perhaps the term most frequently used by Christians to refer to a pastor. It is quite remarkable, therefore, that the New Testament never refers to a congregation’s leader as a preacher!

Most Christians use the words preacher and pastor interchangeably, but the Bible does not. The New Testament makes a distinction between the two roles. It is understandable why this difference is overlooked; most of us were never taught to notice the difference. Even well educated teachers and scholars typically fail to point out the differences in the two roles. 

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Church Leadership, Misconceptions, Preaching
22
Nov
2021

How Long Were The Israelites Really In Egypt?

Israelites In Egypt

How long were the Israelites in Egypt? Conventional wisdom says they were there for 400 years. The problem with conventional wisdom is that it’s not always correct. Does the Bible say the Israelites were in Egypt that long? No it doesn’t, except in that one place where it does. 

When God “cut a covenant” with Abraham in Genesis 15, God gave Abraham a glimpse into his offspring’s future. 

13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Gen. 15:13–16 ESV)

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Genesis, Misconceptions
26
Apr
2021

The Real Reason God Rejected Cain’s Offering

Cain's Offering

Why is it that God rejected Cain’s offering, but found Abel’s offering acceptable?

“3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.” (Gen. 4:3–5 ESV)

The answer I was taught as a child in Sunday School was that Cain’s offering was inadequate because it wasn’t an animal. The idea underlying this is that for an offering to be acceptable to God it had to be a blood sacrifice.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Genesis, Misconceptions, Worship
15
Mar
2020

Does The Bible Permit Women Preachers?

Women Preachers

There has been much controversy recently over the idea of women preachers. Does the Bible permit a woman to preach? Can a woman be a pastor? Isn’t a preacher and a pastor the same thing? Actually, they are not the same but even famous, well educated, highly credentialed ministers and scholars typically fail to make this distinction. 

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Church Leadership, Misconceptions, Preaching
08
Feb
2020

The Sin That Really Kept Moses Out Of The Promised Land

Moses messed up. He did something which resulted in God banning him from the Promised Land. What did he do to warrant such a punishment?

The typical answers all have one thing in common. They all seem more like inferences or guesses than solid biblical answers.

Does the Bible reveal the sin that really kept Moses out of the Promised Land?

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Faith, Misconceptions