The Elgin Hills Examiner
examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so (Acts 17:11)
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The Elgin Hills Examiner – First Issue!
On the apostle Paul’s second journey, he and Silas left Thessalonica and came to Berea where they preached the gospel of Christ. Luke’s inspired history describes the Bereans as “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
God does not communicate His will through feelings, dreams, visions, or small voices in the night, but through His revealed Word in Christ and His apostles (Hebrews 1:1-3). Because this is so, God places a premium on our learning and doing it. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:22). Therefore, in order to do God’s will and be saved, we must know what it is! In order to know what it is, we must examine and study it. To encourage investigation, examination, and study of the Scripture, all of which fosters faith in God and obedience, this paper has begun as a work of the Elgin Hills church of Christ.
It is not the work of the New Testament church to provide entertainment, recreation, and social functions, but it is the work of the church to teach and preach the truth. Paul said that the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). That means it is to uphold, support and preach the truth. We are using this paper as a tool to do this.
We welcome investigation. Our plea is to duplicate genuine New Testament Christianity both in individual as well as congregational life. Therefore, our answers to life’s questions in morality and spirituality do not come from other churches, special interest or political groups, a majority in a community, or preachers; rather we go directly to the New Testament, God’s final revelation of His will to mankind (II Tim. 3:16-17). Whatever questions arise as to how we should conduct ourselves, the New Testament either directly or indirectly by Divine principles answers them (see II Peter 1:3-4).
As a congregation of God’s people, the Elgin Hills church of Christ is committed to following the pattern God left for His people in the pages of the New Testament. If we are failing to do something the New Testament requires, you will be our friend to point out our omission. If we are doing something the New Testament does not authorize, again you will be our friend to point out that commission. Our hope is heaven. We pray it is your hope, and that you will do something about it. -Phillip Owens