Monthly Archives: July 2013

A TRIBUTE TO SAM GONZALEZ

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

ABOUT MY FRIEND AND FELLOW-LABORER IN CHRIST, SAMUEL GONZALEZ (1949-2013) By JACK COTTRELL JULY 31, 2013 [The following is the tribute I was privileged to give at the memorial service for Sam Gonzalez, one of the founders of the Yucatan Peninsula Christian Mission, who died on May 31, 2013 at the age of 63.] In one of his newsletters, Brother Sam quoted Jeremiah 48:10: “A curse on him who is lax in doing the LORD’s work!” Then he said, “With this verse in mind we want to start the year making plans for serving the Lord to the most of … Continue reading →

THE LIMITS OF PATRIOTISM

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

QUESTION: I am becoming more and more pessimistic about the way things are going here in the United States. With ruinous economic policies, increasing governmental intrusion and control, and Supreme Court decisions supporting immoral behavior, I’m not sure what to do. I want to be a loyal American citizen and a Christian. Does this allow or require me to be in rebellion against my government? Should I continue to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States? Should I stand when the national anthem is played? ANSWER: Such ambiguous feelings are nothing new. Christians have been asking these questions … Continue reading →

The Holy Spirit and Acts 8

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

QUESTION: As Philip evangelized the Samaritans, many believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). But verses 15-17 seem to say that the converts did not receive the Holy Spirit at their baptism, but rather when apostles from Jerusalem came and laid hands on them. Other texts also separate the receiving of the Spirit from baptism (e.g., Acts 10:44-48). How can we explain this, especially in light of Acts 2:38? ANSWER: All Zwinglians—those who separate baptism from salvation—love to call attention to such data from the book of Acts. They believe that the data show that there is no appointed connection between … Continue reading →