March 2004
This issue of Abundant Life is also available in Adobe's PDF format.Who Killed Jesus?
by Rusty Miller
It is shaping up to be one of the most controversial films of our time, maybe of all time. “It” of course, is Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” and over the last several weeks (and continuing for at least a few weeks into the future), much has been written and said about this film, which intends to depict the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus.
Grace, Faith, and Baptism in Ephesians 2:8-9
By Dane Felicien
There is a popular belief being taught that baptism is a work not necessary for salvation. Today, prominent religious teachers teach this doctrine everywhere. The following is from Billy Graham’s website: “Many groups believe that works are necessary to earn salvation. This belief contradicts the Bible’s assertion, ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast’ (Ephesians 2:8-9).” 1 Graham and others use Ephesians 2:8-9 to deny baptism’s necessity for salvation because,
Back to Basics: The work of a church of Christ
by Pat Farish
A local church of Christ is composed of saints. In a mature church, some of these saints are bishops, and some are deacons, Philippians 1:1. The organization implied in these words indicates that a local church of Christ is to work, collectively. Each member of this church will have “good works” he/she is personally to perform; but there is work to be done by the church, the “collective”, and this is the purpose of the organization.