Posts by Jim Elliff
Brothers and Sisters, Pray for Us: A Letter From Jim
Dear CCW family, If you had lived in the first century and were privileged to know the Apostle Paul, he likely would ask you to pray for him. We don’t have the full record of his interactions with Christians, but if what he wrote in his letters reveals anything, it is that he felt strongly that he must have the prayers of others in order to accomplish his work — work that has eternal effects, coming all the way down…
Praise Luck? : A Letter From Jim
Dear CCW family, Joni Eareckson Tada is one of the most gracious and effective Christians in the world. She has lived with the results of a diving accident that broke her neck during her teen years. At 76, she continues to radiate Christ to a listening world. Joni is known by millions of Christians through her books, radio program, and conference speaking. Once my brother asked Joni how she made it through the difficult battle with her paraplegia. I later…
Liam Loopert, Faithful to the End : A Letter from Jim
Dear CCW family, Greetings! Think about the following scenario: James, the student: How faithful does one have to be in order to be a true Christian? The wise Mr. Brockton: To church or to God? James: Doesn’t one imply the other? Mr. Brockton: Faithfulness has many drivers, which can be deceiving. But few differentiate. My story will illustrate. Liam Loopert was always there, since his childhood. He was an attender. And everyone in church expected as much since his parents…
Is Baptism a Requirement for Church Membership?
In our view, baptism and membership in a local church are inseparable, the former necessarily preceding the latter. While baptism is never explicitly said to be a prerequisite for church membership, the following biblical factors lead to that conclusion: Baptism is commanded of every believer.Baptism is an act of obedience, not only on the part of the individual Christian, but on the part of those who are commanded to baptize new disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Disciples who will not submit to…