Explore the Bible

It was once fashionable in religious circles to say that Jesus Christ would never return to the earth. There are still plenty of professing Christians who believe that. But there are now many others who have come to believe that the Second Coming is a very important event. Christadelphians have always taught that the Return of Jesus Christ to the earth is vital to the fulfillment of the purpose of God. This article reviews Bible teaching about the Second Coming, both the events that will lead up to that miracle and the reason for the Lord’s Return.

No doubt many people today would say: "Why are you bothering with baptism? It's only a ceremony, isn't it? Having a few drops of holy water sprinkled on the head of an infant by a clergyman in church, or just having a bath? What real difference can it make? You're wasting your time."

The short answer is that the New Testament has a great deal to say about baptism, from the lips of Jesus himself as well as through his apostles. Now the plain fact is that the Bible is all we have. If we want to know who Jesus was, what he taught and what he commanded his followers to do, we must go to the Bible for the answers. To look elsewhere is to rely on the opinions of men, whether of individuals or of bodies of men in Synods or Councils. What the Bible has to say about baptism must be vital for us. If Christ and his chosen apostles have declared certain things about baptism, then we ought to want to know what they are.

No other nation in history has had such a colorful and remarkable story, nor has held the attention of the world for so long. The Jewish community was constituted a nation over 3,500 years ago, whilst encamped in a dry, dusty wilderness. During the years that followed, the nation of Israel has felt the heights of world glory, and experienced the valleys of persecution and oppression. Yet they have continued to exist, when more mighty nations have disappeared. What is the secret of their unique history, and future destiny? It is found in the purpose that God has with this ancient people -- a purpose that will continue notwithstanding all the efforts of mankind to avert it.

The recent suicide bombings in Jerusalem have sparked off more violence in the Middle East, creating further fear of an all out war in that region. The rhetoric is in high gear, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "Israel does not open wars. We know who has brought it on us -- [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat is responsible for everything that is happening here." At the same time the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said, "Now it's time for war, peace may come later."

From time to time surveys are undertaken asking people whether they believe in God. Surprisingly about 60% usually say they do, though only about 10% of them go regularly to a place of worship. But if the survey goes further, and asks these professed believers in God what they believe about Him, an almost incredible vagueness emerges.

The Bible is accepted as one of the greatest masterpieces of the world's literature. The grandeur of the opening chapters of Genesis and of John's Gospel, the moving poetry of the Psalms, the fiery denunciations of the Hebrew prophets, the compelling records of the life and work of Jesus, and the apocalyptic mysteries of the Book of Revelation-all these serve together to set the Bible in a class of its own. It is quite unrivalled by any other work, in any language or from any age. But it is more than this: the Bible claims to be the written Word of God.