Articles by Randall E Howard

In Philippians 3:8-16, Paul makes a very profound statement that describes both how one should live as well as what a right theological understanding will produce in a FAITH FILLED FOLLOWER of Christ. Paul writes, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. ...

In an effort to do things “decently and in order” as the Scripture commands (I Corinthians 14:40), we need to look at how we do what we do in the church. Paul addressed many things in relation to how the local church is to be structured, how it is to be led and how ministry and worship is to be conducted. These instructions are helpful to us but what is the proper and orderly way for Baptism and Communion to be conducted? There is a lot written about ‘who can be baptized’ but there is very little about ‘who can baptize’. Yet there are those who will say that any believer can baptize another who repents of their sins and declares Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then there are those who hold the position that only ordained Elders/Pastors should administer the ordinances and sacraments of the church. There are fine people and brilliant thinkers on both sides of this issue. The main point for those that are in favor of any Christian baptizing a new believer typically hold to the ...

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (I John 1:5-10) I would like to think that Christians, who have been in the Word of God and have been faithful to participate in the Church, would understand the concept and dynamic of transformation. And while we would all, perhaps, say that we want to be transformed, I wonder how many of us really surrender to the t...

The situation in the beautiful nation of Nicaragua is dire! Since April of last year, mass chaos and injustice have prevailed. Thousands of Nicaraguans have fled the country in threat of their lives for standing up for the rights of others. Yet, the government of Nicaragua continues to ruthlessly work to rid the nation of anyone who opposes Daniel Ortega and his evil regime. We are working with many of those leaders who have found themselves in exile in the nation of Costa Rica. Most of the leaders we are working with are professionals (doctors, lawyers, economists, teachers, politicians, business people, etc.). Now, they have nothing except the clothes on their backs. They had to flee their families, homes and property leaving all their possessions which have been seized by the government for simply speaking out against injustice. Stand with us as we work to feed, clothe, encourage and equip to return to their nation and make a great impact on their nation. I have attached an a...