Who manages this web site?

Gospel Hall dot org is managed by Shad Sluiter. He and his family have been part of the assembly that meets at the Marion Gospel Hall, Marion, IA (USA). Currently they are serving as missionaries in Hermosillo, Mexico. Jim Garvin at www.SiteAction.com provides the web server hosting.

Is this an Official Site?

The nature of assemblies who are represented on this site is that each congregation is an independent entity. No official headquarters for the "brethren" exist. However, the materials published represent the beliefs of these assemblies very well.

Why does this site exist?

Gospel Hall dot org began in 1997 as a way to share information about assemblies, to raise awareness of the gospel message and teaching about Christian living in a New Testament Church.

How can I contact you?

Please see the "contact us" section of the main menu.

Where can I find the Gospel Hall Forum?

The ghf is managed at www.gospelhall.org.uk.

Where is the discussion page?

The online forum has been removed. Unfortunately, some of the discussions were counter-productive to the goals of this site.

Do you accept new materials?

Yes. If you have material suitable for publishing on this site, please contact me for details. I am seeking full-text books, mp3 files and other media content that is suitable for helping people grow in their christian life. Look around the site to see what materials have been published to get an idea of what is needed. There is no pay offered for any work submitted. Editorial blogs or opinions are not needed at this time.

If you are a php or Flash programmer, there are unfished projects that also need expertise.

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Will believers reign on the earth in the Millennium?

To whom does "us" and "we" refer in Revelation 5:10," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:10, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth"?

The manuscripts used in Darby’s translation, for instance, change "we" to "them" and omit "us." The sense of the passage, therefore, is that the Lamb has made those He redeemed with His blood (verse 9) kings and priests to God; those redeemed ones will reign on the earth. We need not be upset to learn that, in subsequent years, scholars found more reliable manuscripts than those used for our beloved Authorized Version. God’s truth stands immutable: "For ever, 0 Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119:89). The manuscript changes are very minor and, as in this passage, affect no doctrine, but only our understanding of the passage.

D. Oliver
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Was there more than one Tabernacle made by Moses?

What Tabernacle is referred to in Exodus 33:7-11" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7-11?

According to the sequence of the chapters, the Tabernacle was not yet built. Some have inferred from Deuteronomy 10:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 10:1-5 that Moses made the Ark during this interval, between his destruction of the first tables and the bringing down of the second, as a receptacle for the second tables which could not be entrusted to Israel. What do you say to this?

Certainly Deuteronomy 10:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 10:1-5 would bear the above interpretation, “and I made an ark of shittim wood. . . and I put them (the tables of the Lord) in the Ark which I had made.” Yet we must remember that in Deuteronomy, Moses is admittedly only giving a summary of things, so that events spread over a period, are compressed, as occurring almost synchronously. For dates and details we must consult Exodus and Numbers. In Exodus 25:10" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 25:10 the directions as to making the Ark are given to Moses, during his first sojourn on the Mount, but were only communicated to the children of Israel in Exodus 35:12," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 35:12, after his second sojourn there. Only in Exodus 37:1" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 37:1 does Bezaleel actually make the Ark of shittim wood, in which the tables were eventually placed. We cannot admit that there were two Arks; for it is evident in Deuteronomy 10" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 10 that the tables were to be permanently in the Ark which Moses is said to have made for them—”and there they be as the Lord commanded me.” This was actually done in Exodus 40:20" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 40:20 “And he took and put the testimony into the ark.” There is nothing really contradictory to this in the passages quoted. As for the tabernacle mentioned in Exodus 33:7-11," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7-11, it could only have been a temporary tent of meeting called “The tabernacle of the congregation” (Exodus 33:7)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7), to which anyone went, who sought the Lord.” After the sin of the golden calf, God would not go up in the midst of the people, so this tent was pitched without the camp. When the actual Tabernacle was constructed and erected, Jehovah once more took His place in the midst of His people (Exodus 25:8;" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 25:8; Exodus 29:45;" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 29:45; Numbers 2:2)," TARGET="_blank">Numbers 2:2), no doubt, on the ground of sacrifice. The other temporary tent would naturally fall into disuse.

W.H.

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Is the Spirit of God equal to the Father and the Son?

Is the Spirit of God equal to the Father and the Son?

Called "the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 3:18, JND), lying to Him and to God are equivalent (Acts 5:3, 4)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:3, 4). He is equated with God in the creation (Genesis 1:2; 2:2)," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:2; 2:2), incarnation (Luke 1:35;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4)," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 4:4), anointing (Acts 10:38)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:38), miracles (Matthew 12:28;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:20), crucifixion (Hebrews 9:14)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:14), resurrection (Acts 3:15;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:15; 1 Peter 3:18)," TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:18), saints' resurrection (Romans 8:11;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:11;1 Corinthians 15:38," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:38, and operation of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:6, 11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:6, 11).

The Lord equates the Spirit's deity with His own by saying, "another (of the same kind) Comforter" (John 14:16)." TARGET="_blank">John 14:16). In 1 Corinthians 12" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12-4-6 the Spirit, the Lord and God are parallel (see also Matthew 28:29;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:29; 2 Corinthians 13:14;" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2;" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:2; Jude 21)." TARGET="_blank">Jude 21). hi the same chapter, He "wills" (verse 11), as does God Games 1:18). His omnipresence and God's are equivalent (Psalm 139:7)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139:7). He is omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:11)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:11) and omnipotent (Romans 8:11;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:11; Matthew 22:29)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:29).

He wills (John 3:8)," TARGET="_blank">John 3:8), knows (1 Corinthians 2:11)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:11), acts (Acts 16:7)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:7), speaks (1 Timothy 4:1)," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:1), and feels (Ephesians 4:30)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:30). He is a distinct person, though equal with the Father and Son. When the Son stood at Jordan, the Spirit descended, and the Father spoke from heaven, this distinction was visible (Matthew 3:16, 17," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 3:16, 17, paralleling the Old Testament revelation in Isaiah 42:1)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 42:1).

D. Oliver

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Is there a connection between the resurrection and the timing of the Levitical offerings?

Is there a connection to the Levitical offerings?

We are familiar with the truth that the Lord rose from the dead as the Firstfruit (1Co 15:23)." TARGET="_blank">1Co 15:23). This fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev 23:10)." TARGET="_blank">Lev 23:10). On the exact day that feast was fulfilled by Christ’s resurrection, the citizens of Jerusalem saw people alive whom they knew had died. These who came back from death were not part of the "harvest" of which Christ is the Firstfruits. He is unique as the Firstfruit. These returned to death. They are a reminder of that Feast of Firstfruits and its promise of a coming harvest: this sheaf of wheat is a first fruit, and other sheaves will follow. Just as that first fruit was especially for God, so our resurrected Lord has precedence over all others. Those who have part in the first resurrection (Rev 20:5)," TARGET="_blank">Rev 20:5), like Christ, will never die again.

D. Oliver
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Can a Church use more than one cup and still show communion?

Some large assembly gatherings use more than one cup. Is this scriptural or should this practice change?

The significance of the "one cup" is that it is "the communion of the blood of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:16). When we partake of it, we are professing that the one ground of our fellowship with God is the precious blood of Christ. The "one loaf" of 1 Corinthians 10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10: is the emblem of the oneness of assembly fellowship. This is the greatest chapter in the New Testament dealing with the fellowship of an assembly. Verse 17 very likely means that the "one body" is the Corinthian assembly rather than the large aspect of the Body (Eph 1:22-23)." TARGET="_blank">Eph 1:22-23). In the three Gospel records of the institution of the supper and in the two passages in 1 Corinthians 10:16" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:16 and 11:25, it is important that "cup" is singular. Individual cups can never be construed as being a "cup of ... the communion of the blood of Christ." In Acts 2:41" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:41 and 4:4 as many as 3,000 and later 5,000 met together to break bread. I have never heard anyone explain how such a company could use only one cup in their remembrance of the Lord. "One cup" is most significant and we should maintain this principle to the best of our ability. When necessity demands that several cups are needed, we should not let this deteriorate into individual cups. It should still be "a cup of communion" or a common cup.

N. Crawford

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Does God punish sin on earth? Does God punish sin only in Hell?

“Does God punish sin on earth? Does God punish sin only in Hell?”

Interesting question, and to answer it we need to clarify the terms we use. When it comes to an authority dealing with behavior that is undesired, there are two basic motivations called “punishment” and “vengeance”. Others use the terms “discipline” or “correction” for what I call “punishment”, and “punishment” for what I call “vengeance”, but I think my terms are more biblically accurate.

Whatever the words, God and earthly governments do both.

Using my terms, a “punishment” is like a “spanking”, something bad that is administered with the intent of changing the character of the one being punished. This is done so he may rejoin society as a disciplined, productive member. “Vengeance”, on the other hand, has no goal but to make an example of the punished one so others are afraid to try the same thing, and to protect society at large by removing the threat the lawbreaker represents. One looks to help the guilty one, the other looks primarily at minimizing losses to the whole and protecting the authority of the government. It may be argued that the consequences of law often may very well do both, but the motivation behind each remains distinctly different. And there are clear cases where there is no overlap.

God does both in this life as well. He clearly punishes people with the intent of driving them away from evil and toward Himself. We read He spanks His children in ways that seem “grievous” (Hebrews 12:6)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:6), and also read that He in a general way “chastiseth (spanks) the heathen” (Psalm 94:10)," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 94:10), the ones who do not yet know Him. “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth” (Heb. 12:6)" TARGET="_blank">Heb. 12:6) . . . lots of love here.

But He also executes “vengeance” (Romans 12:19)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:19) in this life as a means of declaring and enforcing His governmental authority over mankind. He forcefully tells us to stay out of that business on a personal level when it comes to dealing with people who harm us. The phrase in that verse is this: “’Vengeance is mine, I will repay’, saith the Lord”. That phrase is found virtually the same in four different Bible verses, the only statement I can think of so honored.

So He really takes this seriously.

Deadly diseases associated with specific violations of His commandments are a clear example of this, as can be premature deaths by various tragedies. “The wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” (Colossians 3:6)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 3:6) . . . no love here, just wrath.

Even righteous members of a society may suffer as He executes vengeance on the whole.

To get back to the question, when it comes to hell there is no punishment, there are no spankings, only the raw endless fury of vengeance to prove to the universe that He is God and what He says goes. Hear these solemn words spoken to Christians suffering at the hands of wicked people: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to

recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) Everlasting Fire – no purgatory, no hope, nothing but vengeance.

The time for corrective punishment is in this life. God is to be greatly feared, and those who refuse to do so in this life, refuse His “spankings” with the intent of driving them to the Savior, will have all of eternity to regret it.

Alfred Corduan

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Do worshippers offer animal sacrifices during the Millennial reign?

Do worshippers offer animal sacrifices during the Millennial reign?

Yes. At the end of Ezekiel 39," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 39, God speaks of gathering His people from the lands of their enemies and pouring out His Spirit on them (vv 25-29). The last nine chapters, from 40 to 48, picture the Millennial temple and city. Seven of those nine chapters refer to offerings and to the priests who offer them. The city and the temple are literal, for the rebuilding of the city (40:2-3) and the return of the glory of God (43:2) are linked with the literal destruction of the city (40:1) and the departure of God’s glory (43:3). Therefore we must also interpret the priests and the sacrifices literally.

D. Oliver
Which of the offerings will be offered? (Zechariah 14:21)" TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 14:21)

The last nine chapters of Ezekiel include references to all five of the major offerings. The sin offering is mentioned 14 times, the trespass offering four times. Eighteen times Ezekiel refers to the burnt offering(s), and 14 times to the meal offering(s). "The sacrifice" is mentioned three times, twice in conjunction with the burnt offering; the other time the priests are boiling it - not burning it - in preparation for eating. This would refer to the peace offering.

D. Oliver
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Are people on the Broad Way condemned?

Does Matthew 7," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7, verses 13 and 14 depict the condition of the lost?

Let there be no doubt about this. The people who heard the Lord were unbelievers who were in danger of being excluded from the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:22, 23)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7:22, 23). They recognized that the key issue was authority (v 29), because He stated that inclusion in or exclusion from the kingdom depended on whether or not they built on His words (vv 24-27). He warned them that purveyors of false teaching would lure them down the wide, easy road of destruction. He called for submission to His word and a resultant righteousness based on His teaching, not on the compromised teaching of men (Matthew 5:20-48)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:20-48). Any who would walk this narrow way must enter through the narrow gate. Apart from a new life, no one can live righteously in God’s sight (Rom 8:7, 8)." TARGET="_blank">Rom 8:7, 8). Any who attempted to live the righteousness the Lord taught would only discover their need of a Savior (3:19). The first 8 chapters of Romans bring us to universal guilt (3:19), a righteous standing by personal faith (5:1), and righteous living by the power of the indwelling Spirit (8:4, 9, 13-15). Previous to His Mountain Message, the Lord had taught Nicodemus these things (John 3:1-21)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:1-21).

Viewing the Lord’s words in the context and in light of other Scriptures, the message to the lost is clear. Only by submission to His Word (repentance), a new birth, and a righteous life (that attests to the reality of their new life) will individuals be in heaven. Apart from that, no matter what else they have or do, they will end in destruction, will perish (the root word for destruction) in hell forever.

D. Oliver
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How can I change or control my thought life?

How can I change or control my thought life?

Paul's statement, "Think on these things" (Philippians 4:8)," TARGET="_blank">Philippians 4:8), shows that we can choose the focus of our thoughts.

A controlled mind (1 Peter 1:13)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:13) characterizes normal Christian living. The power of the Spirit of God within and of devotion to Christ produces obedience to God's Word and likeness to Christ. Spiritually healthy habits - reading and meditating on the Word of God, confessing sins and communing with the Lord in prayer, maintaining wholesome relationships with others, and participating in the spiritual activities of an assembly -preserve us from most problems with an unholy thought life. Healthy Christian thinking is the byproduct of healthy Christian living.

A history of bad habits in thinking, of spiritual departure, or of inappropriate responses to circumstances in life will deepen problems in a believer's thought life. Replacing these habits with spiritual habits helps to change our thought life.

The remedy is focusing on Christ's loveliness and on things positive and Christ-honoring (Philippians 4:8)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 4:8).

Here are 4 suggestions:

1. When facing conditions that trigger wrong thoughts, read conveniently placed index cards on which you have written relevant Bible verses. This allows God's Word to speak to and strengthen your mind.

2. Prayerfully eliminate idle time, lonely interludes, or physical tiredness.

3. Cultivate the companionship of an omniscient God.

4. Carefully select your food. Some "food" you see and hear will sow seeds of wrong thoughts. Replace this with spiritually strengthening food. Listen to and sing songs rich in Biblical truth. By these means the word of Christ will dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16)." TARGET="_blank">Colossians 3:16).

D. Oliver
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