Who runs the Local Church? is a tract by David Cox on how the local church should be governed, a pastor leading, elders advising, deacons serving.
By David Cox
[ch55] v2 © 2021
http://www.coxtracts/
You may freely reproduce this tract for free distribution
Continue reading
Why read the Bible? spiritual reasons is a tract for new converts on the importance of reading and studying the Bible for Christian growth.
Continue reading
The Covetous that Hordes; Idolizing Possessions and Riches
by David Cox
[fam10] v1 ©2006 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely photocopied and reproduced
This is somebody who desires or presumes is his right to have abundance and live in luxury and pleasure, especially speaking of material things. Contrary to the principles of proportion and the Christian living aware of others (Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.), he lets other suffer while he lives enjoying his goods and riches, enjoying the pleasures of life.
Self-Esteem
Esteeming One’s Self
By David Cox
[PC08] v1r ©2008 www.coxtracts.com/pc08
You may freely reproduce and distribute this tract
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Modern psychology treats the “psyche” of man, which they define as existing but without observations nor definitions from actual science. But in that, psychology has been recognized as a science even though its conclusions, bases, and methods cannot be confirmed nor denied through science (in other words it is ALL unproven theories).
Perhaps one of the principle points in psychology is the exaltation of the human image itself (his psyche or person), or self-esteem. Modern psychology’s principal trust is to simply emphasize the need for self exaltation.
Whatever thing seems to lower one’s view of one’s self is a “sin” in psychology. Their remedy to all problems is to understand that “you are not so bad”, and “the guilt lies with others”, i.e. raise self-esteem. Continue reading
By David Cox
[ch20] v1 ©2006 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely reproduced for non-profit purposes.
Many religious groups proclaim “We are not a religion. We are not a denomination, and because of that we don’t use any name except ‘church’. Names are bad.” But it is as if a person goes to the doctor and the doctor gives a prescription but he doesn’t want to write down the name of the medicine, and just writes “that medicine”. It is useless. We use labels and names to identify what is what. Each name has a meaning, and we use these labels to correctly identify things. This tract will explain why we use the name “Baptist”.
Whatever name we choose to call ourselves by, wicked people can attack us, and without a doubt, somebody will come out using that name without really having the significant life, conduct, and doctrine which should go with that name. The only thing that we can do is to make it very clear what are our beliefs and conduct (defining the label as we understand it) and defend ourselves. Continue reading
Why we don’t use Cell Groups
The Church Growth Methodology of Cell Groups
By David Cox
[Pent09] v1 ©2005 www.coxtracts.com
You may free reproduce this tract for non-profit purposes
Problems:
• It isn’t the biblical model nor example.
• It is for personal glorying and Blasting.
• It doesn’t permit the proper Leadership formation.
• Promotes women in Leadership over men.
• It removes the local pastor as example.
• It steals sheep from other churches.
There is nothing wrong with having Bible studies in homes, but as long as those teaching are fully qualified. Bigness for bigness sake is wrong. When this growth means teachers and leaders are installed without concern about their testimony nor their doctrine, this becomes a sinful situation.
Do Heaven and Hell really Exist according to the Bible?
by David Cox
[D03] v1 ©2005 www.coxtracts.com
you may freely reproduce this tract
There are religious groups and individuals that believe that neither heaven nor hell exists. For them, everybody goes to the grave, and at this moment their existence ends. To deny the existence of heaven is to deny the possibility of salvation, eternal life, or a place and experience of eternal happiness after death. Heaven represents the reward God gives to those that obey Him, and it even represents God and his promises to us. To deny the existence of hell is to deny that an Almighty God exists, that God is a just Judge, and that He is holy. Hell represents the punishment of God on those that refuse His will. God is a judge that judges men about moral matters. God does not permit sin in His presence; neither does he allow sinners to escape with a “ceasing to exist” (annihilation). God punishes them in a place of extreme punishment called “hell.”
In the concepts of the ancients, there were actually three places called “heaven”.
The first heaven is the air above the earth (this is also “up” for those who live on earth) Mat 24:31; Mark 6:41; 13:27; Luke 4:25; 9:16; 17:24; 29; 18:13; John 6:31-33; 17:1; Acts 1:10-11; (this heaven gives rain Acts 14:17; James 5:18).
The second heaven is where the sun and stars reside Mat 24:29-30; 26:64; Mark 13:25; Luke 21:11, 26.
Athanasius Creed: There is one God in Three Persons
290-373 A.D.
[D07] v1 ©2008 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be reproduced for non-lucrative purposes
Continue reading
Principles of Interpretation of
Holy Scripture
By David Cox
[bs01] v1 ©2009 www.coxtracts.com
This tract may be reproduced for free distribution
There are principles from God that guide us as to how we are to interpret the Bible. We have to observe these so that we can understand Scripture as God wants. Cults and groups with unbiblical doctrines and practices always try to twist these principles for their viewpoints, but we must insist on observing them, and they will guide us to the truth of God. Hermeneutics (principles of interpretation) are what give structure and form to the Word of God, understanding and clarity of communication so that we truly understand well the Word of God. Continue reading
Fasting: Fixing your Life with God
By David Cox
[PC07] v1 ©2008 www.coxtracts.com
This tract can be freely reproduced for non-profit use.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8
Fasting has different meanings for different people. The Bible presents fasting as much as a spiritual exercise as much it is just not eating. In Mat 4:2 we see that Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights, and then he was hungry.
Fasting is something that there is not a whole lot of instructions about it, but it seems that everyone knows what it is, and many practice fasting. The Bible binds the concepts many fasts and spirituality. The strong Christian is someone who fasts and prays a lot.
“Fasting helps us to express, to deepen, and to confirm the commitment that we are ready to sacrifice whatever thing, even to sacrifice ourselves, in order to obtain what we seek from God.” Andrew Murray Continue reading