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William MacDonald

William MacDonald

William MacDonald (1917 - 2007)

Was President of Emmaus Bible College, teacher, Plymouth Brethren theologian and a prolific author of over 84 published books. MacDonald refused to accept royalties for his books but established a fund for translating his work Believers Bible Commentary into foreign languages.

Bill will be not only be remembered for the thousands upon thousands of lives he touched through his books, teaching and many personal letters, but for his Christ-like character and gentleness, yet powerful life lived by faith in Christ. One of his most impact-ful books is the small booklet called: "True Discipleship" it is recommended reading for every serious disciple of Christ.

Recommends these books by William MacDonald:
Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald
True Discipleship by William MacDonald
One Day at a Time by William MacDonald

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William MacDonald

A Mess of Pottage

"Esau ... for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." Hebrews 12:16 It is often possible to barter life's best values for a momentary gratification of physical appetite. That is what Esau did. He had come in from the field tired and hungry. At that moment Jacob was cooking a pot of red bean soup. W... Read More
William MacDonald

An Overview of Ecclesiastes

The Book of Ecclesiastes describes Solomon’s search for the meaning of life, by his own unaided intellect and apart from divine revelation. His conclusion was that life is vanity and as futile as chasing the wind. We know the book was written by Solomon because he was the only son of David who was k... Read More
William MacDonald

Appear Before The Judgment Seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10) While it is true, as we have seen on the previous page, that there are no degrees of fitness for heaven, it is ... Read More
William MacDonald

Assurance of Eternal Life

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13) Some of us will be eternally thankful to God for this verse because it taught us that assurance of salva... Read More
William MacDonald

Bible Paradoxes

“…as dying, and, behold, we live.” (2 Cor. 6:9) The Bible is full of paradoxes, that is, truths that seem contrary to what we would normally suppose or truths that seem to contradict one another. G. K. Chesterton maintained that paradox is truth standing on its head to attract attention. Here are a ... Read More
William MacDonald

Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” (Eccl. 11:1) Bread here is probably used, figuratively, for the grain from which it is made. In Egypt, seed was sown on flooded areas. As the waters receded, the crop came forth. But it did not happen immediately. The harvest ... Read More
William MacDonald

Christ Warned Against Titles

“…you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.” (Matt. 23:8-10 RSV) The Lord Jesus warned His disciples against high... Read More
William MacDonald

Coming to God

THE LORD’S SUPPER This solemn act of remembrance was instituted by the Lord Jesus on the night of His betrayal.’ Immediately after He had celebrated the last Passover with His disciples, He introduced what we know as the Lord’s supper. “He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto the... Read More
William MacDonald

De Profundis - Out of the Depths

"He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption." Galatians 6:8 No one can sin and get away with it. The results of sin are not only inescapable, they are extremely bitter. Sin may look like a harmless kitty but it eventually devours like a pitiless lion. The supposed glamour of sin ... Read More
William MacDonald

Defiling the Temple of God

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3:17) In this verse, the temple of God refers to the local assembly. Paul is not speaking to individual Christians but to believers collectively when he says “which temple ye (pl... Read More
William MacDonald

Denying The Resurrection of Christ

“And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. “(Matt. 28:12, 13) The Lord Jesus had no sooner risen from the dead when His enemies began to fabricate an al... Read More
William MacDonald

Disciples Are Stewards

Read Luke 16:1-13 It was to the disciples that the parable of the unjust steward was spoken. In it, the Savior sets forth principles that apply to disciples of all time. After all, the disciples of Christ are essentially stewards, entrusted with the care of His property and His interests here on ear... Read More
William MacDonald

Discipleship And Marriage

“There are some eunuchs…which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it” (Matthew 19:12). One of the major questions to be faced by every disciple is whether God has called him to married life or to celibacy. This is entirely a m... Read More
William MacDonald

Discipline in the Church

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE First of all, it can do so by the godly lives of those who are associated with it. This is fundamental. God desires practical sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This is why Church truths are not given as an isolated and distinct outline in any one section of the New... Read More
William MacDonald

Doing All For the Glory of God

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31) One of the great tests of Christian behavior is whether there is any glory for God in it. Too often we test our conduct by the question, “Is there any harm in it?” But that is not the question. What... Read More
William MacDonald

Early Christians Undergoing Persecution

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” (Acts 4:29) When the early Christians were undergoing persecution, they did not wait for their circumstances to change. Instead they glorified God in the circumstances. Too often ... Read More
William MacDonald

Evangelism and Social Involvement

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23 A recurring problem among Christians is maintaining the proper balance between evangelism and social ... Read More
William MacDonald

Expansion of the Church

GIFTS FOR TODAY It was mentioned earlier that originally there were five gifts-apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. It was suggested that the first two were concerned primarily with the foundation of the Church, and that, in general, the need for them passed when the complete Word... Read More
William MacDonald

Faith

There can be no true discipleship without profound and unquestioning faith in the living God. He who would do exploits for God must first trust Him implicitly. “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them”—Hudson Taylor. Now true fait... Read More
William MacDonald

Faith Is Trusting the Word of God

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) Faith is implicit trust in the Word of God. It is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that what He promises will come to pass. It deals primarily i... Read More

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