Archive for 2004
I Saw a Child
by Leo Rogol (1969) What I saw was not what one reads about children in storybooks and poems: It was not the beauty of childish innocence; the simple trusting faith in something big, wide, and wonderful; a child roaming the fields with his beloved dog, searching out the marvelous mysteries and wonders of nature. Though…
Read MoreThe Innocence of Jesus
by Bill Cavendar via Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 67, February 7, 1985 The Bible records six different trials that Jesus endured after He was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane. There were three Jewish trials: Before Annas (John 18:13,24); Before Caiaphas, aided by a group of priests and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:14-28); Before…
Read MoreSince teaching is a work, then it doesn’t save. Right?
Question: Telling others about Christ is a work. “For by grace we are saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast ” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Answer: There was a branch of the Baptist denomination that fully accepted the idea that being saved was entirely a work of God…
Read MoreIs the recent major earthquake in Indonesia an indication that Jesus is about to return?
Question: Is the recent major earthquake in Indonesia an indication that Jesus is about to return? Answer: Many people can’t stand being left with a mystery. We want to know everything. It can be as mundane as trying to figure out if next winter will be mild or harsh, or it can be very personal…
Read MoreWhat is the spiritual impact of online pornography?
Question: What is the spiritual impact of online pornography? I dated a man who used it a lot and even though we are no longer dating, I feel icky about his choice to use this. Answer: Pornography’s impact is the same, whether we discuss pornography distributed over the Internet or found in “adult” stores or…
Read MoreHow old is the world?
Question: How old is the world? Is the scientific way correct? In science, the world is around 40 billion years old. How old is the world in the Bible? Answer: Dating in the Bible is a bit difficult because, for the span of time that the Bible covers, a universal calendar was not in use.…
Read MoreDress Codes
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton by Elissa Eikelboom Why do we pull out our best clothing each Sunday in preparation for attending services? Many of us have our “Sunday Best” – those outfits reserved for Sundays and other special occasions. The thought of attending services in anything but our best clothing is so repulsive that many…
Read MoreHow can baptism save?
Question: I’m confused. You said on your website that baptism is required for a person to be saved. How can this be so? Answer: Because the Bible states: “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection…
Read MoreWhat happens if an elder’s wife dies?
Question: If a man is qualified to serve as an elder but his wife dies before he is installed, can he still become an elder? If an elder’s wife dies may he continue to serve? Answer: In looking for qualified men to be elders, we put so much emphasis on the qualifications of the man…
Read MoreThe Importance of Listening
by T. Sean Sullivan How significant is listening? Listening is the fullness of hearing. It is possible to hear someone talk and not listen. In order to hear and listen, one must be paying attention. My wife becomes very annoyed with me when she speaks and I do not listen. Perhaps I am distracted by…
Read MoreCan a woman teach a teenage boy?
Question: I’d like your input concerning a confrontation that I had with two ladies after services last evening. We have a 14-year-old boy who is not yet a Christian. His mother has been teaching him in our Sunday morning Bible class. I mentioned that we need to assign a “Christian man” to teach him. One…
Read MoreHis Name Was Jake
by Jack Wise Jake’s parents were normal compared to other parents. They both worked. They had two other children, girls, whom they cared for. Shelter and food and everyday child maintenance were provided. His parents were on and off “church” goers of a local denomination. Even though they lacked total dedication, they were loving caring…
Read MoreIf you can have fellowship with people who differ in one area, why can’t you have fellowship with those who have kitchens and fellowship halls?
Question: Do you believe that weddings and/or funerals may take place in the church auditorium? Do you think that you can maintain fellowship with those who differ with you on this question? Do you think that you can maintain fellowship with those who differ with you about having a kitchen or fellowship hall in the…
Read MoreIs there any spiritual work that an individual Christian may do that the church may not?
Comment: The following is taken from a list of questions sent to me by my request. The author is from a more liberally-minded group who is preparing lessons on the issues that separate some churches of Christ. He was interested in the other side’s point of view and I was interested in how he would…
Read MoreCan money be used from the church treasury to do good for non-Christians?
Comment: The following is taken from a list of questions sent to me by my request. The author is from a more liberally-minded group who is preparing lessons on the issues that separate some churches of Christ. He was interested in the other side’s point of view and I was interested in how he would…
Read MoreDoes the Bible speak of souls sleeping?
Question: Do the Scriptures ever speak of souls sleeping anywhere? Answer: A common idiom for death is sleep. “But man dies and is laid away; indeed he breathes his last and where is he? As water disappears from the sea, and a river becomes parched and dries up, so man lies down and does not…
Read MoreIs the spirit of man immortal?
Question: Where do I go when I die? Does my body go to the grave and my spirit or soul go immediately to heaven? What is Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 talking about? Are souls immortal? Answer: A portion of your questions was previously answered in “What happens to you when you die?” Rather than repeating the material here, I…
Read MoreWhat did King David do as king?
Question: What did King David do as king? Answer: I don’t know if you are asking for a summary of David’s accomplishments or what the duties of a king were in David’s time. Below is a quick overview: The Accomplishments of King David David successfully defeated the enemies of Israel, thus creating the ability for…
Read MoreSober-Minded in Every Sense of the Term
by David Diestelkamp via Think on These Things Researchers at the University of California San Diego reviewed 14 years of accident data and found that “A blood alcohol concentration of just 0.01 percent was associated with risky behaviors such as speeding.” Lead researcher, David P. Phillips, Ph.D. says, “For a 180-pound person, that translates to one glass…
Read MoreHow do you repent of having sex outside of wedlock and a baby is on the way?
Question: If a person has sex out of wedlock, how can it be made right? I will be having a baby. What should I do? Answer: The past is over and down with. It is the present and the future with which you must concern yourself. It doesn’t mean that the past will disappear. Each…
Read MoreWhy did the people think Jesus was calling for Elijah?
Question: In regards to Matthew 27:46: if the translation is as reported in the text, how come the bystanders thought he was calling for Elijah? It seems like the translation given in the text does not coincide with the bystanders’ reaction to our Lord’s words. Are they misinterpreting? Answer: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried…
Read MoreHow long does a woman’s hair have to be?
Question: How long does a woman’s hair have to be? Answer: “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering” (I…
Read MoreWas I not dressed up enough for worship?
Question: I read what you wrote about Timothy 2:9. I go to church, but I am a person who does not wear make-up and the only jewelry I have is my wedding ring. I went to church in a pair of slacks that were black, dress shoes and a sweater. When the church had testimony someone…
Read MoreHow do I get girls to have sex with me?
Question: How do I get girls to have sex with me? Answer: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). “But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they…
Read MoreThe Hardships of Preaching
by Jefferson David Tant The following is an excerpt from the story of my grandfather, J. D. Tant, written by Yeater Tant. I was rereading this portion this morning and thought of the hardships he endured, and how comfortable so many of us are. Would we have such faith? And would we be willing to…
Read MoreAt what age is a person accountable?
Question: Are you trying to say the adult age or the age of accountability would either be around age 20 or in the teens? Are you also saying that the Bible doesn’t mention a specific age of accountability? What age do you believe it is? Because some people don’t understand when they are teens. Some…
Read MoreHow do I chasten my teenager for using drugs?
Question: How do I chasten my teenager for using drugs? Question: What do I do if I find my teenager is using drugs? Answer: The use of drugs causes numerous problems for the parent as well as the child. Some of what I’m about to write will need to be modified for your particular situation…
Read MoreDo the Ten Commandments apply to Christians?
Question: If we, as Christians, no longer follow the laws of the Old Testament, does that also apply to the Ten Commandments? Answer: People today tend to look at the Ten Commandments as an entity separate from the Mosaical Law. Yet, these ten commandments were the prelude to the body of laws Moses brought down…
Read MoreShould teachers spank children?
Question: I really think that discipline is necessary sometimes. I remember that even teachers used to spank. Do you think it is still a good system of discipline for today? Answer: “Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is…
Read MoreCould there have been a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
Question: Are you familiar with the “Gap Theory?” Since the Bible isn’t exhaustive, could something have taken place between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? Answer: Ever since evolution was espoused in the late 1800s, people have struggled with making the Bible conform to the current popular scientific theories. Of course, it is a never-ending struggle because science derives from…
Read MoreHow does obedience relate to saving faith?
Question: How does obedience relate to saving faith? Answer: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and…
Read MoreDoes rape within a marriage lead to divorce?
Question: Does rape within a marriage lead to the marriage ending in divorce? Answer: Spousal Rape If by “rape within a marriage” you are referring to the recent concept of spousal rape, then I must object to the terminology. By the definition of the word “rape,” it cannot take place between a husband and wife.…
Read MoreHow do I repair a damaged marriage?
Question: This is the third time I have written to you and I thank you for your previous replies, they have helped me a lot. I have a “What should I do now?” question. My wife and I have had a terrible year. Last year around this time I quit my job and we started to…
Read MoreDid God forsake Jesus on the cross?
Question: Do you believe that God forsook Jesus when Jesus cried out “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Answer: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) The statement given by…
Read MoreDemonology
by Jerry C. Ray Truth Magazine VI: 6, pp. 19-21, March 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 7, pp. 9-11, April 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 8, pp. 6-7, May 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 9 & 10, pp. 9-10, June & July 1962 Due to the limited information in the Bible on the subject of demonology, and in…
Read MoreThe Dead in Christ Shall Rise First
by Ron Daly via Guardian of Truth XLI: 4 p. 10-11, February 20, 1997 Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians, that when the Lord descends from heaven, “the dead in Christ will rise first” (I Thessalonians 4:16). Apparently, Paul had reason to be concerned that some of the Christians in Thessalonica were uninformed…
Read MoreCome Ye Out from Among Them
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 27, July 3, 2009. The October 2002 issue of “The Legal Alert” from the Christian Law Association lists nine cases in this country of Christians being opposed or restricted in one way or another in the practice of their faith. I’m sure that the number has risen…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Sabbath
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton based on an ad by Floyd Chappelear Some people teach that the Ten Commandments are a set of permanent laws established by God at the creation of the world. They believe that Christians are still supposed to be in obedience to these laws, including the law of observing the Sabbath on…
Read MoreWhy is Jesus referred to as the son of David more than as the son of Abraham or of Noah?
Question: Why is Jesus referred to as the son of David more than as the son of Abraham or of Noah? Answer: Jesus was born into this world, which meant that he was a descendant of Noah, just as everyone else in the world since the flood has descended from Noah. “Now the sons of…
Read MoreAre Christians to tithe?
Question: Is tithing a New Testament standard? In other words, is it our responsibility to tithe or just to give what God purposes in our hearts? Answer: The concept of tithing is giving ten percent of your profits to God. It was a requirement for the Israelites living under the law of Moses to give…
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