Archive for 2019
Will we be judged regarding how much we know about the Bible?
Question: Will we be judged regarding how much we know about the Bible? Answer: Judgment Day is not like taking a final exam in school. “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I…
Read MoreWas I married without my consent?
Question: I will like to first thank you for the work you do. I have a problem that is bothering me, and I would like to seek answers. I met a lady while in my second year at university. We dated for a while, but we had many challenges as we disagree on a lot…
Read MoreWill everyone see God’s face?
Question: Hello. Will everyone see the face of God the Father on judgment day? I know that every eye will see Jesus, even those who pierced Him. Is seeing the face of God the Father only a privilege for the saved? I appreciate your time. Answer: I believe you are striving to make a distinction…
Read MoreWhere do prayers go?
Question: Where do all prayers go? Does God answer all prayers, even those of Muslims, Hindus, etc. although they pray to false gods? I heard from someone that the Bible says all prayers and praise reach God only. Is there scriptural evidence for this? Thanks. Answer: There is only one God. The gods of other…
Read MoreIs studying to get a good job unnecessary?
Question: Hello, There is this person who thinks that studying a lot to get good jobs is unnecessary. He feels that people go after good jobs in order to make money and hold a good position in society. I agree partially with this, but of course, there is a sense of commitment too. The argument…
Read MoreHow can a husband’s faith grow if his wife does not submit to his authority?
Question: I want to express my appreciation for those behind this website. You are doing great work for the Lord. Now my questions: The problem of submissiveness: How can the husband grow in faith when his wife does not submit to his authority? Divorce: Does forgiveness means that we must go back to where we…
Read MoreIs it wrong to date someone from the church you attend?
Question: I have a question regarding church discipline. I attend a congregation where a brother has dated several sisters in the same congregation. Also, some of them have left this congregation. Should I stay or look for another place of worship? Is this acceptable? Thanks for your cooperation. Answer: If I take your question exactly…
Read MoreHow Do You Show Love?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/How-Do-You-Show-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 5:6-21 I. It seems that today, showing another person love means never telling them they are wrong or criticizing them any way A. People claim to be offended if other person disagrees with them or points out a flaw in their behavior 1. Islamaphob! Homophob! Etc. 2. To take a…
Read MorePope Tells Christians Not to Evangelize
Source: Thomas D. Williams, PH.D., “Pope Francis Tells Christians Not to Try to Convert Nonbelievers,” Breitbart, 22 December 2019. Source: “Visit to the ‘Pilo Albertelli’ Classic High School in Rome: Dialogue of the Holy Father Francis with the Students”, Vatican Publishing House, 20 December 2019. “Pope Francis told Christian high school students this weekend they…
Read MoreHow could the Son of God grow in wisdom?
Question: I believe Jesus was omniscient while on Earth, but could you explain “grew in wisdom” as discussed in Luke 2:52? Answer: Interestingly we find: “The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40). “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with…
Read MoreDoes God allow common-law marriages?
Question: Hello, I am a newborn Christian, baptized into Christ two years ago. I would like to ask: because fornication is a big deal for God, at what point is it considered marriage in the Bible? Forgive me please if I’m wrong, but it seems the Bible does not talk about standing before the preacher…
Read MoreThe commands regarding marriage and divorce are confusing if you use any in MMLJ
Question: The commands and patterns of marriage and divorce are confusing if you use any in MMLJ for today’s people. Answer: “For some people, if they are unable to understand something, then it must be wrong. In discussing false teachers, Jude warns, “But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they…
Read MoreAn Overview of the Old Testament Prophets
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/OverviewOfOldTestamentsProphets.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hosea 14 I. The Old Testament is divided into three major sections: the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets – Luke 24:44 A. The Law refers to the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy B. The Prophets or teachings were divided by the Jews into two sets: 1. The…
Read MoreDoes It Matter?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Does-It-Matter.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 1 I. The teaching of evolution has made significant inroads in the beliefs of common man A. In 1999 Gallup found 1. 47% believed in a recent, special creation 2. 40% believed in a God-directed form of evolution 3. 9% believe a strictly natural-caused evolution B. In 2019 Gallup found 1. 40% believe in…
Read MoreIs “Drink from it, all of you” an accurate translation of Matthew 26:27?
Question: Dear Brother, Thank you for your work. I appreciate it a lot. My question is this: in the NIV version, at Matthew 26:27, it says, “Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you.” And in the KJV version, it…
Read MoreThank you for your explanation on predestination
Question: I just wanted to thank you for your explanation of predestination. I can’t express to you the comfort that provided me. Thank you. Answer: I’m glad the material here is useful to your studies of the Bible.
Read MoreDear Neighbor
Adapted from a flier sent out by the Church of Christ at Appleton, Wisconsin Are you looking for a more genuine relationship with Jesus? Do you long for a deeper sense of peace and hope in your life? Perhaps the Christians at Elm Grove can help. We don’t claim to be perfect or have all…
Read MoreThank you for the breakdown of the books of the Bible
Question: First and foremost, thank you for publishing this valuable tool for studying the books of the Bible. I’ve been doing some study with my parents and wanted something as a guide to breakdown each chapter and this will be a great outlook. Pray for me please, I am a member of the body trying…
Read MoreIs the bread Jesus’ body or does it represent Jesus’ body?
Question: Good morning. I have looked at your site for many years and have found the devotion and the knowledge skill set to be very helpful, in my walk of life with God. Thank you. So often, in the Lord’s Supper, the men presiding will say, “which represents His body” and “which represents His blood”…
Read MoreOnce is Enough
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Once-Is-Enough.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 2:1-5 I. I was giving a young pre-teen some instruction in Tae Kwon Do. I told her how the move was to be done, I showed her how it was done, and I explained why this method worked better. Exasperated with me, she put her hands on her hips…
Read MoreHow can a true Christian fornicate after repentance?
Question: Hi, I’m a female in her twenties who considers herself a Christian. I’ve had an interest in God since I was a little girl. No one went to church in my family but me. I bring hope to my family. They look up to me because of God. I know it’s not my work,…
Read MoreDoes an unmarried woman who gets pregnant have to publically confess her sin?
Question: If someone got pregnant and she and her boyfriend are not married, do they have to confess this as a public sin? If so please give me a scripture for it. Thanks! Answer: Since we are interested in biblical answers, let us first note that God doesn’t divide sins into public and private sins…
Read MoreOn Why We Study with Others
by Edwin Crozier Luke 15 shatters a sacred cow. It debunks a myth that I carried with me for a long time and many people I know still hang on to. It is the myth of “Just me and my Bible.” We like to think we just studied the Bible on our own and figured…
Read MoreI feel separated from God
Question: Hello, I was doing some research on some topics concerning me and came upon Can you explain what “if we sin willfully” in Hebrews 10:26 means? First of all, thank you for your contributions and answers. I have been a bit worried and confused recently after experiencing quite a bad heartbreak and betrayal. I…
Read MoreI’m still having problems getting along with my stepmother
Question: I wrote to you a while ago when my dad and my stepmother had just married because I wasn’t sure what my new relationship with her should be. You gave me a kind and helpful response and I am sorry I never replied to say thank you for that. I would like to say…
Read MoreThe Purpose of Fear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Purpose-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:39-66 I. It started out as an observation in Bible class: “Temptation comes because fear is removed.” A. How true that is! B. God had warned that death would come if the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was eaten – Genesis 2:16-17 1. But Satan…
Read MoreGod of the Weak
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/God-of-the-Weak.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Foolishness of the Cross
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Foolishness-of-the-Cross.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreHow do I respond to the “I never told you to hate anybody” meme?
Question: Hi Jeff, I recently came across a post that, rightly so, was completely wrong. The post basically says and I will also attach the picture, that Jesus never said homosexuality is wrong, marriage can be with whomever and it doesn’t matter who you worship. My question is just by the gospels alone, can it…
Read MoreWhy do you need to receive the gift of the Spirit again?
Question: Hi, In Ephesians 1, Paul says we are marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit, on believing the gospel. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a…
Read MoreConfidence in the Canon
by Allen Dvorak “The Lost Books of the Bible! Are you missing books from your Bible?” It is not uncommon to see such advertisements in the supermarket rags or at bookstores. Sometimes they hint at the idea that there has been some deliberate and/or covert effort to exclude certain books from the New Testament. Americans…
Read MoreIs John 3:16 the only passage that we need to get to heaven?
Question: Hello, I have just found your website and have learned a great deal as well as carry great respect for your ability to answer questions biblically. That being said, I bear an immense disagreement but extremely open to reconsideration if thoroughly convinced. I’m only 23 and have been born again since I was 14.…
Read MoreYour stock of literature has been a great help to our work
Question: I write with all the joy and grace the Savior provides. I cannot fail to praise and congratulate the enormous work La Vista Church of Christ is engaging in order to win many souls for the Lord. We are a year old congregation in Ghana, West Africa, laboring to advance In the field of…
Read MoreI find myself repeatedly committing fornication
Question: Hi, I am 21 years of age. I read a brother’s email of how he fell into fornication over and over again and how he is ready to ask God for forgiveness and change if God will accept him. I have fallen into such trap. I have repeatedly engaged in fornication. I have openly…
Read MoreToday’s Child Experts: “Punishment Does Not Help”
by Mark Roberts Journalist Betsy Flagler writes the syndicated “Parent to Parent” column that asks readers to write in with parenting problems and then tries to get expert help to those troubles. A mother in California recently wrote in that her first-grader has been pushing and hitting, been kicked out of the library, and all…
Read MoreIs sex before marriage a sin for a couple who divorced their prior spouses?
Question: My partner and I are both divorced. Both of our previous partners committed adultery. We are engaged and find it difficult to find any reference in the Bible to our situation regarding sex before marriage. Could you help, please? Answer: You are currently not married. You only have a firm intention of getting married,…
Read MoreWhy Do We Need Church Creeds?
by Jefferson David Tant Does your denomination have a creed? I suppose most denominations have an official creed outlining the things that distinguish one denomination from another. I have a box full of such books. These include the Catholic New Baltimore Catechism, the Baptist Hiscox Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, the Methodist Discipline, the Book…
Read MoreThe Old Law was not from human philosophy, so Colossians 2:16-17 can’t be talking about the Old Law
Question: Hello, I saw your article on Colossians 2:16 and had a follow-up question that I have been struggling with after hearing a rebuttal from a Sabbatharian website. They said Colossians 2:14-16 is commonly used to say Christians are not bound to keep Saturday Sabbaths or obey various Old Testament commands given to Israel; however,…
Read MoreShould couples knowing they have a high probability of passing on a genetic disease try to have children?
Question: Hello Sir, I came across your notice/ Q&A on this subject. I will attach images of the Q&A I’m commenting about. I would like to know personally why would you imply that would would hope parent would trying to have their own kids knowing there is a possibility that they can birth a sickler?…
Read MoreShould I return the interests of a man who has past sexual sins?
Question: Hi, I came across your website looking for answers concerning someone I am interested in. A good Christian guy has begun showing interest in me, and I’ve started liking him. He seems to have a deep and genuine relationship with God. When he talks about mistakes that he’s made, it sounds like he is…
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