Archive for 2006
Should preachers only be supported if they are in need?
Question: This subject came up in our budget meeting last night. The brethren proposed to increase the pay for our gospel meetings and our spiritual weekend events. I objected. I am in agreement with the scriptures used in your address regarding supporting the work of the Gospel. I stand on this: It is scripturally wrong to pay…
Read MoreThey Promised to Put Away Their Wives
by Kent Heaton The book of Ezra is a remarkable book of “those whose spirits God had moved” (Ezra 1:5). The city of Jerusalem lay in ruins for seven decades and the house of the Lord was burned. Zerubbabel led the faithful back to Jerusalem and the Temple was rebuilt. The faith of the people…
Read MoreMixed Marriages
Text: Nehemiah 13:23-29 I. While Israel was in captivity because of their many sins, the people had lived among the foreign nations for so long that they had become lax in following God’s commands A. A major cause of this problem stemmed from mixed marriages where the foreign spouse brought their religion into the union. 1. It…
Read MoreWhat do you believe in regards to premillennial and dispensational theories?
Question: I just came across an article on your website that talked about premillennialism. Current events seem to have got them talking. Basically, I’d like to ask you several questions about premillennial and dispensational theories that these people believe. Do current events in the Middle East, particularly those between Israel and the Palestinians and Israel…
Read MoreWas the spirit of Christ the Holy Spirit?
Question: Was the spirit of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit? We say the Jesus is God. Jesus said that God is Spirit. This implies that the Spirit also has a sub-spirit. The spirit of Jesus was certainly not the Holy Spirit because while dying on the cross he uttered: “Father into thy hands I give…
Read MoreDoes a Congregation have Authority for a Midweek Service?
by Wayne S. Walker While I do not think that I have ever actually known anyone who has taught this, I have heard that there have been brethren who argued that a local congregation is authorized to assemble only on the first day of the week and therefore it is unscriptural to have a midweek…
Read MoreDiscouragement
by Steven Harper Some disciples have an erroneous idea that it is somehow sinful for a follower of God to be discouraged, even for a moment. This idea is probably a result of so much teaching and preaching on the idea that Christians should not be discouraged, or that we have so many blessings, we don’t…
Read MoreDid You Think to Pray?
by Allen Webster Scenario: The church I attend is losing members instead of gaining them. We are not meeting the budget. We have too few children in Bible class and far too few members to return Sunday night. Instead of adding new programs and activities for next year, we are cutting back on what we…
Read MoreCan God be fair if He doesn’t give a sinner another chance to repent?
Question: You said, “People, and sometimes nations, guilty of extreme or extended sin were killed, but this was not murder but avenging the wickedness caused by these people or nations.” I agree with this statement, but it is hard to understand because, in the New Testament, we get this picture of God that is very,…
Read MoreHow can God command us not to murder when God murdered people in the Old Testament?
Question: I am a Christian and I was wondering how we deal with the question: “How can God command us not to murder when God murdered sometimes mass amounts of people in the Old Testament?” Thanks. Answer: You’re having difficulty understanding this because of your imprecise usage of words. God, in the Bible, makes a…
Read MoreIs a woman, who was raped, still a virgin?
Question: I have a friend who was raped. She wants to know if she is still a virgin according to the Bible. Is she? Answer: Please think about the following question very carefully because it is a significant point: Is she interested in whether she is a virgin or whether she committed a sin? The…
Read MoreWhy are there two different stories of creation in Genesis?
Question: Why are there two different stories of creation in Genesis? Answer: Let’s start with a basic observation: two people observing the same events will not give the same account. For example, an accident happens and the police gather information from the multiple witnesses, yet even if every witness told the absolute truth, none of…
Read MoreDealing with the Unrepentant
by Greg Gwin via The Beacon 9/29/2009 Are you discouraged because you can’t get someone to change? Maybe you’ve worked long and hard to teach someone what they should do to be saved, but they simply won’t accept it. It’s clear to you and to them that there are things amiss in their life, but…
Read MoreIs God referred to as Satan?
Question: Is God referred to as Satan in II Samuel 24:1 and I Chronicles 21:1? Also, is Satan referred to as angel in Numbers 22:22, 32? Please help me explain these verses. Answer: “Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and…
Read MoreWhich Old Testament prophet did Jesus quote the most?
Question: Which Old Testament prophet did Jesus quote the most? Answer: I have not taken the time to make an exhaustive list of every quote Jesus made in the Gospels. But I have found several writers mention that the most quoted books in the Gospels are Deuteronomy and Psalms. Deuteronomy was written by Moses and…
Read MoreDid Matthew fabricate a prophecy to support his claim that Jesus was the Messiah?
Question: I have another question. It may seem like I am attacking Christianity with this one, but I’m not. I’m just very interested in studying the Bible and every now and then I come across an objection I need help answering. So here is the objection I found on another website: The fabrication of a…
Read MoreThe Danger of Alcohol
by Steve Wallace via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 3 p5 February 3, 2000 Alcohol is such an accepted part of American society and society in general that our title may strike some as odd. After all, so many popular, fashionable, and successful people are known to drink. Also, commercials, movies, advertisements, etc., picture drinking as something to…
Read MoreAre people born good and do bad things, or are they born bad and do good things?
Question: Are people born good and do bad things, or are they born bad and do good things? Answer: “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Thus we learn that people are born sinless, but become sinful as they grow up.
Read MoreHow can the Son be called the Everlasting Father?
Question: How do you harmonize the reference to the Son as “the Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6? Answer: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah…
Read MoreAre you a 501C church?
Question: I ran across your site after my daughter asked me where can she find a clear and concise list of God’s statutes. I pondered that for a while and happened upon your explanation. It’s perfect. Thank you. As is stated in Isaiah, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible talk about homosexuality?
Question: I saw your email on a Christian site that talked about homosexuality issues and so I wonder what your thoughts are on same-sex romantic love, if you think this is a sin, and where are we told this in the Bible? Answer: A direct answer can be found in “What kinds of homosexuality does…
Read MoreAm I not getting pregnant because God isn’t ready for me to be a mother yet?
Question: I am a 21-year-old young lady who has been trying to get pregnant for almost two years. I have been involved with the same guy and nothing has happened. I really love kids and would someday love to have my own. So I was wondering are there any comments on why I haven’t conceived…
Read MoreWill masturbating when single cause harm later when married?
Question: Is masturbating unsafe? Will it cause harm later in marriage? Answer: See “Is masturbation unacceptable?” for a discussion about whether it is right or wrong. In regards to marriage, most men who use masturbation as a way to curb their sexual desire find that it is no longer needed after marriage (I Corinthians 7:1-9),…
Read MoreWere Adam and Eve bound to sin?
Question: My thesis is that Adam was bound to fall. How long Adam or Eve could resist not eating the forbidden fruit? Because as long as Adam and Eve were in the garden that tree was always before them. As long as they resist eating the fruit they would remain in the garden. The tree…
Read MoreShould I go ahead and spank my son?
Question: How are you doing? I wrote to you about three years ago about our two sons. Well, now the oldest is 16 and just received his license. Our youngest son is 11. We had implemented spanking and following God’s word on the matter. After the first couple of years of talking and seeking your…
Read MoreWho is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6?
Question: We have been studying the book of Revelation and it is a fascinating book. We are in chapter 6 and there were some interesting verses that I would like to get your opinion on. We had recently read chapter 6 and came across some of the verses that caused some confusion. The verse I…
Read MoreDoes religious ethics do more harm than good?
Question: I think that more often than not religious ethics in government do more harm than good, for example: not funding stem cell research, trying to ban abortion, and outlawing gay marriage. Stem cell research could further science and medicine so much, but because of religious ethics, it’s on hiatus right now in America. Abortion…
Read MoreWhy was I born if God knew I would fail?
Question: In the last couple of months, a question has come up at least three times. I am guessing that many others may be asking it as well. Perhaps you can help answer it. The question is essentially this, “Why was I born, without choice in the matter, into a world where chances for spiritual…
Read MoreDo you think the American government would be better run by Christians?
Question: Do you think the American government would be better run by Christians? Do you agree with the separation of church and state? Answer: Those claiming to be followers of Christ generally hold to a higher moral standard than those who reject Christianity. Since the government is involved in ideas, such as justice between individuals,…
Read MoreComfort for the Depressed
by Johnny Felker In II Corinthians 1, Paul discusses what must have been one of the lowest points in his life, a time filled with deep feelings of anxiety and despair. He reports that in Asia he was “burdened excessively, beyond… strength” so that he “despaired even of life”, having the “sentence of death” within…
Read MoreComfort
by Gilbert Alexander Comfort, or consolation, is a promise from God for certain distressed ones. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Paul urged faithful obedience upon the condition, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,…
Read MoreCircumcision Proves the Necessity of Baptism
by Kent Heaton The apostle Paul appeals to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse” to discharge the philosophies of men and embrace Him who has the preeminence in all things (Colossians 1). The church at Colosse had been troubled by the teachings of men that distracted from the glory of…
Read MoreWould Jesus spank a child?
Question: Do you honestly believe that Jesus would spank a child? Children are precious, wonderful human beings, and it is our duty to raise them lovingly. Reading through your question and answer sections concerning child-rearing and spanking, I was motivated to write to you. Your answers are usually wise and sometimes give sufficient answers to…
Read MoreChristians and the Passover
by Gilbert Alexander The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is honored with deep love and respect by all Christians everywhere, and they assemble in localities throughout the world on the first day of every week to remember His death in His memorial supper as He commanded and as Christians have done since the…
Read MoreChristian Morality Versus Atheist Morality
by Donald R. Fox One of the most interesting formal discussions between an atheist and a Christian was the Oliphant-Smith Debate, conducted in Shawnee, Oklahoma, August 15-16, 1929. W. L. Oliphant was a preacher from the Oak Cliff Church of Christ, Dallas, Texas. Charles Smith was the President of the American Association of the Advancement…
Read MoreDid Jesus become the only begotten of God at his baptism?
Question: It appears Christ was only begotten by God at his baptism. Please respond. Answer: The Greek word translated as “only begotten” is monogenes. It is a compound word meaning “the only one of a race” or “the only born.” In literature, it is used to refer an only child and it can be seen…
Read MoreObjections to Paul’s apostleship
Question: It seems Paul compromised what he taught and preached. It’s like me saying I’m going to a bar to get drunk and preach Christ Paul was a self-appointed apostle. When Christ chose the other twelve apostles, they were a witness to each other. Paul appears to be a bully and argued with everyone. He…
Read MoreThe Certified Gospel
by Connie Adams via Searching the Scriptures “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man” (Galatians 1:11). In this statement, Paul placed the gospel he preached in contrast to the perverted gospel which some had brought to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:7). He further showed that…
Read MoreThe Roman Catholic Church and the Bible
by Jefferson David Tant A 44-page booklet is in my possession bearing the title “The Bible Is NOT Our Sole Guide.” It was published by the “Supreme Council, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Religious Information Bureau.” It has the official approval of the church, as it carries the “Imprimatur: Joseph E. Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis.” That “Imprimatur”…
Read MoreCatholicism Against Itself: Cardinals’ Advice on Bible Reading
The following is an excerpt from an address by the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church in 1503 to Pope Pius III. “Of all the advice that we can offer, Your Holiness, we must open your eyes well and use all possible force in the matter, namely, to permit the reading of the gospel as…
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