Archive for 2007
Why shouldn’t the Lord’s Supper be served again for latecomers?
Question: In your training, you state that you should not serve again for latecomers. What is the reason for that, given Paul’s instruction to “tarry one for another” in I Corinthians 11:33? I am in agreement with you, but interested in your rationale. Answer: The statement in the class notes is “Don’t do it all over…
Read MoreFinding your site through an email newsletter, I found some of your articles to be very good
Question: Hello to you from England, Reading through the email newsletter I receive, I saw your article “Should a Christian use medicinal drugs that may affect the mind?” Very good indeed, as you don’t very often see things like this from a biblical perspective. Suffice it to say, it has now been bookmarked. Also your “A…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to eat meat?
Question: I am a vegetarian, I am also Catholic. I read a page on your web site: Did Jesus Eat Meat? This subject has always been a struggle for me. My question to you is: Would you agree that when we are judged will we also be judged upon our merits and what is in our…
Read MoreDon’t Jump to Conclusions
by Allen Dvorak via Gospel Power Vol. 15, No. 14, April 6, 2008. Elkanah, the father of the Old Testament prophet Samuel, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (I Samuel 1). Peninnah had children, but Hannah was barren. In a mean-spirited way, Peninnah “provoked” Hannah because of her infertility. When Elkanah and his wives went…
Read MoreIs it Acceptable to Live Together Before Marriage?
by Richard Mansel via Forthright Magazine When we become a Christian, our perspective changes from the will of the flesh to the will of the Father in heaven. The old ways of pleasure cease to be the guiding light of our days. We have a higher calling based on new criteria. Men use the standard of…
Read MoreInfant Baptism
by Roger Shouse published in Biblical Insight, Vol. 5, No. 7, July 2005. Advocates of infant baptism wrongly assume that the term “household” includes infants. Baptizing a baby is often viewed as a very special event in the lives of young parents. Grandparents come to witness the special occasion. A white baptismal dress is purchased for…
Read MoreWhy did it take 35-40 years to write the Gospels?
Question: What was the reason for John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew writing their gospels? Why did it take 35-40 years after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to begin to write the gospels or the rest of the New Testament? Answer: As for the purpose of the gospel accounts, see “The Four Gospels.” As to…
Read MoreDid God Create the Earth in One Literal Week?
by David Dann via The Gospel Anchor, May 17, 2000 On the first page of the Bible, we read, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face…
Read MoreHow do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a congregation?
Question: Our congregation has received a letter from a man in the Philippines requesting aid in the form of Bibles, songbooks, and other training materials. Given the concerns you mention, how do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a specific congregation? Answer: Direct aid is less likely to be abused. However, I have…
Read MoreIf we are to keep all the commandments, shouldn’t this include Exodus 20?
Question: You mention keeping all of the commandments. Does that mean all as listed in Exodus 20? Answer: Keeping all of God’s commands include those that state: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah- not according to the covenant…
Read MoreBiblical Fellowship
Text: I John 1:5-2:6 I. Fellowship has often been the center of controversy A. Part because the word has been misused by both denominationalists and Christians. B. But it also has been area of trouble because we don’t always know where to draw the line. II. What is fellowship A. Definitions 1. Sunētheia – A mutual custom or habit, acquaintance,…
Read MoreDoes Spanking Cause Lower IQ in Children?
by Sam Stinson “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently” (Proverbs 13:24). I like to think that most scientific studies are not politically motivated. However, when I read about studies like the following, I’m forced to rethink this belief. A study recently presented by the International…
Read MoreHow should we take care of orphans?
Question: Other than taking a child into our home and family to rear, how should we take care of orphans? Answer: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The word translated as “visit”…
Read MoreDisciple or Dabbler?
by Jim Ward via Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 57, No. 3, October 2007 In his book, Basic Christianity, John Stott wrote, “The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict half-built towers. The ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. Thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake…
Read MoreCan you suggest how a new Christian can handle hecklers?
Question: A friend of mine, who is a new believer, was asked a lot of questions regarding his beliefs by a few of our associates. Instead of being sincere questions, it seems to have been more of an attack on him. They asked questions such as “Were you there when the Bible was written? How…
Read MoreWhen did evening worship services start?
Question: In the history of the church (the Lord’s church) when did evening services start? I ask this question because I grew up without evening services due to preacher circumstances in a small community. I understand we should desire to meet with our brothers and sisters when the opportunity presents itself, but I witness condemnation…
Read MoreAm I supposed to try to convince my husband to stay with me?
Question: We have been married for close to 20 years and my husband informed me around our second year that he married me mainly because I was pregnant. Ever since then his relationship with me has been based around the family and not us as a couple. The other day he announced to me that…
Read MoreDefinitions for the Songbook
by John Guzetta via “Tower of Strength” Vol.25, No.1. Jan.3, 2010, Lake Wales, FL with some additions by Thomas Thornhill Sometimes, kids come up with comical things. I know a sister in Christ, who, when she was in elementary school, used to think Jesus Arose began, “Low in the gravy lay Jesus my Savior.” What a…
Read MoreDid Domitian persecute Christians?
Question: Love your web site. In reading your answer of 10/27/07, regarding things in the book of Revelation, I noticed at the end, you made reference to Nero and Domitian as some that persecuted (distressed) Christians (the church), Nero is found in the Bible and secular history as being quite guilty, but I fail to be…
Read MoreHow can I convince a friend that baptism is required for salvation?
Question: A friend and I are currently studying with an individual who is stuck on the fact that baptism is, in his view, clearly not required for salvation and praying Jesus into your heart will do fine. We go round and round and just when he starts to agree with us and we think we…
Read MoreDad’s Nine Rules for Living
by Frank Walton Upon the occasion of his daughter’s high school graduation. via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 8, Aug. 2007. 1. Put God First We exist for His glory and then to enjoy Him forever (I John 17:3). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One…
Read MoreTen Rules for Improving the Church
I. The bookstore shelves groan under the weight of “self-help” books. The kind that tell you how to improve various aspects of your life. A. I would like to offer a different type of self-help: a way you can improve the church — all by yourself! B. It sounds like a tall order, but it is not. 1. Each…
Read MoreThe Nature of Criticism
Text: Judges 7:19-8:3 I. It is hard to do much of anything without running into someone complaining about it. A. Clem Thurman tells this story: “When I was a young lad on the farm in western Oklahoma, we had a team of mules. It fell my lot to work those mules quite often, and I soon found…
Read MoreThe Courage to Start
“Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome.” Lord Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield “Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible tell us about Matthew’s life?
Question: What was the life of Matthew in biblical days? Answer: “As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. It happened as he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners…
Read MoreWhy does Jesus sound harsh in Matthew 10:34-36?
Question: Will you please explain why Jesus sounds harsh in Matthew 10:34-36? Answer: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and…
Read MoreSorcery
by Ethan R. Longhenry Introduction Sorcery! When the word is spoken, images of witches and wizards come to mind Harry Potter and his adventures have put sorcery back in the news today Nevertheless, sorcery reckoned as sin in the Bible Galatians 5:19-20 Revelation 9:21, 18:23 So what is sorcery? Why is it sinful? What would…
Read MoreConducting Worship in Song
I. As people come in, have them sit up front in as few pews as possible A. Have them divide by parts: Alto, Tenor, Melody, Bass B. Start with a prayer II. An important aspect of worship is our coming together to offer a united worship A. Colossians 3:14-17 – We were called in one body, we should worship as…
Read MoreWorshiping in Song
Text: Colossians 3:16-17 I. In many congregations, singing is not consider a very important aspect of worship. A. Think about it; when the Lord’s Supper is being served or a prayer is being given, few people would think about leaving the assembly to visit the restrooms, but it commonly happens during the singing. B. If a prayer…
Read MoreReligious Bargain Hunting
Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. There are few of us who don’t like a good bargain when we can get one. A. There are some here who will look high-and-low for the best deal, whether it be groceries or a used car. B. Of course, some people don’t seem to have a clue as to what truly…
Read MoreConsulting Mediums
by Sam Stinson “When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19) Dear friend, are you a Christian? Many people in the world do not identify themselves as Christian for…
Read MoreOne of my kids in my youth group is into porn, but I don’t know what to do
Question: Oh man. I had one of my kids in the youth group I run move his computer out of his room because of porn issues, but he’s looking at porn again. He is leading a small group within the youth group. But he’s off and on with porn. The XXXchurch thing that monitors what…
Read MoreIs it wrong to date someone you find unattractive and whose spiritual views you don’t like?
Question: My male friend and I have been platonic friends for over 5 years. He’s 13 years older than me. Two years ago he expressed an interest in dating me. I resisted because he is not my type physically or spiritually. He doesn’t see the need to attend church, read the Bible, or abstain from…
Read MorePlease explain the “baptism of fire”
Question: Please explain the “baptism of fire.” Thank you. Answer: The concept of a baptism of fire comes from a statement made by John the Baptist. “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the…
Read MoreIs it right to marry a non-Christian if she is willing to convert?
Question: Is it right to marry a non-Christian girl if she is willing to convert? And can we marry a girl who is divorced? Answer: It is not wrong for a Christian to be married to a non-Christian. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the…
Read MoreShould I reconcile with my ex-husband who is addicted to marijuana?
Question: Should I reconcile with my ex-husband although he has issues with smoking pot? I divorced him over three years ago and I discovered biblically I was wrong because it was not for adultery. He since then continues to smoke but seems to have changed in other areas. I despise the fact that he smokes…
Read MoreThe Consequence of Sin Can Outlive Us
by Kent Heaton The apostle Paul declared in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” There has always been consequences to sin from the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden (Genesis 2,3). A man should not think that he…
Read MoreDoes God forgive Christians that commit fornication and sexual immorality?
Question: I am in need of your advice. I am 23 years of age. I have been in a relationship for two years. Prior to meeting him, I had very strict standards. It changed a bit as I matured. He was my first kiss, first love, etc. Our relationship started off slow. After spending months…
Read MoreThe City of Babylon
by Mark Mayberry via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p10 February 17, 2000 Introduction Babylon, an ancient city-state famous for its magnificence and culture, was located on the banks of the Euphrates River in the region of Shinar. Babylon is mentioned over 250 times in the Bible. Biblical writers often portray this ancient capital of Babylonia as…
Read MoreDrinking in the Old Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/DrinkingInTheOldTestament2012.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Consistently in the Scriptures, drunkenness is condemned A. I Cor 6:9-10 – A drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God B. Rom 13:13 – Carousing and drunkenness is improper behavior C. Few people argue that being down and out drunk is acceptable. We understand that it is wrong. D. The problem is how drunk…
Read More