Is salvation in Acts 2:21 salvation from the destruction of Jerusalem?
Question: A member of the church has told me that Acts 2:21 is talking about rescue from danger or destruction, not salvation. He told me “saved” in verse 21 is not salvation from sin, it is saved from the Jerusalem destruction. Another member of the church said in the immediate context of the quotation from…
Read MoreInfant Baptism (Tant)
by Jefferson David Tant A well-known practice in various denominations is that of infant baptism. This would include Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and others. The question is, “Is this Scriptural? Is authority for this found in the Bible?” An examination of historical records indicates that there is no definite evidence of infant baptism being practiced…
Read MoreRededication
by Doy Moyer There are only a handful of times in biblical Israel’s history in which there were reforms to bring the people back to the Lord. Among the kings of the north (Israel), there were no true revivals. Among the kings of the south (Judah), there were a few, but most notable were the…
Read MoreThe Path of the Righteous
by Matthew W. Bassford “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). Look with me at Proverbs 4:18-19. These are two short verses, but…
Read MoreApproved Examples
by Mike Johnson What should be our attitude toward the concept of “example” as an acceptable form of Bible authority? There are three possible attitudes one might have. First, a person might say that all examples are binding. However, this attitude is unlikely, and, as we will see later, this would be a ridiculous position.…
Read MoreDid Deborah lead worship and preached?
Question: I have read that Deborah did not offer sacrifices as the men did but did lead worship and preach. Can you provide scriptures to clarify this? Answer: I can’t provide Scriptures because the claims are not based on Scripture. Deborah was a prophetess and served as a judge in Israel. “Now Deborah, a prophetess,…
Read MoreWhat Are Mothers Made Of?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-Are-Mothers-Made-Of.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 31:27-30 I. To prepare the children for making a sweet Mothers Day card, the elementary school teacher asked her class some questions that she thought would cause them to appreciate their mom’s more, then they could think of something sweet to write when it came time to make…
Read MoreNo Safe Level of Alcohol Consumption
Source: Anya Topiwala, “No safe level of alcohol consumption for brain health: observational cohort study of 25,378 UK Biobank participants,” medRxiv, 12 May 2021. “No safe dose of alcohol for the brain was found. Moderate consumption is associated with more widespread adverse effects on the brain than previously recognised. Individuals who binge drink or with…
Read MoreThe Reformation and the Restoration: A Tale of Two Movements
by Andy Sochor The New Testament repeatedly warns about drifting; in particular, drifting away from the faith. This can be done either individually or collectively. The Hebrew writer warned the Christians to whom he wrote that they “must pay much closer attention to what [they had] heard, so that [they would] not drift away from…
Read MoreHow to Say “No!”
by Jefferson David Tant Do you say you are tempted to do wrong? Your friends are pressuring you, and you are afraid you might give in, or you have already given in and don’t know what to do to avoid yielding again? Welcome to the club! Temptation is as old as man and must be…
Read MoreAre automatic withdrawals for contributions biblical?
Question: Would you help me understand if automatic withdrawals from your bank account for the first day of the week collection are biblical? Seeing people place money in the tray that is passed around, I think, incites others, especially children. I love seeing a child place some money in the tray. When I am attending…
Read MoreAnd Moses Fled
by Edward Smith My dog, Scout, and I had a sudden encounter with a snake yesterday. We were quietly going through our routine while he was taking care of his business when he suddenly jumped back. I heard a rather distinct rattle and saw a snake aggressively swaying back and forth and flexing its jaw,…
Read MoreIf you chose to fast, how do you not let family members know?
Question: Hi, I’m a little confused about the practice of fasting. From what I understand, we, Christians, have the freedom to do fasting and that it should be done privately. At the present time, families mostly stay at home and it is unavoidable to notice everyone’s actions inside the house. If one desires to fast…
Read MoreDid I sin by getting baptized again?
Question: Hello, I hope you are well and having a blessed day. I am writing you because I have been greatly troubled. I’ve prayed about it, and I’ve tried to get past the things I’ve done. To backtrack a little bit, I was first baptized into the church when I was thirteen. I remember sitting…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Discipline
by Matthew W. Bassford Hebrews 12:5-13 makes a crucial but underappreciated point. The life of the Christian can be unpleasant, and sometimes, the One who is making it unpleasant is God. This is at odds with the worldly vision of God as an indulgent grandparent who does nothing but shower gifts upon us. However, it…
Read MoreI find the newer design hard to navigate
Question: Knowing brethren are growing is encouraging. I have used this site many times. I’m sorry to say I find the newer web page set up hard for me to navigate compared to the older system. But I’m sure it’s the seeking of the truth that will make me relearn. Watch and pray. Answer: What…
Read MoreHow do you handle the argument that the Greek Orthodox traditions date back to the days of the apostles?
Question: Have you ever debated with a Greek Orthodox and how did you handle the conversation when they brought up their traditions being able to trace back to the early apostles? They seem to think we ignore history for convenience’s sake. They also say we are a group that started in the 1800s so how…
Read MoreIs stigmata real or a hoax?
Question: Is stigmata real or a hoax? Answer: Stigmata is the appearance of marks, wounds, or pains located on the body where the wounds of Christ during the crucifixion would have appeared. These were first reported during the middle ages and those who report having them are most often Roman Catholics. Interestingly, the vast majority…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a member who is in an adulterous marriage?
Question: I have a question that requires me to go outside of the current congregation where I am a member. If there is a member who is in an unscriptural marriage, which I do have personal knowledge of, and who is being allowed to preach and teach in worship service, should I remain a member…
Read MoreSpeechless
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Speechless.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat If You Knew My Past?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-If-You-Knew-My-Past.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWho controls when we die?
Question: Hello sir, I have another question. Who controls when we die? Recently, someone I knew died in a car accident at only 19 years old. It really made me question why and who controlled this. Answer: There are occasions when God decides the time of someone’s death. “In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill.…
Read MoreA Trial Lawyer Examines the Trial of Jesus
by Larry L. Crain, A trial attorney in civil rights and constitutional law (abridged by Jefferson David Tant) During Easter, many believers reflect on the Crucifixion of Christ. As a lawyer, I have been intrigued by the criminal trial culminating in Christ’s execution. The Gospels give four narratives in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They…
Read MoreShould a church have allowed a homosexual to sing before the congregation?
Question: On Mother’s day, our church leaders allowed a young gay man, who had never attended our church before, to get up and sing a song to his mother and Grandmother. The grandmother requested that what she wanted for Mothers’ Day was for her family to attend church with her. The grandson wanted to sing…
Read MoreSafe in the Midst of Counsel
by Charles N. Spence, Jr. Sentry Magazine, September 1999 The wise man said in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” In an age in which people want to do their own thing and go their own way, society is crumbling before us.…
Read MoreThe Fingerprints of Faith
by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, September 1999 Not long ago, in the work of cleaning up, putting in place songbooks and Bibles, I noticed some things that speak of our faith. As I began the clean-up, I murmured: “these brethren are so negligent”! There were papers, crayons, candy wrappers, and pencils all over the…
Read MoreIs it wrong to keep a secret?
Question: Is it a sin to keep secrets? I have some secrets I want to keep hidden at the moment. Only at the right time will I reveal it. However, this is a compounding issue. Since keeping secrets may often lead to lies, and (as I’ve read on your website) lying is not an option. If…
Read MoreIs it sinful to make marks and notes in your Bible?
Question: Hello brother, We’ve never met, but I’ve always appreciated the Q&A section on the LaVista church website and thought I’d bounce this off you since it’s a somewhat unique question. What do you say to someone who takes a very literal view of Revelation 22:18-19, and thinks it’s sinful to mark in their Bible?…
Read MoreChrist First! Last! and Always!
by Jefferson David Tant “I beseech you … brethren … to present your bodies a living sacrifice … And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2). We all know the words. Do we really know what they mean? “All to Jesus I surrender,…
Read MoreThe Power of a Woman
by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, September 1999 As I grew from a child into womanhood, I often heard the phrase, “Never underestimate the power of a woman.” I wasn’t able to discover the source of this statement, but it would be interesting to know whether it came from the mind of a man or woman.…
Read MoreI have enjoyed using your website over the years for research, study, and thoughts on a particular subject
Question: Dear Brethren, I have enjoyed using your website over the years for research, study, and thoughts on a particular subject. Keep up the solid biblical wisdom provided. I recently came across a passage which I really liked the translation. It took me a while to find it (the quoted verse was on Instagram) but…
Read MoreHow to Ruin Your Influence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-to-Ruin-Your-Influence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:34-35 I. Your reputation, your ability to influence others is valuable A. Ecclesiastes 7:1 – Better than expensive perfume B. Proverbs 22:1 – Better than great wealth C. Christians are expected to influence the world – Matthew 5:13-16 D. But if we ruin our ability to influence others, what good are we?…
Read MoreExactly Who is Influencing Who?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Exactly-Who-Is-Influencing-Who.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 13:4-12 I. Most Americans tend to have an independent streak. A. We would like to think that we think for ourselves. B. As Christians, we aim to influence those around to do good. C. But influence is not a one-way street. II. Our thoughts are shaped by many things A. Parents 1. Seth…
Read MoreThe Nature of the Apostles’ Inspiration
by Clarence Johnson Sentry Magazine, September 1999 When Jesus sent the apostles out on what is sometimes called the limited commission to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. He told them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware…
Read MoreYoung People
by Hugh Fulford Photo by Eliott Reyna on Unsplash As is the case with old people, the Bible has much to say about young people. In some respects, both “young” and “old” are relative terms. Even after I was in my 60s, I would sometimes be told, “You are still a young man.” To me,…
Read MoreHow can I be humble without putting myself down?
Question: Dear Sir, How can I be humble without putting myself down? What does God mean by esteeming others? Answer: “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble…
Read MoreDid Jesus fear?
Question: The Bible teaches that we should not fear. “For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (I John 4:18). We know that Jesus was the only man to live a life without sin. Did Jesus fear as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Father, if you…
Read MoreGod Is at Work in You!
by Matthew W. Bassford A few months ago, my co-worker, Clay, examined Philippians 2:12-13 in a sermon, dwelling especially on v. 13. I’ve known for years that brethren have a bad habit of focusing on “Work out your own salvation,” to the exclusion of “It is God who is working in you.” However, Clay’s study…
Read MoreResponse to Gays’ Reaction to Ads that Call Them Sinners
by Marsha Norris Sentry Magazine, September 1999 In a country that was founded on God and whose strength and morality were based on the Bible, we have lost our bearings. Today’s culture, the feel-good, instant gratification-seeking society, is intent on bending and twisting the very foundation that once made us a great nation into a…
Read MoreGod Wants Me to be Happy (Moyer)
by Doy Moyer This is one of the catchphrases we hear of what is sometimes called moralistic therapeutic deism. The idea is that 1) God wants us to be nice to others and 2) He wants us to be happy. For the most part, God is seen as deistic, not really getting involved in our…
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