If God gave one person a gift of healing but not another, does that make Him a respecter of persons?
Question: If God gave someone the gift of healing but to another person he did not, would that make Him a respecter of persons? Answer: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who…
Read MoreRules for Prosperity and Success
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rules-for-Prosperity-and-Success.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 1:1-9 I. Moses had died and Joshua now finds himself the leader of a nation about to conquer a land to claim as their own. A. God appears to Joshua and offers words of encouragement – Joshua 1:7-9 B. The advise was excellent for Joshua, but it is also useful…
Read MoreIs it proper for a church to give gifts?
Question: Please, I would like to ask the following questions: Is it scriptural for the church to organize a send-forth program for its outgoing preacher, elder, or faithful member who is relocating? The program typically involves citation, extolling of virtues, prayers, and presentation of gifts purchased by both the church and individual brethren. Is it…
Read MoreCan comments be made during the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Is it right for a brother officiating the Lord’s Supper to make comments while the bread and the fruit of the vine are being passed? Some brethren hold the view that at such times congregations should be silent. Answer: This would be a matter for the local congregation to decide. There are few details…
Read MoreI created a mess by withdrawing from my marriage and want to know how to fix it
Question: This is a difficult problem and I understand if there can be no definitive answer. I will try to share all details that may be pertinent. I have been married for over twenty years. Very early on in our marriage, I committed adultery. Several years later she convinced me to be a Christian. I…
Read MoreDo You Remember?
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Here is a quiz for you: Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize. Name the last half dozen Academy…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Goal of the Christian
by Mark M. Chatfield Sentry Magazine, December 2002 One of the many things that sets Christianity apart from other ways of life is the spiritual nature of its reward. I’m talking about the eternal life in heaven that is promised to those who follow Jesus Christ. It seems to me that there is much confusion…
Read MoreWhat law was Paul referring to in Romans 3:19-20?
Question: I have a few questions about the Law in the Bible that I hope you can help answer, please. I am looking for specific information or verses and not general information, please. I may have some follow up questions after you reply if I need to clarify my understanding regarding any of your responses…
Read MoreIdentifying a New Testament Church
by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Traditionally, we gospel preachers have spoken of “identifying the New Testament church” in an effort to distinguish it from the sects roundabout. But in so doing, we have sometimes obscured the true nature of the body of Christ. We begin to preach about the church Jesus said He…
Read MoreBut if not …
by Jefferson David Tant In late May of 1940, during World War II, the German army had overrun the tiny European nation of Belgium. As Hitler’s tanks and troops marched across Belgium, they pushed the defenders–British, French, and Belgian troops–toward the sea. Finally, the Allied forces of Great Britain, France, and Belgium were cornered at…
Read MoreWhen the Fullness of Time Had Come
by Wayne Chamberlain Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Throughout history, God has used natural events, nations, cultures, individuals, and even beasts to facilitate and accomplish the fulfillment of His will. Evidence is strongly indicative that God used some of these same components in preparation for the corning Messiah and the carrying of His message into all…
Read MoreLessons from Children
by Jefferson David Tant In reading through the Bible, it is worth noting that we find no rebukes, criticisms, or condemnations of children. On the contrary, children are presented to us as models for us to imitate and follow. Consider some words Christ and Peter said concerning children. “At that time the disciples came to…
Read MoreWhy is Satan called the god of this world?
Question: I just found your website and am so excited to see that the gospel is being spread in Omaha! I have wondered why it is generally accepted that Satan is the god of this world, based on 2nd Corinthians 4:4. Would God, who says there are no other gods, give his arch-enemy this title?…
Read MoreCoffee Bean Religion
by Jefferson David Tant My grandfather, J. D. Tant, liked strong coffee. In his time (1861-1941), many ground their own beans. One day while eating with a family, he asked the housewife “Sister, do you have any coffee beans?” “Why, yes brother Tant.” “Well,” he replied, “If you’ll bring me a coffee bean, I’ll lay…
Read More“Wine” Has Not Always Implied Alcohol
by Jeff Belknap “Wine Defined,” Sentry Magazine, December 2002 “whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Today we have a serious problem in our society with drinking alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, it even seems to be a perplexing issue in the body of Christ. There is a great deal of ignorance (lack of knowledge) concerning…
Read MoreChristians Regardless
by Doy Moyer Christians ought to see themselves as living out the story of Jesus. Since He suffered, we should be willing to suffer. As He gave Himself for others, we ought to be willing to give ourselves for others. As He submitted, so ought we to submit. As He loved, so should we love.…
Read MoreNegotiable Morals
by Terry Wane Benton Do we, mere humans, get to negotiate with each other what morals, standards of right and wrong, should be? Can we negotiate changes over time? If so, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were treated wrong. They negotiated their standard and their negotiations brought them to the conclusion that their sexual…
Read MoreAre spiritual parents a real thing? Can you feel an anointing at church? Can you be delivered by an apostle?
Question: I have so many questions. I joined a church several years ago. They do “deliverance” and all that prophesying jazz. I was really into it and felt as though everything I was feeling was real. My Apostle even became my “spiritual mother”. Her husband, “my spiritual father” as I moved in with them during…
Read MoreThe Church’s Purpose
by Bill Hall What is the purpose of the Lord’s church? Is it to eradicate poverty, disease, social injustice, illiteracy from among men? Is it to bring about a cessation of war and conflict? Is it to campaign for a temptation-free society for Christians to live in? If the church had as one of its…
Read MoreIs there a conflict of interest if a man is both a preacher and an elder or deacon?
Question: I have a question that I am struggling with. I can’t find any scriptural reasons against what has been done at our local church but still have an uneasiness about it. We have a smaller church whose membership has been trending down the past several years since our minister has taken the job. He…
Read MoreThe Gift of the Holy Spirit (Bassford)
by Matthew W. Bassford If there is any verse in the Bible that is of particular significance to brethren, it is Acts 2:38. It says in so many words that the purpose of baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, a truth clearly taught in Scripture but rejected by much of the wider religious world.…
Read MoreHow do I battle temptation?
Question: Good Day! I have been a patron and a reader of your website for about a few months now, and I have found your answers to be good and your knowledge of the Bible is great. I have to say, your website has been a great deal of help to me, in which I…
Read MoreWounded at the Theatre
by John Chrysostom (AD 349-407) If you see a shameless woman in the theater, who treads the stage with uncovered head and bold attitudes dressed in garments adorned with gold, flaunting her soft sensuality, singing immoral songs, throwing her limbs about in the dance, and making shameless speeches … do you still dare to say…
Read MoreJesus and Prayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Jesus as Our Intercessor The intercession of the Holy Spirit does not set aside the intercession of Jesus Christ. “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…
Read MoreWhy do you refer to I Corinthians 13:8-10 to say prophecy would end?
Question: Hello. You keep relaying I Corinthians 13:8-10 as biblical proof that prophecy has ended. The Common English Bible (CEB) goes: “Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. We know in part and…
Read MoreNegativism
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2002 I have always sought to write so as to be understood. My friend James Needham, however, frequently published his stated desire to write so clearly that one cannot be misunderstood. I didn’t always appreciate the wisdom of the advice but did admire its clarity. James may well have had…
Read MoreWhat does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean?
Question: What does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean in I Peter 3:21? I already know that “Baptism also saves you” as stated in the first part of this verse, but what exactly is the “filth of the flesh”? Answer: Sometimes it helps to look at other translations. “Corresponding to…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Purpose
by Doy Moyer “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21). We have been called to a purpose, but unless we understand Christ’s purpose, we will not understand our purpose. When Jesus asked the disciples…
Read MoreHow do I straighten myself out?
Question: Hi, I came across this website and saw how some issues about relationships have been addressed. I was actually having a headache presently about a matter, and that’s why I looking online. I hoped there would be someone I can share it with, and get the right advice. I came across my girlfriend (who…
Read MoreControversy
by Morris Norman Sentry Magazine, March 2003 I have changed my thinking on the matter of controversy. There was a time when I had a dislike for all kinds of controversy. There are still some kinds that I do not like, but there are kinds that can be profitable for all concerned. Controversy is “a…
Read MoreDenominationalizing the Work of the Lord
by Jerry F. Bassett Sentry Magazine, March 2003 To denominate is “to give a name to: designate,” according to Miriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. This same source defines a religious denomination as “a religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body — denominational” being the adjectival form of this term. A local…
Read MoreSeeking the Things Above
Seeking the Things Above (Part 1)Seeking the Things Above (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-4 I. So often we focus on winning souls for Christ that we lose sight that conversion is not the goal but the first step in a life long process of change – Colossians 2:6-7 A. To stay with…
Read MoreGod Couldn’t Forgive My Sins
by Jefferson David Tant Some whose lives have been so sinful and far removed from God think they are so bad that God could not forgive them. But the Bible says otherwise. Whether one is a member of the “Hell’s Angels” gang or was a member of Adolph Hitler’s or Joseph Stalin’s or Muhammad’s armies…
Read MoreWhen the Number Is Few
by Terry Wane Benton We often show a lack of faith when we compare a small church to a large church. Some want to hide in a large crowd and they fail to grow spiritually. Jonathan had the right quality of faith. Jonathan and his armorbearer attack the Philistines I Samuel 14:12-14″Then Jonathan said to…
Read MoreThe Home Place
by Jefferson David Tant The scene comes clearly to my mind’s eye even now. After crossing the mighty Mississippi at Vicksburg, we knew there were only 150 miles to the little town of Haynesville, Louisiana, and “the old home place.” “Home” is one of the sweet and dear words from the heart. This home was…
Read MoreA Review of Edward Fudge’s Book “The Fire that Consumes”
A Review Of Edward Fudge’s Book “The Fire That Consumes” Part 1A Review Of Edward Fudge’s Book ‘The Fire That Consumes’ Part 2 by Carrol R. Sutton
Read MoreWhat Is This World Coming To?
by Tommy Thornhill Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash We are now in the year 2021 and many are fearful of what the future holds for us. We wonder, ”What is this world coming to?” To us older Christians it is certainly disturbing to see the present “status quo” (the mess our nation is in).…
Read MoreEverlasting Punishment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/connie_adams_everlasting_punishment.mp3 by Connie Adams
Read MoreHow can we be forgiven of our fornication?
Question: Hello minister Hamilton, I reached out to you a few years back when I had questions and I wanted to get baptized into Christ and follow God. Well, these past two years I have been living with my girlfriend and we just found out we are expecting a child in May. We are both…
Read MoreI’m having doubts about my baptism
Question: Hello, I hope you are well. I have a question about baptism. When I was 13, I was baptized into Christ. However, I later realized I had only done it out of pressure. I was baptized into Christ when I was 19. Not long after, I began to have doubts as to if I…
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