I’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…
Read MoreTo Equip the Saints for Service
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The Organization of the Church The Apostles Prophets What Are Elders Responsible For? Servants of the Church The Purpose of Preaching What Is Teaching?
Read MoreIs it wrong for an institution to ask for donations?
Question: Hello, Is it okay for organizations such as GBN TV to ask for donations publicly? Is anything wrong with this? This organization is run by members of the Lord’s church. I do not think anything is wrong with this, but I do think it would be wrong if the congregation itself asked for donations…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreWhat is the Holy Spirit doing today?
Question: Good day, I know The Holy Spirit has brought about the Word of God but is the Holy Spirit now inactive? Is its work finish? Answer: Just because Jesus’ task of bringing salvation to the world through his death, I don’t assume that He is no longer involved in the world. “For by Him…
Read MoreWhy are you using the argument from silence differently between the topics of masturbation and instrumental music?
Question: Hello, I hope all is well! I just wanted to say that I felt your advice, backed up by Scripture, has been helpful. I’m a 23-year-old male and struggled with masturbation (without fantasizing or porn), wondering if it is a sin or not. This is an on-again/off-again matter and I believe it has contributed…
Read MoreWhen Ahab Humbled Himself
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton It might seem odd, but I love it when a student in a Bible class asks a deep question — you know, a question that shows the student was thinking far beyond the immediate lesson. This morning, a student was working on a lesson about greed and he planned to use…
Read MoreIs cheating while dating known as adultery?
Question: Is cheating while dating (as in having a boyfriend or girlfriend) known as adultery? Answer: Having sex with someone you are not married to is called “fornication.” See Notes on Sex for more information. Adultery is a type of fornication where one or both people are married, but not to each other. Dating carries no formal…
Read MoreThe Meaning of Life: Where Are You Going?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Where-Are-You-Going.mp3 Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 I. Having a goal in mind gives direction to the choices that you must make. A. The meaning of life is more than what you are doing with your life right now. It is also where you are letting life take you. B. One thing is certain, you are going to die -…
Read MoreDoes “abstain” mean we have the freedom to choose to follow or not?
Question: Good day brother Jeffrey, I need your help with this translation of Acts 15:20-29 because I do not have the knowledge to read this. I just came across one preacher who said the word “abstain” means to choose not to partake. We have the freedom to choose to follow or not, but I strongly…
Read MoreModesty
by Randi Roberts Sentry Magazine, September 2003 “Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (I…
Read MoreA Question of Withdrawal
by Morris Norman Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Who is to decide when a person is to be withdrawn from? There can be no doubt that the Bible teaches that certain ones are to be. “Mark them that cause division, and occasion of stumbling … turn away from” (Romans 16:17). “Have no company with … no,…
Read MoreSolving Church Problems
by Bobby L. Graham Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Jerusalem: A Church with Problems While it is true that Corinth is probably the church that most often comes to mind in connection with problems, it is also correct that Jerusalem was the first church with problems. The chief difference is that Corinth was a “problem church,”…
Read MoreButton That Pocket, Soldier!
by Jefferson David Tant A retired Army officer recalled an incident when he inspected some recruits who had just finished basic training. He stood right in front of one, making the young man quite nervous. The officer noted an unbuttoned pocket flap on the private’s shirt, and barked out in his best authoritative voice, “Button…
Read MoreCan a Christian use a sauna?
Question: Can a Christian use a sauna? If a Swede or Scandinavian becomes a Christian, should they stop going to the sauna, even in a case that it isn’t sexual? Answer: While saunas are popular in Sweden and Scandinavia, they are not limited to those countries so I will just focus on whether using a…
Read MoreWho is in charge, the preacher or the elders?
Question: Hi Jeff, I’m forced to ask this question: between the ministers and the elders, who is in charge of a local congregation? Where that I am, there is a serious power tussle between the two. The ministers say, since they teach the men to become elders and also ordain them as elders, they are…
Read MoreIs “Christian” supposed to be “natsarim”?
Question: Hello, brethren in Christ, I hope you are well and my greetings to you and the church. I have been going on your website for many answers to questions that I study and I get provided many concrete answers. I wanted to get some clarification on the word “natsarim”. I have been having some…
Read MoreIt’s Only Friday, Sunday Is Coming
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 31, 2003 Searching the scriptures can be exceedingly profitable. It can also be an exercise in futility. The Jews searched them seeking eternal life (at least this seemed to be their expectation when the Lord told them to examine the sacred text), but they were apt to miss the…
Read MoreWhat does “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” mean?
Question: Please explain “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” from Luke 21:24. Thanks. Answer: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and…
Read MoreThe Meaning of Life (Series)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Photo by Anthony Tori on Unsplash Where Did You Come From? Why Are You Here? Where Are You Going?
Read MoreThe Meaning of Life: Why Are You Here?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Why-Are-You-Here.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:6-21 I. What is it that you are looking for out of life? What are you expecting? A. So many people never find contentment with their lives because they are expecting things that life cannot deliver. B. They decide they can’t be happy with life unless something changes 1. I’m…
Read MoreParables on the Second Coming of Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Parables-on-the-Second-Coming-of-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:1-11 I. The early disciples longed for the return of Christ A. I Corinthians 16:19-24 – The term “maranatha” is a transliteration of the Greek, which was in turn transliterated from two Aramaic words. It literally means, “Our Lord come!” B. II Peter 3:10-12 – Looking for and hastening…
Read MoreWe Met at the Bus Station
by Jefferson David Tant Former bus station in Anniston, AL When I first saw her, she was standing with her sister and brother-in-law, bidding farewell after a visit. After they left, we discovered the bus would be delayed perhaps two hours in the small town of Anniston, AL. I was traveling by bus from Birmingham…
Read MoreDid my fiance have a right to divorce his first wife?
Question: Hello! I really appreciate your question and answer site. I use it regularly when studying a specific subject. I have a question, and I believe I already know the answer, but I wondered what your response to my question would be. So here it goes … I divorced a few years back due to…
Read MoreShould I give a gift that I disapprove of?
Question: Greetings brother, I recently asked a family member (unfortunately, not now nor never a Christian, and openly disinterested in any discussion of the topic) for a list of items that she might want for a Christmas gift. The response was a list of alcoholic beverage types. I immediately asked for other ideas, as I…
Read MoreThough Poor, They Are Rich
by Jefferson David Tant “South of the Border” is a delightful song that I remember from my boyhood, telling us of our neighbors “down Mexico way.” The tune came to mind as I was reading the reports of brethren Robert Turner and V. N. Collins in Plain Talk some time ago. They told of a trip…
Read MoreFire in My Bones
by Jefferson David Tant The prophet Jeremiah faced many difficulties in his life. God assigned him to speak to the nation and warn them of things to come, and implore them to repent and serve God, but Jeremiah was persecuted and vilified. This prompted him to just shut up and not bother to speak anymore.…
Read MoreOne Great Birth, Two Great Names
by Doy Moyer We are at that time of year when the birth of Jesus Christ is on the minds of many. That much is a good thing. There are many misconceptions about His birth, but doors may be opened to talk about it and we need to be willing to do that. We do…
Read MoreIs it right to shun a woman who married a man who is in prison for murder, but who has since become a Christian?
Question: Hi, I’m not sure how to even ask the question. So I’ll explain my concerns. I’m a Christian, being a member of the church of Christ. A sister of mine has married a prisoner. He’s in for murder. She met him through Bible study with a group from a church of Christ. She’s known…
Read MoreIs a wedding necessary since people don’t always keep their promise?
Question: Hello. I’m new to this website and I have an important question regarding premarital sex. My best friend and I love each other to the point where we like to show affection toward each other. We are 100% sure that we will stay together forever. I’m his first partner and so is he. However,…
Read MoreWhat Is a Sacrifice?
by Jefferson David Tant Have you ever given serious thought to what it means to sacrifice something? We are familiar with the Old Testament ritual of the animal sacrifices that were required. OK, so a sheep or a cow was sacrificed. But have you read the accounts of the multiple sacrifices that were offered on…
Read MoreEvidence of God: Information
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton When you look at some object, how do you know it is natural or man-made? What if you were walking through the woods and you saw a mark on a tree? It is dark from moss, like the other patches on the trunk, but you immediately say that it is man-made.…
Read MoreBible Trivia (People)
To which tribe of Israel did Paul belong? What does Jesus’ name “Immanuel” mean? Abraham and his descendants the Israelites are descendants of which of Noah’s sons? Who watched from a distance what would happen to the baby Moses hidden in the bulrushes? What is Malchus known for? Who first saw Jesus after his resurrection? Which preacher saw…
Read MoreWe Are a Team
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/We-Are-a-Team.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat Happened to Our Love?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/What-Happened-to-Our-Love.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCoasting Along
by Jefferson David Tant Recently, someone asked me “What is your biggest concern for the next generation as it relates to the kingdom?” That’s a good question, as each generation has its own challenges, some of which are the same in every generation, for our world is challenged daily by Satan. Yet there are new…
Read MoreWhat does “alien sinner” mean?
Question: I came across an article on your website by James Sasser comparing Romans 4 and James 2. In it, he uses the term “alien sinner” several times in reference to Abraham and Romans 4:4-5. Can you define this term for me? It is something I have not heard mentioned before. Thanks! Answer: Everyone sins (Romans 3:23).…
Read MoreCan you change your mind?
Question: Hello! I have a question regarding keeping your word. In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus talks about letting your yes be yes and your no be no. We need to keep our word and yes lying is sin (Revelation 21:8). I do have a question regarding this though. In my case, someone asked me if I…
Read MoreWhat Is It?
Flavil L. Colley Firm Foundation, January 20, 1948, p. 3 “Now, a denomination— what is it? I think the following will prove true: A denomination is a religious organization larger than any local church on earth and yet smaller than all the Christian people on earth. Think of the statement thus made. What is a…
Read MoreIs the Christian Obligated to Forgive the Sinner Who Will Not Repent?
by Curtis A. Cates The above question has often been asked of this scribe. Every accountable being at times sins against others; some sin publicly, even against the church. Clearly, those who repent and ask for forgiveness are to be fully forgiven. But, not everyone repents and asks for forgiveness. Does God require us to…
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