Schools Among Brethren
by Don Martin Schools among brethren have been a troubling issue, but one not often and carefully studied. I shall not attempt to explore all the nuances of the school issue, but rather I shall focus primarily on the Church of Christ Seminary image inevitably involved with the Bible Department so often associated with the…
Read MoreYoung Man, So You Want to Preach
by Eddie Bragwell One of the encouraging things that I see among my brethren is the number of young men who are expressing a desire to make preaching the gospel their life’s work. Along with that the number of local churches that are willing to financially and morally support an aspiring young preacher as he…
Read MoreIs my baptism invalid because I panicked while under the water?
Question: I have a question. I have been a Christian or saved person for the past 4 or 5 years, I had never been baptized before. Yesterday, I was baptized and I panic while underwater. Then it was over and they lifted me up out of the water. I was disappointed in myself for panicking. Now…
Read MoreYour website has been such a gift to us
Question: We, the small but dedicated church are grateful to you for all the helpful teaching that you provide on your website. A little about us. There are only 2 of us, now. We live in a small community of about 1,000 folks. Our band of Christians once numbered nearly 40 souls. Some moved away.…
Read MoreThank you for all the work that goes into putting this website together
Question: I just wanted to email you to let you know how much we enjoy your website! We have been using it for quite some time now, helping us with references, hearing sermons, topics for adult study classes, and just personal questions that we may have. We absolutely love everything you have to offer here! …
Read MoreHomer Sometimes Nodded
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Homer-Sometimes-Nodded.mp3 Text: Numbers 23:18-19 I. Horace (65 – 8 B.C.), a Latin poet, wrote “Sometimes even the noble Homer nods” A. Homer was a blind Greek poet of the eight century B.C. Know for the Illiad and the Odyssey. B. As accomplished as Homer was, he sometimes erred with reference to the facts of the incidents that…
Read MoreBiblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Arguments-Against-the-Bible.mp3 Text: I Peter 1:22-25 I. The arguments have not changed much over the years. Same given today as hundreds of years ago. II. All or Nothing A. Do we have to insist on total infallibility of the Scriptures? B. Some fear that one error would overthrow all of Christianity. C. However, if the writers of the Bible were…
Read MoreThe Danger of Assuming God Is on “Our” Side
by Doy Moyer If we believe that God rules in the kingdoms of men, we cannot stop believing it when things don’t go the way we think they should. We often assume God is on “our” side in a particular cultural, political, or even military conflict. If we believe in God, seek to follow His…
Read MoreThey Wrote What They Saw
by Matthew W. Bassford During our week and a half of vacation, we drove for more than 3000 miles. About 400 of those miles were through the state of Nebraska. I am sure that Nebraska is a great state for growing corn in, but when it comes to scenery, I’ve seen better. There’s not much…
Read MoreWhy am I not concerned about my sins?
Question: I have been living in sin for quite a while now and I been noticing something different happening to me. I used to be so in love with God. Now my heart has been getting gradually increasingly hard and I barely can keep my eyes glued to the Bible. The only prayer I would…
Read MoreBecause the Bible doesn’t mention the Western Hemisphere, does that mean the Bible is uninspired?
Question: When reading the Bible all the revelations seem to only be to people in the east, on continents like Asia and Africa. But what about civilizations in the west in north and South America? Did they not get the revelations? Also, it seems they say “the whole earth” when referring to the eastern continents,…
Read MoreDoes marriage mean I lose my individuality?
Question: Does marriage mean I lose my Individuality since we will be one? Is it a sin if don’t share everything on my mind with my wife? Does it mean no privacy for me? Please note that I’m not married yet. Answer: The concept of being one is found in a number of relationships in the…
Read MorePresent Your Case
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Present-Your-Case.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:21-22 I. The Apostle Paul challenges Christians everywhere to prove all things – I Thessalonians 5:21-22 A. Jude 3 tells us to contend earnestly for the faith B. I Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer to every question 1. The Greek word is the one…
Read MoreThe Bible and Medical Science
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/The-Bible-and-Medical-Science.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 45:20-25 I. We know that the Bible is God’s directions for mankind A. It is not a history book per se; that is, it doesn’t document all of world history. Just a small, but relevant portion. B. It is not a science book, but it does mention scientific facts once…
Read MoreThe Natural and the Supernatural
by Doy Moyer The ancients typically would not have thought in terms of our modern categories that we call natural and supernatural. Everything was from God and nothing happened apart from him. Even pagans would have attributed pretty much everything to their deities. They did not think that because something happened in nature, that meant…
Read MoreJesus Turns up the Pressure
by Matthew W. Bassford As different as the four gospels are, all four of them put their greatest emphasis on the events of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Before that point, their narratives take different paths and discuss different things. At that point, all of them focus on the garden, the cross, and the empty…
Read MoreIsn’t the word for “flesh” and “body” the same in I Corinthians 6:16?
Question: Hi, You claim in “Immorality”, “Paul proves that sex binds the participants. It is not a permanent or stable bond, but it is a bond nonetheless. Those who engage in sexual sins are physically coupled during the act. They become for the moment one body (the Greek word soma).” This is not true. I Corinthians 6:16…
Read MoreIf You Want to Walk on Water, You Must Get Out of the Boat
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/If-You-Want-to-Walk-on-the-Water-You-must-Get-Out-of-the-Boat-1.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreAm I not allowed to get married because I committed fornication?
Question: Sorry about this being a tough one. As a believer, I am in a really tough spot. I firmly believe the Bible teaches that sex is a biblical marriage. Although this is not what the church or mainstream media teaches. In Scripture, any time virgins had sex it was understood to be marriage. “He…
Read MoreWhen did the New Testament come into effect?
Question: Dear brethren, Greetings. I have been asked the following questions. I have not been able to answer them. When did the New Testament come into effect? Is it immediately after Christ’s death or upon the completion of the New Testament? What about those who died immediately after Christ’s death and those who died before…
Read MorePray BIG!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pray-BIG.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreDid Jesus not want to go to the cross?
Question: In the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed to God and said remove this cup from me, was he saying he didn’t want to go to the cross? Answer: Jesus understood that it was necessary for him to die on the cross, but it doesn’t mean he enjoyed what he did. In John 12:20-28,…
Read MoreDoes Colossian 2:9 mean that Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Question: Does Colossian 2:9 mean that Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Answer: “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). “Fullness” (from the Greek word pleroma) means a complete or full expression. Thus, in Galatians 4:4 the fullness of time doesn’t mean all time but the moment…
Read MoreMajesty! Worship His Majesty!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Majesty-Worship-His-Majesty.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreWhen This Journey Comes to an End
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/When-This-Journey-Comes-to-an-End.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreLord, Do You Not Care?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lord-Do-You-Not-Care.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreThe Verse that Will Change Your Life
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/The-Verse-that-Will-Change-Your-Life.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear
Read MoreIs it advisable to be involved in bitcoin or cryptocurrency?
Question: Hi, Please I want to make an inquiry on bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and the like. As a Christian, is it advisable to be involved in these? Answer: Cryptocurrencies are electronic funds. They do not represent anything in the real world, such as a stock of gold somewhere. They are not backed by a government. They…
Read MoreDoes “permit” imply that the command is conditional or temporary in nature?
Question: We’ve been told that the Greek word (epitrepo) that Paul used, in both I Timothy 2:12 and I Corinthians 14:34, indicate that his instruction was conditional or temporary in nature. We were then told that he could have used a stronger word such as ‘forbid’. Is there a distinction between how it was applied…
Read MoreCan singing be done silently?
Question: Dear brother Jeffrey, Here in Singapore, due to COVID-19, we have not been able to assemble for worship on Sunday since April this year, and members could log in through Zoom to worship “virtually”. The government has allowed worship for a maximum of 50 members per congregation since July but members must adhere to…
Read MoreI’ve been thinking about switching congregations but don’t know if it is a good idea
Question: Hey, I have a question. I’ve been thinking of switching congregations. My reasons for wanting to leave are: My wife mentioned to me, she isn’t learning there anymore. I haven’t been learning there for the past year in a half, but I do a lot of studying on my own. I also listen to lots…
Read MoreThank you for explaining why coed sleepovers are a bad idea
Question: Thank you for the coed slumber party article. My son said that if I could give him biblical reasons, he wouldn’t go to a coed campout with him and two girls in the forest. In this current age, these kids innocently think they don’t see a difference between girls and boys and don’t understand…
Read MoreTo the Depressed or Anxious Who Are on Medication
by Douglas Groothuis To those who are depressed or anxious and on medications for it or for those who are considering medication: Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash Christians often consider the use of medications for depression or anxiety a spiritual failure. I know of a Christian man who has been depressed for at least…
Read MoreTo the Glory of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/To-the-Glory-of-God.mp3 Dealing with John 11 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreBasically Good
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Good-Basically.mp3 by Garry Floyd I used Ecclesiastes 7:29 to make the point that mankind is not basically good. The “Basically Good” title denotes the idea that mankind’s standard of good, outside of God’s standard, makes it not good, not even ‘basically good’ as most people think they are. My concern is that my fellow brothers…
Read MoreDo I tell my boyfriend that I cheated on him?
Question: Hi, I love your articles and I am facing a problem now. Just some background about me. I am a Christian who has backslid for almost 10 years. I have a 4 years long boyfriend with me. But just last year, me being dumb and naive, a guy friend told me that I would…
Read MoreHow do I live by faith while providing for my family with my own job? Is there such a thing as a spiritual calling?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I’m in need of advice and I’d like to ask a question. First, I want to know how I can live by faith, while at the same time providing for myself and my loved ones with my own job. One of the things that I’ve been struggling with is the temptation to…
Read MoreWhy are some leaving the worship service early?
Question: Jeff, I have seen several brethren and different congregations who attended morning bible class and took the Lord’s Supper and afterward left without hearing the preaching, claiming that they had a plane to catch or some other excuse. Yesterday, a lady was visiting us from out of town and said that she had to…
Read MoreDo I need to confess my sin of lust before taking communion?
Question: I have a question about lust and communion. Is it a sin to have touched my boyfriend’s buttocks with our clothes on? I believe it may fall into lust, and if it does then do I have to confess this before being able to take communion? Answer: What you are describing could fall under…
Read MoreDo we need to break up because we sinned?
Question: Hello, My girlfriend and I, are both Christians. and we consider our relationship to be serious because our ultimate goal is to get married. We have been in the relationship for over 2 years, and everything was great as a Christian couple, but a few months ago we started indulging phone sex/sexting. We understand…
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