How do you get someone to respect you?
Question: Brother Hamilton, How do you get someone to respect you? How does it work, or how is it supposed to work? For example, this girl I was dating called me while she was under the influence of alcohol. We were hashing out a disagreement about something. I immediately corrected her on it, and she…
Read MoreWhat happens when one of a congregation’s two elders moves?
Question: When one elder relocates to another district and there is no one to replace him, who leads the church? Is it the remaining one elder? Please explain to me with clear scripture references because we have this problem at our congregation. Answer: A congregation with only one man qualified to be an elder does…
Read MoreDoes Truth Exist?
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus claimed that it does and that it can be known (John 8:30-31). However, others make the claim that truth does not exist and that it is only what each person wants it to be. Some “intellectuals” say, “There is no truth.” But that itself is a truth claim. Is it…
Read MoreHas the Ark of the Covenant been Found?
Question: Hi Jeff, Today a co-worker and I were discussing Ron Wyatt’s discovery of the ark of the covenant and when the earth shook, whether it was before Jesus said “it is finished” or after. He also quoted the crossing of the Red Sea discoveries of the Israelites and how accurate his findings are. Immediately…
Read MoreDo you believe the devil is controlling people today?
Question: Do you believe the devil is controlling people today to mobilize his plans to multiple his kingdom on the earth by destroying God’s people? Answer: If Satan controlled people, then he alone would be responsible for the actions that they commit. This is not what the Bible teaches. Satan encourages people to sin and…
Read MoreIf a person uses Jesus’ name to heal the sick and prophesy, is he using God’s Spirit?
Question: Good evening sir, I hope you are doing well. I was having a Bible discussion with a friend and he asked me a question: if someone uses Jesus’ name to heal the sick, get revelation and prophesy, is that person using God’s Spirit? Please help me to answer him. Thanks. Answer: “Not everyone who…
Read MoreDoes the person who had sex with another person’s fiancee needs to apologize to the fiancee
Question: If a Christian sister falls into formication with a brother who is engaged, and both have sincerely repented, is it necessary for the sister to call the brother’s fiancée to apologize as a form of restitution? Does the brother need to tell his fiancée and show her the sister he fornicated with? Is it…
Read MoreNot Ashamed to Sin, but Ashamed to Repent
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Not-Ashamed-to-Sin-But-Ashamed-to-Repent.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 9:4-19 I. In Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe left home to be a sailor against the wishes of his parents. He soon came to regret his decision, but he would not return home because he did not want to admit that he made a mistake. He…
Read MoreShould baptism be denied if the person has not fixed all known sin?
Question: Hi, I am a member of the Lord’s church having had my sins washed away, and I also actively evangelize. I read the topic below and have been studying this and have a few scenarios. If a person is in an unscriptural marriage, must the person divorce before becoming a Christian? My questions, based…
Read MoreIs the Sabbath still holy and set apart?
Question: Howdy, I came across your web site recently and have enjoyed reading the information about different subjects. I do have a question concerning the Lord’s Sabbath. Is the Sabbath that Jesus sanctified in Genesis 2:3, referred to as ‘My holy day in Isaiah 58:13, and of which He said he was Lord of in…
Read MoreGood Credit
by Zeke Flores When I was a much younger man, I wrecked my credit. I made foolish decisions, borrowed more than I should have, and made late payments. Soon, the only ones who would lend me money were the high-rate lenders and even they were wary. It took years to restore my financial good name…
Read MoreWhat did Christians use before the Bible was compiled?
Question: Hello, During the first century, the Bible was not yet compiled. So what was the basis of Christianity during that time? Thanks. Answer: “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but…
Read MoreThe Lachish Reliefs and Sennacherib’s Annals
by David Wheeler Today we will discuss a rather large archaeological discovery. It is the Lachish Reliefs from the palace of Sennacherib which were unearthed between 1845 and 1847. Sennacherib was the king of Assyria from 705-681 BC and his reign largely overlapped the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. During this period, the kings…
Read MoreCan there be repentance without confession?
Question: I have a question about repentance. I have always wondered if there was such a thing as a lack of repentance? For example, when someone lies to another and later on they repent and change their mind about lying, but they don’t want to bring up the details of the lie with that person…
Read MoreWhat is the “holy thing” in Luke 1:35?
Question: Minister, could you explain as clearly as you can what is meant by saying that holy thing which shall be born of thee in Luke 1:35? I think it has something to do with combining the three persons of God together into one. Also, might it be as Paul describes us as the new…
Read MoreMy friend has turned to Judaism and I’m upset
Question: I have a friend who I’ve tried to convert for about many years who has recently taken up Judaism. I’m very upset for obvious reasons and there’s a part of me that finds it very offensive. I’m trying to keep my “judging” in check especially with all the goofy eating rules, but I’m not…
Read MoreCommenting on the Catholic Church
by Zeke Flores I recently read a shared post on Facebook written by a Catholic priest who is angered by “a sea of stupid articles, idiotic commentary and boneheaded op-eds about the Catholic Church, by people who have no clue what they’re talking about.” He goes on to rant about “the number of misinformed articles…
Read MorePreachers and Their Demise
by Doug Dingley I recently read on a church leadership lectureship flyer that the church is losing approximately 600 preachers per year while replacing only about 300 over that same time span. Although those numbers initially seemed staggering to me (especially when you factor in that in all likelihood, a sizeable percentage of those 300…
Read MoreHow do you correct a preacher when there are no elders?
Question: Hi, The question I have is this: What should a person do in this situation? In the church I currently attend, we do not have any elders for several years. I see some things that are creeping into the church. For example, when my congregation had elders the preacher was very serious during worship.…
Read MoreYou Cannot Say There Are Only Two Sexes
Source: Alex Griswold, “Denver Post Columnist Fired After Arguing There Are Two Sexes,” The Washington Free Beacon, 20 January 2020. Often there are multiple reasons a person is fired from a job, but that this issue is included is a sad comment on the lack of tolerance for opposing views, especially when those views happen…
Read MoreDo women have no moral or spiritual authority over their husbands?
Question: Hello, I have a Bible question about the roles of men and ladies in the Bible. I heard some say that ladies cannot have moral and spiritual authority over their husbands or men, but does that include a wife saying to her husband, “let’s go for drinks or an ice cream,” or if the…
Read MoreMary’s Testimony
by Matthew W. Bassford In Luke 1:1-4, Luke claims to be engaged in the practice of inspired history. He hasn’t accumulated his knowledge of Jesus via direct download from the Holy Spirit, nor is he an eyewitness to the events of the gospels. Instead, he has consulted those who were eyewitnesses and pieced their stories…
Read MoreRead, Hear, and Heed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Read-Hear-and-Heed.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCan we pray individual prayers together in worship?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, Please, I want to know from Scriptures about mass prayer in New Testament worship. Can we pray together, when we come together, but each one prays his or her own prayer? Thank you. Answer: Worship as a church is distinct from individual worship. In a church service, everything is done to edify those…
Read MoreWasn’t the conversion of the Samaritans proof that God wanted Gentiles saved?
Question: Good day, The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his family was proof that the Gentiles were also accepted by God without the law or becoming a Jew, but Samaritans (Acts 8) were already being baptized into Christ before Acts 10. Was that not proof or were the Samaritans not looked at…
Read MoreWhy don’t we see angels today?
Question: Can you tell me why Christians today cannot see angels as the apostles did? I realize that only those baptized with the Holy Spirit (the apostles and those they laid their hands on and Cornelius and his household) were able to perform miracles, but Acts 5:19-20 and Acts 12:7-8 show angels talking to some…
Read MoreWhat if I didn’t repent before baptism?
Question: Hi. I was on your page and I have a question. I was baptized again 2.5 years ago because I was baptized for the wrong reasons the first time. ( pleasing others, etc). Before my second baptism, I didn’t repent of my sins. I remember thinking, well I’m going to continue in sin afterward,…
Read MoreGrace and the Self-Defense Debate
by Matthew W. Bassford A few weeks ago, in the wake of the West Freeway shooting, I put up a blog post (Self-Defense and Public Order) that argued that Christians have the right to defend themselves from murderous criminals. To my complete lack of surprise, this proved controversial. Everybody kept their comments civil, so I…
Read MoreHow many days after apologizing do we have to stop committing a sin for God to forgive us?
Question: How many days after apologizing do we have to stop committing a sin for God to forgive us? Answer: You seem to have a mistaken idea. When you realize that you are sinning, you should immediately stop. “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading…
Read MoreCan a Christian serve as a military chaplain?
Question: I am really curious about your thoughts on one being a military chaplain. Can one morally make that decision? There is a lot of pluralism in the military. I’m wondering if you are aware of the conflicts of people in the past. Answer: I don’t know of the conflicts in being a chaplain in the…
Read MoreThe Merneptah Stele
by David Wheeler Merenptah Stele Archaeology is a very helpful tool in establishing the existence of a place, ruler, or event. It becomes of increased interest to us when these discoveries shed light on a biblical place, figure, or event. The past three articles here have focused on those types of discoveries. The remains of…
Read MoreShould we be wishing the death of those who are not saved?
Question: “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” (Psalms 55:15). Does this mean we should wish death for people who aren’t saved? A friend sent this to me along with some statistics about 50% of transgender people committing suicide. He…
Read MoreWhat do you say as an “invitation” at the end of a sermon?
Question: Good morning Mr. Hamilton, Could you give me some examples of what to say as an “invitation” when I’m done with a sermon? Thank you, sir. Answer: An “invitation” at the close of a sermon is a tradition and not a requirement. Not that it is a bad tradition, but we must understand that…
Read MoreAre you saying that some societies’ standards of dress are wrong?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, I agree with you on modesty but was wondering what you would say in the case of societies like some in Africa where women are bare-chested as well as the men. Is this like the case similar to an ankle in the Victorian age or are we right in saying these…
Read MoreThe Dark Joy of Schadenfreude
by Wayne Greeson The cartoon shows a man standing before a rack of greeting cards. A sign over the rack reads “Schadenfreude Greeting Cards”. The cards in the rack include “greetings” such as: “Glad you were fired”, “Glad your home was repossessed” and “Glad you got divorced.” Schadenfreude (shaa-duhn-froy-duh) is a German word brought into…
Read MoreTo Whom Shall We Go?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/To-Whom-Shall-We-Go.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 6:48-69 I. When Jesus feed the 5,000, his popularity was at an all time high A. Some of the people decided it was time to make Jesus their king – John 6:14-15 B. Jesus left because the people’s motivation was wrong. They were only thinking of the free food Jesus…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Understanding-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 7:6-10 I. God has given us the truths we need A. It will make us perfect – II Timothy 3:16-17 B. It tells us how to live life and to be godly – II Peter 1:2-4 C. What is written will help us believe – John 20:30-31 II. The answers we seek…
Read MorePeople Do Leave Homosexuality
Source: Jeff Johnston, “Do People Change from Homosexuality? Hundreds of Stories of Hope and Transformation,” The Daily Citizen, 5 August 2015. A list of stories of people who left homosexuality, some for decades. “Typically, this is a process of growth and change, not an instantaneous transformation. Nor is it easy or without relapse for most.…
Read MoreBoth Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the totals for the whole assembly were 42,360, yet Ezra adds up to 29,818 and Nehemiah to 31,089
Question: Both Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the totals for the whole assembly was 42,360, yet Ezra adds up to 29,818 and Nehemiah to 31,089? Answer: Ezra gives a detailed listing of families of Judah, Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites. (Ezra 1:5). That listing is from Ezra 2:1-67. Thus there were 29,818…
Read MoreDid Solomon’s Sea hold 2,000 baths or over 3,000 baths?
Question: Did Solomon build a facility containing 2,000 baths (I Kings 7:26), or over 3,000 baths (II Chronicles 4:5)? Answer: “Now he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in circumference. Under its brim gourds went around encircling…
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