Can someone be forgiven if he purposely sins?
Question: My friend lost his virginity because he wanted to. The person he did it with had already done it a couple of times. He felt really bad because he is a Christian. Can God forgive him if he confesses to a priest? Answer: Confession to a priest is a Catholic practice. It is not…
Read MoreMy boyfriend says times are different now for Christians
Question: My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year. After receiving the grace of God, I have come to the knowledge that sex before marriage is a sin, and I do not want to partake in this anymore but my boyfriend is not on board. I am a born again Christian who…
Read MoreI want to be a Christian, but my parents are Hindus
Question: Praise the Lord. I’m Hindu, but I accepted Jesus as my God and Savior. In my family, all are unbelievers. My brother and I were baptized. I praise God for His grace upon us. My family forces us to bow before Hindu idols. It hurts a lot. When the world rejected me, Jesus loved…
Read MoreRash Decisions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rash-Decisions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 19:23-41 I. Our text illustrates the making of a riot A. Certain men feared that Christianity would impact their income. – Acts 19:24-27 1. They stirred up the masses with fear of lost income and fear of a lost way of life. 2. The fear spread through the city, even when…
Read MoreNotes on Abortion
Genesis 25:22 Exodus 21:22-25 Psalm 139:13-16 Ecclesiastes 11:5 Isaiah 44:2 Isaiah 44:24 Isaiah 49:1 Jeremiah 1:4-5 Luke 1:15 Galatians 1:15
Read MoreNo Evidence People Are Born Gay or Transgender
Source: Tyler O’Neil, “Johns Hopkins Research: No Evidence People Are Born Gay or Transgender”, PJ Media, 23 Aug 2016. Source: Dr. Lawrence S. Mayer and Dr. Paul R. McHugh, “Sexuality and Gender,” The New Atlantis, No. 50, Fall 2016. “The understanding of sexual orientation as an innate, biologically fixed property of human beings — the…
Read MorePrecept Upon Precept, Line Upon Line
by Jeffrey Wilkes “The Bible is so difficult to understand,” an acquaintance recently asked. “Why is it written this way?” The Holy Spirit through Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul’s letters are hard to understand: “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard…
Read MoreOur Security in Christ
by Edward O. Bragwell In our Grace – Obedience – Fellowship discussions, we are often told that without those in Christ being continuously cleansed of sin (even as they sin) we can have no real sense of security in Him. It goes something like this: It must be that God forgives us as we sin…
Read MoreMiraculous Spiritual Gifts
by Matthew Bassford Many of you may well have had, as I have had, the experience of talking Bible with somebody who believes that the miraculous spiritual gifts of the first century continue today. Let me be honest with you, brethren. It is difficult to find success in studies with such people. Though it’s not obvious,…
Read MoreGiving to the Lord’s Work
by Matthew Bassford Of all of the spiritual topics that we might address, one of the most sensitive is giving. First of all, it’s about money, which always has been very important to people. Second, though, the Holy Spirit’s words on this subject have been misrepresented and abused for 2000 years. In 1 Timothy 6,…
Read MoreCan a marriage be annulled?
Question: Hello, I was curious to get your thoughts on remarriage. Would a first marriage still be a valid, permanent, or real in God’s eyes if: People do it while on drugs or are drunk and then later, had it annulled, without consummating the marriage and remarried later in life? Would God still consider them…
Read MoreHezekiah’s Prayer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hezekiahs-Prayer-2019.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 38:9-20 I. Many people are familiar with Hezekiah’s prayer asking God for help against the Assyrian army, but I would like for us to take a few minutes to examine Hezekiah’s prayer of thanksgiving after he was healed of an illness II. Bitterness A. Isaiah 38:9-10 1. Hezekiah was told he…
Read MoreI regret that I haven’t stopped committing fornication
Question: Please, I need your guidance and prayers. I am a male of 24 years. I have been baptized but still commit fornication. I have had sex with numerous women of which there is not even one I don’t regret instantly after having sex with. I pray for forgiveness, I but still go back to…
Read MoreAlcohol Causes More Deaths than Opioids
Source: Dr. Barbara Krantz, “Behind the Numbers: Alcohol is Killing More People Than the Opioid Epidemic. Why Aren’t We Talking About It?”, Caron, 28 May 2019. “According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 77,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2017. Around 44,800 of those died from an opioid overdose, a nearly five-fold increase…
Read MoreCan spanking lead to perversion?
Question: Hello, My question is relating to your topic of spanking as a form of discipline. I was disciplined in exactly the way you describe on your site. The implement, the process, all of it. Both parents administered them until I was about 12, then my mom took over, though dad stepped in at times.…
Read MoreWhat is the proper translation of Job 22:6?
Question: Dear Jeff, We use quite a bit of your material in our bulletin with links to your site. For your consideration: I found your article on Modest Apparel. The context of Job 22:6 does not seem to support your contention that Job was disrobing the naked (as if humiliating the immodest person), but rather being accused…
Read MoreIs Witchcraft Real?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Is-Witchcraft-Real.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 28:3-14 I. The Bible has much to say about witchcraft and none of it is good A. It amazes me how many people attempt to blend forms of witchcraft with Christianity B. I have had discussions with a woman who called herself a “White Witch.” As long as her…
Read MoreI want to become a Christian, but I still like to party
Question: Hi, I had a saving experienced with Jesus, but I have not been baptized to be forgiven for my sins. I find myself in a predicament. I was in an abusive relationship and there where acts of pure evil being committed. I came away from that turmoil into the house of God and things…
Read MoreI’m afraid to tell my atheist parents that I want to become a Christian
Question: Hello, I need help with something. I’ve been an atheist up until now. I recently made the decision to join Christianity, as I believe in my heart that this is what I believe in. My problem is: my parents are strongly atheistic and quite opposed to religion. I’m scared to tell them that I…
Read MoreIs this considered adultery?
Question: My wife spent the night at a hotel in a different state with another man. She said she did not have sex, but they kissed, he touched her breasts and was on top of her without a shirt, and she played with his nipples, etc. She tried to lie to me at first and…
Read MoreCan Men Change God’s Will?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Can-Men-Change-Gods-Will.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 4:28-37 I. A difficulty those raised in Calvinist beliefs is resolving the idea of God’s sovereign will with the actions of men. A. To many Calvinists, God’s will is immutable (unable to be changed). The idea that men might do something to alter God’s decisions is inconceivable. B. This is…
Read MoreThe Problem with Happy-Face Christianity
by Matthew Bassford “Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart” (Proverbs 25:20). The other day, a friend of mine unburdened himself on Facebook about his struggles with depression. He talked about his confusion and fear and self-hatred.…
Read MoreAges to Come
by Terry Wane Benton Paul spoke of God showing the exceeding riches of His grace “in the ages to come” (Epheisans 2:6-7). Thus, the gospel of God’s grace would keep spreading for ages to come. Some erroneously think that Paul wrongly thought that Jesus would come back in his lifetime, but Paul knew the end…
Read MoreIs it a sin to not tell a child that they are adopted?
Question: Is it a sin to not tell a child that they are adopted? Answer: There are many times when we restrict access to information to only those who need it. A government does not tell everything about its security preparations because those against the government will use that information to find weaknesses. A salesman,…
Read MoreI hope your website stays up for many more years
Question: I just love all your writings. I have used your site for many years when I don’t understand something. I also share it with others. I hope your site stays online for many, many more years. Answer: I’m glad you are finding the material posted here to be useful in your studies.
Read MoreThe Kurkh Monoliths – The Stele of Shalmaneser III (Part 2)
by David Wheeler Black Kurkh Monolith Previously, I reported on one of a set of steles known collectively as the Kurkh Monoliths. The one which was our subject was the stele of Shalmaneser III. Shalmaneser III was the ruler of the Assyrian Empire from 859-824 BC. The Kurkh Monolith recorded his advancement to the Syrian…
Read MoreWas I wrong to forgive someone without rebuking them?
Question: Hello, A coworker asked for my forgiveness, but because the moment was awkward, I didn’t say “I forgive you.” There’s a good chance that I have a form of OCD, and I get stuck on little things like this. I went out of my way to be nice to him, and I never mentioned…
Read MoreBecause I committed adultery many lives are affected, so what should I do?
Question: Hi there, I have a question which I hope you will be able to answer. I was married with young children and committed adultery with an ex-boyfriend. I divorced my husband, moved out of the home, and now live alone. I’m committing fornication with this boyfriend. I view myself as an adulteress and am…
Read MoreWhat does “uncover the nakedness” mean?
Question: In Leviticus 18:6-19, the phrase “uncover the nakedness” is used repeatedly. What is meant by this phrase? Answer: There are three sets of words in the Hebrew that are translated as naked or nakedness. The Hebrew adjective ‘arom refers to being without clothing. It can mean without any clothes or being inadequately clothed (Job 22:6).…
Read MoreHow can the actions of men change God’s sovereign will?
Question: Hi, First, thank you for your work in answering questions. Your diligence in doing so is admirable because it provides a great service to those either seeking God or those encountering difficulties in their walk with God. I’ve recently been reading and studying about God’s will, specifically God’s sovereign will. God’s sovereign will is…
Read MoreAttitudes
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Attitudes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 3:7-16 I. Many Christians understand that acts of immorality will keep them out of heaven, but many don’t realize that our attitude or disposition is important in determining our outcome as well. A. What is your attitude? 1. Sometimes we hear someone say “he has an attitude!” 2. I use to…
Read MoreI became a Christian but sinned before I was baptized
Question: Hello, I recently became a Christian. I think it was at the end of January or the first part of February that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I wasn’t able to be baptized until April. But before then, I had a few bumps in the road. I committed three acts of…
Read MoreHow do I not give up?
Question: Have I become like the church at Ephesus? I liken myself to the rich young ruler. I kept all these things from my youth but I can’t seem to get over some of the other things Christ wants me to do and it’s frightening. Maybe I’ve reached the point where I have allowed the noise…
Read MoreThe Kurkh Monoliths – Stele of Shalmaneser III
by David Wheeler Via Evidence in Archaeology To see a Biblical figure referenced in a stone inscription is a beautiful thing. It testifies that the book which we revere and study from is a trustworthy historical document and based in reality. Sometimes the secular inscriptions can reveal details of the Biblical figure’s life that aren’t…
Read MoreHow do I rid myself of anger, frustration, and resentment toward God?
Question: How do I rid myself of anger, frustration, and resentment toward God? Life isn’t, and probably shouldn’t be, heaven on earth, but I feel at times as though things are withheld (Luke 18:1). Did I not pray hard enough or long enough for something? Does God keep “score?” Perhaps I have not been faithful…
Read MoreDoes my marriage have to end because I committed adultery?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I committed adultery with a married woman while I was married to my wife. I told my wife, and she forgave me. Is our marriage still right with God, or do I have to terminate our marriage? Answer: “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries…
Read MoreIs God no longer a priority if I visit other congregations to look for a wife?
Question: God must always come first and our mission in life must be Jesus’ mission, but how do I deal with the underlying problem of being alone? In the most humble way, I make mention of, yes, He is with us until the end of the age; yes, we will not be forsaken; yes, we…
Read MoreYou don’t understand, kids today have to live with someone
Question: I just wanted to say that your site is very distorted from the word to God and I pray that you find Christ. I read the topic over of the question beginning with: “I am in the same situation as the young lady, who is 23 years old. I have been with my boyfriend…
Read MoreHow do I help my son, whose wife is dying of MND?
Question: Dear Sir, I am a member of the church of Christ. My son’s wife is dying of a motor neuron disease (MND). They still do their Bible studies and go to church as often as possible. What can I say or do to help him through all this? He says he just hopes that…
Read MoreDid Jesus drink wine at parties?
Question: Brother Hamilton, I have a brother in Christ who keeps trying to get me to believe that Jesus turned the water into alcoholic wine. He keeps trying to suggest that it’s not a sin to drink, but it’s a sin to get drunk, which is why Jesus turned that water into alcoholic wine. The…
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