Did Jesus always have all authority?
Question: In Matthew’s 28:18, why was all authority given to Jesus? Did he not have all authority already? And in I Corinthians it says that He will give all authority back to his Father. Please explain this to me. Answer: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to…
Read MoreDo you know of sources regarding “demon possession” in the Middle Ages?
Question: I have just read your web site and found it to be both informative and thought-provoking. Currently, I am doing a report for my psychology class on the middle ages and the churches and how they treated those that were afflicted with mental illness. I have taken the position that the Roman Catholic Church…
Read MoreIs everything in the Bible applicable today?
Question: Would Jesus have advocated the disgusting torture that animals endure throughout their lives in present-day slaughterhouses? While you clearly say eating dead animals is okay by God and the Bible, the Bible also says slavery is fine and selling one’s daughter is okay. So, is absolutely everything in the Bible truly applicable to present-day…
Read MoreLacking Arrogance
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LackingArrogance-1.mp3 by Jeffrey Hamilton Text: Psalms 131 I. Psalms 131 is one of 15 psalms which are titled “Song of Ascent.” A. It is commonly believe that these were pilgrimage songs, sung while the people journeyed up to Jerusalem for the major feasts. B. This particular psalm was written by David and expresses the attitude a worshiper…
Read MoreOn Praying to Jesus
by Nathan Ward If you haven’t yet, you will likely encounter a person who believes Christians should not pray to Jesus. The position is often accompanied by what seems like reasonable logic, at least on a surface level. We ought not to pray to Jesus, it is said, because he is our mediator — and…
Read MoreHow do I break the habit of looking at pornography and visiting prostitutes?
Question: Dear Sir, Good morning. I am a married man with two small kids. I have a habit of looking at pornography and visiting prostitutes. Please help me by providing a solution to get out of this habit. Please help me. Answer: Suppose someone came up to you and said, “I have this habit of…
Read MoreThank you for dealing with issues regarding sexuality
Question: I appreciate the wisdom God has given you to have such a wonderful site where relationship issues, especially those regarding sex, is discussed. I have gained a lot of knowledge and I am very much blessed. Thank you sir. Answer: I’m glad that the information posted on this site is useful in your growth…
Read MoreHow do I stop compulsive handwashing?
Question: I am suffering from a problem of excessive hand washing. I wash my hands for hours after using the toilet or touching private parts. I fear touching things which I touched earlier with dirty hands and wash and rub my body again and again after having sex. I’m not bothered about about germs, but I…
Read MoreUncleanness (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Students of the Bible are frequently confused by the Old Testament laws regulating uncleanness. Many do not understand the purpose of the laws and often wonder if they impact the Christian in some way or not. The concept of unclean is certainly an old one. It predates Moses, being first mentioned…
Read MoreModerate Drinking Is Not Healthy
Source: Kate Kelland, “Major study debunks myth that moderate drinking can be healthy,” Reuters, 4 April 2019. “Blood pressure and stroke risk rise steadily the more alcohol people drink, and previous claims that one or two drinks a day might protect against stroke are not true, according to the results of a major genetic study.” “The…
Read MoreClapping in Worship
by Gardner Hall Is it wrong? If so, why? The last few years have seen the introduction of handclapping in congregations of the Lord, including a few that have opposed institutionalism. Though motives are often praiseworthy, serious questions are raised by the practice. Is it presumptuous? Is it practiced because God wants it? Or rather,…
Read MoreIs there liberty in how we give?
Question: I have a question concerning worship. Is there liberty when it comes to some parts of worship? For example when it comes to giving, does one have to give during worship service or can someone give any time just long as it’s on a Sunday. Can a congregation decide to just give at the…
Read MoreIs It Possible to Preach Christ and Not Preach Baptism or the Church?
by Donald Townsley via Guardian of Truth, December 15, 1988 From time to time men set forth the doctrine that we should “preach Christ” and leave the controversial subjects of the plan of salvation and the church alone. Some say, “just preach the man and not the plan”; others say, “preach Christ and not the…
Read MoreGluttony (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Gluttony.mp3 by Jeffrey Hamilton Text: Numbers 11:4-34 I. Someone, reading an article on the Roman Catholic teachings of the seven deadly sins, was surprised to find that gluttony included “eating too soon, eating with condiments, eating too expensively, and eating with pleasing the palate in mind.” A. He wrote to ask, if such were true in…
Read MoreThe Poor in Spirit
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/PoorInSpirit-1.mp3 by Jeffrey Hamilton Text: Isaiah 61:1-3 I. The good news is a message to the afflicted – Isaiah 61:1 A. This is the passage Jesus chose to read in his hometown – Luke 4:16-21 B. When John began to doubt Jesus, Jesus again referred to this passage – Luke 7:22-23 C. Jesus declared that the kingdom, the…
Read MoreWhat’s Down that Road?
by Warren E. Berkley The most vital consideration for every human being and certainly every Christian is the allegiance of the heart and obedience of the life to God. While we must avoid the arrogance of self-righteousness and the bondage of human creeds and traditionalism, we must determine with all our hearts to never relax…
Read MoreIs a marriage valid if it was only done to gain citizenship?
Question: If a man was married for 3 years only because he wanted to come to the USA and then divorced can he remarry? The marriage in his eyes was only for US citizenship. Answer: What is missing is a respect for the marriage covenant (Malachi 2:13-16). A covenant is a special vow before God…
Read MoreI thought my husband repented after his affair, but he divorced me anyway
Question: I emailed a few years back regarding my husband’s while in another country in which an outside kid was born from the short fling. I didn’t find out about it until after he returned and the kid was born. At the time he attended services as we’re both members. I decided to forgive him…
Read MoreMy husband wasn’t honest with me before our marriage
Question: I married and discovered my husband was unable to perform his marital duties. He knew but did not disclose it. Further, he said he had a job but was laid off months prior. I made every attempt to live by the law. When I discovered he still wasn’t working, had emptied the 401k, and…
Read MoreHow can I stay out of fornication?
Question: Evening sir, I need spiritual deliverance. I am a married man, but before my marriage, I was lost in fornication. I even dragged my fiancee into it. We realized later that it was not good and confess our sins. However, I couldn’t get control over my sexual desire, to the extent that I masturbated…
Read MoreShould I marry a woman who refuses to submit to me?
Question: Hi, How are you? I am a born again, 28-year-old young man. I have read many of your posts, and I find them very helpful and always in line with the word of God. I have a bit of a challenge. I have my girlfriend, who I have been in a relationship with for…
Read MoreLiving on Borrowed Time
by Jefferson David Tant “The days of our years are threescore years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; For it is soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalms 90:10). Having reached that milestone of threescore and ten a few years ago. I feel…
Read MoreSeeing What Is Really Important
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SeeingWhatIsReallyImportant.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI Just Can’t Do It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IJustCantDoIt.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI commend you for answering this so well
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I just wanted to say this is a very common accusation, especially today, that I found in “It’s your fault that people are biased against homosexuality.” I commend you for answering this so well. Too many, it would have proven difficult. Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreHow could Peter say that God has given us everything through the Bible prior to the Bible’s completion?
Question: Was the New Testament written prior to A.D. 70? I realize scholars claim the Book of Revelation was written around A.D. 95, but if that were so, does it pertain to life and godliness? I Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and…
Read MoreThe Worship of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WorshipOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 5:11-14 I. Why are you here? A. Because it is what you do on Sundays? Because your parents make you come? B. I hope most of us will say we are here to worship. After all, we call this the worship service. C. Yet, most of us have only vague notions…
Read MoreRestoring God’s Religion
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RestoringGodsReligion.mp3 Text: II Kings 18:1-6 I. Without a doubt our society has slipped in its desire to follow God A. Sin and the acceptance of sinful practice has become prevalent. We have convinced ourselves as a society to be proud of our tolerance of sin. B. Churches are losing members. 1. In their panic, they look for ways…
Read MoreI Have to Die to Get Better
by Doy Moyer Have you ever felt that way? You feel so sick that you about wish you’d go ahead and die so that you’d feel better? We even say that as a bit of a joke (or maybe not). Of course, at the time that we feel so bad, we do wish for pretty…
Read MoreHeaven Will Be Even Better
by Roy Diestelkamp In song songbooks by many congregations is the old hymn: “For The Beauty Of The Earth.” The first verse says: “For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies, Lord of all,…
Read MoreHow could the Almighty God accept me?
Question: Mr. Jeffrey, I don’t admit this to many people, but I have an issue in my thinking when it comes to God. I have a fear that no matter what I do and no matter how I try to be righteous and help others get to heaven, that at Judgment Day God will hold…
Read MoreCan you recommend a good commentary and study Bible?
Question: Dear sir, Could you please recommend a good Bible commentary and study Bible? Thank you very much. Answer: Commentaries are basically a man or a group of men’s opinions about what the Bible is saying. The opinions might be good, or they might be completely wrong depending on the personal bias of the commentator…
Read MoreDoes God have empathy with His children when they make mistakes?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Does God have empathy for His children if they make mistakes or if they’re growing slowly, or does He just want us to be mature and not make any mistakes at all right off the bat? If a child of God desires to grow but allows distractions and other things to…
Read MoreAre all marriages spiritually binding?
Question: Hello, I attend a church of Christ, and my boyfriend of several years was baptized about a few years ago. We broke up last year for several months due to some differences but have since decided to be back together. My boyfriend is in the military and during the time we were broken up,…
Read MorePharaoh’s Compromises
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/PharaohsCompromises.mp3 Text: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 I. Most of here, even the little children, can tell the story of Moses and the ten plagues. A. It is exciting to read about the wonders God wrought against the Egyptians B. And even more amazing to see how stubborn a man, Pharaoh, can be despite the overwhelming evidence arrayed against…
Read MoreThe Historical-Political Background of the New Testament
by Russell H. Dunaway Jr. via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 9 p14 May 4, 2000 Beginning in 606 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon launched the first of three successive attacks upon the city of Jerusalem and the people of Judah. During the second attack (597 B.C.) Ezekiel, Daniel, and about 10,000 other inhabitants of Jerusalem were…
Read MoreWas the Samaritan woman really married that many times?
Question: In John 4, I get confused with the issue of marriage. Christ wanted her to call her husband until she said she had none. Then Christ said she had had five husbands, except that her present man was not her husband. Was Christ trying to prove that she had never married properly? And if…
Read MoreWhat is Worship?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WhatIsWorship.mp3 Text: John 4:19-24 I. I was asked recently to address a question of what constitutes worship A. Defining terms, such as worship, is interesting because there is a tendency in the religious world towards vagueness. 1. Pentecostal beliefs emphasize the emotional experience (the spirit). Worship is not real unless you can feel it and, on the…
Read MoreHow do we know Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are speaking about congregational worship?
Question: How do we know that Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19, in regards to singing, are dealing with a congregational worship assembly? Answer: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand…
Read MoreOpposition to Teaching Christianity
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In February 2019 Barna Group released the results of a poll which they titled, “Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong.” They divided their survey group into Millennials, GenX, Boomers, and Elders. Almost all surveyed agreed with the statements: “Part of my faith means being a witness about…
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