For over two years I have thoroughly enjoyed your articles
Question: Dear Sir, I am a saint who worships at a church of Christ. I teach Sunday school class, and I often co-teach a Tuesday night ladies class. Sometimes, I Google topics with “church of Christ” added to the search so that I will pull from archives of the Lord’s people. For over two years…
Read MoreRun with Endurance
by Dennis Stackhouse We have a wonderfully challenging statement given to us in Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” How…
Read MoreIntentions Won’t Get It!
by Dee Bowman Some of the proverbial expressions not found in the Bible are nonetheless true. The truth will always plumb with all other truth; it cannot contradict itself. Take the expression “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” That’s not found in the Scriptures, but it’s nonetheless true. Nobody really wants to…
Read MoreThe Sin of Murmuring
by Earl Fly Korah, Dathan, Abiram, fifty princes of the congregation, and others rebelled and murmured against God’s servants Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-11). “The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up … they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them, and they…
Read MoreShould we not worry about false teachers because at least Christ is being preached?
Question: Does Philippians 1:12-18 mean that whatever way the gospel is preached it is not too important? What will then be the reward of a person or people involved in preaching the gospel out of envy and strife? There are some congregations here that have decided to do monthly joint evangelism, but the problem with…
Read MoreThose words in italics are idle words!
Question: Dear Minister, “… there will be two in one bed …” The Greek does not have ‘men’ “Two will be grinding …” No ‘women’ in the Greek text either. “Two will be in the field …” Again, no ‘men.’ The words ‘men’ and ‘women’ have been added by Catholic and later Anglican translators because…
Read MoreI just realized I never was properly baptized
Question: Hello, A couple of members of the church of Christ in my neighborhood suggested to me two Sundays ago that I should be re-baptized. After subsequent research (especially through your website), I was forced to admit that I was never properly baptized. I was baptized at only 10 weeks of age! Even before I…
Read MoreI thought I had changed, but then I sinned and had sex
Question: Hello, I’d like to ask a question. But I must first tell you that I grew up going to the church of christ and my grandfather was a preacher. I got into drugs at a young age as my stepfather abused my mother and I when I was growing up. I finally surrendered all…
Read MoreIs voluntary celibacy desired by Christ?
Question: Hi, I perused your site and was looking at your posts about celibacy with which I agree that forced celibacy should not be imposed. Yet, the vow of chastity is a vow that is a gift that is to be honored and revered among persons undertaking this path in their life. Chastity is a…
Read MoreWisdom in Picking a Mate
Text: Genesis 2:18-24 I. The importance of selecting who you will marry A. Marriage is intended by God to be a lifetime commitment – Matthew 19:3-6 B. God hates divorce – Malachi 2:13-16 C. God law has marriage lasting the life of the parties involved – Romans 7:2-3 D. It is God’s intention that the time be spent happily…
Read MoreIs refusing medical treatment a sin?
Question: I know that assisted suicide is sinful because it is taking matters into your own hands, but when is it a sin to refuse medical treatment, or is it sinful? I’m not talking about those who refuse it because they are going to keep right on praying that God will make them better, I’m…
Read MoreCan a child baptized without his parents’ knowledge feel the presence of God?
Question: If a child was baptized as a baby without the parents’ knowledge but raised in a Jewish home, could that child feel the presence of God without knowing it? Answer: There are too many false assumptions in this question. One does not need to be baptized to feel God’s presence. God’s presence is known…
Read MoreReally informative stuff
Question: Wow! Really informative stuff in “Why is sex a sin?” You’ve addressed all the questions that always bothered me. Thank you so much. I also like the point you made that “sex before marriage is a sin because God said so.” It’s absolutely true that whatever He instructs us to do will benefit us…
Read MoreI am most thankful for the outstanding website you have developed
Question: Dear Jeff, Greetings in the name of our Savior. I hope you and yours are doing well. I’m writing primarily for only one reason. I am most thankful for the outstanding website you have developed for the La Vista church. I’m grateful to you for the countless hours you must spend to keep it…
Read MoreWe aren’t able to meet the terms necessary for a traditional wedding
Question: Hi, I just have a quick question: I am a lady of 31 years and my boyfriend is 32 years old. We are both working and studying. I am Zulu and he is Venda. Our cultures are not the same. The Vendas pay a lobola, but the Zulu people just have a union of…
Read MoreThe Bible and Dinosaurs
by Don Martin The word dinosaur, as such, is not found in the Bible. We must remember that man has named many of the animals today. The word dinosaur is associated with the Greek “dino,” meaning terrible. There are animals named in the Bible concerning which we have no definite knowledge or identity (see “greyhound,”…
Read MoreI am miserable after my divorce
Question: I recently got a divorce, not by my choosing, but because of my actions — I cheated on my wife on numerous occasions. I am also a recovering drug addict. I can’t honestly say how many times I left her all alone at the house with our children. I put her through misery, not…
Read MoreDoes Deuteronomy 29:14-15 teach that the old covenant is still in effect?
Question: Does Deuteronomy 29:14-15 teach that the old covenant is still in effect? Answer: “I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone, but with him who stands here with us today before the LORD our God, as well as with him who is not here with us today” (Deuteronomy 29:14-15). Moses is…
Read MoreTrip Report – 2015 (Bali, Singapore)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/TripReport2015.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:17-18 I had an opportunity to revisit the two groups I worked with last year. This time my wife, Gaye, agreed to come with me. It was the first time she has been out of the country. The church in La Vista paid my travel…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”?
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”? Answer: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Imagine someone tells you that he is going to give you $100 … that is, right after…
Read MoreWhat do I do about my past affair?
Question: I have been married for almost 30 years. I got married in my early twenties to my high school sweetheart for all the wrong reasons. I have really never been happy in this marriage. I have grown children. I had an affair with a man for ten years. We both were Catholics and this…
Read MoreSimon Peter’s Enduring Lessons
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SimonPetersEnduringLessons.mp3 by Dennis Stackhouse
Read MoreFor or Against
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ForOrAgainst.mp3 by Clint Crosier
Read MoreHow do I handle my contributions when I rotate between three congregations?
Question: Greetings, I have a question regarding the weekly contribution (I Corinthians 16:1-2). In my city, there are three local churches of Christ that I attend regularly. Normally I’ll attend one on a certain week, the next on the following week, and the third the week after that. And then I repeat the whole process.…
Read MoreWithdrawing is too judgmental
Question: You said, “Because he is persisting in his sin, he must be withdrawn from. For a church not to do so is to given permission to sin,” in A man now attends church as a transgender female. Should he be withdrawn from? I think that is way off. That seems judgmental to me. God…
Read MoreDo you think that everything you believe is right?
Question: I have two questions. First off, which version of the Bible do you use and why? Secondly, I am going to tread carefully here so as not to offend you and I mean no offense in asking this but, do you think that everything, every doctrine you believe is right? I think that there…
Read MoreFrom What Are We Saved?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FromWhatAreWeSaved.mp3 by Gary Wells
Read MoreWhat a Christian Should Be
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WhatAChristianShouldBe.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes our fornication mean our marriage will never be blessed, even if we repent?
Question: Hello, Recently an event happened to me and I’ve been looking everywhere to find a solution, including browsing the Internet. Then I landed on your website, which is very useful. I had a girlfriend, and we were really close until recently. We meet each other last year, and I fell in love with her.…
Read MoreBaptism of the Holy Spirit: A Promise?
by Carl A. Allen Through the years I have talked with, and debated with, Pentecostal preachers and it is not uncommon for them to take the position that the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit ” is a command. Many have been the times I have cited a passage to prove that the “Baptism of the…
Read MoreIs paying lobola equivalent to marriage?
Question: Greetings, I would like to know if lobola (bride price) is equivalent to marriage with regards to sexual relations. I have recently paid lobola (bride price) but not the full amount, I am saving money and will pay the full price next and then get married. My curiosity is: Is it ok still sinful…
Read MoreMy friend claims that Romans 1:26-27 is not condemning loving, committed homosexual relationships
Question: Hello, Thank you really much for your ministry, I want to ask for your biblical answer about Romans 1:26. A woman I used to consider my friend, has terribly disappointed me. She presents herself as a “Christian lesbian.” I trusted her orthodoxy with Scriptures, blindly for a year, being her friend, her brother in…
Read MoreIf the Lord only speaks through the Bible, why was the Spirit promised in John 16:13?
Question: So the Lord only speaks through the Bible and not through the Spirit? I’m kind of confused now. Just wanted to see if you could clear this up for me: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he…
Read MoreAgainst the Odds
by Gary W. Summers What war tactic has usually proven successful? The ambush. Joshua had used it, at God’s instruction, with great success in the second attack on Ai. Once the men of that city were lured out into the open, by what they undoubtedly considered would be another route of Israel, they were hemmed…
Read MoreThe Action of Baptism
by Steve Wolfgang via Truth Magazine XIX: 27, pp. 421-422, May 15, 1975 The subject of the “action” of baptism quite evidently concerns itself with the nature of the act. It raises the question, “Exactly what is ‘baptism’?” This is a question that should be of obvious importance to every professed believer of the Bible. To those…
Read MorePassing the Torch
by Ethan R. Longhenry Almost two thousand years ago the Gospel of Jesus Christ began to be proclaimed: God became Incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth, went about doing good, was crucified and buried, but God raised Him from the dead; He ascended to the Father, received all authority and everlasting dominion, and will return one…
Read MoreDifferent Doctrines
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DifferentDoctrines.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:3-11 I. All of us have friends and family who have vastly different beliefs from our own. It is hard to think of them possibly not reaching heaven. A. This desire is exploited by false teachers who have no desire to be bound by God’s laws – II…
Read MorePressing On
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015Fall8PressingOn.mp3 by Brace Rutledge 2015 Fall Meeting
Read MoreDid God create the matter we see?
Question: Hebrews 11:3 says “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Is this verse an argument that God did not create the matter we see but rather formed it into what it is now?…
Read MoreA Matter of Perspective
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015Fall7AMatterOfPerspective.mp3 by Brace Rutledge 2015 Fall Meeting
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