The Cleansing of the Temple
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CleansingOfTheTemple.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 2:13-25 I. Under Jewish law, all males were required to travel to Jerusalem three times a year for special feasts – Deuteronomy 16:16-17 A. Sacrifices had to be made and offerings given, but it wasn’t always practical to ship animals or food all the way to Jerusalem – Deuteronomy…
Read MoreMisplaced Confidence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MisplacedConfidence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text Jeremiah 7:1-15 I. I regularly read in the papers about people who died in some natural disaster. A. Many times the death was needless. People knew the disaster was coming, but refused to heed the warnings. Though authorities told them to leave, there is always a few who decide to…
Read MoreShould Christians be involved in expensive hobbies?
Question: Hello, Thank you for your tireless work towards teaching God’s Word and helping people understand the truth! I can appreciate the amount of hard work necessary to provide the amount of material found here. It truly is a great resource for those of us looking for biblical answers to everyday questions. I was baptized…
Read MoreYour comments about virginity brought me to tears
Question: I want to thank you for the Q and A on your website. When I read your comment about the topic of virginity it brought me to tears. Thank you so much! Answer: I’m not looking to make people cry, but I’m glad you found the information on the site useful.
Read MoreShould we only teach people who will join the local congregation?
Question: Hello, I am writing for some advice. I live in a city and worship just outside the city in a small town. I have a passion for sharing the Gospel with the lost. While at a congregation in the city, I was blessed to share with people who often ended up being members of…
Read MoreCan you add an RSS feed?
Question: Hello, I visit your website frequently to search for answers to Bible questions. Thank you for taking the time to study put all of these resources out there for public access. I wanted to know if you would consider having your audio files accessible via RSS so that they can be subscribed to using…
Read MoreMarriage as at First
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MarriageAsAtFirst.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat do you say to a child when a loved one dies?
Question: What should a Christian say to a child when a loved one dies, who died without being a believer in Christ or just was not a good person? Is it best to give the child the idea that the person is in heaven anyway, or to just tell them we don’t know what God will decide for that…
Read MoreWhat is the meaning of “life” in II Peter 1:3?
Question: What does “life” mean in: “has given onto us all things that pertain to life and godliness”? Answer: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge…
Read MoreI came to your site looking for information to learn to be more self-controlled
Question: I’m a member of the church of Christ, and I was doing some research to further my knowledge in Christ and to also help me be self-controlled with my fiancee, being that we are not yet married. I just wanted to say that I read some posts concerning the church in your area, and…
Read MoreThree questions about Church of Christ teachings on baptism
Question: Sir, I have three questions that are about the teachings of the Church of Christ. Why does the COC dismiss the case of the thief on the cross by saying that it happened “under the Old Testament” when in fact the thief was saved after the blood of the New Testament was shed and…
Read MoreThe Gospel of the Circumcision and the Uncircumcision
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GospelOfTheCircumcisionAndTheUncircumcision.mp3 Text: Galatians 2:1-10 I. I suppose a casual reader could read verse 7 from our text and come away with the idea that two different messages were being taught. A. One being taught to the Gentiles and a different message being taught to the Jews. B. Yet the goal of the gospel was to unite Jews…
Read MoreI want to go to a biblical church, but my parents won’t let me
Question: Hello, I wanted to ask how will I be able to go to a biblical church? My parents have always gone to a Catholic church, which doesn’t follow the biblical teachings (infant baptism, the worship of Mary and saints, saying that good works are the way to be saved, etc.). When I bring this…
Read MoreHave you heard of Cecil Hook and his book Free in Christ?
Question: Asked a question of previous Williams Road Church of Christ why they removed the “church of Christ” and now just refer to themselves as the Williams Road Church. The short answer referred me to Cecil Hook and his book Free in Christ. What would the explanation be without me reading and how far off…
Read MoreMy husband has been bewitched into abandoning his family
Question: Hi, I want to know what the Bible says about my husband. He abandoned me with three small kids. He doesn’t want to see them or support them. He hates us and believes that he will be blessed without us. I sought prayer and found out that he is bewitched by his parents and…
Read MoreDoes God hold us responsible when we pay taxes to a government that uses the money for sinful purposes, such as funding abortions?
Question: I live in a State where Medicare covers abortions. Since our taxes pay for Medicare, will God hold us responsible for this? We are told in the Bible to pay taxes, but as citizens, we don’t have control over how the money is spent. Thank you for your reply. Answer: “Let every soul be…
Read MoreYou use the Internet, for which there is no approval, so I can use instrumental music in worship
Question: I have just read your article on music in church. In it you state “…we cannot assume approval for something when none is given.” How, then, can you use the Internet when obviously there is no approval to use it? Answer: The line of reasoning is invalid. Instead of addressing the issue raised, you are…
Read MoreI keep on doing what I don’t want to do
Question: I am a Christian, though I keep on fornicating. I feel so ashamed to talk to you about my life and what I’ve gone through. I’ve led a promiscuous life from the age of 16 years. I entered into a relationship barely three years ago. I still keep on fornicating and as a result,…
Read MoreDoes Inspiration Change a Man?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DoesInspirationChangeAMan.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 6:1-12 I. A common teaching among the denominations is that a person cannot come to know God unless the Spirit of God enters in to change his outlook. A. It comes from a basic belief that man is born corrupt from the sin of Adam. He needs God…
Read MoreMy relationship with God has always been a roller coaster
Question: Hello and thank you for reading, I am a 25-year-old man. I was born in a Christian family, my father being a pastor. My relationship with God has always been a roller coaster. There have been times when my faith has been strong and my will was aligned with God’s. I would even speak…
Read MoreCan we really return after backsliding?
Question: Hello, I was reading your articles. Thank you. I will get straight to my questions: If we live life wrong after knowing the truth, can we sincerely stop and replant our seed in good ground and not be choked by the weeds again? What if we are worried that we are a tare and…
Read MoreI am so afraid of losing my salvation that everything is going wrong
Question: Hello, Thank you for the opportunity to write you. I like your site because some of the information is really good and helped me to find out that I have a little bit of religious OCD. Even if my situation was worse, I found out that I am mentally ill. What a great start.…
Read MoreWhat are chakras?
Question: What are chakras? Are they evil or bad? Is there anything in the Bible that goes against them? Thank you in advance. Answer: Chakra is a part of the Hindu religious system. A chakra is supposed to be an energy point in the body. Exactly what a chakra represents or what it connects varies…
Read MoreDid my mother die in sin?
Question: I want to make clear why this is so important for me. It would be either way when it comes to a mother, but given how much I owe her, it is especially concerning for me. I apologize if it’s a bit long. I was born in Texas (raised there too). My mom raised…
Read MoreDo all temptations come from Satan?
Question: Although I’ve read it several times before, I was discussing James 1:13-15 with my mother. In many of your explanations of this verse, you explain that Satan uses our own desires against us to break God’s laws. I explained to my mother that our desires lead us into temptations and that Satan tempts us…
Read MoreHow could the thief be with Jesus when he was dead for three days?
Question: Hello, I find your Question and Answer web site very helpful in one seeking more about the truth of God. I have two questions that I hope you can and will answer for me. The day Jesus was crucified on the cross, he turned to the thief on the other cross and told him…
Read MoreA Question to be Answered
by Doy Moyer Will anyone defend this: “The wise and good thing to do today is to start drinking alcohol”? If one says, “But the Bible doesn’t condemn all drinking,” I will respond by asking that question again. If one says, “But there are passages in the Bible that speak of fermented drinks in a…
Read MoreWhat do I do about my drug-addicted husband?
Question: Hello, I am a follower and believer of Christ for almost four years now. I don’t know what to do with my husband. He is doing drugs. We are living with my in-laws in a living room. We are struggling money-wise, but thank God my husband got a raise. He is a hard-working man.…
Read MoreShould I marry my atheist boyfriend?
Question: I was with this guy for over a year. We were friends and then started having sex and dating. He is an atheist. I am not. We broke up a month ago but still talk online a lot. We are still friends. He still claims he loves and still talks about wanting to be…
Read MoreYou don’t understand the depth of despair transgenders go through
Question: Dear Sir (must be), Your answer is very condescending and full of your own opinions. God will undoubtedly judge you for this, also. Do you know the depths of despair that this person may have gone through just to get to the point where they are willing to ask someone a question like this and you…
Read MoreHow do I correct the mess I’ve made with my life?
Question: My question is regarding sex outside of marriage. I know God tells us not to do it. And I have regrettably led a life thus far where I knew God’s commands, but chose to ignore them thinking I knew what was best. I’m struggling to find my way back to the straight and narrow.…
Read MoreWas the term “Christian” originally a derogatory reference?
Question: By your teaching the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch of Syria, which is true; however, who at Antioch was calling them this term and why? It was a derogatory term toward them, my friend. Then again by King Agrippa, another pagan. Then one other time this name is mentioned by Peter only…
Read MoreHow can all who call on the Lord be saved when Jesus said that not all who call his name will be saved?
Question: Recently someone said they found a contradiction in the New Testament. They said Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 say that all who call in the name of the Lord will be saved. Then Matthew 7:21 says that not all who call upon him will be saved. Then in Acts 2:39, it says that only…
Read MoreDoes “prophecy” always involve the miraculous?
Question: I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any New Testament examples of “prophesy” or “prophesying” being uninspired? Our preacher said that whenever you see the word “prophesy” or “prophesying” is always referring to the miraculous or inspired. Are there any examples in the New Testament that show these words meaning…
Read MoreWhen Was Cornelius Saved?
When Was Cornelius Saved? — His PastWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — A Man of PrayerWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Experienced MiraclesWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Received the Holy SpiritWhen Was Cornelius Saved — We are Saved in the Same Manner by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 11:5-18 I. Sometimes is it useful to…
Read MoreIs there no proof who really wrote the four gospels?
Question: What evidence do we have that the four gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? I hear a lot of people saying they were anonymous, and we have no proof they were written by the people whose names are given to them. Answer: To claim there is no evidence would require setting terms on…
Read MoreI have no friends and I’m depressed
Question: I’m 18. I don’t have a girlfriend or any friends. My parents are not religious. Should I tell them about the Bible? Is it fair that you have a great family who are Christians? What did I do to deserve this living hell? I’m depressed. How do I solve this issue about an existential…
Read MoreThe Church at Work in Benevolence
by Irvin Himmel via Guardian of Truth XXXIX:10 p. 6-8, May 18, 1995 There is no better way to teach the plan of salvation than examining the cases of conversion in the book of Acts. Such examples as the Jews on Pentecost, the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and the…
Read MoreDo I have to make a public confession for sins that I mentioned to friends before I repented?
Question: Please help me. I have been living in fear of sin for so many years now, and the weight of it is becoming more than I can bear. I have nobody I can talk to about this, and you are really the only people I can ask about this issue. I have had premarital…
Read MoreIf you are no longer a virgin, do you have to abstain from sex before marriage?
Question: As the Bible says sex before marriage is a sin, is it necessary for a person who is no longer a virgin to abstain until she or he gets married? Answer: Sin doesn’t happen just the first time you do it. A person who steals is not a thief just the first time he…
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