Criticism of other churches has no place in Christianity
Question: To whom it may concern, I just read a response to a question regarding Mark 9:38-40, and I was disappointed that the last paragraph contained the following: “This passage also shows that the concept of succession, where a denomination claims to be the “real” church because it can trace its heritage from one church to…
Read MoreAre wet dreams sinful?
Question: On the site, I read “My wife no longer has a desire for sex. What do I do?” which says something about nocturnal emissions. I never heard of the word, so I looked it up, and it said something about wet dreams. The truth is wet dreams are very sinful. How can that be…
Read MoreCan a woman run the soundboard in a church service?
Question: Our elders have decided to purchase a sound and projection system. My late husband was an elder and was against such (noting future problems). The problem that I feel so much concern about is that we don’t have enough men to work it, so they have agreed to allow one of our young ladies…
Read MoreI found a wonderful resource for preteens and teens in your writings
Question: I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how appreciative I am to have access to your scripturally sound, open materials. As the mother of two boys and a current elementary principal in our public schools, I see the daily pressure and struggles of preteens and teens. I’m constantly on the…
Read MoreThe World Is Passing Away
by Terry Wayne Benton “The world is passing away” (I John 2:15,17). But AD 70 brethren say that the world is not passing away, using Ephesians 3:21 to say “world without end,” and they say Isaiah 9:6f affirms that the “increase of His government…is without end;” therefore, the world will keep on supplying people for…
Read MoreI repented, but I kept sinning
Question: I knew my sin was wrong. I kept doing it, and ‘repenting’ almost every day, but planned on doing the same sexual sin the next day. God was calling me to repent. I finally tried to stop sinning and came to Him. He forgave me, and I was born again. I wanted to praise…
Read MoreSmart Women and the Church
by Matthew W. Bassford In the immortal words of Tammy Wynette, sometimes it’s hard to be a woman. In fact, sometimes it’s particularly hard to be a woman associated with the churches of Christ. Other than a few congregations on the liberal fringe, churches of Christ tend to be aggressively complementarian: no women in leadership…
Read MoreThe Helper
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Helper.mp3 Text: John 16:1-15 I. Lifting a few statements from their context can often make a writer appear to say things he never intended. A. It happens in politics all the time, and it happens in religion as well. B. In his last hours, Jesus made a series of promises concerning the Helper…
Read MoreIs someone married if they give their ID to use on a marriage license?
Question: I have a question. My best friend and I had a huge argument, and I have to know if I’m doing the correct thing. Before my friend found God, he was living with a woman, so when he found God he wanted to do things right and marry her. Then he found out she…
Read MoreIf I get baptized, does that mean I wasn’t saved before?
Question: Hello, I am a teenager, and I have a few questions I’d like to ask. I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church. I said the sinner’s prayer (or something like it) when I was 6 or 7 years old. I wanted to follow God (I think), but I never got around to being…
Read MoreWe are going too far sexually and can’t figure out how to stop
Question: I am 18 and I want to stop all this fooling around that my girlfriend and I keep getting sucked back into. Basically, we say, “okay, this can’t happen again so what are we going to do to keep ourselves from it?” Then we come up with things but next thing you know, the…
Read MoreSometimes I feel like I’m the only person struggling with strong sexual temptations
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I see in the Scriptures that spiritual battles are spoken of, especially by Paul. What are spiritual battles? Would it constitute a strong temptation Satan places to go back to an old sinful habit? I feel sometimes that my strong temptations toward sexual things and lust make me an impure person, who…
Read MoreHow could the Pharisee be guilty of the unforgivable sin with just a few words?
Question: I’m scared, for I’ve been wondering whether the Pharisees commit the unforgivable sin by just once saying blasphemous things about the Holy Spirit. I know it’s said that the unforgivable sin isn’t any single act from which there’s no more turning back, but how does it seem that only a few words from the…
Read MoreContext
by Terry Wane Benton The apostles of Jesus were the eyewitnesses and we are the jurors. Promises made to the apostles in John 13-17 are not made to all of us. The context is about a long discussion Jesus had with His twelve witnesses. Jesus said to them “And you also will bear witness, because…
Read MoreWhy did Nehemiah threaten violence?
Question: I have a question: I know Hebrews speaks about how the Old Testament was just a shadow of the New Testament. I was reading Nehemiah and noticed that when the people disobeyed (in chapters 12 and 13) he executed violence and threatened to lay hands on outsiders trying to sell on the Sabbath. Since…
Read MoreDo I have to give up my knowledge because my parents lied to get me into a good school?
Question: Hi, I finished my first year of college, and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months. I recently read some books in the New Testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty and deceit are sinful (Revelation 21:8 and Psalms 5:6). I didn’t…
Read MoreI compulsively wash my hands
Question: Hi, I am a very strong believer in Christ. He has my whole heart and soul. I have very strong faith in Him. I have seen miracles that He performs. I have severe OCD. It happens when I read the Bible, take communion, fast, and prayer. I get all these twisted thoughts in my…
Read MoreWhy didn’t God heal my wife?
Question: Hi, I read some sermons from your website about the person who accepted Jesus, believe in him, and went to church, but he turned back to his old way and sinned again. It’s like me now. I went to Bible college with my wife about ten years ago. We came back and helped lead…
Read MoreAppreciation (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Appreciation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:9-15 I. There is a deep seat desire in every person to be important A. “Everyone likes a compliment.” – Abraham Lincoln B. “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William Jones II. Satan understands this A. Sin has its roots in our desires -…
Read MoreMy girlfriend lies about her past all the time
Question: Good evening sir, I am in a relationship with a girl whom I love. The only problem I have with her is that she lived a sinful sexual life in the past, and it makes her continually lie to me. Most of the time she tells me that she regrets her past and has…
Read MoreCould I pay the dowry now, have sex, and get married later?
Question: Hello, I have a few questions I’d like to ask. I have been reading your posts, and I like your answers because they are in line with God. I have a girlfriend whom I love so much and want to spend the rest of my life with. I am a Christian, and she is…
Read MoreI genuinely appreciate your beautiful website
Question: Hello, I just wanted to say thank you, and that I genuinely appreciate your beautiful website. It is so wonderful to see a congregation put so much effort into it for those all around the web to see your beliefs. Unfortunately, I can not find many other church sites like this! I use to…
Read MoreDo Not Be Discouraged
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DontBeDiscouraged.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWould Your Life Be Any Different?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/WouldYourLifeBeAnyDifferent.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIs the Parable of the Prodigal Son solely about God’s grace?
Question: Could you please speak on the parable of the prodigal son? I had a family member who has been in Christ’s church her whole life saying that repentance has nothing to do with this parable. She focuses solely on the father’s loving compassion as being the whole point of the parable, and while I…
Read MoreMy boyfriend is pushing to have sex
Question: Good day, Please, I have something bothering me about my relationship. I have been dating my spouse for a year and a half now, but he has been asking for sex recently, and I don’t wish to engage in such activities. For now, we can’t afford money for our wedding. My question is: can…
Read MoreWhat should I do about a prophecy that something bad will happen to me?
Question: Someone claiming to be a prophet told me something bad is going to happen to me. What do I do? Answer: “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. It will come about in that day,” declares the…
Read MoreI am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9
Question: I just had to send you an email. I was reading Luke 16. Part of it made no sense to me. I searched, looking for an answer. I came across your site. I am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9. All I can say is Thank You and God bless you. Hope…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t God remove the temptation?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior in my early twenties. Through a re-commitment of my life, I started studying the Bible when I was in my late twenties and have continued to do so for nearly forty years. I have many Christian friends who are pastors, Bible teachers, friends, etc.,…
Read MoreEvidence that 90% of Earth’s Species Developed at the Same Time
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An analysis of the mitochondrial DNA in 100,000 species showed that there were fewer neutral mutations (variations that have no impact) than expected and that the number of neutral mutations in the various species is basically the same, indicating that these species all began at roughly the same time. The authors’…
Read MoreShould the church accommodate transgender members?
Question: What is the church’s position on those who are transgender? Are there three genders: Male, Female, and Transgender? If someone has transitioned from male to female or female to male, would they be welcomed at your congregation? For example, would Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn) be welcomed or does she have to go back to…
Read MoreThe Words in Red
by Terry Wayne Benton Some have the impression that if we believe the words in red (in red letter editions of the Bible) are more sacred and binding than the other words delivered by the other apostles of Jesus. This reasoning is terribly wrong. First, Matthew wrote over a decade after Jesus ascended to heaven…
Read MoreCan I keep the software I pirated until I can pay the companies back?
Question: I’ve pirated plenty of software. I have stopped, but I need some of the software to get a certification. Is it possible that once I get a job, I could pay back the companies and replace the software with legitimate software? Answer: If a person stole money and they repented, would you expect them…
Read MoreBaptism and the Faithfulness of God
by Matthew W. Bassford Whether most Christians think about it or not, their entire belief system is based on the premise that God is faithful. God’s faithfulness is what makes it reasonable for us to trust in Him and devote our lives to doing His will. We know that if we keep our covenant with…
Read MoreIs it wrong to change your mind? (2)
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I was reading Psalms 15, I noticed it speaks of a man who walks in integrity, and he “changes not his mind.” Does that mean it is wrong to change plans or reschedule with a friend or change one’s mind about doing something? My friend and I were supposed to go to…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible teach about soul mates?
Question: Good evening, I’m trying to understand what the Bible teaches on the matter of “soul mates.” Could you offer some guidance? A coworker of mine asked me today if I believe in soul mates. She’s been married before and divorced for what I understand are unscriptural reasons. She is now dating a man she…
Read MoreAm I not married to my partner after living with her for seven years?
Question: Hello, I came across your website today and read one of your questions and answers topic and found it very interesting and comforting. I want to start by apologizing for the length of this question, but here goes: I have been studying the Bible for a long time and still thoroughly enjoy studying it…
Read MoreMatthew was written for the Jews, so the law on marriage and divorce only applies to the Jews
Question: I was taught that you have to look at who’s talking and who they are talking to. In Matthew 19, Jesus was talking to the Jews, and the Law of Moses was given to the Jews and not the Gentiles, even though Matthew is a New Testament book, so the law on marriage and…
Read MoreTiming the Book of Revelation
by Steve A. Hamilton Timing is everything for the proper interpretation of the book of Revelation. Various theories have developed concerning the interpretation of the Book of Revelation that have been ignored when it was written or when it concludes. These theories take advantage of the symbolic nature of the book to express ideas that…
Read MoreRituals Don’t Cancel Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/RitualsDontCancelSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-14 I. Men get into their minds that they need to make God listen to them A. Like a child holding his breath, they believe that if they suffer, then God will listen B. There were false religions based on self-inflicted pain to gain their god’s attention – I Kings…
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