Thank you for the explanation of Exodus 4:24-26
Question: Thank you, Carey, for the explanation and for sharing your resources. It was most helpful. I’m going to read the Bible in a year this year and I came across Exodus 4:24-26, so I’m glad I found this article of yours. Answer: I’m glad you found the article useful.
Read MoreFor if you must be physically immersed in water to be saved, then the blood and Jesus Christ has no power
Question: As a Nazarene Pastor, I wonder about what you have written. As a Christian, I can not judge your salvation. Unless you truly believe that it is the water and not the blood of Christ that saves you. I have read your web site. I am impressed with your research. I was surprised at…
Read MoreWhy didn’t John the Baptist get killed with the rest of the children?
Question: Why didn’t John the Baptist die, as is stated in Matthew 2:16, but lived to adulthood, baptized Jesus, and was ultimately beheaded, or is Matthew 2:16 simply wrong? Answer: When the wise men came, Herod found out where the Messiah was to be born. “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and…
Read MoreThe urge is getting really strong. Should I marry my girlfriend because of this?
Question: Hey, I’m a brother in the church, I’m 21 and I’m a virgin. I am struggling far as thoughts, urges, etc. It’s getting harder each year to contain. Each year the urge gets stronger. I have a girlfriend, she is in the church. She is a great help to the church, and she encourages…
Read MoreI was asked to watch a woman whom the elders suspect is committing fornication. Should I spy on someone because the elders ask?
Question: Good afternoon! I have been a member of the Lord’s church for about three years, after being brought to the church by my college roommate. I have been a dedicated reader of your site since I discovered it and appreciate all of the information provided. I have not seen anything on your website quite…
Read MoreI feel bad because I told the principal that a boy hit my boy and they expelled that boy
Question: Hi, I feel so bad about myself because my boy’s friend hit my boy. I spoke with the principal and I told him that not every school has the program that he needs. My son’s friend has problems but the school doesn’t help. I felt like I did bad, saying what I said. I…
Read MoreShould I leave a congregation with no elders for one that has elders?
Question: I worship at a church of Christ that has no elders. There are qualified men who do not desire the office. There is a sound church of Christ nearby that has elders. Am I putting my salvation in jeopardy? Should I move my membership? My desire is to be pleasing to God. Answer: By…
Read MoreMy husband is a drunk and dying. I don’t want to divorce him. Any advice?
Question: My question is that my husband is an alcoholic, to point of now he has cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C. He is in the end stages of his liver hardening. I have put my trust in Jesus the Father, for which I am grateful. He has been there for me more times…
Read MoreHow do I become more consistent?
Question: I’ve been disobedient and I want to be closer to God. I want him to bless me. The thing is, I’m a very inconsistent person. Most times, deep down, I don’t feel like reading the Bible, which is horrible. Before when I felt like this I forced myself to read it hoping that the…
Read MoreThe Promise of His Coming
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PromiseOfHisComing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 3:1-13 I. The variety of beliefs regarding Jesus’ return is large. A. Many expect Jesus to return to rule here on earth B. II Peter 3 stands as a rebuke to those who desire to see the coming as anything other than what it is – the end of…
Read MoreOur Sole Standard
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/OurSoleStandard.mp3 Text: Ephesians 3:1-13 I. In a discussion with a Roman Catholic, he objected to the idea of staying only with the Bible as our source of authority. A. In particular, he believes that the Spirit uses sources other than the Bible to reveal God’s will B. He argued that the apostles only had a partial revelation…
Read MoreWouldn’t the Jewish Bible, the Torah, be the most accurate since Jesus was Jewish?
Question: Hi, I have a question” I googled “Which Bible is the most accurate?” and I stumbled upon your page. But my question is wouldn’t the Jewish Bible, the Torah, be the most accurate since Jesus was Jewish? Answer: “Torah” refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, which were written by Moses.…
Read MoreSince sex isn’t discussed, how is a couple to know what is or is not allowed in a marriage?
Question: Hello, While I agree completely with everything you said, I struggle with one thing, not about your answer but about sex in marriage. Sex is not discussed, in a church forum, publicly or privately, whether because of modesty, or embarrassment, etc. But as young couples, who come out of a world of sin and…
Read MoreThat’s Not the Way I Would Have Said It
by Doy Moyer You just can’t please everyone. Nor should you try — you’ll just frustrate yourself over and over because no matter what you say or do that would appease one, you’ll run against others who just know they could have said it or done it better. Perhaps they could have. But they aren’t…
Read MoreShould I propose?
Question: I have read some of your answers as regards marriage and making the right choice. I have always prayed to God to give me His perfect will. I have a girl I truly love — we both love each other — and I want to get married to her by God’s grace. How do…
Read MoreIndividual Duty or Local Church Duty?
by Howard Justice During the past half-century, there has been a serious amount of confusion as to how a member of God’s family relates to his role in the family of God and how this service involves the local unit known as the local church. It has presented problems in understanding what a Christian may…
Read MoreCan you help me with some arguments advocating divorce for any reason and remarriage?
Question: Hello, I gave “Are All Divorced Persons Eligible to Remarry?” by Dave Miller at Apologetics Press to my stepfather. He said the author was “narrow”. Before he was baptized he had inquired about his marriage situation and was basically told he is OK. One of the leaders in our congregation actually gave him an article…
Read MoreI have an incurable body odor issue. Why should I continue to live?
Question: My question straight forward and honest is would God send me to hell if I’m tired of living? Let me explain. For many years, I have been dealing with an incurable body odor issue, which causes me to smell of ammonia, regardless of how hygienic I am. This is not a matter of hygiene. …
Read MoreI got baptized for selfish reasons. Do I need to get baptized again?
Question: I was baptized according to the Bible when I was 14. I’m now 20 years old. I have been faithful in the church. However, recently I have been questioning the motive behind my baptism. Now that I look back I knew Jesus had died on the cross for my sins and that when I…
Read MoreMy wife is leaving me after only seven months of marriage. Where does this leave me?
Question: I am 19 years old and recently married my high school sweetheart. Now seven months later she wants a divorce, and it’s not for adultery. Should I refuse to sign for the divorce? And if she continues with the divorce, without my agreement, and later remarries someone else, where does this leave me? Are…
Read MoreBack to Basics: Christ and the Law
by Frank Jamerson When brethren are confused about whether Christ came to fulfill the law and prophets or to perpetuate them, it is time to get back to basics! One brother said, “Continuity of law is evident in Matthew 5:17, in that there is nothing about following Jesus that would be obnoxious to Moses.” He…
Read MoreI decided to stop having sex with the man I’ve been living with for nearly 15 years. Is that wrong?
Question: I have been with my boyfriend for nearly fifteen years. We live together and have a preteen child. It’s a new year and I decided not to have sex with him until he asks me to marry him. Is that wrong? Is it wrong to sleep in the bed with him, even though I…
Read MoreI married a woman to do the right thing, but now I regret it
Question: To make a long story short, 17 years ago I got a woman pregnant. I was living in one state, she was in another. I was there on a visit and had grown up there. I was not saved at the time. I felt guilty because I knew that the woman would drag my…
Read MoreWe didn’t have a wedding ceremony. Am I married?
Question: My case is the same with Am I married? but the difference is I am a woman. I knew it was wrong, but still, I already committed it with my boyfriend. Maybe I loved him or maybe I was infatuated with him. I don’t know because he’s the first man whom I ever felt something.…
Read MoreHow can I express my anger in a way that is healthy and in a way God would want us to?
Question: Hello, I would like to wish you a very happy New Year. This year, I want to focus even more on becoming a better Christian and learning what God requires of us. My question is in regards to anger. Sometimes, like all humans, I get angry in life. The causes for the anger vary…
Read MoreCan I baptize myself?
Question: Hi, Thanks for a good website I have learned a lot from reading questions and answers! Is it possible to support your website financially? I want to ask if you would pray for me so I can get out of my sin. As a person, I used to be confident, but I’m not that…
Read MoreI Desire Mercy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IDesireMercy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 9:9-13 I. In honor of Jesus, the new apostle, Matthew, who was also known as Levi, held a dinner. He invited the people he knew. They weren’t the best in Jewish society: other tax collectors and people involved in various sins. A. Mark 2:16-17 B. The Pharisees saw these people…
Read MoreI had sex before with a different woman. Does that mean I’m committing adultery with the woman I am with?
Question: Please. Please, I have many things I have to ask. A woman took my virginity, but it was only for a night. I’m with a different woman now and have been with her for five years. Is that adultery? Answer: Fornication is when you have sex with someone you are not married to. Thus,…
Read MoreTo Play, or Not to Play: That Is the Question
by Jefferson David Tant Shakespeare’s Hamlet pondered the question: “To be, or not to be. That is the question.” In the following pages, we want to deal with the question: “To play, or not to play. That is the question.” The question continues as it has through many centuries and divisions in the body of Christ as…
Read MoreWhat is “Sexual Immorality” in Matthew 19:9?
by Kyle Butt, M.A. via Apologetics Press Copied by permission. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible repeatedly stresses the fact that God designed the institution of marriage (Genesis 2:22-25). He has, from the beginning of human history, given very specific ideas about what composes a divinely approved marriage (Matthew 19:1-4), consisting of one man and one woman.…
Read MoreImplicitly Forbidden
by Jeff S. Smith Why do preachers often condemn things that are not even found in the Bible? Where do you ever read about gambling or pornography in your Bible? And where is dancing ever expressly forbidden? Obviously, in explicit (fully revealed) terms, these are not forbidden: there is no “Thou shalt not …” regarding…
Read MoreCan a person go to heaven who doesn’t accept God but believes He exists and is good?
Question: Do you think a person who doesn’t accept God but believes He exists can go to heaven if he is a good guy and help others? Answer: You are asking if a person partially obeys God, picking which commands he would like to follow while ignoring the rest of what God said, can he…
Read MoreI think my parents are in an unscriptural marriage. How do I handle this?
Question: Hello, I’ve been in the Lord’s church for 11 years now. My stepfather and mother were baptized a few years after I was. This is my mom’s first marriage (I was born out of wedlock) and my stepfather’s fourth. I’m not sure why he was previously divorced but logic and probability tell me they…
Read MoreShould videos of the gospels being portrayed be used in Bible Class?
Question: Is it unscriptural to use videos in Bible class? Recently, we decided to temporarily have Bible class for our Sunday evening services in order to watch and discuss the movie “The Gospel According to Matthew.” The movie acts out the events of the book of Matthew and uses the words of the book of…
Read MoreWhat is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Question: I don’t understand this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I know it’s not hating or cursing God. I know that in Bible we have examples like when Jesus healed a man and the Pharisees claimed that he use the devil’s power. Still, 2000 years later, people still fear this sin, and no one claims…
Read MorePurity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Purity.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreAm I going to hell?
Question: Hello there, My questions are a little silly but I want to ask you: How bad am I in Jesus’ eyes? Considering the short summary, am I going to hell? I’ll tell you about myself so you can understand the questions. I am 18 years old non-Christian boy who lives a normal life with…
Read MoreYour piece on the use of mechanical instruments in worship was confusing
Question: I read your piece and reasoning on the use of mechanical instruments in worship and could not make any sense of what you were trying to talk about. It sounded like it was written by a Jehovah’s Witness. To say it was confusing would be an understatement and we all know who the author…
Read MoreDo I need to tell my husband about my sinful past?
Question: Hi, I am married, and I wanted to know if I need to tell my husband all my past sexual sins before we met. I was baptized this year and I’m realizing a lot of things I used to do were very sinful. I’m feeling overwhelmed. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home.…
Read MoreMy friend’s wife has attacked him with a knife. She is now seeing another man. Can he remarry?
Question: I found your website to be so accurate to the teaching of the Bible. While so many churches twist the Word of God, your advice is exactly to the point of the teachings of Jesus. I have a friend who is in a situation. My friend was in a relationship with a Christian woman…
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