Is it wrong to avoid doing something because I don’t want to be embarrassed?
Question: Hello, I have a question. Is not wanting to be embarrassed a sin? Or is fearing what people would think of you a sin? I really think I had some form of OCD years back that I am now trying to fully rid out of my life. I had this habit of picking up…
Read MoreWhy was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
Question: Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul? Answer: We aren’t told. As Saul began teaching among the Gentiles, he switched his name from Saul to Paul. The transition is noted in Acts 13:9. Some speculate that Paul wanted to disassociate himself from his past when he persecuted the church. But this would only be…
Read MoreHow do I stop committing fornication? (2)
Question: Good afternoon sir, I am a 26-year-old guy. Please, I have been having challenges with stopping fornication. Even after hearing the word, I still find myself misbehaving and this happens when I am really determined to set my heart spiritually before God. Sir, I also really want a true destined wife for myself, someone…
Read MoreSinging with Understanding
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SingingWithUnderstanding.mp3 by Alex Hamilton
Read MoreIs the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23?
Question: Is the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23? If the diameter of the laver is 10 cubits, then shouldn’t the circumference be 31 cubits? Answer: “And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line…
Read MoreI’ve been so lonely that I’ve gotten involved in pornography. How do I get back on track?
Question: Thank you for your web site. I feel quite happy to read such great answers and feel inspired to follow Jesus Christ in the right way. For the past few months, I have been feeling very lonely and depressed despite being surrounded by wonderful friends. I have started to withdraw from people and question…
Read MoreHow do you stop being lazy?
Question: I know that being lazy in general is a sin, but it’s really hard to stop. I do well and then I backtrack. I even stopped my gluttony issues when it comes to food, but this is something I’m struggling with. Any help? Answer: Laziness is an attitude of wanting to get by with…
Read MoreShouldn’t my wife tell me who she had her affair with?
Question: My wife had an affair for about a month that she confessed to. I was in the hospital with a stroke for several weeks and she spent several nights at this person’s house. Although she has admitted to the affair she refuses to tell me with who. She says she is not telling me…
Read MoreAm I wrong to be unhappy that my wife continues to visit the grave of her former boyfriend?
Question: My wife often visits the grave site of her former boyfriend who she dated for around 10 years. He was also very close with my in-laws. Initially, I wasn’t opposed to it for we weren’t married. However, since we are now married I expressed my displeasure with this matter and also the fact that…
Read MoreHow do I earn God’s love back?
Question: Dear Jeff, I find myself asking you questions in the wee hours of the morning. I get so conflicted with questions and loneliness that I don’t know where else to turn. But anyway, my question is: How do I earn God’s love back? I’ll give context first before continuing. Lately, I’ve been putting God…
Read MoreJesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners
by Terry Wane Benton There is no doubt that Jesus was among publicans and sinners and ate with them. What was He doing? Was he gambling with them? Was He smoking with them? Drinking intoxicating drinks with them? Cursing and laughing at dirty jokes? Was He being complicit with them as they sinned more? One…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between sin, iniquity, and abomination?
Question: Is there any difference between sin and iniquity, and is there any difference between sin and abomination? Answer: “Sin” generally translates the Greek word harmartia. It means to err, to miss the mark or the goal. Harmartia and its related forms are the most general word describing that which is sin. In Hebrew, the word is chatta’ah, which…
Read MoreIs a person responsible for the lies an aunt may have made when she was three?
Question: Hi, A person immigrated to this country over thirty years ago as a child (age 3). The aunt of the person might have told immigration that the child was her natural child instead of revealing that the child had been adopted. Is the child responsible to God for this matter or is it just…
Read MoreDo you accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the Bible?
Question: I am thinking of going to this church, but I would like to know: do the churches of Christ accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the documents and books of the Bible? Answer: If there are that many mistakes, then how do these people know they are mistakes? In other words, what…
Read MoreAm I married because I did sexual acts with my girlfriend?
Question: I am 21 years old. I have been dating a girl my same age for about 6 months. We are both baptized Christians but have made serious mistakes. About a month ago, she gave me a hand-job. This happened three times but after the third time, I felt awful about it and have told…
Read MoreWhat if someone is allergic to an element of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: How do people with severe allergies take communion? If someone has a severe allergy to gluten or flour or something else that is needed to make the bread, what are they supposed to do? Can they bring their own tapioca wafer or are they merely doomed to Hell? What about the fruit of the…
Read MoreAre the Books of Mormonism from God?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In the days of Moses, God told His people that prophets would come to tell them what He wanted His people to do. Yet, how would the people know that a person who claimed to be from God really was from God? God pointed out two straight-forward tests: “If there arises…
Read MoreWhat is the doctrine of laying on of hands?
Question: This is my third year after being added to the body. Somehow, I often find myself in intense discussions with friends and relatives regarding certain areas of belief. Many times I can hold my own, but when it comes to laying on of hands, I’m not certain how to discuss this. When I read…
Read MoreShould I marry the woman I committed adultery with as a second wife?
Question: Dear Minister, I am a young man married to one wife for the last four years. My wife is now five months pregnant. Unfortunately, I committed adultery with another young woman and she is one month pregnant. We have made it a secret not to tell my wife until when the child is born…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for a congregation to have men in their twenties as treasurers?
Question: Hi there, Our congregation has just appointed two men in their mid-twenties as our treasurers. Is this scriptural? I always thought it should be older men. Our congregation also doesn’t have elders or deacons. Answer: Typically the physical needs of a congregation are handled by deacons, but the congregation where you are doesn’t have…
Read MoreIs it wrong to want to smash pumpkins in protest of Halloween?
Question: This one was really on my mind, and I was reminded of a Bible verse: “Be angry and sin not.” I’m not sure where it came from, but I remember hearing it from another brother. The thing is that I see all these costumes. You have the girl costumes which are skimpy and you…
Read MoreHow do you do it all?
Question: This is a vast site, Jeff. I still think it’s crazy how you’re a preacher and yet you answer most of these questions. How do you do it all? Do you like, take turns answering questions, or do you devote an entire day answering things? Whatever you do I’m all for it. I want…
Read MoreDoes a person in an adulterous marriage have to get divorced first before he can be baptized?
Question: The following scenario has been presented to me by another person for my thoughts and guidance on it: I have a tough situation. A man I’ve known most of my life was baptized the other day. This man was in adultery. The church went ahead and baptized him. I don’t know all the details…
Read MoreAll Christians Are Priests
by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined A study of the New Testament reveals that all Christians are priests. Peter said, “You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5; The New Catholic Translation). Thus, all Christians…
Read MoreAddiction
by William C. Sexton The word addiction is one we usually associate with drugs. An “addict” is defined as “one who has a confirmed habit, as the overuse of drugs…” (Webster’s). If we look, however, we can see that one can be addicted to almost anything; that is, to have a “confirmed habit.” I suggest…
Read MoreWhat does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean?
Question: In the song, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”, what does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean? Answer: “In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.” “Rapture” is an older English word for “a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.” Therefore,…
Read MoreDoes Romans 14 mean homosexuals should be accepted without passing judgment?
Question: I am an agnostic atheist, and I am interested in your response to my question: If you believe homosexuality is unnatural, why does your God allow it? This verse supports my opinion: Romans 14:1-4, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes…
Read MoreHow do I help a girl who has abusive parents?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton! I’ve written to you before and I greatly appreciate your site, which I visit almost daily. I know you’re busy, so I’ll try to keep this somewhat brief (I am greatly sorry for the length). I’m also going to try and present an objective account, though it is from my perspective,…
Read MorePunished in Jesus’ presence or away from his presence?
Question: One of the seeming “contradictions” I want to give an answer to is found in these two Scriptures: “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:9). “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone…
Read MoreOn Using the Bible to Prove the Bible
by Doy Moyer via Mind Your Faith The charge is sometimes made against biblical apologists that they just use the Bible to prove the Bible. The implication, of course, is that this is circular reasoning and, therefore, erroneous. They want other sources outside the Bible that verify it, not the Bible itself. Once they set the…
Read MoreDid Jesus gain the power to do miracles because he fasted?
Question: Before Jesus began his ministry, he was led to the desert where he was tempted. He fasted the whole period. Many in the denominations claim he was empowered two perform miracles after his fast, such as turning water into wine, etc. In their claim, two miracle-working powers popular are that they fasted for a…
Read MoreHow can I know which way is right when I can logically prove sin isn’t always wrong?
Question: I continue to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and lived then died for the sins of the world and then was resurrected. However, recently I’ve become confused by all the different interpretations of the Bible and all of these people claiming to be right and inspired by God. I realized that…
Read MoreIs there more to the book of Esther, beyond chapter 10, or does it end at verse 3?
Question: Is there more to the book of Esther, beyond chapter 10, or does it end at verse 3? Thank you. Answer: The Roman Catholic Church and the various Orthodox churches accept several additions to the Old Testament, among them is a set of additions to the book of Esther. These additions are only known…
Read MoreThe Problem of Hell
by Doy Moyer via Mind Your Faith The problem of hell is, in some ways, another facet of the problem of evil. Hell is eternal separation from God and all that is good and blessed. How can we believe in a loving, powerful God who would also cast people into an eternal destination of pain and…
Read MorePlease Judge Me
by Bryan Gibson That’s right, it’s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many — “don’t judge me.” Me personally, I want to know when I’m wrong — in any area of my spiritual life. I do “examine (my) own work” (Galatians 6:2); I do “judge” myself (I Corinthians 11:31), but…
Read MoreGiven to Change (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton “My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?” (Proverbs 24:21-22) To be “given to change” is to be reckless. This is not a person who is careful to…
Read MoreYour ignorance of Scripture is shown in your misquote of the Rosary
Question: I am truly amazed at your ignorance of Scripture, as an example, you erroneously present the alleged Lord’s Prayer as part of the Rosary. Show me where in the Scripture (which you got from the Catholic Church) the heretic words…”For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” I cannot…
Read MoreMy girlfriend can’t get an ID, so we can’t get a marriage certificate. Should we get married without the government being involved?
Question: Hello, I am concerned about a marriage oath before God. My girlfriend’s birth certificate and social security card have two different last names due to her mother’s error 20 years ago. Everyone in the system gives her the runaround and we cannot get this fixed. Because of this, she cannot obtain an i.d.; therefore,…
Read MoreIs it biblical to sow seed (money) every time we seek something from God as some prophets and pastors claim?
Question: Is it biblical to sow seed (money) every time we seek something from God as some prophets and pastors claim? Answer: First off we have a problem because there are no modern-day prophets. So we are dealing with people pretending to be something God doesn’t approve of. See: Prophets Today? Think Again! Latter Day…
Read MoreThe Poor Lame Man and the Church
by Terry W. Benton Just shortly earlier than the scene in Acts 3 is the story of the beginning of the church and the fellowship they had with each other (Acts 2:42f), the selling of possessions to divide among all the saints that had need (due to the unexpected overstay that they, as former unbelieving…
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