How Did the Elephant Get Its Long Trunk?
by Bryan Sharp How did the elephant get its long trunk? In his fairy tale, “The Elephant’s Child,” Rudyard Kipling fictionally describes how the elephant got its long trunk. Originally, we are told, elephants had short noses, but one day a young elephant got too close to the river and was attacked by a crocodile.…
Read MoreWhat do we do, now that a member has confessed to being a pedophile?
Question: A week ago a brother in Christ has confessed to his wife (our sister in Christ) that he’s been molesting several little kids. He came forward because he’s been caught. He repented in front of the church (not giving any details). He asked the congregation to pray for him regarding his sexual problems and…
Read MoreThe Redemption in Christ: An Examination of Romans 3:19-5:21
by Sean P. Cavender Paul indicted all people, both Jew and Gentile, as guilty of sin before God (Romans 3:19). It is due to man’s ungodliness that the wrath of God is revealed, and He will judge all sin as worthy of death (Romans 1:18,32). The reality of sin is frightening and condemning. What is…
Read MoreFaith and Works (Sharp)
by Keith Sharp The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is fundamental to Protestant theology. The old Methodist Discipline stated, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” The Standard Baptist Manual, by Edward T. Hiscox teaches, “… the great gospel blessing which Christ secures…
Read MoreWhy Get Married?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WhyGetMarried.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 2:18-24 I. Society’s attitude toward marriage has changed drastically over the last few decades. A. Fewer people are marrying while at the same time homosexuals are demanding the right to marry. B. I’ve been told in recent years: 1. “My parents divorced. I don’t want to put my kids through that,…
Read MoreYou Shall Not Murder (Dearman)
by Jim Dearman “You shall not murder!” That was God’s command as part of the Ten Commandments, and it is reinforced in the New Testament. In Romans 13:9, the apostle Paul refers to the commandment from Exodus 20:13. There he writes, “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall…
Read MoreHow can I forgive my husband for his adultery?
Question: I have been married for almost 25 years and found out several weeks ago that my husband has had an affair. I knew something was wrong but was too blind to know what for the past two years and sought Christian counsel to help me. One person asked me if I thought he could…
Read MoreWho started the church in Rome?
Question: Hi Jeff, Got a quick question for you. Do we know who started up the congregation in Rome? Of course, we know that it wasn’t Paul from the way he words his epistle to them, but I wondered just who did or if we even know. Thanks. Answer: The quick answer is, no, we…
Read MoreWhy does my wife despise me?
Question: I desperately need godly counsel concerning my marriage. Let me start out by setting up the scenario first. I met my wife at church when I was a teenager. We were friends for the first few years, then started dating, and then got engaged. She is the only woman I have ever dated or…
Read MoreShould we move near each other before getting married?
Question: Hello, I need some advice. You see, my girlfriend and I have been friends for a while. We prayed together and made sure we were the ones for each other before we did anything. Our relationship is definitely God-centered. It’s so amazing! But we are in a long-distance relationship. I live in a different…
Read MoreHow can I get faith?
Question: I really need some advice. You see, I’ve tried to follow the path of Christ so many times I don’t even think I can count. I have never been baptized, but I want to. I’m just scared “what if I get baptized and I backslide?” I want to follow the path, but I just…
Read MoreCan a former murderer be forgiven and be able to work?
Question: Dear Minister, I committed murder at the age of 19 and spent the next 21 years in prison. I was released several years ago. I have been trying to figure out if I can truly be forgiven for the murder that I committed, and if so, just how do I get forgiven, and attempt…
Read MoreThe man I committed adultery with is trying to force me to marry him. What should I do?
Question: I have a child whom I had with a man to whom I am not married. Actually, I’m still married to another man whom I left because of physical, and mental, and emotional abuse. My child’s father has since been confirmed to the Catholic church. He calls our child a bad word for illegitimate.…
Read MoreHow Long Was the Egyptian Bondage?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HowLongWasTheEgyptianBondage.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 12:30-41 I. As Christians, we need to be prepared to make a defense – Jude 3; I Peter 3:15 A. People don’t want to follow God’s word, so they figure if they can cast doubt in one area, they can ignore the Bible in all areas. B. One way is…
Read MoreThe article “Command or Custom” is wonderful!
Question: Greetings! Thank you for this wonderful article! In my 2+ years of Internet research of I Corinthians 11, I must tell you this is the best article I have ever read that proves I Corinthians 11 is talking about a physical covering and not a woman’s hair as a covering and that it was not custom or cultural practice “back then” and that it…
Read MoreWhat do you do when the elders are not listening to the congregation?
Question: Hello, I’m a member of the church of Christ. I just read the article “Majority vs Elder Rule”. Our congregation is currently going through something that. I, myself, personally have never experienced it. We have elders who are not really being the leaders they should be, and in this case, with the majority of…
Read MoreIf I want something so badly that I think I would be willing to go to hell to get it, and then I do get it, will I end up in hell?
Question: Hi, I’ve been very scared of not going to heaven and going to hell. When I really want something, I sometimes think I would burn in hell just to have it happen. It sometimes actually does happen, and it really scares me because I thought I’d burn in hell to have it happened. Does…
Read MoreWe haven’t done anything really bad, so why are our lives so difficult?
Question: Hi there, I hope you are doing fine. I am only 19. I’m married, my husband is 20. Neither of us has done anything really really bad in our lives, but yet we are suffering like we are the worse people on earth. Of course, we have sinned, but this is just ridiculous. I…
Read MoreWas I too impatient when I gave my mother constructive criticism?
Question: Hello, I am really into Christianity and trying to learn and grow, but they still seem to be rather worldly. I am trying to lead by example, but I wonder if that is enough. The knowledge that they could die at any time makes me want to be rather hasty and get on them…
Read MoreHow do you handle an annoying younger brother?
Question: Hi, I read one of your answers to a similar question, and I was hoping you could help me with mine: I’m 17 and I have a younger brother, age 14. The past few days he has been using really bad words –words that would make anyone angry. He has been avoiding me, constantly…
Read MoreShould a government legislate morality?
Question: I have had a question for some time now, and have found it difficult to find clear answers in the Scriptures. I know there are many Old Testament accounts, but as far as a New Testament church, it seems quite muddy to me: Should a government legislate morality? I attend a church that has…
Read MoreAre the teachings of the Christian Science church Christian enough?
Question: Are the teachings of the Christian Science church Christian enough? Answer: Christian Science only follows the teachings of Jesus in part. It denies that the Bible is complete (II Timothy 3:16-17). It doesn’t think the Bible has everything need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). It doesn’t think that God’s teaching was given…
Read MoreMust you marry in the church you attend?
Question: Is it compulsory to marry in the church you attend? Why? Answer: Marriage has existed from the time the world was created (Genesis 2:24). It is not defined by any church or denomination. It was given to all of mankind and existed long before the church. Where a couple gets married makes no difference.…
Read MoreI’m hurt that my daughter wants to buy her stepmother a gift, but never talks about getting a gift for me
Question: I’m hurt that my daughter wants to get her stepmom a gift for Mother’s Day. My daughter has never asked me to buy a gift. The step mom is my former husband’s mistress who is now his wife, but my daughter doesn’t know this. She and my husband were so opened with their affair…
Read MoreConverting a Soul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/ConvertingASoul.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-7 I. When dealing with people, it should not surprise anyone that there will be disagreements. A. Being people, each individual has his own mix of ideas and desires. B. The true difficulty comes in getting others to do what needs to be done when they aren’t inclined to do…
Read MoreWhy does I Corinthians 13 list three gifts as stopping when I Corinthians 12 lists nine gifts?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I have something that came to mind about I Corinthians 13:8-10, in these verses it names three gifts that ended but in chapter 12 there are nine spiritual gifts. How do I explain to someone the other six ended as well? Thank you. Answer: When we deal with a long list of…
Read MoreHow do you handle a 10-year-old making critical remarks?
Question: Hello, Your website is great and very helpful. My question is about my niece, who is 10 years old. She has had a sudden change in her personality in school, Sunday school, and at home. She has become critical of everybody and is commenting on everything, so as to make people around her laugh.…
Read MoreWhy does Peter say the Law was hard to bear when Moses said the Law was not hard?
Question: I would like clarification on Acts 15:10 where Peter said the Law was a yoke too hard to bear, and in Deuteronomy 30:11 where God said it was not hard. Also in Luke 1:6 where they followed perfectly the commands. Seems a conflict in thought that I can’t figure out. Thanks. Answer: “For this…
Read MoreWhat are endless myths and genealogies?
Question: Regarding I Timothy 1:4-6: In verse 4 what are the myths and endless genealogies being talked about? And in verse 6 and verse 3 who are the “some men” or the “certain men” who are teaching false doctrine? Thanks. Answer: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that…
Read MoreIs taking an antidepressant for fibromyalgia just an easy way out?
Question: Hi, I’m going to have some tests for fibromyalgia, etc., due to body pains. My doctor wants to put me on antidepressants for when I have flare-ups and for stress. I don’t want to use medicine as a crutch, and I have asked God for his help on this. I try to tough it…
Read MoreShould churches observe Advent?
Question: Thought’s on Advent: Christ coming into the world, anticipating his second coming. Obviously preaching and teaching about Christ coming into the world and preaching and teaching about the fact that Christ will return again can be scheduled anytime during the year but for those who make Advent a November through December tradition, what are your thoughts?…
Read MoreDoes Moses and Elijah on the Mountain prove that the dead can be involved in life?
Question: I read your post in response to a question posted by someone on why Protestants don’t say the rosary. But one thing I need more clarification on is this statement you made: “Besides, the Bible is very clear that those who have died are no longer aware of events on this earth.” My question is…
Read MoreHow could Revelation be about the fall of Rome when Rome didn’t fall until AD 476?
Question: I intend to start teaching on Revelation soon. I have a decent basic understanding of the book so far, but I have some unanswered questions about it. I believe that John wrote the book around 95 AD during Domitian’s reign. From what I’ve read, John was released under Nerva’s two-year reign. Also, I don’t…
Read MoreWill there be sex in heaven?
Question: My friend and I were up late recently. We like to have conversations on spiritual matters or currents debates. We started talking about what we imagine Heaven to be like. He mentioned there would be sex in heaven. I was so surprised. I asked him if he really thought there to be sex in…
Read MoreMy son just died of a drug overdose
Question: My son just died of an overdose and you judgmental hypocritical sheep wouldn’t know up from down. Answer: I’m sorry to hear of your grief. I’m a bit puzzled why you think someone literally on the opposite side of the world had something to do with this. I realize that you are just looking…
Read MoreShould I warn a friend about her current boss?
Question: My wife and I have been friends with a lady at church and worked with her over the last four years. Over the years I have become this lady’s confidant to which my wife says “back off.” The lady and I have assured my wife that it’s an innocent work ethic between us. In…
Read MoreIs a church without elders not following the Scriptures?
Question: There are three churches of Christ in my town. I have attended all three. There is one, smaller than the other churches, that has had no elders or deacons for about 15 years. My wife likes to go there. However, when I ask about the need for elders and deacons, I hear from some…
Read MoreShould I just stop asking for child support payments?
Question: I am a single mother with a young son. The child’s father and I are not on speaking terms. However, I have started growing closer with the Lord and looking at life differently. First, my child is an infant and the issue between his father and I began while I was pregnant. When my…
Read MoreI want to move on after my boyfriend left
Question: It’s been three years since we started dating. It all began because we had sex. We are trying to do the right thing by dating and getting married one day so that we would remain each others’ first. We couldn’t stop the sexual sin. Now we have broken up. I feel like I am…
Read MoreWhy is my husband committing adultery?
Question: Hello! I was on your site and I wanted to ask a question. My husband (who was a minister when we married) started cheating on me years ago after a pastor prophesied over him the year before and told him, “Don’t ever forsake your wife or it will detrimental unto you.” Long story short,…
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