Brethren with Too Many Relatives
by Edward O Bragwell, Sr. via Guardian of Truth, April 18, 1985 No, I am not talking about a population explosion. I am not even talking about long-lost cousins that surface when someone starts a rumor that we have come into some money. I am talking about relatives as opposed to absolutes. It is near…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven for knowingly sinning by having sex with a prostitute?
Question: Hi, I am a young man, age 22. I came upon this woman, who was a prostitute. I decided to invite her to my place and we slept together. Since that time I became a Christian. I haven’t committed fornication since, but I am scared that God will not forgive me because I did…
Read MoreA housekeeper has been stealing from her employer. Should the matter be brought to the elders or the police?
Question: Good evening Brother Hamilton, I know that the use of the courts to settle disputes between the brethren is, at best, frowned upon during normal circumstances. However, for actual crimes, is it appropriate to press charges rather than using the eldership to confront the individual? I ask because an older family member of mine…
Read MoreWere Adam and Eve married?
Question: Hello! This might be a dumb question but someone brought it up today at school and it was a little confusing. If premarital sex is a sin, Adam and Eve weren’t married, and they had sex. So is that why we are all born in sin? Answer: Actually, it is a very good question.…
Read MoreAm I obligated to marry my fiance?
Question: I somehow made a complete mess of my life and I am hoping to get some perspective on my situation. I am 21 years old. I have been with a man for 4 years. I love him a lot, but I am no longer ‘in love’ with him. We are engaged to be married.…
Read MoreThe Accuser of Our Brethren
by Steve Wallace Via Guardian of Truth, March 20, 1997 In Revelation 12:10 Satan is referred to as “the accuser of our brethren.” The word “accuse” is defined, “(1) to charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, (2) to find at fault; to blame . . .” (Webster 14). Sometimes a person is justly…
Read MoreI just can’t seem to love anyone
Question: I’m writing because I feel completely ruined and came across your web site. I am over 45. I am unable to hold a job of any kind really; although, I should be able to because there is nothing physically wrong with me, and I have multiple college degrees. After a catastrophic event in my…
Read MoreI discovered your site looking for whether animals have souls or spirits
Question: Hi, I just discovered your website when looking for whether animals have souls or spirits. Friends were visiting our home, and we got on the topic. I said to the gentleman that animals have souls but not spirits. He questioned this statement. Now I wanted to try and find it in the Bible to show…
Read MoreHow many commandments are there now?
Question: How many commandments are there 10 or 9 or 11? Could you please confirm, one way or the other, that in the New Testament there are only nine commandments mentioned as commandments? Is that missing commandment is the fourth original commandment “Keep Holy the Sabbath Day”? So does this mean that in the Old…
Read MoreDo we withdraw from members who are attending another congregation for months?
Question: I read brother Hamilton’s article on Cross Congregational Fellowship with keen interest and have this question: Can fellowship be withdrawn from members who have absented themselves from their local congregation for months, but who have gone to another congregation to worship without first advising their local congregation that they will be worshipping elsewhere? Answer: Anyone not…
Read MoreWhen Songs were Greater than Swords
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Short Talk Text: II Chronicles 20:1-29 I. During Jehoshaphat’s reign, Moab, Ammon, and Edom combined to attack Jerusalem A. Jehoshaphat called on God for help B. The answer – II Chronicles 20:15-17 C. They went out without weapons – only songs and praise on their lips – II Chronicles 20:20-23 1. Somehow Ammon and Moab…
Read MoreMy mother threatens not to attend my wedding if I marry my Catholic boyfriend
Question: Hi, I am a 20-year-old daughter and student, currently living with my mother. I have a brother whose age isn’t far different than mine. My parents divorced when we were little, and my mother gained custody of both of us. We’ve been living together since. She is a proud mother with a good constant…
Read MoreIs Dominate Submissive role-playing bad?
Question: What I am doing does not involve sex. I just want to make that part of it clear This is something that brings in fast money, and I’ve been doing it for almost a year. I just don’t want people thinking I’m having sex for money. Everything done is consensual and agreed upon before…
Read MoreIt’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring8ItsFridayButSundaysComing-1.mp3 by Brian Faulkner 2014 Spring Meeting
Read MoreIs it wrong for my boyfriend to stay in my room while having financial trouble?
Question: I’m in a serious relationship. My man is having some financial and accommodation issues. My parents and I decided to assist him until he can stand on his feet. We brought him in to stay with us. We sleep in the same room, but we are not having sex. I want to know if…
Read MoreIs justification through faith? Is a sinner forgiven when he prays?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I was reading your article on the NIV and I found it very informative! I just want to start off by saying thank you I had no idea there were a few discrepancies I needed to be aware of. With regards to this, I had a question. I completely agree with the point…
Read MoreThe Valley of Dried Bones
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring7TheValleyOfDryBones-1.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreDoes a Camel Bone Disprove the Bible?
by Terry Partain Fox News, Yahoo News, Forbes, Duke University, and of course the New York Times have jumped on a story from Tel Aviv University that claims they have finally found evidence that the Bible made a mistake. Could be they think Bill Nye the Science Guy needs a little help. They have found camel bones…
Read MoreWould God forgive me if I left my husband for another man?
Question: I am on my second marriage. Neither my first husband nor myself was faithful during our marriage. I cheated first. My husband now and I have been on ends for about two years, but I believe he has remained faithful. I encountered several men during that time. I gave my life back to Christ…
Read MoreI don’t understand where you are getting gifts of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:16
Question: I was reading one of your Q&A’s Must you speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit? I was a bit confused about this tail end of a verse “They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Why are…
Read MoreJust a Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring5JustAChurch-1.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreYou don’t interpret I Timothy 4:1-4 correctly
Question: I happened upon your site and didn’t have time for the whole thing but I thought I may help you with a correct interpretation of a passage you quote from St. Paul at the top: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving…
Read MoreIs that You O Troubler of Israel?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring4IsThatYouOTroublerOfIsrael.mp3 by Bryan Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreIs it proper for my boyfriend to flirt with other women?
Question: I read one of the answers you gave a girl about kissing her old boyfriend while she was dating another guy, and she felt guilty about it. You said they were not married so it was OK. If my boyfriend and I have an understanding that we’re not going to date anyone else, and there…
Read MoreIs abortion justified to save the life of the mother?
Question: Hello! I was having a debate with my sister and I was wondering if you could help. We were debating about abortion, she says that any way you look at it, abortion is a sin and you are going to hell. But what if you are pregnant and if you were to continue carrying…
Read MoreForbearing One Another in Love
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring3ForbearingOneAnotherInLove.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreAm I forgiven even though I repeat my adultery?
Question: Hi, I am a born-again Christian but have committed adultery as I am also married. I battle with the lustfulness of the flesh, and I don’t know how to manage it. I have prayed for forgiveness, but I still fall into the same temptation. How can I work on this? Am I forgiven, even…
Read MoreHow can there be adultery after divorce ends a marriage?
Question: You said on your website: “When one partner in a marriage commits adultery, the innocent party has the option to divorce the unrepentant adulterer and may marry someone else if he or she so chooses. The adulterer remains bound by the terms of his marriage covenant. Anyone marriage enters into will be adulterous so long as…
Read MoreSince Jesus is going to return with the blast of a trumpet, can’t instruments be used in the worship of him?
Question: If music is not authorized in New Testament worship, even to the point of sin if it is used, then when the Lord returns and that great trumpet sounds, will we then say that it isn’t a time of worship and praise? Are we willing to say that the Lord is in sin because…
Read MoreFed and Led
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring2FedAndLed.mp3 by Brian Faulkner Text: Psalms 23 Introduction: Live in a society that wants no responsibility Welfare mentality Want someone else to do the thinking Little or no investigation Even less concern Do as little as possible Runaway lawsuits to get rich Lottery Want and look for the easiest way out This leads to socialism…
Read MoreOn Being a Christian
by Brian Faulkner March 23-28, 2014 More Fear than Faith Fed and Led Forbearing One Another in Love Is That You O Troubler of Israel? Just a Church? Religious But Not Righteous The Valley of Dry Bones It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming
Read MoreMore Fear than Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring1MoreFearThanFaith.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreHow do I correct a lie that I’ve told for years?
Question: I lied for several years about something, and the substance of the lie is probably known by many people in college. It was just something to help my image; however, I recognize sin is sin. It is likely not criminal or anything of a serious kind. Do I need to confess to everyone, some…
Read MoreAre animal guides compatible with Christianity?
Question: I’m a teen and I got in trouble with my mom just for trying to contact my spirit animal. She said not to do it again because she does not want me to get possessed by a demon. She did not explain to me how or why. I was reading this question and answer…
Read MoreSince my girlfriend and I can’t have sex until we are married, is masturbating a sin?
Question: Hi, I would like to say I have spent the past month searching around and will be glad if you can give me the right answer. I am 26 years old man, have a spouse and we have a daughter. May I say we had a daughter before we were spiritually enlightened? We then…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a Christian to join a secular organization?
Question: Dear minister, I’m grateful I stumbled onto your site. It has been very helpful in finding answers to many specific questions I have. Thanks for your sound and biblical advice. It’s hard to find these days. I have a question about Habitat for Humanity. I’ve recently been going through a personal struggle at church.…
Read MoreWas the standard for priests to have short hair and trimmed beards?
Question: I was wondering about Ezekiel 44:20, “They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well-trimmed.” I was wondering: Was this a standard for the priests before this time or was this instituted later? I can’t seem to find it for the priests beforehand. But…
Read MoreShould I divorce my husband for gambling away our money?
Question: I really need advice. My husband will not stop gambling no matter what I say. He gambles every single penny we have. He gambles every single day if he has the money. He will not pay any bills and all the income he gets goes toward gambling. He even takes our son, who is…
Read MoreBetrayal of David and Jesus
by Joe Works David Jesus As David was being betrayed, he crossed the Brook Kidron (II Samuel 15:23) As Jesus was being betrayed, he crossed the Brook Kidron (John 18:1) David prayed that God’s will be done with him (II Samuel 15:26) Jesus prayed that God’s will be done with Him (Luke 22:42) He went…
Read MoreShould I have our child in his country or mine?
Question: Hello, I came across your website recently and I found the articles I read very helpful. I used to be a Christian, but in the last year or so I walked away from it. Honestly, I’m not sure how to start back in the situation I’m in. People are aware that I’m not involved in…
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