I threw out the man I lived with after 12 years. So why doesn’t God make him marry me?
Question: I was in a 12-year relationship with a man, who first of all, I now realize that we started off wrong. He had gotten a girl pregnant when I met him. His excuse was “I don’t have a girlfriend, but I’m in a situation.” He was upfront and explained that although this was the…
Read MoreWhat does “reviler” mean?
Question: What does “reviler” mean? Does it mean only calling people names or does it mean swearing? Answer: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat…
Read MoreIs it possible to stop having sex until we marry?
Question: My girlfriend and I committed fornication. I want to change our lifestyle long before, but both of us can’t successfully do it. We did it for almost a year, but then we were tempted. I love her, but both of us are too weak to stay away from sex. Do I need to break…
Read MoreAm I not able to get pregnant because I didn’t tell my husband about my adultery years ago?
Question: Hi Jeff, Stumbling on your website was nothing short of a miracle. I’ve been searching for the same set of questions over the years, but I’ve never seen your website. I’ve lost all the sense of peace I have in this world. I am heavily burdened; I can actually almost touch the burden. I…
Read MoreYour site is very helpful
Question: Thank you for the site. It was very helpful, especially the pictures for the children’s Sunday school. Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreThe New Gnosticism: Intellectualism
by Jeffery Kingry via Truth Magazine, March 22, 1979 The Gnosticism of the first century, which gave the apostles and teachers so much trouble, was a religion, not a philosophy. It was grounded in Dualism, a view that the state of man was divided; that only spiritual things were good, and anything of matter is essentially…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say he was not sent to baptize?
Question: Good morning, First, I would like to say thank you for your work and effort in spreading the gospel. I really enjoy reading things from your site. I’m writing about baptism. I once wrote a pastor about baptism. I was having difficulty believing it was necessary for salvation. I don’t know why. I guess…
Read MoreI don’t know what to do about my life
Question: I been having the same issue for a while now, which feels like forever. What do I do? I am in my mid-twenties. I just got proposed to several months ago and I proposed to my husband recently. We wanted to share our love by sharing vows. My family has had hatred against me…
Read MoreThank you for your sound teaching
Question: As always, thank you brother Jeffrey for all of your extremely sound teachings, lessons, and preaching from our one true Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Praise God through Christ Jesus for blessing you with the gift and talent of preaching and teaching in such a way for us to easily comprehend the words of…
Read MoreIs it sinful to support candidates who openly approve of abortion and same-sex marriages?
Question: Dear Minister, Would it be a sin to lend support to candidates who openly acknowledge their approval of abortion and same-sex marriage? Thank you for your time. Answer: When anyone advocates sin, Christians cannot support the stance. “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death,…
Read MoreCan believing in modern-day miracles affect your salvation?
Question: I am thankful that I found this site. I have someone who believes in miracles. I have addressed this subject to him in full. My question is: Do you think if someone is a born-again Christian and has put on Christ in burial baptism that if they believe in miracles today that it affects…
Read MoreCan I really change after my past?
Question: Hi, I’ve been reading the questions and answers on your site recently. My problem, like a lot of other people, is about fornication and forgiveness. I’m in my mid-twenties, and every time I was involved in a relationship, I found myself becoming so dependent on the guy that I turned away from God and…
Read MoreHow do we keep a two-year-old with autism quiet during services?
Question: Okay, so I have been wondering about this for a while. Our beautiful son, who is two years old, has autism. What we have been doing during worship for a year now is keeping him up late on Saturday night so he will sleep in the “nursing room” most of the morning at worship,…
Read MoreI find it odd that saying something against fellowship halls gets you labeled as a trouble maker
Question: God bless you for your sermon on “Fellowship” halls and kitchens in the church of Christ! There are so many churches turning liberal in their teachings today that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find one that wants to adhere strictly to the teachings of the Bible. It seems like the preachers from Abilene Christian University grow…
Read MoreWhy did Joseph want his bones dug up and buried in the Promised Land?
Question: Why did Joseph want his bones dug up and buried in the Promised Land? Answer: Joseph prophesied that Israel would not remain in Egypt. To demonstrate his confidence in God’s promise, Joseph insisted that when they left, they would take his bones and bury them in Canaan — a land they would not possess…
Read MoreWhy does Ecclesiastes say our spirits return to God, but Jesus says the spirits go to hades?
Question: Why does the Bible say that when we die our spirit returns to God (in Ecclesiastes) and we read the story of the rich man and Lazarus that seems to be in a different location? Answer: “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My husband gambles and my son is an addict
Question: I am reaching out for advice from you. I am just at the end of my rope. I am in a situation that I do not know what to do. I have talked to many many people in the church where I go. Everyone that knows me knows my situation, and I have no…
Read MoreHave Miracles Ceased?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HaveMiraclesCeased.mp3 Text: John 9:14-34 I. Several denominations teach the continuance of miracles A. Proofs offered are based on emotional feelings and indirect evidence (I know a person who heard a person claim they saw …) B. The standard appealed to is what a person thinks is right C. To oppose is taken as the same as calling the…
Read MoreMiracles in the New Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MiraclesInTheNewTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I. Many claim to have miraculous gifts, just like those given in the New Testament A. It doesn’t matter that you or I can show verses that state such gifts were temporary and were going to end. B. It doesn’t matter that most of the big time preachers claiming such abilities…
Read MoreSalvation Is Neither Deserved nor Earned
by Doy Moyer Salvation cannot be earned for the simple reasons that: If deserved, it isn’t salvation. We deserve what we are saved from, not what we are saved to. If deserved, it isn’t grace. Grace grants something good that we don’t deserve. Sin makes it impossible to earn or deserve salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23),…
Read MoreIf God made all animals equal, then why are some extinct?
Question: We had a neighborhood gathering at my house, I got into a heated debate with a college student. I was defending the Bible well, then he said that if God made all animals equal, how come there are extinct animals. Then everything got very quiet as they were about to cut a cake. I’m…
Read MoreMy parents won’t approve of my marriage. What do I do?
Question: Please, I am 23 and my girlfriend is 21. We are both Christians and do not do any silly thing that God is against. My parents are not Christians and uneducated but have put in all efforts for me to get a formal education. My problem is that they won’t endorse my relationship with…
Read MoreHow can Jesus say no man ascended to heaven when Enoch and Elijah did?
Question: If John 3:13 states that no man ascended to heaven except Christ, then how come both Enoch in Genesis 5:24 and Elijah in II Kings 2:1 ascended? Answer: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13). The…
Read MoreWe are already living together, so what do we do until the wedding?
Question: I have enjoyed reading the information on your site. I’m having a similar situation, but I still haven’t received the answer that I’m looking for, even after reading your site. Both my fiancé and I have been living together for almost a year now, and we are getting married. We both have strong believers…
Read MoreReasoning from Scripture
by Doy Moyer No reasoning takes place without drawing conclusions from implications. Just try it. Statements and examples often come with the expectation that we draw further conclusions. The point of reasoning and discerning is that we are capable of taking what is explicitly given, then reasoning to conclusions that are, in fact, necessary. For…
Read MoreYou don’t know everything, so you can’t say denominations are wrong
Question: I am responding to your slander against other churches. It is pretty sad that you talk about things you don’t really have all the answers to. Some of the things you talk about I do agree with, but other things you need to get the facts because your facts are wrong. Here is what…
Read MoreAre ring species evidence of evolution?
Question: I read an e-mail exchange where you were answering a question posed by an ex-Christian, where you stated: Daily Evolution? “If you have evidence of evolution taking place daily, I know a lot of scientist who would like to talk to you. What is usually touted as “evidence” is variation within a species. The existence…
Read MoreRevelation 14 and the Harps
by Doy Moyer I’m dealing here with a very narrow aspect of the question of instruments in worship. In support of the use of instruments in worship, we often hear Revelation 14 brought up. Because this passage is used positively, and because it involves the use of instruments, then this is supposed to prove that…
Read MoreI need to look for another job, but the ones in this area require working every other Sunday. What should I do?
Question: Dear Minister: I am a married woman in the church. As much as I want to not work or work part-time, it is not what my husband wants me to do. I currently have a job that allows me to be off on Sundays. This job will no longer be available soon, and I…
Read MoreI know that there are bad people in churches and being in church won’t save them, but why does God threaten to punish the good people who don’t worship Him?
Question: I am a religious Catholic, who has never been swayed by any sort of religious persecution or negative commentary, whatsoever. I believe that we should not judge other people because that is not our job to do. We are taught to live as good people on this Earth, no matter how ill many people…
Read MorePsallo
by Dan King via Truth Magazine, May 15, 1980 In all likelihood, the most difficult and confusing aspect of argumentation for or against the inclusion of the instrument in worship is that which surrounds the Greek verb psallo. This is true for a number of reasons, but one of the most obvious is the fact that most…
Read MoreCan you answer some questions about my coming out as a homosexual?
Question: I had contacted you once about this. I don’t know if you didn’t get it yet or are too busy to respond or just not interested in being a part of this kind of thing, but here is a little bit about my project to give you more of a feel of what’s going…
Read MoreHow can God kill people and steal their stuff?
Question: As a new Christian, I’m now studying the Old Testament. I am struggling with all the killing and death that God either does himself or makes his people do. I find it extremely difficult to wrap my head around the fact that he sent Moses up the hill and gave him the 10 commandments…
Read MoreHow can prophecy cease when people claim to be prophets today?
Question: First, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to address my questions because it has been bothering me for a while now. I am a born-again Christian and still relatively young in faith. I read on this site that an end to all prophets was declared by apostle Paul in Corinthians. This…
Read MoreDo I have to remain separated from my husband for the rest of my life?
Question: Mine is a difficult question. I am a Christian and have been separated for over 10 years. My husband and I are both Christians actually, I am faithful he is not. Our marriage has been terrible. Alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect left me alone for the first several years which ended up with me committing…
Read MoreHow far should I go in helping a family living in sin?
Question: My father-in-law is in poor health and is moving up here with us so we can help take care of him, and he can spend some time with his grandchildren during his remaining time here. Unfortunately, he’s not a Christian. He was originally going to move in with us but then decided against it,…
Read MoreIs it a good idea for both the husband and wife to work full-time when there is a small child?
Question: Hi brother Jeffrey, I have a full-time job and my wife would like to work outside the home and let our 3-year old child be taken care of by a maid. But I read Titus 2:5 that women are to be keepers at home. Are we sinning if we proceed with our plan that…
Read MoreI’ve improved since I fell into fornication, but how do I make sure it doesn’t happen again?
Question: I would like to seek your advice on some personal issues. I have been able to overcome some of them in recent months, but I still have some and I decided this should come first. About four years ago I attended college in my state. I am really likable, so I have so many…
Read MoreWhy is Proverbs frequently quoted and applied today?
Question: Why is Proverbs frequently quoted as applying today when it is in the Old Testament? Wasn’t the Old Testament done away with? Answer: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Count the number of times…
Read MoreFired Up, But Only Half-Baked
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/FiredUpButOnlyHalfBaked.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hosea 7:1-10 I. We admire those driven by a passion for the things that they do. A. Radio and TV shows that feature people passionately defending their views are popular. B. In religion as well, people are drawn to groups that display rich emotions. C. Passion is wonderful if it is directed…
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