How do I repent for getting drunk?

Question: This is with deep regret that I am asking this. This past Saturday my neighbors threw a going-away party for my wife and me. I ended up getting drunk in front of all of my peers and I feel terrible. I have worked so hard to be the best Christian possible. My question is…

Read More

Your sermon was a blessing to me and my church

Question: Thank you so much for the sermon “The Lord is My Help and My Deliverer” on your church’s website. I am so blessed spiritually when I read this teaching. When I shared this teaching in our church many people were blessed and touched by this teaching. I really feel the presence of God when…

Read More

Was a woman forced to marry her rapist?

Question: So in Deuteronomy 22:28-29, it says “If a man finds a girl, a virgin not engaged, and lays hold on her, and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife. Because he…

Read More

Belief, Baptism, and Signs Following – Still Today?

by Larry Ray Hafley Here is the text of Mark 16:15-20: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In…

Read More

Miraculous Gifts as They Are Designated in the Scriptures

by Gilbert Alexander Jesus touched the eyes of a blind man and he saw Mark 8:22-25 Miraculous gifts, or spiritual gifts, as they are designated in the Scriptures were given to the apostles for specific purposes. They were given directly to the apostles when the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost…

Read More

Are humans omnivores?

Question: Common Sense – Humans are not natural carnivores Many believe humans are omnivores and perfectly adapted to eating meat.  To think so is not using our good sense of reason.  Humans, as Harvey Diamond explains, are not natural carnivores: “A carnivore’s teeth are long sharp and pointed – all of them!  But we have…

Read More

Can a Christian offer a pledge of allegiance?

Question: Hello. I have some questions concerning whether patriotism is permissible for a Christian. I would like to know your views on matters such as the pledge of allegiance and military service. I am coming from a perspective taught to me by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs I have studied for some time. I do…

Read More

Why do you have so many questions pertaining to sex on your church website?

Question: Why do you have so many questions pertaining to sex on your church website?  It is very inappropriate and perhaps you are forgetting the Bible verse that states there are certain things you shall not discuss in public because they are so shameful. Answer: “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor…

Read More

How can we do better at studying the Scriptures?

Question: Hi, First of all, I want to thank you for the many articles and sermons on your website. They have been very helpful and it is encouraging to have access to so much information regarding God’s word. I was recently talking to my girlfriend about becoming each other’s accountability partner for reading and studying…

Read More

Total Depravity or Total Inability

by Terry W. Benton Calvinism is commonly summarized and remembered by the use of an acrostic formula using the word TULIP. The first letter stands for “Total Depravity” or “Total Spiritual Inability”. Let me let a Calvinist explain what is meant by this term. “Total depravity is a concept that everyone including the elect and…

Read More

Church Autonomy

by Robert Turner “Autonomy” is a compound word, composed of autos, meaning “self,” and nomos, meaning “law.” An ordinary dictionary will tell us the word means “self-ruled,” so that an autonomous church is “self-governed, without outside control.” There are those who reject the concept of God and revelation, saying ultimate authority is in man. To…

Read More

Thank you for your article on sex before marriage

Question: I would just like to thank you for your article on sex before marriage. I am a young teen, and I was lost before I found your site. Thank you so much! I will never forget you! Answer: Glad to have helped. Thank you for letting me know.

Read More

Should a preacher say, “I break all generational curses on you”?

Question: Why do so many preachers pray over people by saying “I break all generational curses on you”? I read what you wrote about God visiting the iniquities of the fathers on their children, but I still need biblical verses to disprove these preachers and convince myself. Answer: “For the time will come when they will…

Read More

Should things that have occultist symbols in them be avoided?

Question: I have a question about occultic symbolism in the media. I saw a pastor in a video preach about how a lot of Disney cartoons and movies for kids have sexual and satanic symbolism. He also said that other cartoons and video games have evil symbolism as well. Now I have a question about…

Read More

Is Jesus literally God’s son or is it a title?

Question: Since Jesus is the Son of God, the Father, is he literally His son or is it more of a title? I was thinking how Mormons say Jesus and Satan were sons of God as if He bore them. I understand the Godhead. They are three separate but all three together make the one…

Read More

Is it a sin to take out insurance?

Question: Is it a sin to take out medical insurance or legal insurance? Are we rather expected to put our faith in the Lord to take care of those things? Answer: We were taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), but God still commands us to work. “For even when…

Read More

Your articles are helpful, informative, and well-written

Question: I’ve just read several of the articles on your website and wanted to express my appreciation.  The information is very helpful and informative – not to mention well written.  I have recently been studying the Bible – not just reading it – and your articles have been very beneficial.  Thank you and may God…

Read More

Why are flowers sent at funerals?

Question: The Apostle Paul mentioned our bodies, like seeds, will die, and then the raised spirit sprouts like a flower from the dead seed. Which scripture is this? I thought that was a beautiful explanation. Is this why flowers are sent when death occurs? Answer: I believe you are thinking of: “But someone will say,…

Read More

Is there anything wrong with the concept of naturism?

Question: Is there anything wrong with the concept of naturism? It seems that naturism is a concept built on the need to be healthy, peaceful, to feel free, and let others too, in coordination with nature. It gives freedom from a stressful life. Various governments have promoted it at beaches for various reasons. I like…

Read More

Facebook

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Facebook.mp3 by PJ Anderson

Read More

Why do Christians always try to justify the Bible’s error?

Question: Peace be with you, My dear friend, why do Christians always try to justify the Bible’s error? Answer: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a…

Read More

How do I speak to my friends who are homosexuals?

Question: Hello, I found your answers on this page very helpful: How do I tell someone they are sinning? I’m hoping you can help me speak to several friends I have who are gay. Most of them do not go to church or say that they were shown nothing but hatred by people who called themselves…

Read More

Does the Bible speak against getting married at a young age?

Question: I’m currently 17, and I’m engaged to a man who is 25. I am ready for marriage and understand what comes with marriage. I’m aware it is not a game and that it is not easy. Does the Bible speak against getting married young? We have never had sex and plan on waiting until…

Read More

When are promises binding?

Question: Does it work like this? When we make a promise we are bound to do what we promised. The moment we confess and are sorry for making any promise we had made that very moment the binding is removed and has no more hold over us ever again after that ever again. It will…

Read More

I think I need to stop sinning, get baptized, and follow Jesus

Question: I appreciate what you have written, and I agree with you. Honestly, I’m a Catholic, but I don’t practice a lot of things that Catholics do. I consider myself a Christian because in my heart I have to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and his teaching. Of course, I’ve not always been successful.  I’ve…

Read More

How do I stop myself from committing fornication?

Question: I am a Christian in my early twenties. I committed fornication when I was trying to help a lady. She wanted a place to sleep for the night before continuing her journey the next day. That was over a month ago. Last week she visited me. I couldn’t stop myself. Again I had sex…

Read More

I repeated my fornication after getting baptized. Am I unforgivable?

Question: I once was living a very sinful life. I wasn’t going to church. I was committing fornication with my girlfriend as well as many other sexual sins. I was willfully and deliberately sinning. Over the winter break I realized that if I did not change my way of life, I knew where I was…

Read More