If you charged for use of your website, I’d be broke

Question: Thank you! If you charged for use of your website, I’d be broke. Answer: “Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?” (II Corinthians 11:7). I’m glad to be of service.

Read More

Am I responsible for my boyfriend turning from Christ?

Question: When I was about 17, I moved congregations with my family, and shortly thereafter their gospel meeting was upcoming. During that week a boy was invited and a few weeks later he obeyed the gospel. Honestly, over time I knew he was trouble, but I guess I just ignored it– but then about a…

Read More

Why did my uncle die young? How can we know he is OK?

Question: I have recently lost my uncle due to a short illness. He was only in his thirties. When I read your website it only refers to people dying young as wicked. This confuses me as my uncle was a very good man at heart. Yes, he was not a saint but he had a…

Read More

Is there any certain prayer of forgiveness for fornication?

Question: Hi, I’m a Catholic. I’m in need of advice! I’ve committed fornication with a girl I’m in a relationship with! I prayed to God for forgiveness! Is there any certain prayer of forgiveness to pray for the sinful acts I’ve done? I don’t want to turn my back on God again. I only want…

Read More

I can’t seem to get my parents interested in true Christianity

Question: Hello, I could really use some advice. I am wanting to make a move to one of the churches that you recommended, but my parents don’t share my enthusiasm about trying to follow Christ’s teachings accurately. Less than half an hour ago my mom told me she would rather finish a movie than read…

Read More

What intimacies are allowed or not allowed to engaged couples?

Question: My girlfriend and I are very grateful to the Lord for the love and gift we are to each other. We love the Lord and want to honor Him and His law for us as an unmarried but betrothed couple. We are committed to saving sex for marriage. I am searching deeper into His…

Read More

Are Christians only allowed to talk to Christians?

Question: Hello, Does the Bible say that we’re not allowed to talk to anyone who’s not a Christian? If so, what happens if a Christian does talk to someone who’s not a Christian? Thanks! Answer: I’m scratching my head trying to figure out where such an idea could possibly come from. It would be impossible…

Read More

Why do I feel like I’m failing?

Question: Hi, Before I go any further, a little about myself. Almost two years ago I broke up from my first relationship that lasted about a year and a half. I admit I committed fornication, but when I realized it was a sin, I thought it was too late and God would not forgive me.…

Read More

The Prudent Person

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PrudentPerson.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:1-10   I.         The Hebrew word arum refers to a clever or crafty person.             A.        In a negative way it refers to a person who deceives or tricks another person, such as the serpent in the Garden – Genesis 3:1             B.        But it can also refer to the person to…

Read More

I know we did things wrong, but how can I get my boyfriend back?

Question: Hello, I really wanted your opinion on my relationship. My boyfriend and I had dated for almost two years. He broke up with me about a week ago. I am devastated. I always thought that he and I could get through anything. I admit we argued a lot, mostly on my account, but this…

Read More

Did I cause my child to die? Did God? Why did it happen?

Question: I contacted you a couple of months back when I was having difficulties with an unplanned pregnancy. The feeling in my heart right now is one of confusion. Even though the baby was conceived in fornication, I never even thought of having an abortion. Despite the refusal of the man who impregnated me to consider…

Read More

Who is Jesus Christ?

Question: Who is Jesus Christ? Answer: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light…

Read More

Does a person have to repent before you can forgive him?

Question: In Luke 17:3 we are told to forgive if repentance takes place and in Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you,” but in Mark 11:25 Christ says “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who…

Read More

We would like to get married, but we can’t afford it

Question: I am in the same situation as the young lady, who is 23 years old. I have been with my boyfriend for almost ten years, and we need help. We keep sinning. We want to stop, but we eventually come back to our sinful ways. Since the Bible say let them be married so…

Read More

I love this website

Question: I love this website. I am thankful to God for you. Please keep me in prayer, as I live daily with sin and striving to walk in God’s way. It seems in life we are too comfortable with our sins. I want something more! God bless. Answer: I’m glad you have found useful material…

Read More

My friend is committing adultery. Must I say something?

Question: I need a clear answer. Did I commit sin if I have known from the beginning my friend has committed adultery and still dating someone? She still married, still living in the same house together with her husband and kids. Her husband is nice, old, and busy at work all the time. I also…

Read More

Is it wrong to use “Allah” for God in Malaysian Bibles?

Question: Greetings, With the general election just around the corner here in Malaysia, many issues are being used as fodder including the issue of the use of the Arabic word for God in Malay translation of the Bible being used among native congregations. While this is not prohibited by any existing laws, the same issue…

Read More

How do we treat an adult child living in our house who stole from us?

Question: When an adult child of ours, living in our house steals, and we confront them, how do we treat them at the time of the confrontation and afterward whether they are in the house or decide to leave? What should the appropriate treatment of that child be? Answer: When an adult steals, you call…

Read More

How many sons did Abraham have?

Question: Regarding Genesis 20, where it says Sarah was untouched. So being the wife of Abraham she had no relations with him?  Then how was it written she was barren?  Abraham was married to his half-sister so he only told half a lie to the Pharaoh. Why was the Pharaoh plagued when this was the…

Read More

Could you explain more about fornication, lust, and desire?

Question: To start off, I just want to say I am not trying to be antagonistic to your response in “My boyfriend and I keep falling into sexual sin. What should we do?” but rather trying to fully reconcile what people say the Bible says to the lives we actually live — body, soul and spirit. I…

Read More

Is something a sin if it’s illegal?

Question: Is something a sin if it’s illegal? Answer: Sin is breaking God’s law. “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4). One of God’s laws is “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which…

Read More

Parenting Pre-School Children – Obedience Training

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ParentingPreschoolersObedienceTraining.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:1-4   I.         Simply because limits are placed, it doesn’t mean that they are always followed             A.        Children of this age have a fair ability to communicate             B.        A source of endless “Why?”                         1.         It is no longer enough to know something exists, they want a reason.                         2.         Not so much as to…

Read More

Why is the sky referred to as “heavens” in Genesis 1:6-8?

Question: Hello, I am currently bust with a Bible study of Genesis and I am confused about something. In Genesis God said: “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth”. If the first heaven is the atmosphere i.e the sky. Then why…

Read More

Can a Christian be friends with an atheist?

Question: Good day sir, I am a woman. I have a friend who has morals and beliefs similar to mine. She is a focused, good person. I have known her for about six months now and, though it’s not long, I feel she is someone I would want to remain friends with. The only thing…

Read More

You Expect Me to Believe That?

by Phil Grear In the beginning, there was nothing. And suddenly for no reason, nothing exploded and created everything. You expect me to believe that? At some point, by chance, the right chemicals happened to float together at just the right moment to be struck by an electrical charge and become life. You expect me…

Read More

Why do you use the non-inspired NKJV?

Question: Love your site! But why do you use the non-inspired version that has changed scriptures and missing words? I also notice that some of the NKJV have a 666 crest that looks like a trinity circle on them. Very deceptive — just like the fish sign for Dagod! Thanks for your thoughts. Answer: There is…

Read More

I was greatly blessed by your article “Jesus Offends People”

Question: Good day. I read your article titled “Jesus Offends People,” and I am greatly blessed. God has inspired me to study His word more lately. Please, keep on sharing the good news with us. Answer: I’m glad you found the lesson from the study of the Gospel Accounts was useful in your studies.

Read More

Martignoni – Thrasher Debate on the Pope

John Martignoni, Catholic, and Thomas N. Thrasher, Christian via Meditate on These Things, April 2012 Proposition “The apostle Peter was the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.” Affirm: John Martignoni Deny: Thomas N. Thrasher Martignoni’s First Affirmative My task is to argue the affirmative of the proposition: “The apostle Peter was the first Pope of…

Read More

Are you a church that constantly talks about Obama and abortion?

Question: Is your church a place where I am going to constantly hear about Obama and abortion? Do you discuss politics? Are these topics that are continually touched upon? I would appreciate an honest answer. Thank you. Answer: You can look through the Sermons and see what is discussed here. Moral topics are discussed and why…

Read More

Self-Defense and The Use of Force

by Tim Haile The recent escalation of violence and an unprecedented expansion of government power is forcing more and more people to consider the question of self-defense. Is it right to use physical or lethal force to protect oneself or others? The question is not new. Cycles of controversy over the question can be traced…

Read More

How Does the Holy Spirit Lead?

by Herschel E. Patton via Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 237, 239, April 14, 1991 Obviously, the Holy Spirit does lead certain ones. “Sons of God” are thus led. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Jesus was “led up of the Spirit” into…

Read More