Could Gentiles have been saved prior to Cornelius?
Question: In Acts 2, the Lord’s church was established. It’s my understanding that in Acts 10, the Gentiles were officially ushered into the church (with the conversion of Cornelius). My question is: if a Gentile wanted to be saved prior to Acts 10, what was his option? Could a Gentile be baptized and the Lord…
Read MoreAm I Jewish, Hebrew, or Gentile?
Question: Am I Jewish, Hebrew, or a Gentile? My mother was a German Christian. Her grandparents immigrated and were from Germany. What is known is that my father the son of his mother, who was the daughter of her mother, who was the daughter of her father, an Orthodox German Jew. Although I knew great-great-grandmother,…
Read MoreWorship as Entertainment
by Mark Roberts via Abundant Life Romans 1 challenges us with its chilling words “they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man” (vv. 22-23). Man has the propensity to change God and the worship of God into what he desires. Instead of doing what the Lord…
Read MoreI want to go to a good university, but my reputation as a student is poor
Question: Hello, I want to get into a good university but my reputation in college is terrible. I am sure the teachers will predict low grades for me and all of them do not think of me as a good student. Now I am trying to behave as a Christian should do, but how can I ever…
Read MoreDoes the Ouija board actually work?
Question: Does the Ouija board actually work? Answer: James Randi, a magician and fraud buster, points out that when blindfolded, Ouija board operators are unable to produce intelligible messages [James Randi, An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural]. Magicians Penn and Teller performed a similar demonstration in which the operators moved…
Read MoreDo I have to kick my boyfriend out now that I’ve become a Christian?
Question: I am 21 and I have been in a relationship and living with my boyfriend for seven years. I have recently become a Christian. What are God’s views on sharing a bed together? So far, since becoming Christian, I have stopped any sexual activity with my boyfriend. He isn’t Christian but is willing to…
Read MoreDid those who were killed by the angel know there was a God?
Question: My husband wants to know if the 70,000 killed by a plague by an angel knew there was a God? Answer: You are referring to those who died as a result of David’s sin in numbering the men of war in Israel. “So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till…
Read MoreHow long do I pray for a cure for my TMAU?
Question: I clearly understand that Jesus Christ is absolutely under no obligation to heal anyone. He owes us nothing in the way of healing, health, prosperity, or posterity. If Jesus decides to heal anyone, He does so because it’s His will. I remember Paul’s thorn in his flesh. He prayed to God to remove this…
Read MoreIt is clear that masturbation is sinful. Why are you saying it is not?
Question: If you truly search the heart and mind of God and the Scriptures it is clear that masturbation is a sin. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. Period. That’s how the Word of God defines it. Go a little deeper, please! Just because the Bible does not mention not to do something does…
Read MoreImprinting On Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ImprintingOnChrist.mp3 by Brett Bowen
Read MoreI just can’t take it anymore
Question: My husband and I are both in the church of Christ. I have been emotionally and financially abused for almost thirty years. My two sisters gave up on trying to be there for me, although when I could I was there for them in every way no matter how long it took. I have…
Read MoreHow do I move on?
Question: Please help me. I was wondering if you could help me out I been with my partner for over five years. We are both near thirty. That time has been a real long journey. The problem is I feel like our love is burnt. He changed into a total jerk — looking up porn,…
Read MoreI’m rebellious but I want to follow God and I don’t know what to do
Question: I have been dealing with a medical condition and going through a lot since the year 2006; even prior to the year 2006. First and foremost I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God; that’s what I want to believe. I was baptized several years ago. Currently, I no longer attend church. …
Read MoreYour site has been helpful to me in preparing for a talk on sexual perversion
Question: I’ve found your site so helpful when I wanted to know more about sexual perversion, a topic given to me to share in a youth conference in my area. It’s amazing to see the rate at which it’s growing in this generation. May God help us to live and also teach others to live uprightly.…
Read MoreImpulsive Scandals
Source: Frank Bruni, “Protection while online only illusion,” New York Times, 21 November 2012 Mr. Bruni points out that many people recently caught misbehaving through electronics, such as Anthony Weiner and David Petraeus, would never do what they did in public, yet things sent out over electronics are a form of public display. Nor do they…
Read MoreIllogical Reasons for Decriminalizing Marijuana
Source: Paul Hammel, “Ideas to ease pot laws just blowin’ in the wind,” Omaha World-Herald, 20 November 2012. People continue to promote illogical fixes to problems. Iowa Representative Bruce Hunter wants to decriminalize marijuana possession. His reason? “He is pushing decriminalization of pot because sending users to prison contributes to overcrowding. It also doesn’t make…
Read MoreI have a hard time stopping something I’m addicted to doing
Question: Hi there. I have an addiction to something I’d rather not say. (It’s not drugs ) haha. But it’s something I want to stop, but it’s so hard. I made a promise to God saying I will not do this addiction for one week. On the third day, I did it. I have broken…
Read MoreI keep repeating sins I’ve repented of. Am I really saved?
Question: I am 23 years of age and in need of some help and prayers. Lately, I have been faced with the question of if I am really saved or not and was wondering if I could get some advice on the situation. Also, I have been praying and praying and doing my best to…
Read MoreMarijuana Impaired Drivers
Source: “Cops ponder how to deter stoned driving,” Omaha World-Herald, 18 November 2012 Now that Washington and Colorado have legalized casual marijuana use, the concern has been raised about driving under the influence. “Marijuana can cause dizziness and slow reaction time, and drivers who are high are more likely to drift and swerve.” The question raised…
Read MoreHow can I stay spiritually stable?
Question: Sir, Please, can you give me some advice on how to stay spiritually stable? Because I am never stable in my spiritual walk with God. Today I am strong in the Spirit, tomorrow I am weak. This has bothered me a lot because I gave my life to Jesus two years ago, but I…
Read MoreDrinking in the New Testament
Drinking in the New Testament – Part 1Drinking in the New Testament – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 23:29-33 I. Consistently in the Scriptures, drunkenness is condemned A. I Corinthians 6:9-10 – A drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God B. Romans 13:13 – Carousing and drunkenness is improper behavior C. Few people argue that…
Read MoreYour notes on Ezekiel 24 were really helpful
Question: In working on my assignment for a Bible study in Ezekiel, I reached the point where the instruction was to “see what commentaries have to say.” I entered “Ezekiel 24” and “Parable” as search terms. I recognized your church and website’s name, among those listed, as a site we had used for its wonderful…
Read MoreIt’s not fair. My girlfriend decided to stop having sex
Question: Hello, I have a serious problem. I have been with this girl for more than one year, and she is a Christian as I am. But we have been having sex during this time and now she has decided to not do it anymore. We are the best lovers we can be, but she…
Read MoreIs getting a breast augmentation wrong?
Question: I want to get breast augmentation. Please help me. Is it wrong. Answer: Breast augmentation for a woman falls under the realm of cosmetic surgery. Such surgery is most often used to correct damage from injuries or diseases. For example, burns or cancer. As a way of restoring the look or function of the…
Read MoreIf Christ died for all, then that means all died. Do you really believe that?
Question: In your rebuke of Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, you used the passage of II Corinthians 5:4-15. “For the love of Christ compels us, that if one died for all, then all died.” If “all” means the whole population of the world, then the whole population has died (which in the context of scriptures have died to…
Read MoreDid Adam and Eve have six fingers?
Question: In my genetics class today, my instructor said that the dominant gene for the number of fingers on a human is six, meaning five fingers is a recessive gene. This startled me because does that mean Adam and Eve had six fingers, and if that was dominant, then wouldn’t everyone have six fingers? I’m…
Read MoreWhat is the “royal law”?
Question: I was doing a short study on James 2:1-13 in being brief, I said: “that the royal law is basically the law of Christ or the law of liberty which very much entails love.” Do you think I have done justice to the passage by just stating that? Answer: “Law” most often refers to…
Read MoreHow do I take care of my mother, husband, and children when I’m not well either?
Question: Hi, I am a 41-year-old with severe anxiety, panic, and depression with disrupted sleep patterns due to this condition. Several years ago my mother sustained an injury while at one of my siblings’ homes due to a fight that occurred as the result of drugs and relationship issues. My mother has lost a lot…
Read MoreMy girlfriend has been raped in the past and every time we get intimate, her fears come back. I don’t know what to do.
Question: So here is my ultimate dilemma in life: I am currently following God’s lead to pursue this amazing woman. She is just incredible to me and she means the world. She is several years older than I am. We both are Christians — she was saved when she was 19, me since I was…
Read MoreDid the Church Come Together for a Common Meal in Acts 20?
by Greg Gwin A question has been asked about ‘eating’ in Acts 20:6-11: “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,…
Read MoreAdultery: An Outdated Crime?
Source: Ethan Bronner, “Adultery: Ancient crime still on many states’ books,” The New York Times, reported in the Omaha World-Herald, 15 November 2012. The core of Mr. Bronner’s article is that adultery laws are no longer enforced and have been removed from half the state’s books. The reason most other states have not removed the laws is…
Read MoreWhen a person doesn’t know the wrong you did, is confession required?
Question: I have committed adultery many times during the past 30 years of my marriage and in many instances lied to cover up my absence. During the last year or two, I have earnestly started to read the bible and now feel extremely guilty about my past poor behaviors. Since I have become more familiar…
Read MoreShould I tell my ex-wife I cheated on her?
Question: I feel really bad. I’m with my ex-wife whom I was married to for over ten years. I went out with some buddies and got drunk. I made a mistake and cheated on her with a one-night stand. Does the Bible say tell the Lord and repent or does it say I have to…
Read MoreDoes the fact that “blasphemed” is in the aorist tense make a difference?
Question: Hello, I have looked at Luke 12:10 in Greek. I have been trouble by this because “blasphemed” appears to be in that past tense in English and in Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible. In Greek, the tense is Aorist participle. I am not sure exactly what that means. In Mark 3:29 and Matthew…
Read MoreMy boyfriend committed adultery and is now divorced. Am I doomed if I marry him?
Question: This is hard for me to come out and ask this, and I need this answer because I think my salvation is very important. I’m young and I mean 21. I have not been married and met a man. We have been together for about two years. He loves me very much, and I…
Read MoreMy girlfriend’s past keeps haunting me and it makes me angry. What do I do from here?
Question: Lately, the past between my girlfriend and I have been randomly haunting me when I least expect it. I would ask my friends for their input, but I don’t feel that they would give me the answer I seek without being bias. I wanted to go to my church and confess these thoughts; however,…
Read MoreMy mother is dying because she won’t take her medication and says God will heal her. What do I do?
Question: Hello, My mom is a cancer patient and recently she had a liver transplant. She went through multiple surgeries and has to take medication every month. But one day she decided not to take any medication and stopped going to appointments altogether. She put her life in God’s hand and hopes that God will…
Read MoreMay God guide you
Question: May God continue to guide all members of the La Vista congregation, especially now that church is facing her worst enemies. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreI love that you have a repository for answers to many thorny questions
Question: Greetings! I have written before expressing my appreciation for your web site. I especially expressed how appreciative I am of the question and answer or Ask section. I love that the Lord’s church offers a repository for many thorny and often taboo subjects you have tackled. It is, I believe, so vital that the Lord’s…
Read MoreIs My Baptism Valid?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Periodically, someone will approach me concerning his baptism. A. Doubts have crept into his mind as to whether his baptism was valid – whether he really was a Christian or only pretending to be one. B. Generally those with doubts were baptized young in life. Events have happened that show them they are…
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