Should a preacher be paid through accounts payable or payroll, and how are his taxes handled?
Question: Should a preacher be paid through accounts payable or payroll, and how are his taxes handled? Answer: “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:14). Paul argued in I Corinthians 9 that those who preach the gospel have the right to be…
Read MoreIs the Lord’s Sabbath on a Saturday or Sunday? What hour does it begin?
Question: Is the Lord’s Sabbath on a Saturday or Sunday? What hour does it begin? Answer: The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, which is currently called Saturday in English speaking countries. The Sabbath was designated as the day of worship for the Israelites living under the Old Law. “The LORD our God…
Read MoreDoes Jude 4 mean that some people are predestined for destruction?
Question: Could you explain Jude 1:4? Because the translation of my Bible says “these men were predestinated to it.” So they had no choice? Answer: “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the…
Read MoreShould I relocate or find another job?
Question: As of late, due to the current market situation, there has been a lot of redundancies in our company. I and the rest of the employees left have now been offered one and the only option – to relocate. I’m still thankful that we’re being given that option, meaning we would still have a…
Read MoreYou don’t understand. The antichrist is coming!
Question: My Friend, I think you better do some further research on your position. The son of perdition is the coming antichrist. You seem to be a little uneducated on current world affairs. This is but a taste of what you need to look into- The EU, Tony Blair, Javier Solona, The AOC, etc. You…
Read MoreA Good Name
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/GoodName.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 14:3-9 I. During Memorial Day, this country sets aside time to remember those who have died before us. A. How do people remember those who have left this life? (Actual tombstones) 1. Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, Lies stingy Jimmy Wyatt. Who died one morning just at ten And…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say anything about ages differences between a man and a woman in marriage?
Question: Does the Bible say anything about a great difference in age between a man and woman who want to marry or who are married? Answer: There was a ten-year difference in Abraham and Sarah’s age. “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to…
Read MoreIf an institution was not involved, could the church take care of orphans?
Question: I am familiar that the issues over orphan homes as always been the church giving the money to an institutional board so they can provide for the needs of the children. But would it be an issue if the church avoided the giving of funds to a board and the local church buying a…
Read MoreHow can adultery be an ongoing sin?
Question: I’ve read a lot of information on marriage and remarriage. I see the stand is being taken that God does not honor divorce; hence, will not honor a second marriage unless for the woman it was because of adultery. I would like to know your thoughts on the story of King David and his…
Read MoreWhat! No Special Programs?
by Bobby Witherington via The Reflector, April 2011 Visitors to our assemblies are sometimes amazed (and maybe disappointed) to learn that this congregation does not have a special youth program. Nor a kitchen. Not even a bus ministry. Do we have something against young people? Or kitchens? Or busses? Not at all. We have several young…
Read MoreHow can Sheshan have no sons, when a son named Ahlai is mentioned?
Question: In I Chronicles 2, it says that Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, so he gave his daughter to his servant, who gave him Attai. So because Sheshan gave his daughter to his servant, does that mean that Attai carries on Sheshan’s name in the family? Is that why he did that? And secondly,…
Read MoreIs it OK to divorce because of violence?
Question: Hello, My husband and I married less than a year ago. We are both young. Of course, when it happened I felt so happy and felt as if my life was complete, until recently. My husband and I get along for the most part, but the thing is when we argue we get into…
Read MoreHow do I move on after a divorce?
Question: I have written before regarding my divorce from my husband of many years. I am still a mess. I can’t seem to shake this man who cheated, lied, and treated me badly in the end. He has since moved on with the women he was cheating with. I don’t think they have married but…
Read MoreIs God telling me not to move back?
Question: Hello, I was seeking His voice, and what I have learned about building a relationship with the Lord is that one must communicate and seek Him in order to gain confirmation that one is doing His will. I grew up in one state, but less than ten years ago I encountered a very life-altering…
Read MoreI committed adultery before the divorce was final. Do I still have a right to remarry?
Question: Your web site is teaching me so much. The Word is so powerful. I am really trying to get a good understanding of where I need to be. My husband committed adultery and I filed for divorce and ultimately divorced him. However, my divorce was not final before I got into another sexual relationship…
Read MoreIs the saying “follow your heart” wrong?
Question: I want to ask about these verses: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). I have read verses like these (I know there are others) from topics on Christian Dating and I…
Read MoreAm I cursed by God?
Question: I need some prayer and guidance. I was in a marriage for over a decade and recently got a divorce because of my ex-husband’s constant infidelity a few years ago. I am in a new relationship and it’s been about a year. We both love each other, and he expresses wanting to get married…
Read MoreI appreciate that the article on Jesus eating meat was justified with Scripture
Question: My daughter is a vegetarian and an animal rights activist. Although I knew that Jesus ate meat, I needed the reminder. I appreciate very much your article on “Was Jesus a Vegetarian?” I appreciate how you used the scripture passages to verify each point you made. Thank you for making this information available on…
Read MoreYour reference material page was very useful for a Bible study project
Question: I am a youth group leader for some wonderful kids out in Colorado. I just wanted to let you know that we came across your page, Reference Material, and found it very helpful for a Bible study project we are working on. My students just absolutely loved your site! As a thank you, my students…
Read MoreWhat is a hypocrite?
Question: What is it to be a hypocrite? I remember a time when one friend wanted me to give him more attention, but there was a friend of his who was always talking to him, and he just ignored him. So I said, “You want to get attention from me but refuse to give attention to…
Read MoreHow do I help my daughter see it is not good to be jealous of friends who are having babies out of wedlock?
Question: I am so concerned about my daughter who is in her early twenties and still lives with us. She is a faithful Christian, has kept herself pure, and tries to be what God wants her to be. However, she has seen a couple of her Christian friends choose the wrong path and ended up…
Read MoreThank you for showing how to handle a drug-addicted husband
Question: Thank you so much for your website. I am desperate to be pointed in the right direction on my situation. Your article titled “My husband continues to use drugs” was exactly what I have been searching for these last three years. I knew in my heart that I should not move on from my…
Read MoreWhy is there mention of the young man who fled naked in Mark?
Question: In Mark 14:51-52, it reads, “And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” What could be the purpose of these two verses being in here? Was this…
Read MoreHow do I find meaning in life?
Question: Today I received the news that a friend (I find no other word to call him right now) of mine from church threw himself in front of a bus and died. I cried a lot because I really cared about him, most people in his family treated him like an idiot, but he was…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a misbehaving boy who is being mean to my son?
Question: I am having a hard time lately with the way my preteen son is treated by his long time friend at church. One week the friend will be his buddy, the next week he will purposely exclude him and make an issue over leaving him out of a conversation by saying something like “I…
Read MoreCan I marry again after divorcing my husband for adultery, even though I once committed adultery years ago?
Question: My husband was grossly involved with and even addicted to pornography. His obsession with porn went beyond the normal curiosity that people have with it. We separated for a year. I had an affair out of foolishness and retaliation because he refused to put away the pornography. I repented and never had another affair.…
Read MoreWhat Can be Known Can be Shown
by Tim Nichols All rational students of the Bible want to be told, by teachers and preachers, not just what to believe, but also why those things are to be believed. Every faithful teacher of the Bible is prepared to deliver both in clear terms. Bible doctrines are all taught by specific Bible passages and…
Read MoreThe False Prophets Who Cry “Wolf!”
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/FalseProphetsWhoCryWolf.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text:: Ezekiel 13:3-9 I. It was 6pm on May 21 and thousands learned that they were duped into believing that Judgment Day had come. A. So many were saying before the day 1. Well, I’m certain it will happen, but even if it doesn’t, I rather be prepared just in case. 2. Well,…
Read MoreIs it right for a church to raise money for a preacher school or to have leaders instead of elders?
Question: I have a concern over a recent request from a brethren who is a church leader of the congregation where I was baptized years before. He was asking me to help financially support the church planting mission being undertaken by the missionary training academy established by the congregation over the years. The academy has…
Read MoreI am in love with a girl at church, but I’m trying to forget about her and I can’t
Question: Hi. I am a son of God, and I love Jesus. I need your help. I love a girl in my church. We both love Jesus. I have prayed to God and cry for help to forget about this love, but it is still in my heart. We used to send text messages about…
Read MoreCan I remarry?
Question: Can I get remarried? In my previous marriage, there was a time when due to certain circumstances we were living in two different states for a couple of months. When I returned home, I arrived early in the morning. He wasn’t expecting me until later, and I found him in bed with another woman.…
Read MoreCan witchcraft affect a Christian?
Question: Hi sir, I am a born again believer. My question is: does witchcraft have an effect on a baptized believer? I can understand you don’t have the protection of the blood of Jesus if you’re not born again. I was a victim of witchcraft ten years ago, back when I was not born again.…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between fornication and adultery?
Question: Please enlighten me as to what the difference is between fornication and adultery. A few of us had quite a discussion about it after our midweek services this evening. Answer: The Greek word translated as fornication, or sexual immorality, is porneia. The Greek word translated as adultery is moicheia. In classical Greek, porneia was used to refer to…
Read MoreWho are the descendants of the Canaanites?
Question: I was just wondering who are the descendants today of the “old” Canaanites? Since the Israelites never completely destroyed them as God had asked, surely they’re still around. Am I correct to think that the Palestinians today are the descendants of the people that were relocated by the Assyrian and Babylonian Kingdoms? This means…
Read MoreDid Jesus mean the day and hour of the end wasn’t known then, but it can be known at a later time?
Question: Concerning that Harold Camping guy and his prediction of Judgment day. I read this: “I am not a Camping follower but would caution all of you who like to bash his teachings on what I perceive to be the two most commonly used arguments against him. First, Matthew 24:36 is such a pathetic response…
Read MoreWhat do we do if a withdrawn-from relative comes to a family gathering?
Question: I was just reading your answer to a young man about his brother in regard to I Corinthians 5:11. My husband’s family has a similar situation with his older brother. His brother claims to still be a believer but left the fellowship at the church my father-in-law planted due to doctrinal differences. His brother is…
Read MoreHow do you handle being invited to a Bible class that you know isn’t going to teach the truth?
Question: How do I handle getting offers to attend studies and other programs from my friends who attend denominational churches? The conflict is them saying “no” when I invite them and me saying “no” when they invite me. I know it’s not worship. Would I be able to attend those Bible studies to get them…
Read MoreCould the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea in one night?
Question: 1. What was the approximate width of the crossing point of the Red Sea by Israelites? 2. Could that dry path created in the Red Sea be wide enough to allow all the approximately 5,000,000 Israelites to cross the sea in one night with children and luggage? Another miracle? Answer: Since we don’t know…
Read MoreShould we respect Satan?
Question: Below I copy and pasted from a web site with their beliefs on Satan and I emphasized the part that disturbs me. I was wondering what your thoughts on it are. To respect Satan is to exalt him and evil and is woefully contrary to God’s word, in my opinion. Is there a passage…
Read MoreDo you have to submit to an unqualified elder?
Question: Should members of the church be submissive to the elders even though the elders do not meet the qualifications? There are five elders and four of them are not qualified due to the following: widower, children not faithful, etc. Answer: When someone says they don’t want to be submissive, the implication is that they…
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