My family doesn’t like my girlfriend and her family doesn’t like me. Should I marry her or the woman my father wants me to marry?
Question: I love a girl. My dad does not like her because she is Russian and I am Indian. We both are Christians. Her father does not like me because I am an Indian. Should I marry her or marry the girl that my dad wants me to marry? At the same time, she is…
Read MoreI just realized that the church I grew up in is getting old. Is there something I can do?
Question: Hi Brother Hamilton, I’ve been thinking a lot about moving back home to try to build my home congregation back up. I’m currently going to school, not in the area, and this summer break has really been a wake-up call. My congregation is scantly populated by mostly grey-haired people. I love everyone with grey…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t he write me back?
Question: Hello. I never thought I’d have to do this, I always had my friends or my parents to ask for advice. But now, at this point of my life, I’m completely alone, and I have no one to turn to because none of them will ever understand what I’m going through. You can’t understand…
Read MoreFuzzy Doctrine
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/FuzzyDoctrine.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 28:16-20 I. God did not author confusion – I Corinthians 14:33 A. But there are people running around today insisting that He did B. In July, 2012, the Episcopals approved transgender clergy and members, along with a service for blessing unions of homosexuals. 1. “We are entering into a time of…
Read MoreWhy won’t my drug-using cousin leave?
Question: Hello, I’ve been praying for a cousin of mine who lives with my family to leave this house or change. His mother has left with his sister to another state but he stayed behind. He uses drugs and steals from us. He causes my family and me anxiety and stress. I can’t sleep thinking…
Read MoreI was having an affair of the heart with a married woman. I broke it off, but later heard she committed adultery with another man. Am I guilty for causing her to sin?
Question: Hello, I had an affair with a married woman. Our affair went on for about a year. I liked her a lot. I kissed her but never had sex with her. Later I understood that I was wrong and must not do this as I knew her husband very well. So, I left the…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My girlfriend told me she’s not a virgin and doesn’t regret it.
Question: Hi. First of all, I would like to say this website rocks and it’s the best thing ever. The advice you give comes from your heart and I like it, but it also comes from the Bible and that’s just amazing how you use the scriptures to help us. May God bless you. OK,…
Read MoreShould it be “should bow” or “will bow” in Philippians 2:10?
Question: Philippians 2:10 says that every knee “should” bow. I have misquoted that several times and I have heard others do the same, by saying that every knee “will” bow. What, in your understanding, is the text teaching? Answer: It is rendered “will bow” in the NASB, but reading my Greek books it looks like…
Read MoreWhy don’t I feel guilty after committing fornication with my fiance?
Question: I became a true Christian about three years ago! I have Calvinist points of view, and I tried to be hyper-serious to keep a holy life. I’ve been raised in a Christian family, but I had committed fornication before Jesus touched my life. When I left my non-Christian boyfriend and I’ve been alone since.…
Read MoreBeware!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Beware.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. As the children were growing up, I felt that I was constantly reminding them to watch where they were going. A. They just assumed that most things around them were safe and rarely gave thought to the fact that it was people around them who were…
Read MoreWhy the Episcopal Church Is Collapsing
Source: Rob Kerby, “Why is the Episcopal Church near collapse?” BeliefNet 12 July 2012. Losing Membership “Somehow slipping out of the headlines is a harsh reality that the denomination has been deserted in droves by an angry or ambivalent membership.” “Among the old mainstream denominations reporting to the National Council of Churches, the Episcopal Church suffered the worst loss…
Read MoreWe started to have sex but didn’t complete it. How do we go back to purity in our relationship?
Question: My boyfriend and I committed a sexual activity, we started sex but didn’t complete it. We just were involved in foreplay. Anyway, I’m 19 and he’s 22. We are in a serious relationship and have been for almost three years. We met in college while taking the same program. I would say that our…
Read MoreWhat does water do when getting baptized?
Question: I was asked a question, which is, “What does water do when getting baptized?” How can I answer this scripturally? Thank you. Answer: It gets you wet. “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through…
Read MoreDoes the Spirit indwell only through the word without any supernatural means?
Question: I have enjoyed several of the articles listed on your website. One I have a question about is regarding your article on the “Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” Is your church one who believes that the Holy Spirit indwells a Christian by way of the “word only” and that there is no supernatural indwelling?…
Read MoreHow do you stop loving a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Question: How can a person stop loving their girlfriend or boyfriend? I know the feelings are still there deep down, but how do they force themselves to not love you anymore? Answer: I don’t understand the question. Given that Jesus said we are to love our neighbor (Matthew 12:31) and love our enemies (Matthew 5:44),…
Read MoreJesus is a vegan!
Question: I’M SURE WHEN THE THREE WISE MEN CAME TO THE BIRTH OF JESUS THEY SALUGHTER AND ATE THE ANIMALS IN THE MANGER, JESUS NEVER FED THE NULTITUDES FISH IT WAS A HERB “FISHWEED” JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE WITH A WHIP THEY WERE SELLING HIS CREATION TO EAT, AND HE WILL CLEANSE YOU “OUT” OF…
Read MoreHow can I make him want only me?
Question: My boyfriend is a Muslim, and I’m a Christain. He says he loves me but still flirts with other girls. Our graduation is fast approaching, but he prefers hanging out with his numerous friends. I do not know what to do, or how to make him want me more than anything. Answer: People don’t…
Read MoreEpiscopals Approve Transgender Clergy
Source: “Episcopal bishops approve blessing for same-sex unions,” Associated Press, Omaha World-Herald, 10 July 2012. “In a separate vote Monday, the full convention approved new anti-discrimination language for transgender clergy candidates and church members. Some dioceses already ordain transgender people or elect them to positions of parish leadership. But advocates for the amendment argued that…
Read MoreEpiscopals Approve Blessing for Homosexual Unions
Source: “Episcopal bishops approve blessing for same-sex unions,” Associated Press, Omaha World-Herald, 10 July 2012. Episcopals have been permitting marriages for homosexuals for many years. Where local politics don’t permit such marriages they have been getting around the roadblock by saying it is just a blessing on the civil union of the couple. In 2009,…
Read MoreIs it appropriate for someone who doesn’t have the right to remarry to be dating?
Question: I have a family member who is a Christian and has been unscripturally divorced for a long time. Recently she has been seeing someone who is also supposed to be a Christian and is unscripturally divorced. She claims they are just friends but has referred to their relationship as dating. You and I know…
Read MoreIf you have sex before marriage, but you marry that person, is it still a sin?
Question: If you have sex before marriage but you marry that person, is it still a sin? If that’s the only person you had sex with is it still a sin? And another question: If you beg God to forgive your sins, how will you know if He forgives them? Answer: “Marriage is honorable among…
Read MoreAfter becoming a Christian, I started having premarital sex. I now found out that it is wrong. What do I do?
Question: Hey there, I’m a 21-year-old male who was baptized about four years ago. I confess I have had premarital sex with a non-Christian woman for three years now, and I finally realize I need to repent and possibly end the relationship. I just have two major concerns. Do I have to get re-baptized? I…
Read MoreMarriages in the U.S. Continues to Decline
Source: “Cut wedding spending? Hardly,” The Los Angles Times, Omaha World-Herald, 09 July 2012. “The ConvergEx Group report “points out that the number of U.S. marriages continues to drop, to 2.06 million last year from 2.21 million in 2007. That’s due partly to sociological factors but also may reflect couples postponing the big day for financial…
Read MoreWas Gomer the same woman mentioned in Hosea 3?
Question: Was Gomer the same wife of Hosea mentioned in Hosea 3 or did Hosea take another wife? Also is Romans 9:25 quoting Hosea 2:23? Answer: To keep what happens in Hosea clear, we have to follow both the story of Hosea and the illustration God makes using Hosea’s life. “When the LORD began to…
Read MoreWho was Jesus addressing in Matthew 24:45?
Question: In Matthew 24:45, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant?” Was Jesus addressing this to a particular group of people or every individual? Answer: Matthew 24 and 25 is the recorded of Jesus teaching his disciples in response to their question: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him…
Read MoreI have OCD and suffer from blasphemous thoughts. Should I stop confessing these thoughts?
Question: I am a Christian who suffers from OCD. I just read your website on OCD and feel extremely comforted by your knowledge of the illness. I have blasphemous thoughts, and I keep confessing this as sin over and over and over again. Maybe all that confessing is my OCD. Can I stop confessing, or…
Read MoreEven if the Jews accepted Christ, wouldn’t the Romans have killed Jesus anyway?
Question: I found What If the Jews had Accepted Jesus interesting. Please help me understand why you argue that Jesus would not have died on the cross if he had not been rejected by the Jews. The Romans certainly did not accept him and they, not the Jews, had the authority to execute criminals. Is this the…
Read MoreI realize now that the church I’m going to teaches Calvinism. Should I go or stay?
Question: I grew up in the Catholic church but then I converted to Protestantism. When I converted I discovered the true love for Christ, and I started changing my lifestyle. For the first time, I felt hungry to learn about God’s Word, and it also made me into a better person. The only problem is…
Read MoreI’ve been looking for information to use for my Bible class and found your site
Question: I have been looking for a Christian website with information to use for my Bible class for quite some time. I am thrilled with your website and the pictures you have to share. I teach 4-5-6th grades and this summer we are covering Moses up to David. I will be back to your site frequently. …
Read MoreWhat Do You Expect from Your Bible?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/WhatDoYouExpectFromYourBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:1-8 I. When you open your Bible, what do you expect from it? II. Some Expect a Rule Book A. Just the other day I was asked “Where do I find a list of God’s laws in the Bible?” B. The Bible is not a reference book where you can look…
Read MoreWill God bless the marriage of someone who used to be a fornicator?
Question: Hello, I have a question for a very long time and haven’t been able to find the answer. This has brought much turmoil and discouragement to my soul. Now, I have heard that if a person commits fornication he or she will not have a blessed marriage. How true is this for the ones…
Read MoreYou Need Standards and Guidance to Reduce Risky Behavior
Source: “Research Finds Parallels Between Sexual Risk Avoidance Approach and Successful Public Health Campaigns to Prevent Teenage Drinking, Smoking, and Reckless Driving,” House Energy and Commerce Health Committee, 06 July 2012. Source: “A Better Approach to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Sexual Risk Avoidance,” U.S. House of Representative Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 2012. The Energy and Commerce Health…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with sexual acts with a partner you know you are going to marry?
Question: I have this huge question that’s been bugging me ever since…well, ever. I’m a 19-year-old Christian. I was saved a bit over five years ago, and I’m on fire for God. I’m a counselor, a street evangelist, and I do what I can to spread the Word. With the introduction out of the way, I…
Read MoreI use your site often
Question: I use your site often. Thank you. This time I needed to give a Bible answer and found what I needed. Praise God for His preachers. Be blessed. Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreWhat are some things I should watch out for in a Biological Anthropology class?
Question: I’m taking a class called Biological Anthropology. It’s essentially about evolution. At first, it was just to fill a science credit, but then I realized it was a pretty good opportunity to learn what’s going on in the science world. Maybe the knowledge will help me bring someone to Christ. What should I listen…
Read MoreWere the man’s actions in Judges 19:22-24 wrong?
Question: Were the man’s actions in Judges 19:22-24 wrong? I’m sure it’s addressed on the website, but I searched for it and I think I just couldn’t think of the best way to search for it. Was it wrong for the man to offer his daughter like that? The passage doesn’t seem to say anything…
Read MoreWill God refuse to bless our future marriage because we have been having sex?
Question: My girlfriend and I have been dating for almost two years. We have had sex multiple times now. We started doing it because we decided how much we love each other and that we want to marry each other, but I’m worried now because people are telling me that our marriage will not be…
Read MoreWill I be punished for having a child out of wedlock?
Question: Hi, I am 21 years old and I have a daughter who is about a year old. She is my world, but I was not married when I had her, and I am not married now. I am a believer, but I am also a believer that everything happens for a reason. I just…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a woman to lust for her husband?
Question: I have a sincere question concerning lust. Is it a sin to have a strong sexual desire for your husband? Adding to that, is it a sin to desire ‘rape fantasies’ with your husband? I used to have rape fantasies before I married, and now that I’m married, I’ve often had these fantasies about my husband.…
Read MoreMy mother told me my father has been having affairs for a long time. What do I do?
Question: Hi, I would firstly like to thank you for answering so many questions as your website has indeed helped me in many of my battles with my walk with Christ. Just a little background: I am a 20-year-old Christian who happened to stumble onto your website several years ago. It’s amazing how God could…
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