Why isn’t Cain mentioned in the genealogy of Adam?

Question: If everything in the original Bible is true, why is Cain not mentioned once in the genealogy of Adam? If we look into the word superinfertation at the three latest I have seen in medical files is there perhaps a way that Cain could have been born just before Abel without Adam knowing Eve…

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Why did Aaron make the golden calf?

Question: Why did Aaron make the golden calf right after God had spoken the ten commandments to the Israelites? Answer: When confronted by Moses regarding his sin, Aaron blamed the people into pressuring him. “You know the people, that they are set on evil” (Exodus 32:22). He blamed Moses for taking too long to get…

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Communication Between God and Man

by Skip Sebree, Fall Gospel Meeting, 2010 God Speaking to Us Becoming Better Readers Becoming Careful Readers The Learning Triangle Understanding the Word Our Speaking to God Improving Our Prayers Studying Prayers

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Could Jesus have been flawed like other men?

Question: I wanted to speak more with you. I hope not to offend you. I know that we are very different people and have made different choices for different reasons. I do believe in a god, but he’s obviously different than yours. I have read passages of the Bible too, and I would love to…

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Does worship have to be on Sunday?

Question: I was discussing with someone about coming to church on Sundays. What day should we meet? Does it matter which day during the week? Under persecution, you might not be able to meet Sundays, so I was wondering: does it matter the day the church meets? I do know that it states they came…

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How do I keep my desires from getting out of control?

Question: Hi My fiancee told me that she’d sent a question to you about me, and showed me your response today. Her email wasn’t exactly truthful, so I decided to email you myself and hope for advice about my situation. Sex was never a problem for me; I was in my early twenties when I did it,…

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Can Romans 14:21 be used to justify the use of alcoholic beverages?

Question: May His grace continually flourish in the good work He has started in our life. About Romans 14:21, many brothers in our congregation are having a field day with this verse. The worse are the defenses they use to justify drinking. I will not say am the weak type, but I have a distaste…

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Is my fiance a real Christian?

Question: I’ve been dating for a year, and now I’m engaged, but it still will take two years for us to marry. My fiance and I have strong sexual temptations, it seems like I have a lot more control than him. Sometimes it scares me because he seems to want sex too much. He’s not…

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Can Satan only rule people and not nations?

Question: A visiting lady at our ladies’ Bible class said that Satan was cast out of heaven because he was trying to rule the nations.  Because of this, he can rule people but not nations.  I had never heard this before and can’t find anything to confirm it. Answer: I think that Why do people call…

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Other than Paul, did Jesus speak to anyone else directly after his ascension?

Question: Other than Paul, did Jesus talk to anyone else directly after his ascension back to heaven? Answer: Jesus spoke to Ananias (Acts 9:10). When a voice told Peter to arise and eat, Peter addressed the voice as Lord (Acts 10:13-14). Jesus spoke to John (Revelation 1:10-11ff), the letters to the seven churches in Revelation…

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How was John the Baptist Elijah?

Question: Hi! I am wondering if you can please help me understand what the Bible is saying about John the Baptist when it refers to him coming in the spirit of Elijah? In Luke 1:17, it says John the Baptist will come in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” In Matthew 11:14 Jesus says John…

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Should married couples abstain from sex before partaking of the Lord’s Supper?

Question: Can married couples have sexual intercourse before Lord’s Supper? Answer: Upon what passage do you base this conclusion? What I suspect has happened is that someone is trying to blend Old Testament laws with the Law of Christ. The Law of Moses had requirements about not being unclean when approaching God in worship. Those…

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That prophet you called false was right!

Question: I read your response to the gentlman who was claiming to be a prophet and telling you of the judgement looming over you. I wanted to state first of all that he is correct. Judgement is looming over the head of every man because the blood of 50 million babies cries out to Jesus much the…

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Is your material available in printed form?

Question: I am looking for a church and found your web site.  While looking it over, I wondered if you have in printed or as an Adobe PDF the Articles and Sermons sections (perhaps other information too)? I am grateful for some of the information I have had time to read on your site.  It is true many religions today…

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Where does the Bible say it is wrong to have sexual fantasies?

Question: Can you please tell me where in the Bible Jesus talks about fantasy thoughts? Personally, I don’t believe that sexual fantasy is committing the sin of lust as long as you don’t actually plan to take action to actually commit it.  What do you think? Answer: Just a side note before getting into your…

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How do you make your prayer life better?

Question: What should you do if you have been baptized and trying to live the Christian life, but your prayer life is not as it should be? You go for weeks without praying and asking God to forgive your sins. Then when you do pray for forgiveness, you never feel like you’ve been forgiven because…

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Which of Noah’s three sons did the Gentiles come through?

Question: Which of Noah’s three sons did the Gentiles come through? Answer: All three sons. “Gentiles” means “nations” and was used for anyone who wasn’t an Israelite (a descendant of Jacob). Abraham descended from Shem, but through Ishmael came the Arabs, and the Edomites came through Esau. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was the father of the…

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Who must we believe in to go to heaven, God or Jesus?

Question: Who must we believe in to go to heaven, God or Jesus? Answer: The answer is both. You cannot believe in one without believing in the other. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You,…

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Those “Strange” Macedonians

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ThoseStrangeMacedonians.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 8:1-5   I.         Have you felt a little strange lately?             A.        It is human nature to want to be liked by others.                         1.         As a result, we will modify our behavior to fit in with those around us.                         2.         You’ll see teens dressing in similar fashion to those they consider to…

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How were the foreskins disposed of under the Old Law?

Question: I am curious: in the Old Testament, what was done with the piece of foreskin that is a type of putting off of the sins of the flesh (Colossians 2:11) by the circumcision of Christ? We know that Jesus was the sin offering acceptable to God and as such his body of flesh is…

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Is mixed swimming right or wrong?

Question: I was reading your sermons on modesty. What I want to know is why do you say mixed swimming is wrong, but in the article labeled “Emphasizing the Physical”, mixed bathing is not considered wrong, but people make it a rule? I’m a little confused. Answer: People love to make rules, but we don’t often think…

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Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

by Jerry D. Curry via The Sunny Hill Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 8, April 15, 2001. God’s people have always been called upon to take action. As Joshua made his farewell speech he exhorted Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Haggai exhorted Israel, “Go up to the mountain, and bring…

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Why do some people accept the gospel but others reject it?

Question: My son had a question I am not sure how to answer.  The question is: Why is it that some people respond to the hearing of the gospel by accepting the gospel, and others respond by rejecting it?” It is the same Holy Spirit that will convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment; so why does…

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The Autonomy of the Local Church

by Keith Sharp Introduction Several years ago I spoke by phone to a preacher who works with a large congregation in South Texas. As we conversed he asked if I was “anti-cooperation.” I told him I knew what he was talking about, but that I advocated scriptural cooperation between churches of Christ. He changed the…

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How much repentance is needed before baptism?

Question: I have a few things that bother me from time to time and I can’t seem to be at peace with it. The topic of repentance comes to mind. I have read through some of your articles, as well as other articles, regarding repentance and its necessity for baptism (which I understand). My problem is…

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What is meant by “where the worm dieth not?”

Question: What exactly does the scripture mean in Mark 9:44,46,48 where Jesus said, “where the worm dieth not”?  Does it mean that pain will never cease for a person who is in hell?  Why the reference to a worm? Answer: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you…

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Should dowries be given today?

Question: Should bride money be practiced today? Answer: Dowries (bride money) has been a long-standing tradition among mankind. The Bible records that it was practiced(Genesis 29:18; I Samuel 18:25; Hosea 3:2), but there is no law stating it had to be done for typical marriages under the Old Law and it is not mentioned in…

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The Ten Commandments and the Old and New Testaments shall stand forever!

Question: Do not mislead the people with your manipulation of the Word of God and your omissions about the “Ten Commandments.” His Word and Commandments were, are and forever shall remain true! He alone is the Creator and the destroyer! No mortal with limited knowledge can change what He tells through the only Living Book, the…

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Your article on observing the Sabbath has several mistakes

Question: I noticed your article on the Sabbath. I find there are several mistakes in the first paragraph not to mention the rest of the article. The first mention of the Sabbath day is not in Exodus 16 but Genesis 2. Exodus 20:10 verifies that fact. “in the nearly 3,000-year record which was given in Genesis…

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Can depression make you feel empty?

Question: Can our own minds push us away from God? I mean, if you’re too hurt, can you feel dead? I’ve been really hurt lately. I haven’t had the intent to do anything. My parents are worried and my friends. I’m feeling like I never did before. I spend every minute of my day thinking about…

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Should people be checked out before accepting them in a congregation?

Question: I believe that there is a certain amount of due diligence necessary when a person, a couple, or a family move into the area and want to become members of a local congregation of the Lord’s church.  What do you recommend? What do you do? One scripture that comes to mind is II John…

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What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?

Question: How are you? Can you help answer this question and elaborate on it? What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh, when Paul says he prayed three times that it may be removed? Answer: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given…

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