Thank you for the tips on song leading
Question: Thank you so much for the tips that you have displayed on the site about Song Leading in the Church. I have been part of the church of Christ as far back as I can remember. I am very thankful that my parents raised me in this church. I was inspired by my late Grandfather to become a…
Read MoreHow do I reach an elderly friend who is a Roman Catholic?
Question: I was wanting some advice on how to go about witnessing to a Catholic lady whom I know. I am 25 and she is about 75 years old, and we have been friends for about a year now. I was working as a nanny down the street from her and use to go and…
Read MoreCan a woman baptize someone?
Question: Can you tell me your belief or understanding of the Bible on whether a woman can or cannot baptize someone? Answer: “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (I Timothy 2:12). The problem is that baptism is done with the…
Read MoreEveryone’s a Critic
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/EveryonesACritic.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 9:7-12 I. Everyone faces days when it feels as if nothing is going right. A. People find fault with what you do and you think that nothing can please them. B. Criticism, justified or not, isn’t pleasant to receive 1. “You’re not doing that right.” 2. “You should have done that better.”…
Read MoreWhy do we cite Matthew regarding divorce since Jesus lived under the Old Law?
Question: As I understand Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32 concerning divorce, Jesus is answering the Pharisees (Jews) as they were tempting him on this question. His answer was the same as the law that they were under (except for fornication). Such as in the case that Joseph thought Mary was in. Why do we in the church today…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible have to do with God?
Question: What does the Bible have to do with God? I’ve been reading questions and answers on your site, and I really like how you stick with the Bible without adding any opinions that aren’t in there. You see, I have a problem, and I was hoping you would be able to help me. I’ve…
Read MoreNotes on Self-Control
Acts 24:25 I Corinthians 9:24-27 Galatians 5:22 I Timothy 1:1-5 I Peter 1:5-7
Read MoreDo I have to live near my ex-wife for my son’s sake?
Question: My wife had an affair and would not come back to me. We got a divorce. We have a child together. I am not a people-person in general, and all I want is to be by myself. I don’t want anyone around me or even calling me. I just want to be left alone,…
Read MoreI blew it again. What do I do?
Question: Here is my problem: I was in a very distracting and painful relationship that totally drew me away from God. The relationship ended with me close to suicide. I couldn’t understand how this could be because I loved this person very much. I moved to a different country because the pain was too much…
Read MoreHow do I get past the fact that my girlfriend is not a virgin, but I am?
Question: Hello. I want to start this email by just saying that I am not good at spelling, and I hope you understand what I’m saying. I saw a note on your site about a boy who lost his virginity to a girl. I was trying to get answers about virginity. I am a virgin, and…
Read MoreYou certainly deal with “sticky” questions!
Question: I just had a look at your site. You do deal with “sticky” questions! I do appreciate your work. May the Lord bless you. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreShould a new Christian read the Bible from cover to cover or start in the New Testament?
Question: I have a problem. I’m a relatively new Christian of six months. One of my big troubles has been finding the motivation to read the Bible. Sermons are fine, and articles, and talking to pastors. I love doing research online, finding relevant passages quickly, comparing, and studying. But I struggle so much to motivate…
Read MoreI’ve been having dry sex with my girlfriend. I know it is wrong. She wants to marry me, but she isn’t a Christian and I don’t know what to do.
Question: While researching sexual sins, I came across this web site. Some of the points mentioned in the answers regarding sexual sins have really touched my heart. As a brief background about me: I am 24 years old. I have been dating a non-Christian girl for the last several years. I realize that it is…
Read MoreWe Preach Christ Crucified
by Joe R. Price The Apostle Paul II Timothy 4:6-13 “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (I Corinthians 1:23). Let there be no mistake: Preaching “Christ crucified” is gospel preaching. The “word of the cross” is the power of God to save the lost (I Corinthians…
Read MoreWhat About Latter-Day Revelation from God?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 47, Nov. 21, 2008. QUESTION: Is the Bible the complete and final revelation from God or is He continuing to give revelation through certain chosen people or organizations, such as the Mormon Church, The Catholic Pope ex-cathedra, Mohammad via the Koran, The New World Translation, Ellen…
Read MoreWhy I Believe the Bible Is God’s Only Revelation
by Terry W. Benton There is something unique about the Bible that sets it apart from all other books that claim some kind of divine authority associated with them. Human Wisdom Alone Can Account For All Others When we examine each book there are features that lend credibility to the claim of inspiration in one…
Read MoreHow a Church Loses Its Distinctiveness
by Tom Holland via The Sower, Vol. 54, No. 3, May/June 2009. When “called out” people who are supposed to be distinct and committed to the Lord and His Word become like everyone else, what right do they have to make a claim that they are a “church of Christ”? The Lord Jesus created His church…
Read MoreNotes on Hinduism
by Paul Williams via Truth Magazine, January 2, 2003 Hinduism is the religion of the vast majority of people who live in India. About 70% of the millions of Indians who live in South Africa are Hindus and there is an increasing number of Hindus in America. The influence of this religion is seen in the…
Read MoreThe Elder and His Children
by Brett Hogland God Almighty, in His infinite wisdom, “gave some to be…pastors…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Thus the Holy Spirit, in His revelation of the mind or will of God through the apostles (I Corinthians 2:10-13; John 16:13-15), sets forth…
Read MoreNotes on Worship
What is worship? Worship is something distinctly done. Worship is not accidentally given. – Matthew 2:11; 4:8-9; 9:18; John 4:20; Revelation 9:20 Jesus’s definition of worship – John 4:21-24 It requires a worshiper (the existence of a rock is not worship. Animals do not worship). It requires an object of worship Worship must only be…
Read MoreI want to get married, but I have no money. Can you help me?
Question: Thank you for the advice you gave in response to questions people have asked about how to avoid sexual immorality. According to one of your statements, you advise people to marry in order to avoid such sin. The issue is that I’ve reached the age to marry, but I have no money to accomplish that.…
Read MorePaying Uninspired Gospel Preachers
by Terry W. Benton In discussing the right and expectation preachers ought to have for adequate financial support, I appealed to Paul’s statements in I Corinthians 9:4-14 for the proof of that rightful expectation. A man of the house-church persuasion responded, and I think the exchange hits on some very needed points of scriptural understanding…
Read MoreWas only Noah righteous or was his family righteous also?
Question: In Bible class this morning the teacher made the comment that during Noah’s day Noah was the only person that was righteous. I disagreed stating that the other seven family members had to be righteous as well because God saw fit to save them. What is your response to this matter? Answer: “Then the…
Read MoreAnswering a Muslim Critic
by Larry Rouse Part 1 This week I received an e-mail from a Muslim, Mr. Husain, that was severely critical of those who believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. He reasoned that because the Bible was so discredited that our only alternative was to believe in the “only 100% purely existing…
Read MoreA Study of Islam
by Jim Sasser INTRODUCTION: Because of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, many people have become interested in the Muslim religion, known as Islam. Brethren in Christ are requesting information on the subject. I first became acquainted with the religion of Islam in 1964 when my family and I moved to Nigeria in West Africa…
Read MoreWhat is Faith?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/WhatIsFaith.mp3 Text: Hebrews 11:1-6 I. Imagine a tight rope stretched across Niagara Falls. A crowd gathers around a man who pulls a unicycle out of a box. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the man announces, “may I have your attention! In my hands is a unicycle. How many of you believe that I can ride this unicycle…
Read MoreSocial Drinking (Spears)
by Dudley Ross Spears We live in a world where social drinking is accepted by over two-thirds of our entire population. That segment also accepts just about any other kind of drinking. But social drinking has been elevated a few steps above ordinary honkey-tonk or bar room drinking. No matter what name it is known…
Read MoreHow do I reach a friend who is sinning?
Question: Hi, I don’t know if these are the kinds of questions you answer, but I might as well ask. I have just started high school, and already I am seeing and hearing about a lot of bad things going on (smoking, drugs, drinking, sex, cursing, etc.). I try as hard as I can to…
Read MoreAre You a Bible Christian?
by Richie Thetford People grossly misuse the name “Christian.” The name belongs to an individual, not nations of people, such as “Christian nation.” What makes a person a “Bible Christian?” Before we answer that question, let’s first look at who is not a Christian. Not all “good people” are Christians. Morality is the obligation of…
Read MoreMy girlfriend thinks she blasphemed the Holy Spirit and can’t be forgiven
Question: My girlfriend some time ago after reading a Benny Hinn book about the Holy Spirit, whom she heavily disagree with, found herself unable to resist thinking against the Holy Spirit. I’m not sure what she thought, but she assures me that it was terrible. Since then she has had other thoughts while praying and…
Read MoreAre violent sports sinful?
Question: I had always wondered if combat sports like boxing and MMA sinful? I know that MMA looks brutal on TV, but in reality, it is not as raw as it seems. No one in the UFC has gotten a bad injury that could of led to death. So is practicing such sports sinful? Answer:…
Read MoreHusband of One Wife
by Carl A. Allen Sometime in 1974 or 1975, while living in Colorado, I was invited to attend a gathering of brethren who believe in the “no Bible Class” arrangement. We met at a prominent restaurant for a noon meal. When I arrived, I noticed the table was filled with two seats empty, one in…
Read MoreDoes God Send People to Hell?
by Jesse M Kelly via Preceptor, p.12 – Vol.57, No.6, June 2008. While discussing the subject of “Hell” with a lady acquaintance one day, she said to me, “I just cannot conceive of a merciful God sending one to Hell to suffer eternally.” We readily agreed with her. God doesn’t send people to Hell. He…
Read MoreWhy is everyone expecting me to be perfect when I’m not?
Question: How can I deal with the criticism of my friends and my own family when sometimes I get annoyed and a little angry. They always say something like, “You’re a Christian and you are acting like that?” or “You’re supposed to be holy and you are acting like that?” Even when I don’t respond…
Read MoreShould I work things out with my husband whom I divorced for committing adultery?
Question: I divorced my husband for committing adultery and he is now trying to contact me. He has been with the other woman for three years. I am not sure if they married or not. How would God view me if I attempt to work things out with him? Answer: “And I say to you,…
Read MoreDoes God put negative circumstances in our path?
Question: God bless. Really enjoyed the online article about Overcoming Bitterness by Lawrence Kelley. The analogy of the “sweet wood” of the cross making our bitter souls sweet was excellent. I am going to share that at our next Bible Study. He did, however, contradict the scriptures when he wrote: “He (God) puts us in circumstances…
Read MoreThank you for providing the illustrations of the Bible
Question: Thank you for providing these illustrations of the Bible. I am truly thankful to find this source so children today may still enjoy these priceless works of art. I am using them currently in a ministry in our local park in the summer. Answer: I’m glad you found them useful.
Read MoreHow can a church accept an improperly divorced couple?
Question: Your Bible answers make so much sense and I have been wanting to ask this question. It might be long, but I need to be detailed. OK, here goes. This is the truth as I know it. You can answer it as though you believe what I am telling you as the truth, please. There is a married…
Read MoreThe Bible Puts Baptism Between the Sinner and His Salvation!
by Dillard Thurman in Gospel Minutes, December 26, 1958, Reprinted in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 16, April 18, 2008. I am not responsible for the place baptism occupies in God’s plan of salvation. Nor was I consulted in the matter. Had the Lord taken the matter up with me, I suppose I would have…
Read MoreWhat do you do when all your friends tell you you are not living life?
Question: My ultimate goal should be as Solomon said “Fear God and keep His commandments” because Solomon did all the world had to offer but still came to that conclusion. This I know. But I still suffer from what people challenge me with on a daily basis. They tell me all the time that I…
Read More