Since I had sex with my girlfriend, does this mean I am married to her?
Question: Hello brother. Thank you for the good web site and for the questions and answers that you have posted. I have a question and a problem that I want you to help me to solve. I have been dating a girl for three years. She has been really close to me and I love…
Read MoreWas the famine mentioned in II Kings 8:1 the same famine mentioned in II Kings 6:24-31?
Question: Was the famine in II Kings 8:1 the same famine as in Samaria in II Kings 6:24-31? Did the famine in II Kings 8:1 include all the land of Israel? Answer: The first few chapters of II Kings are a bit difficult to place into a timeline because often the name of the current…
Read MoreI keep getting strong urges to cut myself. I know it is wrong, but am I lusting for what is wrong?
Question: I had read “I’m obsessing over my sinful thoughts. What can I do?” before, and it helped, but not completely. So I read it again last night, and still, it helped, but not completely. You see, I’m not just tempted to cut. When I get the urge to cut, I really want to. I…
Read MoreIs there a connection between the mark of the beast and the mark of Cain?
Question: I would like to ask you a question concerning the ‘mark’ of Cain. In Genesis 4:15, it talks about the ‘sign for Cain.’ I understand this was something God did. In Revelation 20:4, it talks about the ‘mark of the beast, on the forehead and hands’. My question is: Is there a connection or…
Read MoreWhat is God’s economy?
Question: Hi! I have a question concerning something I’ve seen in Ephesians and I Timothy. In Ephesians 1:10 it says, “Unto the economy of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in Him.” Ephesians 3:9 says, “And to enlighten…
Read MoreWhy is it wrong to pray to saints?
Question: Why is it wrong for Catholics to pray to saints? Answer: Well, first of all, prayers to someone dead is an exercise in futility. The dead cannot hear your prayers. They are no longer involved in life. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more…
Read MoreWe’re using your Genesis workbook in our youth studies. Do you have other studies?
Question: I love your web site. It is so full of useful things to study. I am a young preacher for the church of Christ here in the Philippines. I am conducting a youth activity once a week, and I am using your study book of Genesis. Thank you so much brother. Hopefully, you could…
Read MoreWhere can I find the hymn, “Who Shall Stand Before the King”?
Question: Good evening. I found your website this evening while looking for a Christian hymn I heard at a church of Christ YouTube website in Alabama [no longer available], and I am wondering if you know the song, the writer, and possibly in what book it was published. The song was: The earth is the…
Read MoreWhy is the creation of man mentioned twice in Genesis?
Question: Can you shed some light on the account of the creation in the Book of Genesis? In Genesis 1 you have man being created and then in Genesis 2 you have man being created again. Answer: Though attributed to Moses, the Bible never states that Moses was the original author (unlike the other four…
Read MoreWhy don’t you meet daily?
Question: I have another question, at the end of chapter 2 in the book of Acts, it is written that the church met daily. Where you worship does the body meet daily? If not, can you explain why not? Answer: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to…
Read MoreI’ve liked this girl for a long time, but I can’t figure out my feelings as to whether she is the one God wants me to marry
Question: I have a question about marriage and a girl. I have liked this specific girl for going on 6-7 years. Yes, I said 6-7 years, and for some reason, I continue to look at her as the greatest thing in this world. I keep telling myself that I will get over it, but I…
Read MoreWhat do you think about a young single guy teaching a young married woman the gospel?
Question: Is it okay for me to talk with a married woman from work to try and encourage her to come to services or help in her become a Christian? The reason I ask is that I have been studying on and off with a lady from work. She is fairly young and has sinful…
Read MoreSince they met at night in Acts 20:7ff, does that mean Christians today should only meet at night?
Question: In your article, “When Are Biblical Examples Binding?” you mentioned that there is no specific command as to when to partake of the Lord’s Supper, but that Acts 20:7 becomes a binding example because it is the only example. If this is true which I feel it is true, and verse 8 says there…
Read MoreEven though we sinned, could this be the woman God wants me to marry?
Question: Hi! I was led to your site from confusion about the laws of lust. My girlfriend and I were confused about whether or not it’s still lust if we have those feelings and urges for each other and only each other. From the similar questions I’ve read, and the answers you provided, I’ve gotten…
Read MoreWhy aren’t we teaching about issues regarding how to stay saved — moral issues like sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.?
Question: I have been a member for a little while now and I have fallen short as many others. But my question is: Why is it that we, as members of the churches of Christ, always talk about what will get you saved but not keep you saved? I have problems with sex outside of…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between principle and standard and how does this apply to modesty?
Question: Could you explain the following for me, please? Basically, I would like for you to tell me what the difference between a “principle” and a “standard” is and give me your take on a sermon. The preacher is basically saying that Christians can’t use the Old Testament to bind standards of clothing on Christians today. I sharply…
Read MoreWhere have you seen that the Law was done away with?
Question: So because he follows the law statutes and commandments of the Old Testament, you assume that the Hebrew Israelites are not correct? You need to do some more reading, where, in the Scriptures, have you seen that the law, statutes, and commandments were done away with? If you read Exodus, that will answer your…
Read MoreHow do I know I am loving my brethren?
Question: Hello. I have a question about love in the biblical sense. I am a member of the church and have been for a while now, but I am confused by the meaning of love in the Bible. I know this sounds like a stupid question, but is love a thing, a feeling, or a…
Read MoreWe’ve been living together for five years and don’t need a paper to prove our love, but I want to make it right with God. What should I do?
Question: My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 7 years. We have lived together for 5. We are not ready for marriage. He and I think we don’t need a piece of paper to prove our love, but I want to make it right with God. Is there a prayer that a pastor…
Read MoreShould we refuse to study with someone who is in an adulterous marriage?
Question: My question is this: When studying with someone who is not in the Lord and they have remarried and their first marriage was ended and not for fornication or death; is it right to refuse that person study unless they leave their present husband since their first marriage wasn’t for biblical reasons? Or, are…
Read MoreHow do I get my parents to see that they are enabling my sister to be a drug user?
Question: This question is about addiction and enabling and how it relates to the Bible. My sister got pregnant in high school and gave birth to my niece when she was 17 years old. My parents raised the child and formally adopted her. So, legally my niece became my sister. My parents spoiled her growing…
Read MoreI appreciate your web site
Question: I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your web site. I was reading in Isaiah 35 where the prophecy was concerning the land of Edom and wondered where present-day Edom is. I typed in Edom on bing.com and chose your web site. It was very easy to read and understand and included…
Read MoreWhat About Demon Possession Today?
by Dillard Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 30, No. 26, June 26, 1981. Question: Do you believe that the devil and his followers continue to walk about the earth today? If so, in what type of forms do they take? Answer: Yes, I believe that the truth stated by Peter still is prevalent in our…
Read MoreDaniel’s Seventy Weeks
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at…
Read MoreHow do you know that Ham was the youngest son?
Question: How do you know that Ham was the youngest son? Answer: “So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him” (Genesis 9:24). The word “younger,” or “youngest” depending on your translation, comes from the Hebrew word qatan. It is an adjective which can be translated as “small,” “insignificant,”…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a lonely single man to use the services of a prostitute?
Question: I am 29 years old, single, no kids, and most of the time lonely. I live in an environment surrounded by peer pressure. This is not a perfect world. Even media and entertainment promotes sex. The people around me talk about sex often. When I’m lonely, and my budget allows, I have sex with…
Read MoreHeed the Invitation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/HeedTheInvitation.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreWhy create humans if God knew most would live sinfully?
Question: So, God controls everything that will ultimately happen, but not the choices we make in order to get to that final event, correct? I’m almost positive that that’s what all of those articles were pointing to. So then, does that mean that He meant for humans to ultimately be sentenced to live in a world of…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say that Barabbas was cursed to walk the earth and never die?
Question: The Bible states that the curse of Barabbas was to walk the earth and never die. Where is he today? Answer: I’m always amazed at the things people accept as truth without ever checking their sources. Barabbas is mentioned in Matthew 27:16-26; Mark 15:7-15; Luke 23:16-19; and John 18:39-40. He was a man in…
Read MoreDo you know anything concerning the eastern gate in reference to heaven?
Question: Do you have any information concerning “the eastern gate” with reference to heaven? The reason I ask is that a couple of years ago I heard a preacher say as he was closing out a gospel meeting, “If I don’t see you before I’ll meet you at the eastern gate.” I wonder if it…
Read MoreHow do I help my aunt who has been in a long abusive relationship?
Question: My aunt has been married for a very long time and has been verbally and emotionally abused for the majority of her marriage. She has one daughter who also was verbally and emotionally abused by her father growing up. My uncle has cheated on my aunt numerous times that we know of. Still, my…
Read MoreDoes sin require a public confession before a congregation?
Question: It is with great difficulty that I find myself writing to you with this question. I have been married for about several months now. Shortly before the wedding, we made a grievous error and fell into sexual sins. A child was conceived from this sin. We are overjoyed over the child but do admit…
Read MoreWhat evidence is there that the Catholic church is not the one true church?
Question: I am a Catholic. What evidence is there from the Scriptures that the Catholic Church is not the one true Church to which all Christians belong? Answer: Since the Roman Catholic church is a large organization, your question is a broad one. What needs to be done is to compare current Catholic teachings and…
Read MoreWhen I see someone sinning, is it wrong not to say anything?
Question: After reading Leviticus 19:17, which commands us to rebuke our neighbor, I was surprised and a little worried. You see, sometimes I am afraid that, if I rebuke someone, they will either mock me or think of me as sanctimonious and thus be reluctant to befriend me or be eager to point out my…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible explain why Jesus’ bones were not broken?
Question: Can you please tell me where the scriptures are that explain about the death of Jesus. Specifically about His bones not being broken. I know that the Bible refers to His “broken” body. But I seem to remember in the Old Testament that it prophesied about no bones would be broken in Christ’s body.…
Read MoreSinging to the Lord (Echols)
by Bill Echols via The Persuader, February 17, 2008; Vol. 10, No. 45 Recently I read some excerpts from a book entitled Old Light on New Worship by John Price, “pastor” of Grace Baptist Church in Rochester, NY. Note carefully what he says. “Our worship should be governed, not by our own personal desires or preferences, not…
Read MoreWhat is your church like?
Question: How do you have such a great understanding of the Bible? I would love to understand and live whole-heartily according to the Bible. This is what I have been in search of. I believe in Jesus Christ, I’ve accepted him as my personal savior, was baptized as an infant, but would like to be…
Read MoreShould baptisms be only done in streams and not in pools?
Question: I was questioned about baptizing in a pool as opposed to baptizing in streams or other water sources. I did not know what Scripture to use to affirm pool baptism. Can you help? Answer: The word “baptize” means to immerse. The medium into which believers are baptized is water. “Can anyone forbid water, that these…
Read MoreShould I tell my daughters about the abuse I suffered in the church they attend?
Question: I was in a church for 12 years. I left because I was abused there. My two daughters are still there. I am afraid for them. I do not want them trained in this way. Should I tell them the truth? Answer: In some ways, it is hard for me to answer because the…
Read MoreAre you Mormon? What are your beliefs?
Question: I happened to stumble upon your church when I googled “the most accurate version of the Bible.” I have been currently attended a Baptist church, which solely uses the King James Version. I am really in search of the truth on my Christian journey. I am not one who believes in denomination over the…
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