How could there be sin before Moses when there was no law?
Question: I need to understand Noah’s history. It says in Genesis 6:9 that Noah was a just man; that he walked with God. But what does it mean by “just?” I mean, there wasn’t a law at the time, Moses didn’t exist. The same about Cain killing Abel. God told him to do good when…
Read MoreThe Continuation of Slavery
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/SlaveryInTheBiblePart1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:28-36 I. It is difficult to imagine, but slavery continues in the United States A. Oh, I know that slavery officially ended with the passing of the thirteenth amendment on December 6, 1865. B. Yet slavery continues to this day. C. Perhaps you are thinking, “I’m an American. I was born…
Read MoreDon’t Quit
by Bubba Carrier The first time I tried to march and play drums at the same time, I was terrible. When I concentrated on playing a steady beat, I marched out of step; when I focused on marching in line, I played off beat. After the first week, I went to the band director and…
Read MoreHow do we know that one day equals a year in Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks?
Question: I understand how they came up with the 483 years in Daniel 9, but how do we know from scripture that the 69 weeks is supposed to mean 69 weeks of seven years? Why do they do this or are they just figuring this backward and then saying well it must have meant years…
Read More“The Letter to Laodicea” really refreshed my spirit
Question: I want to thanks your words in “The Letter to Laodicea.” They really refresh my spirit with joy. We should have more ministers sharing our thoughts with each other. Especially the last paragraphs commenting about Apostle Paul’s motive for Philemon’s epistle and his ways to ensure the right thing was done. It’s so needed…
Read MoreDon’t Muzzle the Ox
by Sam Stinson “For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the…
Read MoreConspiracy Theorists
by Gardner Hall via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 36, Sept. 9, 2007. “Richard Nixon is a communist!” the man told me with certainty. “Why do you say that,” I asked. “He went to China to talk to them. Must be one of ’em,” was the response. Another man told me something to the effect that…
Read MoreGod Is Speaking to You
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 49, Dec. 4, 2009. One person claims that God revealed to her in a dream what she was to do with her life. A man says that God spoke to him, openly, telling him what he was to do religiously. Yet another sees signs in the…
Read MoreHow can I come across as sincere in my apologies?
Question: It seems that when I apologize to people, they refuse to accept. I understand that the majority of apologies come across as insincere. If this is the case, how can I be sincere in my apologies to people? Answer: An apology is an expression of regret for having done something that should not be done. So…
Read MoreDoes the New Testament Teach that the Wicked Will Be Punished Eternally in the Lake of Fire?
by Irvin Himmel via Truth Magazine XIX: 11, p. 162, January 23, 1975 It is asserted sometimes that God punished the wicked in Old Testament days, but that He is shown to be loving. and compassionate in the New Testament; therefore, the Old Testament concept of punishment for sin is thought to differ from the…
Read MoreDoes the Gospel Sanction the Use of Beverage Alcohol in Different Countries According to Local Customs?
by Jim E. Waldron In our approach to the word of God, we must not assume that modern definitions of words are those which are found in the word of God. Words in the Scriptures must be used in the context in which they were used at the time they were written. A well-known mistake…
Read MoreWhy warn a person against blaspheming the Holy Spirit if he won’t seek forgiveness anyway?
Question: I have read the stuff on blasphemy on your site, but I don’t read it in the Bible that it says a blasphemous person refuses to come to God. If that is true, why would the passages on blasphemy against the Spirit be in there? If a person won’t seek forgiveness why the warning? I…
Read MoreWhy bother praying?
Question: If what you say is true, then why bother praying at all? You are more or less saying that God will do whatever He wants to do no matter what you pray for. If you are right, then please explain. Answer: I don’t know which page you are referring to. I suspect you either…
Read MoreDidn’t Jesus die on Wednesday?
Question: I just got done reading your Jesus’ crucifixion page: “Three Days and Three Nights,” which is contrary to scripture. First off, if Jesus was crucified on Thursday, then 72 hours later would be 3 pm Sunday. This would not be three days, as God teaches. Jesus’ crucifixion was prophecied in Daniel 9:27 to take…
Read MoreShould I tell the leadership in my old church that I committed fornication with one of their leading men?
Question: I have a question. I know it may seem silly or absurd. I recently became involved with a man who is an ordained minister at a megachurch. He serves as armor-bearer to his pastor and plans on starting a church himself. For two years we talked and eventually went out. This man and I…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 16:1-2 Apply to Us Today?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 25, June 20, 2008. Let us first note what the passage says: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by…
Read MoreThe Despised CENI
by Dale Smelser There is a concept being promoted that God’s will is transmitted by commands only, and thus relative to the Lord’s Supper it is neither confined to nor necessarily observed on, the first day of the week. Before getting to the kernel of controversy, I recalled all this on Sunday morning as I did…
Read MoreIf you repented of past sexual sins, is it wrong to wear a purity ring?
Question: If you have had “relations” with someone, but have asked forgiveness and seen the errors of your ways and want to rededicate yourself to God, would it be considered wrong to wear a purity ring or something along those lines? Answer: If you are doing so to make it appear that you are something…
Read MoreWhy Believe in God?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/WhyBelieveInGod.mp3 by Bruce Irwin
Read MoreIt Is What It Is
by T. Doy Moyer via The Jackson Drive Reporter, Jan. 10, 2010 A friend of mine, wise and astute beyond his years (so he tells me), has shared his newly discovered motto with me: “It is what it is.” Ok, so I have thought that a few times before, but it is one of those simple…
Read MoreStudying Prayers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall6StudyingPrayer.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreImproving Our Prayers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall5ImprovingOurPrayer.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreUnderstanding the Word
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall4UnderstandingTheWord.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreThe Learning Triangle
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall3TheLearningTriangle.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreBecoming Careful Readers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall2BecomingCarefulReaders.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreBecoming Better Readers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2010Fall1BecomingBetterReaders.mp3 by Skip Sebree Communication Between God and Man
Read MoreThe Crucifixion of Christ Incorrectly Portrayed?
by Larry Ray Hafley PARIS (AFP) – The image of the crucifixion, one of the most powerful emblems of Christianity, may be quite erroneous, according to a study which says there is no evidence to prove Jesus was crucified in this manner. Around the world, in churches, on the walls of Christian homes, on crucifixes…
Read MoreProve All Things
by Gary Dennis Jones In feudal times, so the story goes, there were two rival kingdoms, one of which sent out a messenger to spy on the other. When the spy got to this kingdom, the inhabitants were all a-flurry, being in the midst of forming an army to kill the rats that were infesting…
Read MoreWhy are there birth defects? And is changing your gender fixing a defect?
Question: If God made man in His own image and said that it was excellent, then why are there birth defects, and isn’t fixing a birth defect the same as changing your gender if you’re homosexual? Answer: For your first question, see the sermon outline “Does God Make the Handicapped?” No, birth defects and changing…
Read MoreWhy is both the king of Babylon and Jesus called the morning star?
Question: Could you explain to me Isaiah 14:12-15? And then Revelation 22:16? Answer: “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will…
Read MoreHave you heard of the Christian and Missionary Alliance?
Question: I respect and appreciate your spiritual and professional opinions and thank you all very much for your hard work. Have you ever heard of the C&MA — Christian and Missionary Alliance? Answer: The Christian and Missionary Alliance started in the late 1800s as two societies dedicated to spreading Christianity. Over time, the societies merged…
Read MoreCounting the Cost: Using Biblical Principles to Guide our Children in Spouse Finding
by Sally Ann Perz Choosing a spouse is the second biggest decision in one’s life—this is surpassed only by choosing to follow Christ. We must guide our children in this effort just as we lead them to Jesus. We often leave this important choice to them—somehow they are ‘on their own’ when it comes to…
Read MoreYour answers to guys’ questions about things related to sex helped me as well
Question: I recently came across your website when googling issues about sex. The page that opened went to one in which you addressed various questions asked by boys and men. In as much as the information was directed at them, it helped me, too. Being human, we suffer or encounter similar challenges. I could identify with…
Read MoreAll Feeling, No Proof
by Robert Turner via Plain Talk, April 1970 The current rash or tongue-speaking, miracle-sanctioning, and the far more common errors concerning direct Spirit indwelling, that infects many institutional churches of Christ, was not brought to earth in the Apollo 11 moon dust. It sprang from causes within the ranks. Last month we suggested that reaction to…
Read MoreWhen is anger appropriate and when is it sinful?
Question: I’ve been pondering this for some time, and I’d like to hear your thoughts. When, if ever, should we be angry, and if there is such a time, what should we do with that anger? I know that feeling angry is not necessarily a sin (Eph. 4). And I know that God and other righteous…
Read MoreIs it correct that before the Gospel, the Gentiles were still under the Patriarchal law?
Question: I read your article on Cornelius was a devout man. I have been taught that Cornelius, a Gentile, was still under the Patriarchal law since the Law of Moses was give to the Jews. This was the beginning of the change when the gospel was offered to both Jew and Gentile. Is this correct?…
Read MoreWhere do you draw the line?
Question: Well, I chatted with a friend who is a lesbian. She was drunk, so I’m not sure if what I said really impacted her or not. Anyway, I let go of my fears, told her that she could be forgiven for anything if only she would change, and told her exactly how I felt…
Read MoreDo I tell my boyfriend that I had a one-night stand?
Question: Hello. Well, first of all, I came across your site by asking the question: “By not telling my boyfriend about a one night stand am I sinning even though I have cried and prayed to God to ask for forgiveness?” I have been living with my boyfriend for several years and we have been…
Read MoreCould the one person God intended for me be someone who is already married?
Question: I have a question about God and His choice for a spouse: Is it true that there one person He has chosen for each of us? If this is true, would the person he has chosen for me be married, and would I meet him while I was married? My current partner and I…
Read MoreShould Wives Call Their Husbands “Lord”?
by Sam Stinson “For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” (I Peter 3:5-6, ESV). Someone suggested that if…
Read More