Disappointment
by J. D. Williams We are all familiar with the story of Job. The loss of all his material wealth not only affected him but his wife as well. Notice the question she asked him, “dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die” (Job 2:9). What prompted her to respond this way?…
Read MoreA prophet told my fiance not to marry me. What do I do?
Question: Sir, I am a Christian and I am passing through hell. I had a fiancee whom I’m planning to marry, but recently her prophet called her to tell her to quit the seven-year relationship. He said the marriage is not safe because I’m going to die very soon as a result of a covenant…
Read MoreThere’s More to It Than That
by Dee Bowman via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 13, Mar. 30, 2008. It’s interesting to me how an illustration can sometimes become so powerful that it supplants the thing it is illustrating. For instance, the illustration for salvation is many times cited by the use of a man’s five fingers. Here, believe, repent, confess,…
Read MoreAre tattoos or plastic surgery sinful?
Question: Is it a sin to have any kind of surgery like plastic surgery? Are tattoos sinful even if they don’t represent anything bad? Answer: Under the Old Law, the Israelites were forbidden to imitate the idolatrous religions around them. One practice was to make marks on the body, either by tattoos or by scaring…
Read MoreVengeance
by Keith Sharp via Truth Magazine XXIII: 34, pp. 554-556, August 31, 1979 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other…
Read MoreThe Bible Does Not Teach Praying to Dead Animals
by Bob Lovelace Various kinds of religions offer congregants and those at large opportunities to participate in “a blessing of animals” ceremony. This often comes in October in celebration of the so-called “saint” of Catholicism – St. Francis of Assisi. Myth has it that he preached to the birds rather than to man as Christ…
Read MoreI’ve sinned a lot and I’m tired of repeating the same mistakes. How can you make a new start?
Question: Hi! I’m 14 years of age and my question is how do you get back to your old self when you have fled away from God? How can you make a new start? I have sinned a lot and repented an awful lot as well. But I’m sick of repenting for the same old…
Read MoreIf God doesn’t change, then why not follow both testaments?
Question: I thought your God was the same as yesterday today and tomorrow: Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” So how can God have two wills, creating the Old and New Testament? That sounds more like a change to me. So if God is the same always, then you should be…
Read MoreI’m looking for a “veiling” church. What denomination are you?
Question: Hello, I am a 23-year-old Christian. The Lord has spoken to me about my dress and I have struggled to obey Him but am coming around. I am not a big fan of denominations because I believe it has caused many divisions in the body of Christ. With that said it is what it…
Read MoreOf Prophecy and Football
I. We all know that there are fairly wild predictions concerning the future. A. The prophecies in the Bible are often used to support these off the wall claims. B. One of the reasons why we have been studying Revelation is so you know what the Bible actually says. II. Consider this page from a web page by Jack…
Read MoreDid Alexander Campbell Establish the Church of Christ?
by Bill J. Humble via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952. Alexander Campbell A Preceptor reader from Texas has submitted a list of questions that request a statement of what Alexander Campbell actually did. Since members of the church are often asked such questions as “The church of Christ began with Alexander Campbell,…
Read MoreThe Church in 1492
by Kent Heaton The world of 1492 was very small. Men knew very little about the earth as we know it today. Christopher Columbus sailed this important year with a crew of 87 to discover a new world. His adventure literally changed the face of the world and man came to realize the world was…
Read MoreMy girlfriend and I will get married, but we can’t afford it right now
Question: My girlfriend and I have been together for 3 1/2 years. We’re both into our church, and we have grown up with religion as a big part of it. We aren’t married, mostly because we don’t have the money to get married, but we are truly in love with each other. Also, we have…
Read MoreHow do you move on when your husband leaves you for another person?
Question: How do you move on when your husband leaves you for another person, and he is a Christian who knows better? Answer: I’m really sorry about your plight. It must be devastating. The thing to keep in mind is that you can only do what is within your ability to control. Your husband was…
Read MoreI don’t work outside the home, so I have no income. How much should I give?
Question: I discovered your site today and let me say I love it! I have a question about tithes. I’m a stay at home mom; therefore, I have no income. My husband has a job, so am I supposed to pay tithes off of the money he gets from work? Or do I pay tithes…
Read MoreShould I tell my husband that I committed adultery?
Question: I’m a born again Christian. In the last two years my marriage was having problems. I knew my husband was cheating on me, but I didn’t have proof, so I in return cheated on him. I found out he cheated because the young lady texts him. But he never found out about my affairs…
Read MoreWhat are the seven mansions?
Question: In my Father’s house are many mansions. What are the seven mansions? Thank you! Answer: So how did you leap from “many mansions” to “seven mansions?” “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I…
Read MoreI’ve committed sexual sins, but how do I get past the feeling that I’ve ruined everything?
Question: Hello, I ran across your web site some time ago and liked your responses to many questions – you tell it like it is. So now I have run across one of those same situations and I’m probably going to sound exactly like a lot of those other people. I guess sooner or later…
Read MoreCan a divorced person remarry if adultery occurred after the divorce?
Question: If two people are divorced for unbiblical grounds and there is no adultery at the time, yet one spouse after the divorce marries someone else or is sexually immoral is the other then free to remarry another? Answer: “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another,…
Read MoreThe Apostles
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Apostles.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 11:1-15 I. I Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-13 A. The world contains many strange ideas regarding apostles. B. The Mormons and some other denominations claim their organization is more truly like the first century church because they have apostles. C. I have had some strong discussions with men who claim the…
Read MoreAre any of the Apocrypha truthful?
Question: Thank you for the insight into the Book of Enoch. I have been curious about reading this piece. I was wondering if you know of any other “gospels” that are considered truthful that are apart of the Apocrypha writings, such as the books of Maccabees, Thomas, Mary, etc. Answer: The first and second books…
Read MoreThe Authority of the Apostles
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/AuthorityOfTheApostles.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:41-47 I. An argument that you frequently hear is “Jesus never said ____ was wrong.” A. It doesn’t matter if the issue is thoroughly discussed in the New Testament, the focus is directed solely on whether Jesus directly made a statement on the subject. B. The implication of the argument…
Read MoreJames 1:27 and the Orphan Home
by Jimmy Mickells When I obeyed the gospel in 1974, the issue of church-supported orphan homes had been debated among brethren for a good number of years. This subject, along with a discussion of colleges being supported from the treasury of the church, had already caused a great division among the Lord’s people. It was…
Read MoreHow It Works
by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 36, Sept. 5, 2008. Churches today are looking for ways to reach out to the communities in which they serve. Some look to the latest book, or the most recent demographics, the best mail lists and so on. I think sometimes we so over-complicate church work…
Read MoreMy King James Bible doesn’t say “once for all” in Jude 3
Question: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The words “for all” is not in the King James Version of the…
Read MoreIs being addicted to caffeine a sin?
Question: I was wondering if you could give me a bunch of verses concerning whether being addicted to caffeine is a sin or not. I personally believe that being addicted to caffeine is a sin or anything for that matter. I can think of a few verses to back my point up, but I am…
Read MoreMy family won’t go to church because they think people will judge them for not attending. How can I get them to go with me?
Question: I have a question to ask you that I do not know how to fully answer. My family members are not convinced that going to church as a family is the best thing for the family. I believe that going to church is important especially as a family, but they believe that everything taught…
Read MoreScience’s Rejection of Evolution
by Dennis Marks To say that evolution is the easiest thing to prove is a statement beyond reason and a product of blind faith. Many will say that “all major scientists support evolution.” The fact is there are many scientists who believe in the biblical account. Here is just a small sample: Joseph Lister, antiseptic surgery;…
Read MoreI love your site!
Question: I was browsing information specific to the twelve tribes of Judah. I came upon your site and thoroughly enjoyed reading through it tonight. I have bookmarked your site, and I will study it in the future. I was very interested in reading so many sections, especially on the Rapture. Thank you for clarifying the matter. I…
Read MoreWhat prophet did God blind?
Question: What prophet did God blind? Answer: The question is worded vaguely enough that there are two possible answers: The false prophet, Elymas, was blinded. “Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius…
Read MoreI just can’t seem to forgive myself and I don’t know what to do
Question: I am 22 years old and have been raised in the church. I have been struggling with forgiving myself. I have committed fornication. I’ve repented but I just cannot seem to forgive myself. I knew that I was disobeying God and I knew that my body was a temple and still I fell into…
Read MoreIs It Wrong to Have Romantic Feelings?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 40, Oct. 2, 2009 “And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make for him a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). God intended that man should have a mate, a woman, and that that woman should have a…
Read MoreMaking Bible Reading a Priority
by Abraham Smith In earlier articles, we studied scriptures which show us that we are obligated to read the Bible regularly. This includes the idea of reading the whole Bible. After all, Jesus said, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God…” (Matt. 4:4). Those who truly…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover
by Abraham Smith In an earlier article, “Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover,” we considered several factors that hinder us from reading the Bible in its entirety. Let us now examine the benefits we get from routinely reading all of the Bible. The road to understanding the Bible The Bible is written in such a…
Read MoreReading the Bible from Cover to Cover
by Abraham Smith We should read the Bible from cover to cover. We should want to know what the Lord said. Many of us, while acknowledging that the Bible is the word of God, have not read it in its entirety. We have been hindered from reading the Bible completely for several reasons. It is…
Read MoreThe Mesha Stele
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In 1868, a stone monument was found at the ancient site of Dibon, once the capital of Moab. The site is currently located in the modern country of Jordan. The black basalt stele is a record of King Mesha of Moab recounting his rebellion against Israel. “Now Mesha king of Moab…
Read MoreMy girlfriend isn’t a Christian and I don’t know what to do
Question: I have been dating my girlfriend for almost two months. We have now run into some problems with each other. I will admit that she is not a Christian. I wanted to try and bring her to Christ. Her parents are divorced and her mom has a man living with her. My girlfriend calls…
Read MoreAchan’s Sin
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. Fresh on the heels of an astounding victory at Jericho, the young Israelite nation, under Joshua’s leadership, focused on the next objective in their campaign to capture Canaan – the land promised by Jehovah. Ai, a small town, was next on the list. Upon their return, the men sent to…
Read MoreMormonism is the restoration of all things
Question: Thank you for responding. My purpose is to come to an understanding of others, and their way of worship. If I offend you, I apologize. This is not my intent. It’s interesting to see how others interpret the scripture. I would like to continue with this discussion, and again thank you for taking the…
Read MoreCan a church choose men to lead when there are no elders?
Question: When there are no elders in a congregation and the church chooses certain men to lead, is this scriptural? Answer: I probably would need more information to answer your question. Much depends on what you mean by “lead.” During worship service, there are men who lead various parts of the worship. “How is it…
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