We 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 MoreI really enjoyed your material on the Parable of the Unjust Steward
Question: In preparing for a home study, I was looking for a further explanation of the parable about the unjust steward found in Luke 16. Really enjoyed reading your material on this. Answer: I’m glad you found the material useful.
Read MoreNovel Understanding
by Doy Moyer I don’t try to be novel in my understanding of Scripture. I am not aware of any particular view I hold on specific passages that is “way out there” compared to how others generally and historically see the same passages. That is not to say that there are no differences or disagreements.…
Read MoreFree Will and the Power of God
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Photo by Rock’n Roll Monkey on Unsplash A gentleman called me recently to discuss the idea of men having free will. He believed that if a person can choose his own destiny, then he is working against God’s will. Therefore he believes that a concept of free will is at odds…
Read MoreDoes it matter how you are baptized?
Question: I get confused about baptism. I believe a person should be baptized by immersion. Some feel the mode does not matter – just as long as you get baptized. I have attended a Baptist church that says baptism does not save you – that the thief on the cross next to Jesus was saved…
Read MoreShould we always understand a passage literally?
Question: I have a friend who told me that, when we read Bible, if it is possible for us to do so, we should take it literally, but I do not think it is always the case. For example, in Matthew 6:17, Jesus said we should “anoint your head” when we fast, but I do…
Read MoreWhy does Jude contain quotes not found in the Old Testament?
Question: When we study the book of Jude in our Bible study group, I found that in verse 9 and verse 14, Jude quoted “The Lord rebuke thee” and “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,” but they were not in the Old Testament. A brother told me that they are in…
Read MoreDo I need to fix all my past sins in order to repent? Must I confess sins I did years ago before the church?
Question: Hello! Okay, I am going to tell you some things that have happened over the course of about six years. I am currently 20 years old. When I was 14 years old, I was baptized. Soon after, I began to mess up and commit sin. (By the way, I do not have a perfect…
Read MoreDid God clothe Adam and Eve with feathers?
Question: Hi. The Bible does not specify what God used to clothe Adam and Eve with. Jewish commentary mentions the idea that the Nachash molted and that God used this to cover their nakedness. Answer: “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Hebrew word…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the beauty of the Lord?
Question: In Psalm 27:4 and others when it states the beauty of the Lord, what do you think of? There are several different ways, I think, to look at this and I wanted someone else’s’ opinion to help me. Thank you. Answer: “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that…
Read MoreFellowship: A Word Study
by Becky Rene It is essential at this point that we understand how our spiritual fellowship is expressed. So we will take the time to examine the noun “fellowship” (koinonia) in all the contexts in which it appears. Some of the verses are difficult to understand because the translators have translated the noun koinonia as if it…
Read MoreIf someone refuses to repent, are they still considered brethren?
Question: We had a couple who were members until we learned that their marriage was unscriptural. They refused to repent. Are they considered “brethren?” Answer: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as…
Read MoreWhere in the Bible does it tell about two judges ruling at the same time, one evil and the other one good?
Question: Where in the Bible does it tell about two judges ruling at the same time, one evil and the other one good? Answer: Sounds like a trivia question. I suppose some might count Eli as an evil judge (I Samuel 14:8); however, his sin was not in his judgment but in his lack of…
Read MoreSince my husband returned from overseas, he hasn’t come home. He wants a divorce. Does this mean I can’t remarry?
Question: I hope this email finds you in great strength and faith. I spoke with you months ago about my marriage to a man who had just left to go overseas with the Air Force. He has come back home and hasn’t made any attempt to see or talk to me. So I definitely want…
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