Is the antecedent of “it” “church” or “rock” in Matthew 16:19?
Question: A little help, please. Where Matthew records; “….and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” What is the “it” referring to? I have heard some say it was the “church.” Others, that it was the “rock,” Christ. According to your studies of the Greek definition, what is the “it”? Answer: In Greek, a…
Read MoreDo you think God would judge us by our lives?
Question: did you really think that god would go by our days? have you takin a look at what was made? Read the bible again if you wan to go by that cause he says no one will life past a day seems to me not on even the oldest in the bible seems to…
Read MoreHow could the Revolutionary War be justified in light of Romans 13?
Question: Can I ask your thoughts on something? Just a little while ago I read: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,…
Read MoreWho did Aaron lead to the promised land?
Question: Who did Aaron lead to the promised land? Answer: Aaron was a leader in Israel, one of many actually. “These are the ones who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, with the leaders of Israel, twelve men, each one representing his father’s house” (Numbers 1:44). However, he wasn’t the one in charge. God…
Read MoreIs it “away from the presence of the Lord” or “coming from the presence of the Lord” in II Thessalonians 1:9?
Question: Like always, I have a question. In II Thessalonians 1:9 it has a commentary on the bottom. The verse says, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” then in the footnotes, I found in my Bible and on Blue Letter…
Read MoreShould I ask my girlfriend to marry me when we tend to argue a lot?
Question: I have a question which you may know a little about. In my relationship with my girlfriend, we tend to argue a lot. She will say something and I will explode or vice versa. This has left me without peace and asking if this relationship is God’s will. I wanted to ask my girlfriend…
Read MoreDo you believe it scriptural to offer the Lord’s Supper at an evening service in a separate room from the remainder of the congregation after the invitation but before a closing prayer?
Question: While researching this question, I stumbled across your web site. What a wonderful amount of information! Do you believe it scriptural to offer the Lord’s Supper at an evening service in a separate room from the remainder of the congregation after the invitation but before a closing prayer? My local congregation does this and…
Read MoreMust we confess our sins before eating the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Must we confess sin before eating the body and blood of Christ? What does “examine yourself” mean in I Corinthians 11:28? Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Jesus’ death. “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which…
Read MoreIs numerology satanic?
Question: I have a quick brief question: is numerology satanic or devil worshiping? Answer: Numerology is “the study of the supposed occult influence of numbers on human affairs.” Like astrology, numerology attempts to divine a person’s character and future. In numerology, it is based on numbers related to a person, wherein astrology is based on positions…
Read MoreShould my husband require his daughter to wear stockings and garters?
Question: My husband requires both me and our two daughters to dress in a conservative and feminine way. For me, tights are not allowed. It’s traditional stockings and a garter belt. I’m quite at ease with this, but he wants our daughter to follow suit, and I know there will be confrontation as she considers…
Read MoreI appreciate your stand for serving the Lord in the right way
Question: Brother Hamilton, I live in a small Texas town. May you continue to serve the Lord in Nebraska. I appreciate your stand for serving the Lord in the right way. May you have a wonderful new year. Answer: I thank you deeply for the encouraging words.
Read MoreIs Paul saying that only if we don’t work, then God will make us righteous?
Question: Is Paul saying in Romans 4:4-5 that only if we don’t work then God will make us righteous? Answer: “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for…
Read MoreDoes alcohol cook out when cooking with it?
Question: Does alcohol cook out when cooking with it? I’ve heard yes and no, so I am not sure. My sister got some barbecued Bourbon Chicken for supper. I didn’t’ think it had anything to do with alcohol, but I looked on-line and saw it does. If it doesn’t cook out of the food, then…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my insecurities?
Question: How would I go about understanding my insecurities and work on eliminating them or coming to terms with them? I realize that my insecurities negatively affect every relationship that I am currently in and ones that I have lost because of my issues. I don’t want to continue to carry them around with me…
Read MoreWhat does becoming “one flesh” mean?
Question: What does this mean: ”For this reason a man shall leave his father and leave his mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh”? Answer: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This…
Read MoreCross Congregational Fellowship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Christians do travel. This is an obvious statement, but it needs to be pointed out because it raises issues we don’t often consider. A Christian drops in on a congregation while in town for business. It is common for brethren to invite him over for a meal so they can get…
Read MoreHow can I help an abused girl who has been thrown out of her home?
Question: I’m a college student who’s a leader in my church’s high school ministry. One girl recently revealed to me, while on a mission’s trip, that she was abused by her parents, culminating in her being thrown out of the house at the age of 16. We talked and I assured her that God and…
Read MoreWhat other sites would you recommend reading?
Question: I am a vivacious reader. I really like this site. If it were not scripturally based I would not say that. When I get to the office in the mornings I usually eat breakfast and study for about an hour. You do a very good job. If I can understand it, then you can reach millions!…
Read MoreWhy do some of the pictures on your web site show Jesus with long hair?
Question: With no disrespect intended or meant, I wonder, after reading your excellent articles on “hair,” why you, in your Bible story pictures section, post pictures of our Lord wearing long hair? After reading I Corinthians 11, I personally believe my Lord would do nothing that would be shameful. It does seem to contradict your articles. Thanks…
Read MoreThank you for posting all the religious art on your site
Question: Thank you for posting all the religious art on your site. I often run across your site when I am looking for images for my sermons. Answer: Happy to be of service.
Read MoreIs it wrong to listen to rap or hip-hop music if it doesn’t contain anything about killing, drugs, or sex?
Question: I know Christians shouldn’t listen to secular rap or hip hop music, in which I stopped recently, but what if the song doesn’t contain anything about killing, drugs, and sex? Is it okay to listen to it? Answer: There is no prohibition on any particular musical style. The problem is that certain styles of…
Read MoreWhy are the lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 different?
Question: When I read Ezra and Nehemiah, I had some problems with the counting numbers recorded in both books. I believe the list of names in Ezra chapter 2 and Nehemiah chapter 7 are the same thing. But the number of singers and porters are different in these two books. While in Ezra 2:41-42 there…
Read MoreI appreciate your statements on your home page
Question: I am a Christian and a deacon. I was looking for pictures to use for a study on Ananias and Sapphira and ran across your web site. I appreciate your statements on the home page. We are a spiritual organization authorized by God and purchased by His Son. There is no need nor authorization for so many things that…
Read MoreSomeone upset that the Old Testament is no longer in effect
Question: do we read the same bible? But then again this is how things have to be for the prophecies to come to past the road to destruction is broad and alot of you people are on it you claim to be christians and luke 4:16 shows you live contrary to how christ lived you…
Read MoreHow many souls will fit in heaven?
Answer: All who are going. In describing those in heaven, John said, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelations 5:11). John is saying, imagine the biggest…
Read MoreIs it wrong to defend yourself?
Question: What if you are a Christian and someone attacks you after you walk away from them? Should you retaliate back or just take the assault? Most would just fight back. I want to know if it’s wrong in God’s eye to defend yourself? Answer: One does not retaliate; that would be vengeance. “If it…
Read MoreIf you can’t work due to illness, should you not eat?
Question: In II Thessalonians 3:10-12 it says if we won’t work neither should we eat. I always feel bad because I can’t work anymore. My wife and I are disabled and I can hardly count all the diseases I have and move only in a powerchair. Should we turn down any request to eat at…
Read MoreWhile stoned, I received and gave oral sex. Does this mean I’m a homosexual?
Question: I’m a Christian and a firm believer in God. But one night I messed up and smoked weed with my roommate. I had an erection and started masturbating under the sheets. My roommate asked did I want oral sex and I gave into temptation. I then gave him oral sex for about 10 seconds…
Read MoreDidn’t you overlook the “also” in the discussion about the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:15?
Question: I was reading your response regarding the nature of the Nicolaitans, their doctrine, and practice. Perhaps you may take the same issue with me that you do with the other commentator who did not offer an answer but rather a criticism. However, I hope you would pardon the simplicity of my question or observation. I…
Read MoreWhy did Jesus say to let the dead bury the dead?
Question: When I read Matthew 8:21-22, I felt quite confused. It says ” And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” What does this mean? I think “honor your parents” is…
Read MoreThe Worse Lies
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/WorseLies.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 59:1-15 I. In describing Israel’s plight, God lists out the sins in which they had been involved in Isaiah 59:1-15 A. Repeatedly through this passage lies and a lack of truth is brought up B. Lies are sinful, but more so, sinners lie 1. How does the addict attempt to avoid…
Read MoreIs there something wrong with being left-handed?
Question: What does Ecclesiastes 10:2 tell us? Is there anything wrong with left-handedness? Answer: “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2). Being left-handed is far less common than being right-handed. It is unusual enough that it is mentioned as a feature of some people.…
Read MoreHow can one become a Jew?
Question: In Esther 8:17, how can one become a Jew? Answer: “And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them” (Esther 8:17).…
Read MoreIs teaching in prisons and rehab centers worth it?
Question: Our church has been working with a prison ministry. It began many years ago by a lady who would travel many miles to the women’s prison. In that time I only know of one woman who came to be baptized, and, if my memory serves me right, when she was released she returned to…
Read MoreWas Dr. Henry Halley associated with the churches of Christ?
Question: Good day. I was reading your excellent article on Alexander Campbell. Good job. I have a question? Was Dr. Henry Halley of the famous Halley’s Bible Handbook ever associated with the churches of Christ? I read where he was once a student of J. W. McGarvey. I saw also where he was associated with the Disciples of…
Read MoreYou shouldn’t judge the Salvation Army on doctrine. See their works instead
Question: After reading your article I was rather puzzled about your thinking. I understand you are a church that focuses only on spiritual work, yet I see you are mixing, doctrine, church administration, church practice, and social work all in one comment. As a fellow Christian let me share some thoughts on this, I do certainly…
Read MoreI married a man who was divorced because of his adultery. Is our marriage ok?
Question: What do you do if you are a Christian, have a second marriage, and realize only too late that it was not the will of God? My spouse was a called man of God, but he committed adultery in his first marriage. He is no longer preaching, and I am not the other woman. I came…
Read MorePlease help me understand I Peter 4:17-18
Question: Please help me understand I Peter 4:17-18. Answer: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come…
Read MoreDoes “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” mean reading the Bible and learning about God and His Kingdom?
Question: Hebrews 10:23-27 said to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Does this mean going to church, or does it mean not forsaking reading the Bible and learning about God and His Kingdom? Answer: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us…
Read MoreWho is the host for the Lord’s Supper?
Question: In a discussion, someone asked, “Who is the host for the Lord’s Supper?” We discussed some possible answers and one man thought it not fitting to argue over non-biblical terms. Is it a biblical concept to know who is the “host” for the Lord’s supper, and, if so, then would the host be the…
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