How could Jesus be the son of man, the son of David, and the son of God?
Question: Why did people call Jesus as Son of David and Son of Man when he was neither born to any man or to anyone in the Davidic line? Were they fooling or flattering him, or is it true? If it is true can you give concrete answers? Who is the Son of David? Jesus…
Read MoreIf just thinking about doing oral sex with a woman is as bad as doing it, then why not just do it?
Question: If just thinking about doing oral sex with a woman is as bad as doing it, then why not just do it? Answer: To illustrate why your argument fails, let me make a similar one: “If hatred is just as bad as murder (I John 3:15), then why not just commit murder?” The answer…
Read MoreWhy are there all these new practices in the church?
Question: I am having trouble accepting new ideas within the church. Last Halloween the church sponsored a “trunk or treat” in the parking lot by putting Halloween themes in trunks of cars and giving out candy to kids coming down the street! Then at Christmas, the preacher called my house and ask if he and…
Read MoreWhat do you think about Christians watching cheerleaders at games?
Question: I read your article on dancing, and I was hopeful that you would have a complete sermon covering this topic. Our class, last night, was on Christian Strategies for Social Life. Yes, pretty much dancing was discouraged. But, and I knew it was coming, football games and cheerleading was not an issue. It was…
Read MorePlease explain John 8:34-55 to me
Question: Please give me the best-detailed description of John 8:34-55. Who is there, what, who is speaking to whom, and its meaning. Also, who is Mount Seir? Who are perpetual haters? Who is Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated? Who is Esau today? Who is Edom? Who are those who martyred the saints? Answer:…
Read MoreWhat passages of the Bible are connected to the laws of our government?
Question: It seems to me in the laws of the State there is a system of proportional justice based on the Bible. What passages can be directly connected to the laws of the State? What passages could be used to develop or support laws of the State which do not exist? Answer: Given the very…
Read MoreShould we take out a loan on unsellable land and then let the bank foreclose on it?
Question: My husband is applying for a mortgage loan and is using a piece of land he inherited from his father as collateral. We do not actually need the money. But we want to dispose of the land as soon as possible because there are already other people occupying it and we could not eject…
Read MoreWho is the shortest man in the Bible?
Question: Who is the shortest man in the Bible? Answer: There are all sorts of jokes based on this question, but I will assume you are looking for a more serious answer. We actually don’t know since height isn’t always mentioned. We know that Zacchaeus was short: “Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus…
Read MoreDid Jesus give men the right to forgive sins?
Question: I was reading “What is wrong with Catholicism?” because I was Catholic by default like you said. I had serious doubts, but what I found is that you made a big mistake. You say that man cannot grant forgiveness, but when I was reading the Bible, Jesus said that His priests, people, ministers, pastor,…
Read MoreWhy are prayers ended with “In Jesus’ name, Amen”?
Question: Why, when we pray, should we close the prayer with, “In Jesus name, amen”? Answer: The word “amen” is a transliterated word from the Hebrew language. Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies defines it as meaning, “Let it be granted, let it be done, and unalterably confirmed.” It can be seen in Numbers 5:22 where…
Read MoreWho are the elect in the Bible?
Question: Who are the “elect” the Bible talks about? Answer: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled…
Read MoreCan I have your permission to open a branch of your church?
Question: I am very much interested in your teachings and your church. I have therefore decided to open a branch of your church. I have been making preparation to perform and I need your authority to enable me to do it. I should, therefore, be grateful if you would kindly assist me to enable me…
Read MoreWhat are your references on John Wesley’s View of Baptism?
Question: Re: John Wesley’s View of Baptism Could you please send me the references or citations for the quotes from Wesley? Thank you for this page, it is very beneficial. Answer: The quote can be found in: John Wesley, A Preservative Against Unsettled Notions in Religion, p. 146-150, as quoted in Millennial Harbinger, Volume 1 by William Kimbrough…
Read MoreHow do you distinguish the needy from the wanters?
Question: Hi! I came across your site and subsequent Bible studies while trying to research the subject of giving but not in the traditional sense. Since my on-line searches are not producing the answers I am looking for, and since I noted that you are a preacher, I thought I might ask you for a…
Read MoreCan I purify my soul after looking at pornography?
Question: Hello sir. Before reading the article, “A Look at Pornography,” I had not gotten involved with prostitutes or anything of that sort. I recently was frustrated with academics and as a refreshment, I watched some porn. At some point I thought of going to a prostitute, but, sir, now I have decided after reading your…
Read MoreDo you believe you can only be saved by immersion in water? What about someone who can’t be immersed?
Question: How does one get saved who cannot physically be submerged? I didn’t look up your references, but is seems to me (by skimming through your article of why you left the Church of the Nazarene) that the main reason you left is you believe you are saved by baptism by submersion only? Am I…
Read MoreDo Methodists understand we are not under the Old Law?
Question: I am about to begin a study of why Christians no longer keep the Old Testament Laws with a very special lady, soon to be my wife, who is a lifetime Methodist. My mention that the Law is no longer kept piqued her interest. She expressed she would like to see that in Scripture. …
Read MoreCan I have sex with my ex-husband before our reconciliation?
Question: My husband divorced me, but not for biblical reasons. We are working on restoration. Neither of us has had an adulterous relationship. My question is can we have a sexual relationship before remarrying each other through the court? Answer: “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is…
Read MoreAre our sins completely wiped away or will they be remembered at Judgment in some way?
Question: In II Corinthians 5:10, it reads: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Then in Hebrews 8:12, it reads: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their…
Read MoreThe Justice of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/JusticeOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Habakkuk 1:1-4 I. The prophet Habakkuk was upset with God A. Wickedness and violence abounded in the world around him. 1. Jeremiah asked much the same question: Why do the wicked prosper? – Jeremiah 12:1-4 2. It is an old question. Job asked it – Job 21:7-15 3. Asaph too was troubled by…
Read MoreDoes God put a yearning in our hearts for Him?
Question: Does God place a yearning for him in our hearts so that we seek Him? Is this yearning misunderstood by us and we start trying to fill this void with worldly things? Why is it that some people know early in life what that yearning is, and seek Him right away while the others, either never find…
Read MoreIs the reference to a new earth given so we can understand heaven better?
Question: The new heaven and the new earth in Revelation is being taken literally by my friend. I know it’s referring to the spiritual earth. My grandson and I studied this scripture last night (Revelation 21:1-2). He brought up the fact that in Rome, the Christians were oppressed and God is promising them, in this…
Read MoreAre we limiting God by saying miracles don’t happen today?
Question: I have a friend who believes, like many people, that spiritual gifts still exist. He says to believe that they don’t is limiting the Holy Spirit. I told him that I see that as the opposite being true. To say that some have the gift of healing today and many many others don’t is…
Read MoreIs it wrong to question God?
Question: In Habakkuk 1:2-4, especially verse 3, Habakkuk questioned the wisdom of God. Is it wrong to do so? I believe the correct attitude toward God is to trust and obey; what do you think? Also in Genesis 18:23-32, Abraham plead to God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. I think it is wrong for…
Read MoreHow can Obadiah 21 speak of saviors when there is only one Savior?
Question: I have a question about Obadiah verse 21, in the King James Version the second word is “saviors”. And I know it does not mean Jesus, and it is a plural form. But who can be called savior except for Jesus Himself? I don’t understand the verse. Can you help me explain this? Thanks…
Read MoreYeah, Yeah, I’ve Heard It Before!
by Zeke Flores While at the dentist’s office some time ago for a routine cleaning, the hygienist asked if I had been flossing, just as she did each and every time I went. I mumbled something about “Not as much as I should” (It’s hard to speak intelligibly when someone has a sharp instrument in…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven of abortion and adultery?
Question: I have had an abortion and committed adultery as a Christian. My understanding, while reading your information on the sins that lead to death, is that I see no way I could be forgiven. Am I reading it right? Please help me with this. Answer: No, you are not reading the article “A Sin Leading…
Read MoreThe “Worship Wars”
by Wayne S. Walker In an article headlined “Understanding the ‘worship wars’” from World Magazine’s website on October 16, 2009, Warren Cole Smith began, “A recent Religion News Service dispatch caught my attention. Under the headline ‘Missouri Synod Leaders Declare Worship Wars “Sinful”’ came an article announcing the conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s eight-page ‘Theses on Worship.’…
Read MoreI’ve been married three times. How do I straighten out my life?
Question: I am a woman who has had an affair. I am really feeling convicted about many things when it comes to fixing the mess I have made of my life. I have been married three times. I got pregnant when I was 17 and married the father of my child. That marriage lasted for…
Read MoreCan my bride wear white even though we committed fornication?
Question: Please, sir, I need your advice on what to do. I have dated my partner for over a year. We trust and love each other very much, but we fell into the sin of fornication. My questions are: Can she still wear a white dress on her wedding day? Is it right to tell…
Read MoreA Singing Church
by Brock Hartwigsen The church was prophesied in the Old Testament as a singing church. In II Samuel 22:50 and repeated in Psalms 18:49, David stated: “Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” Years later the apostle Paul by inspiration applied this passage to…
Read MoreWhat do I do about shows where the Lord’s name is taken in vain?
Question: I used to be a member of the church of Christ several years ago but fell away. I recently have been wanting to consider coming back. I have been pondering how I’m living my life lately and all the things I’m doing that are un-Christ-like. I have been thinking about television shows and which…
Read MoreTransubstantiation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Transubstantiation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 6:35-58 I. The Lord’s Supper is a weekly memorial to the death of our Savior A. It was instituted by Jesus – Matthew 26:26-30 B. To be done in memory of Jesus – Luke 22:19 C. A declaration to the world – I Corinthians 11:26 D. A sharing – I Corinthians 10:16…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that everyone has the law written on their hearts?
Question: I was debating some people about inherited sin. They all feel it is true. Even in Baptist and Calvinist references when it quotes Romans 7, the part of once alive without the law, they say it was probably when Paul was a child without understanding. Anyway, when it says God’s word is written upon…
Read MoreThank you for the article on the development of the New Testament Text
Question: A quick note to thank you for The Development of the New Testament Text. What a great page for showing a fairly sophisticated flow in an easy to understand way. Quite educational. I got it from my sister in Africa who’s husband is a missionary. I’ve no idea where La Vista is but they…
Read MoreI don’t think you were fair in your analysis of the Roman Catholic Church
Question: I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I do not believe that your answer to the question “What is wrong with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church?” is fair nor factually accurate. First off, you started with the statement, “Catholicism has its roots in Christianity, but it has long departed from its origins.” This…
Read MoreOne year without cutting
Question: As of tonight, it has been exactly one year since I promised God that I would stop cutting myself, and I’ve kept that promise. It feels so unreal, the fact that it’s been one whole year since that night. And for once in my life, I feel like I’ve actually managed to do something…
Read MoreHow can I memorize more of the Bible?
Question: When I read the Bible, I find that I can only memorize very limited verses, or just remember the verses should be in which book, but cannot find where exactly it is. About four years have passed, but it seems not much improvement. I really want to know more about the Bible. Do you…
Read MoreWhy can’t I trust anyone?
Question: I trust you are well. I am OK in the Lord and my spiritual life is cool now that I have the joy of the Lord and am back to my first love. All the evil desires are gone and I am rejoicing in the newfound peace. I am writing to you because something…
Read MoreSince I became a Christian, I’ve become an alcoholic. Should I be baptized again?
Question: I was baptized in my late teens. I genuinely believed at that time everything I was supposed to based on Scripture. Since then, I have done all sorts of things that are wrong and sinful and it is now ten years later. I have a serious physical addiction to drinking alcohol and dipping, which…
Read More