Does God exist outside of time and sees all of time at once?
Question: First, I wanted to thank you for the web site. I come here often whenever I find that I have a problem that needs addressing. Anyway, on to my question. Lately, I’ve been wondering about something after something my preacher told me. He once told me that God is not confined to time as we…
Read MoreJust Justices
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JustJustices.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 10:22-38 I. Many times Jesus faced a mob set to stone him for his words. A. In our reading, the thing which upset them was Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. B. They understood that this was not a light claim, but one of a direct relationship. They…
Read MoreWho were the scribes?
Question: Why would the scribes be involved with seeking the death of Jesus? I thought scribes did the writings, copying of the manuscripts, etc. Did they have authority as well as the Pharisees? What part did they play in the temple activities then? Answer: One of the duties of the Levites was to make copies…
Read MoreIs the oil to be bought in Matthew 25:1-13 the truth mentioned in Proverbs 23:23?
Question: Do Matthew 25:1-13 and Proverbs 23:23 correlate? Is the oil we are supposed to buy truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding? Answer: When dealing with parables, you need to be careful to use the imagery in the parable consistent with the point being made. It is possible to stretch a parable beyond its intended meaning.…
Read MoreAre we judged based on justification or based on sanctification?
Question: Are we judged based on justification or based on sanctification? The reason I ask is because of Hebrews 10:26-31. It appears these people have already been justified, but are merely trampling on grace. I wanted an expert’s opinion. Answer: It appears you are making a distinction not found in the Scriptures. Your question makes…
Read MoreThe Consequences of “Imputed Righteousness” per Calvinism
by Dudley Ross Spears “Imputed righteousness” is an integral part of classic Calvinism. It is the doctrine affirming that the personal righteousness of Jesus Christ is instantly transferred to a sinner at the point of “saving faith.” Accordingly, the believer ceases to be the old vile sinner he was and forthwith becomes a new and…
Read MoreThe Conclave
by Dudley Ross Spears The death of the man called “John Paul II” has put the Roman Catholic Church in the position of electing a new “visible head” of their church. The late Karol Wojyhla was elected to be the 264th “visible head” of all Catholics around the world. He was elected by the “College…
Read MoreClothing Doesn’t Matter?
Joe R. Price The outcry over Britain’s Prince Harry wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party has been loud and boisterous. No doubt the young prince has been reminded of the life and death struggle for freedom his countrymen and the world fought and prevailed 60 years ago. The stench of millions of innocent…
Read MoreWouldn’t a New Testament church realize that we are our brothers’ keepers?
Question: On the home page, it says that you really don’t participate in community activities, fundraisers, home missions, or anything like that, in the way I interpreted it anyway. Wouldn’t a New Testament church realize that we are our brothers’ keepers? And that James said faith without works is dead? I understand totally that God’s house…
Read MoreDidn’t Paul say he could speak in the language of angels?
Question: In reading the answer to the Azusa Street revival I was confused by your stance on that revival. A lot of the people quoted kept saying the “tongues were in gibberish” not another language like they thought it would be. But plainly in I Corinthians 13 it plainly says I will speak in tongues in…
Read MoreWhy are there so many translations?
Question: Why are there the KJV, NKJV, ASB, and NASB versions of God’s Word? Other than the language changing, I don’t get the idea for the different translations. Answer: The primary reason given for doing a new translation is to update the language to match modern terminology. While language shifts, it doesn’t shift so dramatically…
Read MoreChurch Kitchens and Fellowship Halls
by David Riggs Church buildings with kitchens and fellowship halls are quite common today because the social gospel has gained acceptance in the minds of many. In fact, more and more churches of Christ are running headlong in that direction with complete apostasy being the only outcome. Unauthorized There is absolutely no Scriptural authority for…
Read MoreWho can give communion?
Question: We have a doubt about administering communion; that is, who can give communion? We are seven who as started a church and now it has grown to 30 people. We have one leader but none of us is ordained. Now, who can give communion? Or should we find an ordained preacher to give communion?…
Read MoreThe Chief of Sinners
by Ethan R. Longhenry “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should…
Read MoreCharacter: The Essential Quality of Leadership
by Jim Deason via The Jackson Drive Reporter, Nov. 15, 2009 He saw it happen but somehow it didn’t register in his mind. The peanut butter was in the cart, but somehow it never made it to the conveyor belt that carried it by the cashier. The bag boy just picked it up, unpaid for,…
Read MoreWhy would you think that God would not forsake His own Son?
Question: I just have one thing to say. Why then does God say that He cannot face sin? Do you then deny that Jesus Christ died for our sins because you said it makes you uncomfortable to think that God would forsake His own Son? What about the fact that Jesus said that “Not one…
Read MoreI don’t think God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors
Question: If your church has no kitchen etc, then how do you share communion together? Do you take everything home to wash? Did not Jesus share communion with the apostles? I do not think that God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors. I find it strange indeed. Answer: Communion, also known…
Read MoreDoes the Bible teach that you don’t have to congregate to go to heaven?
Question: A good friend and fellow sister in Christ called last night to tell me about a conversation she’d had with a few co-workers. One guy said that, although he didn’t know where, he knew the Bible said you ‘don’t have to congregate to go to heaven.’ A woman said someone had once told her…
Read MoreCan We Have Too Much “Positive” Preaching?
by Greg Gwin We readily acknowledge the importance of positive preaching. Brethren need the “comfort of the Scriptures” (Romans 15:4). Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesians so that he could “comfort your hearts.” Timothy was dispatched to Philippi (Philippians 2:9) and Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:2) in order to comfort the brethren. Clearly, this kind of…
Read MoreCan a Christian be involved in distributing contraceptives if it will reduce the number of abortions?
Question: I am a hardcore Christian and live my life for God. I try to do the right thing even if that means suffering for it. I ended up getting a job where I am the “Health and Wellness Coordinator” at a college. I felt at peace and that God provided it for. It has…
Read MoreBut You Don’t Have Elders
by Karl Diestelkamp via Think on These Things, January-February-March, 2011, Volume 42, Number 1 No telling how many times brethren, who are working hard to worship God in truth and purity and to preach the gospel and to work in every scriptural way, have heard these words from brethren who move into their area. Wouldn’t every…
Read MoreHas the Second Coming of Jesus Already Occurred?
by Tony Mauck via Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 7, July 2008 2008 is already half over and “all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3:4). From the mere standpoint of human observation, “A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4). Day after day,…
Read MoreMy husband left his third wife for reasons other than fornication. What do I do?
Question: My husband has been divorced. I read some of the topics about divorce and it really scares me. My husband was divorced three times. The first two divorces were filed because his ex-wives were cheating on him. But the third divorced is different. It was filed because it wasn’t working between his ex-third wife…
Read MoreWhat do you think God is telling me?
Question: Due to family problems, my preacher recently prayed for me and God spoke through him and let me know that I am an honest person and that if I were to die right now I would stand before the Throne of Jesus because I chose Jesus and that I am a Cedar and Fragrance…
Read MoreIngredients for a Strong Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/IngredientsForAStrongChurch.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MorePolitical Issues
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PoliticalIssues.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 2:13-17 I. Should Christians be involved in the issues surrounding elections and the operation of our government? A. I’m not talking about a congregation endorsing a particular candidate or financing someone’s campaign. B. But should stands be made regarding issues which government officials debate? 1. For example: abortion, contraception for unmarried…
Read MoreA Bit of History
by Jefferson David Tant While looking through an old paperback songbook, I found a page written by Austin Taylor, a song leader who often traveled with my grandfather (J. D. Tant) and other gospel preachers to lead singing during gospel meetings. He mentioned the favorite songs of several preachers. I do not know when the…
Read MoreDo you have other material on an elder’s children being faithful?
Question: I just read your article on faithful children per Titus 1:6 and I must say I appreciate the way you handled it. I am in my first full-time work after graduating from preaching school and this question has come up. As if by providence we began our study of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus…
Read MoreDo brain region sizes or pheromones prove homosexuality is genetic?
Question: In college, I’ve been taking a non-verbal communication class which teaches us about different aspects of what some people refer to as “body language”. Throughout the class, the instructor had made claims that homosexuality has a genetic basis and that there’s evidence that may lead us to believe that people are born that way.…
Read MoreA Biblical View of Marriage and Homosexuality
by Doy Moyer Christians should be able to define clearly what the Bible teaches are marriage and sexuality, particularly in a cultural climate that increasingly defends homosexuality. This is really about what the Bible teaches, so let’s walk through this a little. Before looking at the biblical case, we need to consider a foundational disjunction.…
Read MoreHow do I find someone to marry?
Question: I read your on-line article on Christian marriage and it really inspired me. I realize now that I want to return to my roots and find a Christian lady to marry, with whom I can worship God. Help me find someone. Answer: Since there are several articles on marriage on this site, I’m not…
Read MoreBut you did nothing to refute Catholic claims
Question: I read your response to “Why did Catholicism start and when did it happen?” But you did nothing to refute Catholic claims. You just repeated them. The question also makes no sense. “Why did Catholicism start?” – because it is the teaching of the apostles. “When did it happen?” It happened as soon as…
Read MoreHow do I know if I’m doing what God wants me to do?
Question: How do I know if what I am doing is what God wants me to do? I don’t know if I should do what I want to do or what others want me to do. Above all, I don’t know if what I am doing is right or wrong. How do I find out?…
Read MoreDo we have to do penance?
Question: Do we have to do penance? If we sin and we ask for forgiveness is it enough or do we need someone to give us a penance? Answer: Penance is a Roman Catholic concept which is not found in the Bible. If we stayed with the actual definition of the word, it means “repentance…
Read MoreHow do you know if someone likes you?
Question: I am a senior in college. There is a girl that I like who just started attending school here whom I am trying to get to know. It seemed she liked me in the beginning, but it seems she doesn’t really like me as much now. It seems she is trying to avoid me now. I’ve…
Read MoreWhat is the significance of the veil being torn at Jesus’ death?
Question: Just after Jesus died on the cross in Matthew 27:51 it says “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;…” What is the significance of the temple being torn in two from the top to the…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that God’s word is a two-edged sword?
Question: What does the Scripture mean in Hebrews 4:12 relating to a two-edged sword? Answer: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the…
Read MoreMy parents are too overbearing. Do I have to obey them even though I’m 18?
Question: My parents are too overbearing. They are allowing me to live home, but when I am out with friends and a particular girl I like, I miss curfew and my dad told me the next time I was home late, he would punish me. I work a part-time job and they are paying half…
Read MoreSince I Corinthians 16:1-2 was only about one need, then isn’t this just an example of how a collection might be taken and not a command for us today?
Question: I have been reading your web page and find it interesting. I came to the one on contribution and have some problems with it. Maybe you can correct my understanding. “Lay by in store so that there is no gathering when I come.” This is a command or request by Paul for the churches…
Read MoreMy boyfriend doesn’t want to get married yet because he’ll be dropped from his dad’s insurance. What should I do?
Question: Ok, my fiance and I have been living together for almost six months now. We are not married. For a while I let myself get away from God and I didn’t care if we were living together unmarried. I’m trying to get closer to God and receive forgiveness for my sins. I know the…
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