Is Peter the rock of the church?
Question: In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. Does Jesus give any guidelines as to how and when his followers or Christians should worship God? Answer: “He said to them, “But…
Read MoreA Change in Law
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ChangeInLaw.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 8:7-13 I. Among those calling themselves Christian, many have a difficult time understanding the place the Old Testament has in God’s scheme of redemption A. A few cling to the laws regarding the Sabbath and so modify the New Testament teaching of worship on the first day of the…
Read MoreI’m about to have sex with my boyfriend. Will God still hear my prayers?
Question: I am about to start having sex with my boyfriend of nine months. Will God still hear my prayers if I do that? I really am confused. I feel that I’m ready, but I’m afraid of destroying my relationship with God. Please help. Answer: Here is the true test that you and your boyfriend…
Read MoreWhy I Don’t Forward Religious Stories
based upon a letter written by Darrell Hamilton A note was forwarded to me that went like this: After living a “decent” life my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors…
Read MoreWho Has Low Self-Esteem?
From Meditate on These Things, November 2009: Particularly enjoyed the article self-esteem, as blaming “low self-esteem” for all of the behavioral problems of children seems to have been a special problem for many in my profession, but especially therapists who come out of the very liberal schools of “social work.” I had opportunity some years ago to…
Read MoreWhere Do You Turn?
by Shane Williams via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 4, August 2009. Where you turn when you’re in trouble reveals your character. What does it tell us about young kids whose trouble turns them toward gangs, guns, or drugs? What do we learn about adults whose problems direct them toward alcohol, adultery, or the…
Read MoreWhere Do Elders Come From?
by Paul Earnhart The scarcity of functioning elders (bishops, pastors) in local churches has led some Christians to conclude that they are a rare breed with rare qualities. Otherwise, they reason, why would they be so difficult to come by? Contrary to this rather discouraging view, elders do not have to be imported from outer…
Read MoreWhen Our Loved Ones Lose Their Moral Compass
by Matt Adams Have you ever tried to use a compass or navigated using a map? With technology advancing as it has, most of us now wouldn’t choose artifacts such as a compass or a map as our primary tool for navigation. However, a compass is a very simple tool and requires that you know…
Read MoreWhat sins under the Old Testament remain as sins today?
Question: Hi there. I really like your work and biblical analysis. I read your answer on “Which scriptures are applicable today?” and I have some questions to ask. I am currently dealing with which sins are applicable to life today. I have to, of course. check myself that I am not motivated to discard these…
Read MoreWhat Would Jesus Do About the Death Penalty?
by Joe Neil Clayton Recently C-span carried a speech by Alan Keyes to an audience in Virginia. Mr. Keyes, a respected columnist, orator, and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, captivated his hearers with a lecture on the causes and cures for the moral collapse in our country. Part of the cause, he stated, was the…
Read MoreWhy isn’t “The Tales of the Patriarchs” included in the Bible?
Question: I recently learned about “The Tales of the Patriarchs,” a scroll found among the Dead Sea scrolls. If other books of the Bible were found among the Dead Sea scrolls, why isn’t this book included in the Bible? Answer: It should be noted that the Dead Sea Scrolls contained the writings of a Jewish…
Read MoreHow can there be no condemnation if Christians can sin?
Question: I’ve been trying to fit Romans 8:1 and I John 1:7-10. We know that if we walk in the light then we can ask for the forgiveness of our sins and they are cleansed. How does Romans 8:1 come into play? If we sin, we are separated from God. If we die in our…
Read MoreWhat Might Have Been
by Barney L. Keith How painful is the thought expressed by one of the great poets, John Greenleaf Whittier: “For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!'” Many a person has thrown away his life in drug addiction, (including alcohol). Numerous are those who have thrown…
Read MoreWhat Is the Proper Way to Refer to a Preacher?
Adapted from an article by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 34, Aug. 21, 2009. Question: My denominational friends refer to their preacher as “Pastor” or “Reverend.” What is the proper way to address the preacher, or how do you refer to him as you speak of him to others? Answer: For me,…
Read MoreIs chutzpah a part of biblical faith?
Question: I came across your teaching with “The Meekness of Moses” tonight by a Google search: “Moses meekest man.” I am beginning a study on chutzpah and faith for my career in business, specifically sales. I Googled the search term because if chutzpah is a part of biblical faith then my understanding of meekness and…
Read MoreThanks for the useful tool
Question: I had meant to point it out for a while now but have been very busy. In your article over The Nature of Sin, Temptation, and Lust. I believe you meant the first chapter of James, not the third for the beginning text. Otherwise, a well-orchestrated piece as usual. I cannot put into words how…
Read MoreCan a broken vow to God be forgiven?
Question: I read your response to “What does God do if you make a deal with Him and don’t keep it?” Question: When a broken promise has nothing to do with another person, does the Bible state anything about a person repenting for breaking a promise made specifically to God? What are the consequences of…
Read MoreI appreciate your honesty in admitting you don’t know everything about Exodus 4:24-26
Question: Thank you for your explanation of Exodus 4:24-26. I appreciate your honesty in not knowing all the answers. Sometimes those people can be the ones to trust the most. The humility of the answer was awesome and I loved your last comment that we can find the answer for sure in eternity but it may…
Read MoreIf a virgin marries a non-virgin, will he be condemned to hell?
Question: If a pure man marries a woman who he thinks is a pure woman (virgin), and he finds out later she wasn’t a virgin when they married, is he condemned to hell because it wasn’t a pure and holy marriage, even though he is a member of the true New Testament church? Answer: God…
Read MoreThank you for putting all the pictures on the web site
Question: I just want to thank you and folks there for putting all the pictures on the web site. They are very useful in doing PowerPoint. Answer: You’re welcome. I’m glad to be of service.
Read MoreThank you for publishing old Bible illustrations
Question: Thank you for publishing these old Bible illustrations. When my children were small, I used to read Bible stories to them from a book that had illustrations such as these. I prefer them to modern illustrations. The modern children’s Bible stories are terrible. The illustrations are simply cartoons. Children have Saturday morning television for that…
Read MoreWhat is the Golden Rule?
Question: What is the Golden Rule? Answer: It is the popular name for Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7:12, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.”
Read MoreDo you have sources showing that oinos and yayin can mean both fermented and unfermented drinks?
Question: Our Baptist church is considering the elimination of the statement in the church covenant that states, “do not use or sell any alcoholic beverage”. Obviously, this is to condone moderate drinking. The basis for this is Romans 14:21. The pastor has a lexicon that shows all wine as written in the Bible means fermented. …
Read MoreWhy didn’t you say that the girl who was living with her boyfriend could be forgiven of her sins?
Question: I just read over your response to a girl who lives with her boyfriend and she asked why you called it a sin. You gave her reasons, but then you listed reasons for her to consider. The second heading was “It Can Keep You Out of Heaven.” If you are preaching the truth as you…
Read MoreHow can God have the power to do anything but not be capable of doing wrong?
Question: How can God have the power to do anything but not be capable of doing wrong? Answer: While God is all-powerful, it does not mean He can do things that are contrary to His nature. He has told us that there are things He cannot do. God cannot sin (I John 1:5). God’s promises…
Read MoreJoys Of Christianity: God’s Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/JoysOfChristianityGodsGrace.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreSing with Understanding
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/SingWithUnderstanding.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 14:15-20 I. Singing is an expression of joy – James 5:13 A. It is form of worship and a way of teaching – Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17 B. Of course, people sing things all the time without thinking about what they are saying – just ask kids today what are the lyrics to…
Read MoreWhat If Christ Were Not?
by Batsell Barrett Baxter via The Sower, Vol. 54, No. 6, Nov/Dec 2009. Henry Rogers, a brilliant lawyer of a few years ago, wrote a book entitled The Eclipse of Faith, in which he imagined that some powerful hand had wiped the influence of Christ out of our civilization, as a hand wipes the chalk…
Read MoreInspiration and Trivia
Short Talk Question: How can the Bible claim to be from the mouth of God when it contains so much trivial information, such as Paul’s request to bring his cloak in II Timothy 4:13? Surely, these things cannot be inspired! Answer: I. What superficially appears to be trivial may, upon deeper reflection, be a rich depository…
Read MoreWhy the first holy communion?
Question: Why the first holy communion? What is confirmation after the first holy communion? Answer: The “first communion” is the name Roman Catholics give to the first time a person partakes of the eucharist. “Confirmation” is also a Roman Catholic term for teaching someone how to be a Roman Catholic. Neither phrase is found in…
Read MoreWhat are the first five books of the Bible called?
Question: What are the first five books of the Bible called? Answer: “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me”” (Luke…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that you will receive power?
Question: In Acts 1:8 when Jesus says that after the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall receive power. Does that mean power over my sins, over my thoughts power to talk right, or does it mean just what the Bible says? Answer: When Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense…
Read MoreThe Working of the Holy Spirit
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WorkingOfTheHolySpirit.mp3 by Bruce Irwin
Read MoreThe Invited
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/TheInvited.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreHow do I stop treating my wife so badly?
Question: We’ve been together for nearly ten years and for the past several years I’ve been treating my wife very badly. I say bad things to her and we just don’t feel happy around each other anymore. She seems like she’s afraid of me. I still love her and I know I can’t live without…
Read MoreAre God’s blessing physical or spiritual?
Question: I’ve heard so many times from my friends saying I’m so blessed that I have gotten good grades and a good job. What about those who believe in God but are not getting any jobs or are poor in studies. What is the actual meaning of blessings from God? Is it physical or spiritual?…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible say about accountability between friends?
Question: Where in the Bible does it say that one should have a good group of friends to keep him accountable? I had a friend who said I should stop seeking my friends’ help for accountability and just ask God. If that is true, why does God talk about the church and community? I think…
Read MoreYour page caused me to rethink about modern Israel’s place in God’s plans
Question: I saw your web page “Is the Modern Nation of Israel Important?” I was trained to view modern Israel as Falwell described it, but I’ve been rethinking that and you make some good points. Do you know of any books or resources available that go into this topic more? Answer: I’m glad you found…
Read MoreJohn Wesley’s View of Baptism
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton John Wesley is most noted as the Methodists and several denominations, including the Church of the Nazarene, derive their beliefs from his writings. While no mere man’s writings establish the truth, it is interesting that his view of baptism was quite different from the denominations we find today. “By baptism, we…
Read MoreIf God doesn’t show favoritism, then why was Abel’s sacrifice accepted and Cain’s was rejected?
Question: The Bible says that God does not show favoritism toward anyone. So how is it that He favored Abel over Cain, and accepted Abel’s offering while rejecting Cain’s? Answer: By saying that God is impartial (Romans 2:11), what is being said is that God doesn’t favor one person over another based on external attributes.…
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