In regards to Acts 2:38, Satan certainly has you fooled!
Question: Just read your article on Acts 2:38. Satan certainly has you fooled! Answer: I assume you are referring to “Is Acts 2:38 Heresy?” Given that you offer only an empty opinion, not answering according to scripture as God commands (I Peter 4:11), the evidence in regards to foolishness doesn’t point in the direction you think.…
Read MoreCan my girlfriend and I get married after committing fornication?
Question: I have some issues I want to share with you so you can pray with me and give me some advice. I was searching the web for some answers on some Christian web sites when I came across your answer to a question that I had, and I am in a similar situation. My…
Read MoreHow do I teach my girlfriend the truth?
Question: You have helped me in the past, and I’m very happy to be asking you a question on much better and different terms. I am a Christian and attend a church of Christ. I believe in what the Bible teaches and like to think the church I worship at does as well. I have been…
Read MoreWhat is godly sorrow and how can a wheelchair-bound person be baptized?
Question: I plan to be baptized as soon as I feel that I have properly obeyed the prerequisite commands to baptism: Hear the gospel, believe the gospel, repent of past sins, confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and after being baptized remaining faithful until death. Which brings me to my questions,…
Read MoreWho are those who love and practice a lie?
Question: In Revelation 22:15, John seems to be saying one last time who will enter the kingdom and who will not. All the other things I understand, but the last part when he says those who love and practice a lie is somewhat unclear to me. I understand the general meaning and how that relates…
Read MoreWas the Hebrew lineage ever determined through the females in history?
Question: Regarding biblical lineage: Was there ever a time in the course of history when Hebrew lineage was recorded through the female? Answer: Lineage was traced through the males throughout the Bible. The only exception is in the case of Jesus because his father was God. You can see this in all the lineages where the…
Read MoreAre small group meetings in place of the Sunday evening assembly or midweek study scriptural?
Question: Hello. I appreciate your work and respect your knowledge of the Word. I have a question concerning the small group phenomenon in the Lord’s church. Is there a scriptural basis for the small group to not assemble at the appointed times (mostly Sunday evening worship and Wednesday Bible study) though the elders approved it?…
Read MoreSpiritual Illumination
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/SpiritualIllumination.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 3 I. What does it take to understand the Bible? A. I had one woman object to an article stating that the Ten Commandments were not directly in effect because they were a part of the Old Law. 1. She told me to read several verses which stated not…
Read MoreThere Is a Difference
by Billy Moore “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8), so, there is a difference! There is a difference between Serving God and Serving Sin, between Walking by Faith and Walking by Sight, and between God’s Ways and Our Ways. And this difference must make a…
Read MoreCan a person understand the Bible without the Holy Spirit’s help?
Question: Regarding the Ten Commandments: Hi there. My advice is that you take and read the Bible. Do not put your ideas into it. There are other people who do understand the Bible. Therefore, read Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32. This is exactly what you do on your web site. I am sorry. I do not try…
Read MoreThank you for your lesson on the greatest commandment
Question: Matthew 22:37 to me is the reason we are here. Deuteronomy 6:5-8 gives me the assurance of God’s love for us. We are to love Him at all time regardless of our situation. Sometimes it scares me that the love of God is so powerful yet so gentle. Romans 11:27-36 finalizes Jesus and Holy…
Read MoreWhy was Jesus born of a virgin?
Question: Some people try to explain that Jesus was born to a virgin because if he born like us he would become sinful. They then conclude that men are born sinful. I know that men are not born sinful. But I cannot able to explain to them the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Please explain…
Read MoreHow to Know What God Wants Me to Do
by Greg Gwin We all face important decisions. These decisions will often have a great impact on us and our families. It may be a question about what job to take, or where to live, or what school to attend, etc. What should we do? Does God offer any help or guidance in making such…
Read MoreHow do you handle a rebellious 17-year-old who plans to move out and marry his girlfriend?
Question: I have a rebellious 17-year-old son living at home. Recently he received a speeding ticket. For punishment, he is grounded. He will turn 18 shortly and is threatening to move out. He also wants to marry his girlfriend of several months. I have tried everything to help him serve the Lord and do what…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My boyfriend doesn’t want to get married and I do
Question: My boyfriend and I live together. We’ve been living together for two years. He doesn’t want to get married. I do. Also, I am Christian, he is agnostic. I have tried to talk to him about God, but he wants proof. I don’t know what to do. When we first got together, I was…
Read MoreThree in One
Three In One Part 1Three In One Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 13:11-14 I. Christianity, Judaism, and Muslims all believe in one God A. But their concept of “one” differs greatly B. In Judaism and Muslim beliefs, God is numerically one. To think of God as multiple beings smacks of polytheism and is…
Read MoreWhen is a divorce final?
Question: When is a divorce final? If a man or a woman discontinues the marriage, is the divorce final in God’s eyes? Or is it not final until the courts decide the outcome? Answer: God didn’t establish details for what constitutes a marriage beyond the fact that a covenant creates it (Malachi 2:14). The terms…
Read MoreDoes “sexual immorality” (porneia) include masturbation?
Question: I would like to just say in some previous answers you have said that masturbation is not mentioned as a sin, but it is. We are told in Acts 15:20 to flee from sexual immorality. Today, most of the world sees masturbation as sexual immorality, and it has always been considered that. Because the term isn’t…
Read MoreAn Open Door to Where?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The presiding bishop of the Episcopal denomination in the United States was in town this weekend. Katharine Jefferts Schori’s message throughout the day was an emphasis on an “open and not dogmatic” faith. “‘I read the Gospel to say that Jesus invited everybody into His community,’ she said in an interview.…
Read MoreHow could Adam name all those animals in one day?
Question: I have a question regarding making sense of the six days of creation and 24 hour days. How long did it take Adam to name the animals? Did he name all those animals within one literal 24 hour period on day six of the creation week? Answer: “Out of the ground the LORD God…
Read MoreMy husband of a few months thinks he married too young and wants a divorce. What should I do?
Question: My husband is much younger than I am. We’ve been married now for just a few months. Our relationship took off kind of fast. He is deployed now to another country and since has been going back and forth with the thought of divorce. I have kids, none of them are his by blood.…
Read MoreI’m not certain if I could spank a child I’m watching
Question: I’m a young Christian lady (27 years old) who watches an 11-year-old boy on a regular basis. His parents will go on a two-month trip and have asked me to move into their home and take care of him while they are gone. I will be happy to do so, but I have a…
Read MoreThe Jerusalem Conference
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JerusalemConference.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 11:1-18 I. The meeting in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 15, is used to justify many things A. The gathering of denominational bodies to consider issues is justified by this passage. B. Many go a step further to justify decisions of what rules the denomination will support C. Messianic Jews believe that…
Read MoreWe can’t get married right now, but we can’t keep from engaging in sexual acts. What do we do?
Question: My girlfriend and I have a very serious problem. But first, a little history. When we met, I was not a Christian. She has been one for her entire life. In meeting her, she showed me the way to God, and I was baptized a few months ago. Together we have grown immensely in…
Read MoreIf it was taught that the Old Covenant was abolished, why was the conference in Jerusalem necessary?
Question: In Acts 15, we have the elders, apostles, missionaries, prophets, and the Holy Spirit coming together to decide if the Gentile Christians were to keep the Old Covenant Law and circumcision. Most Christians teach that the Old Covenant was abolished at the cross. If this is true, then why was the conference needed? Why…
Read MoreCan a Christian eat anything?
Question: Everything documented fine until your statement that a Christian can eat anything. This contradicts the statement of Jesus that He did not come to change the Law but to complete it. The dietary laws of Deuteronomy are still in effect. And for very good reason. Look carefully at the forbidden animals. The list is…
Read MoreCan a person, ashamed over their living condition, be too proud to ask for help?
Question: This was asked of me by a friend. I don’t know the answer. I told her I don’t think shame can turn to pride. Can being ashamed of something be misinterpreted? Such as having a house that has become unliveable, and being overhelmed by it? I am ashamed because I let it get that…
Read MoreIs it good in a relationship to express our true feelings so we can know each other better?
Question: Your advice is really solid. One thing we’ve decided to do in our relationship is to give each other the freedom to express our true feelings and reaction so we can know each other better. Sometimes things get too bad, and we end up emotionally hurt. But we don’t let it sleep with us.…
Read MoreWhy did Peter follow Jesus in Matthew 26:28?
Question: Why did Peter follow Jesus in Matthew 26:28? Is your understanding that the “reason” that he followed Jesus was only because he wanted to see what was going to happen? Not to stand up for Jesus? Perhaps I should have explained that I am working on a lesson for Sunday morning and the point that I want…
Read MoreIs it wrong to question your pastor about what is in the Bible?
Question: If your pastor is wrong about what’s in the Bible, is it wrong to question him about it or openly disagree with him? Answer: A part of the answer to this question must be how you approach the disagreement. “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on…
Read MoreWas faith an absolute requirement for Jesus’ healing people?
Question: Was faith the absolute requirement for Jesus’ healing people? Answer: “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to…
Read MoreWhy did God choose the Israelites as His people?
Question: Why did God choose the Israelites as His people? They were the only saved people before the death of Jesus Christ. What about others? Why did God has chosen only Israel as His own people? Answer: “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you…
Read MoreYour web site helped my wife understand that sex is clean for married couples
Question: I would like you to know that your web site helped my wife very much today in understanding sex is clean for married couples and that sex is good because of Him! Thank you so much. Please pray for us. My wife is a very private person who is dealing with a lot of…
Read MoreWas Cain the son of the Devil?
Question: My Sunday school teacher says that Cain is the son of the Devil. I don’t see where in the Bible this is true. Is it? Answer: If your teacher means physically, then it is time to find a better teacher. “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said,…
Read MoreWhat is the spirit of offense?
Question: What is the spirit of offense? How do you know if you have it? Why do so many churches use this phrase against people to control them? Answer: The phrase “spirit of offense” is not found in the Bible. People can cause offenses by their behavior, but using the phrase “spirit of offense” implies…
Read MoreWhy should we go to church every Sunday?
Question: Recently a friend asked me why we should go to church every Sunday. I told him to learn the Word of God, but he said we can learn that any time. So why should we go to church? Answer: Ask your friend what he learned from the Bible last week on his own. Most…
Read MoreWhat can I do to grow?
Question: How should I be confessing Jesus with my mouth? What kind of works can I do to please God? Right now, I feel like the guy who is given one talent in the parable of the talents. What can I do to increase that what God has given me? I was baptized last year,…
Read MoreWhen is one saved?
Question: When is one save? Is he saved after he confesses that Jesus is the son of God? Or is he save after he is baptized? What saves Him? And are there supporting Bible verses for such questions? Answer: Since, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering…
Read MoreHow long should an engagement last?
Question: First, I want to thank you for a beautiful, wonderful site. I’m a young Christian, growing in the Lord. I have a girlfriend. We love each other and I desire to marry young, as soon as possible. We’ve been dating for two months now, but we have known each other for three years. I…
Read MoreHandling Opposition
Handling Opposition Part 1Handling Opposition by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Nehemiah 6:15-19 I. Nehemiah took on an ambitious project to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A. He completed the project in just 52 days – Nehemiah 6:15 B. That alone is an amazing feat, but we can’t overlook the fact that the project did not go smoothly.…
Read More