What can I do about getting annoyed with people?
Question: I have a problem with my attitude. I am a medical professional and I work in a very stressful environment. I choose this profession because I truly believed I wanted to help people to learn more about their medications. I find myself getting frustrated and tend to sin when people come in with fake…
Read MoreDoes the Bible state the world is flat?
Question: [This is the first point in an overly long document that was sent, purporting to prove there are errors in the Bible. This first point claims that the Bible states the world is flat. I’m not going to give space for false teaching, but I want to illustrate with this first point the errors…
Read MoreIs it right for a church to have meetings or parties at the church?
Question: Is it right for the church to have devotionals, Leadership Training for Christ, retreats, summer camps for the youth, Trick or Treat at Halloween, or New Year Eve parties at the church? Answer: A church’s duty foremost is to provide the opportunity of its members to gather for worship. “… when you come together…
Read MoreOlder and Improved?
by Shane Williams in The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 7, Nov. 2009. We’ve all heard television commercials that tell us about a product that’s “new and improved.” This is in contrast to an older and therefore inferior product. At least that is what they are hoping will cause you to buy the “new” item. No…
Read MoreIt’s obvious you have little to do but bash other religions
Question: Regarding “Should Christians Help Support the Salvation Army?” It is obvious that you have very little to do but bash other religions. Maybe I should do one about yours. No, that would make me just as un-Christian as you! Answer: Quite a broad generalization based on one sermon outline. My job as a preacher…
Read MoreDo I need to be withdrawn from because my girlfriend gave me a handjob?
Question: My girlfriend and I are both virgins, but last month she gave me a handjob. We know it is bad. We asked for forgiveness and have decided we will stop sexually touching each other. My question is do I need to be taken out of the church? Like the brother in I Corinthians chapter…
Read MoreObeying the Lord
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 8, Feb. 20, 2009. Question: How can one talk about “obeying the Lord” in the light of what is said in Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8? Answer: First, let us notice what these two passages say: “Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to…
Read MoreNew and Improved Religion
by Carey Scott It is amazing that just about every product that has ever been sold has evolved into a more new and improved product. The marketing firms have convinced the manufacturers that unless they have new and improved printed on their products; they will not sell as many. But what does new and improved…
Read MoreWas Naomi related to Obed in any way?
Question: Was Naomi Obed’s grandmother or even related to him in any way? Answer: Obed was the son born to Boaz and Ruth. Ruth was Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law. She had married Naomi’s son who had died. Boaz married Ruth in part because he was a near kinsman to Ruth’s husband. In particular, he was the…
Read MoreDid the Haitians make a pact with the devil? Did that cause the earthquake?
Question: Do you know what the basis for Pat Robertson’s comments on Haiti and their pact with the devil was based on in terms of the light of Scripture? Is it true they made a pact with the devil? I find his comments to have no scriptural basis at all. I then took it upon…
Read MoreIs membership in a local congregation necessary for salvation?
Question: First of all, I want to say that I do like your site and the good information it provides. However, while reading “Christians Without Churches?” I came across the following statement: “Is it possible for a Christian to be part of the “universal” church without being identified with a local church? The Scriptures give…
Read MoreDoesn’t a marriage license mean the government controls marriages?
Question: You said: “They imagine all sorts of nonsense regarding giving up rights, but the reality is that the government is serving as a repository of the covenant.” License is a prior restraint. It presumes that the activity is not a right but stems from the licensor (government in this case), is illegal otherwise and…
Read MoreThe Works of the Flesh: Murder – Real and Imagined
by Kent Heaton The blood of Abel (Genesis 4) still cries through the ages of centuries as a sad reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. The early world was destroyed because “every intent of the thoughts of [man] was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5) as men filled with rage against their fellow man shed man’s…
Read MoreCan’t a person be a Christian and a Wiccan?
Question: I am a Methodist Christian witch. A few months after turning fifteen, I felt too pushed to believe in God by my church family, then a friend suggested giving Wicca a try. I felt free to be myself and learn from my mistakes instead of feeling guilty and being punished. Like all Wiccans and most…
Read MoreI’m going to be going on a tour. What do I do about missing services?
Question: First, I want to thank you for this web site. I’ve visited it quite frequently over the past several years, and it has helped me to understand more about what the Word says. I found myself amazed that questions I had been asking myself had already been asked by previous viewers. It’s helped me…
Read MoreModern Versions and Perversions
by Joe R. Price There are over 450 versions of the Bible in English alone. New versions continue to be published, not all of which have as their primary interest that of being a precise translation of the ancient manuscripts. In fact, very few have that as their intended purpose. The September 25, 1995 issue…
Read MoreThe Miracle of Creation: A Stronghold for Believers
by George Hutto via Tidings, Vol. 24, No. 11, Nov. 2009. Moses laid the foundation for belief in God with the first ten words in the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Other miracles are significant, but the miracle of creation tells us our origin, gives reason for believing in…
Read MoreWhen Paul asked the Ephesians if they had received the Holy Spirit, what was he referring to?
Question: When Paul asked the Ephesians, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” in Acts 19:2, was he referring to the gift of Acts 2:38? And is that the same as the Spirit given in Acts 5:32. Thanks. Answer: “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper…
Read MoreHow soon should I forgive someone?
Question: How soon do I forgive someone? People can say things without meaning them. Should I wait until I see that they have really changed? Answer: “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,…
Read MoreHow detailed does a confession of sin have to be?
Question: How detailed does a confession of sin have to be? Do you need to list out all that you’ve done wrong? Answer: First, we need to remind ourselves what is the purpose of confession. Confessing our sins means we are facing up to the fact that we were in the wrong and we are…
Read MoreI want to donate to disaster relief, but not to an organization that has wrongful practices. Where do I start looking?
Question: I am wanting to donate money to help the Haiti situation out, but I also realize that certain organizations are associated with religions whose teachings are not of God. I wanted to give to organizations or charities who will most effectively use the money. Of course, the older, more established charities are better, but…
Read MoreShould I turn myself in for the sins I did in the past?
Question: For some time now, my guilty conscience has reminded me of several crimes that I have committed in the past. The felonies include physical abuse, shoplifting, illegal file sharing and perhaps other things. I was caught red-handed for shoplifting once. However, I was only convicted for that one time. I had actually been shoplifting…
Read MoreOffering an Invitation
by James Shewmaker We may offer encouragement at any time to respond to the summons of Jesus, but the summons belongs to Him and not us. If a person expresses a desire to respond to the Savior’s summons, I do not wait till the end of services. For example, a family contacted me about 40…
Read MoreLove or Legalism?
by Steven F. Deaton When we insist men must adhere strictly to the commandments of God, is it love or legalism? Men say it is legalism. They say, “We should obey a Savior, not a system.” Or, “Give me the man, not a plan.” Their idea is that to admit the existence of a law…
Read MoreDoes the whole church need to hear the whole sermon?
Question: Is there some biblical passage where it is mentioned that in the primitive church all listened to the preacher and all were present during the whole worship? Answer: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Church Is Magnificent
by Jim Ward via the Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 59, No. 2, Feb. 2009. The term church occurs nine times in the book of Ephesians with nine additional references to the church using the term body, and one each using household of God and temple, it is apparent that this is one of Paul’s major…
Read MoreLike Arrows
by Steve Higginbotham via Bulletin Briefs, Vol. 12, No. 4, April 2009. In Psalms 127:4, the inspired text has a fascinating comparison. Here it is written, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children of one’s youth.” From this simple simile, several significant and sobering truths shine forth. Like arrows, children need…
Read MoreLet Us Make Man in Our Image: Genesis 1:26-27
by Doy Moyer via Gospel Guide; Nov., 1995; Vol. 27, No. 10. Man, which includes male and female, was created “in the image of God.” This makes man unique among all creation. Man is not just another animal. He is a being specially created after God’s own image. This is why animal life is not…
Read MoreLessons from Genealogy
The “begots” and “begats” of the Bible can be laborious at times and difficult to pronounce. Often throughout the scriptures, time is devoted to accounting for the family lines of thousands of people. The chronology of these individuals is important for two reasons: The nation of Israel was confirmed through the lineage of Abraham (Genesis…
Read MoreIsn’t saying you must be baptized limiting the power of God?
Question: I am sorry you feel the way you do about the Church of the Nazarene, but more so about your hard-lined stance about baptism. By saying “No one is saved without being baptized in water” you immediately limit the limitless God. You are saying that God cannot save anyone on their death bed, since they…
Read MoreLeprosy!
by Paul Williams The repulsive disease of leprosy has a strange fascination. God’s law for Israel described its symptoms in detail and gave minute instructions to the priest for its diagnosis. This law also said, “As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall…
Read MoreIf God knows someone will become evil, then why would he allow them to be born?
Question: Someone asked me, “If God knows someone will become evil, such as Hitler, then why would He allow them to be created?” I went to Abraham offering up Isaac as a sacrifice and how God said, “for now I know…” Maybe God chooses not to know if we will become evil since we are…
Read MoreLearning to Let Go
by Matt Allen via The Jackson Drive Reporter, June 28, 2009. We are first introduced to Paul at the end of Acts 7. In a few words there, and a short collection of verses in chapters 8 and 9, we get a brief glimpse into his life before coming to Christ. In Philippians, Paul would…
Read MoreMy girlfriend constantly complains and I’m getting drained. What do I do?
Question: Hello. I have a girlfriend who has a big attitude problem. She’s always complaining about life, and she tends to take it out on me a lot. The funny thing is that we both Christians, and I have plenty of patience with her. It’s come to the point where I get tired because she…
Read MoreThank you for posting such good material
Question: I just wanted to thank you for your good materials posted on your web site. Your article answering the question, “May Christians serve as punitive agents, such as soldiers or policemen, for the civil government?” was most helpful to me. I hope that you will continue your good wok in posting these things to…
Read MoreIf a person says “If I’m lying, may I go to hell” and then lies, will God forgive them if they repent?
Question: I can’t really remember if I have ever done this, but I am kind of sure I have. I hope I never said this, but if someone says to a person: “If I am lying, may I go to hell,” and then they lie, will they go to hell even if they repent? Answer: I…
Read MoreHow do we know what is in our spirit?
Question: I have a sort of complicated question, and really would like any logical answer you can give to help. Any advice you can give, based on Scripture, that helps to establish the truth as to what is the best way for a person to know themselves inside? For instance, I know the Scriptures teach…
Read MoreDoesn’t Gershoff’s study in 2002 show spanking leads to aggression?
Question: I just read some of your Questions and Answers. We have a family in our church who is seriously set on frequent spanking using tools, e.g. a belt. Now I was wondering what God (and the Bible) says about it. You seem to name relevant passages of the Bible properly. But I think the…
Read MoreI feel so despondent and regret the decisions I have made
Question: I’m a senior in high school and I feel downtrodden. I feel so despondent I just don’t know how to get out of this rut I am in. I miss people that I’ve lost over the silliest of reasons, I wish I would’ve gotten better grades last semester even though they were near perfect,…
Read MoreWhat do I do about my family? Some are so deep into sin, I don’t know how to handle it
Question: I am writing today in regards to something I am finding extremely difficult to think about, or even to accept, especially in living a Christian life. In the recent past, one of my goals was to try to re-connect with my family. I come from a very difficult and hard life. For my own…
Read More