Thank you for the great marriage study information
Question: Brother, I just wanted to thank you for the great marriage study information on the La Vista website. My fiance and I have read through much of it before deciding to get engaged. Answer: Thank you very much for your kind words. It is nice to know that the work is being used profitably. You and…
Read MoreDoes a Christian have the right to privately criticize an elder?
Question: Does a church member have the right to privately confront or send a message to an elder, for the purpose of disagreement or criticism? If this not acceptable, what consequences should follow a disagreement? Answer: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who…
Read MoreHow were the Thessalonians taught by God to love one another?
Question: In I Thessalonians 4:9, how were the Thessalonians “taught by God to love one another” so that Paul did not need to write to them? Are we taught in a similar way? Were other New Testament Christians taught in the same way? If so, why did apostles write to them telling them to love,…
Read MoreDoes fornication include adultery, or are people only looking for another way out of marriage?
Question: I emailed you before regarding marriage and divorce and remarriage. I must admit I emailed hastily before reading your entire view on this. After reading more, I agree with most of what you said on this highly debated topic of the Bible. As a new Christian and one that is going through a very…
Read MoreIf a husband commits adultery after his wife divorces him, can she remarry?
Question: My sister has decided to leave her physically abusive, alcoholic husband. She doesn’t have plans to divorce him and is hoping that eventually, he’ll realize he needs help. She knows what a scriptural divorce is and that this does not constitute remarriage. I don’t think he will ever change, but it would not surprise…
Read MoreIf a person is in an adulterous relationship, must they leave their partner and children?
Question: If a person marries a person who had been divorced but not for a scriptural reason though he presented himself as having a scriptural reason for divorce and so they marry. Then later, the innocent party finds out that the other party did not, in fact, have a scriptural reason for divorce. What then?…
Read MoreIs baptism required to go to heaven?
Question: If you don’t get baptized, do you not go to heaven? Answer: Assuming you are talking about responsible adults, consider the following: Can the disobedient enter heaven? “But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does…
Read MoreIf, after being divorced, a person found out that his spouse was married to another at an earlier time, is he free to remarry?
Question: I have a question regarding divorce. If a person marries another knowing the person has been married before but understood this person was divorced scripturally from the first marriage. Years later, trouble begins and one spouse files for divorce. Therefore, leaving the one spouse not free to marry again since there was no adultery…
Read MoreI keep questioning my beliefs. Does that mean I’m no longer saved?
Question: I need help in reconciling what I have always been taught and what I am being taught now. I was baptized a few years ago in the church and at the time I did truly believe that it was necessary, since then I begin to question whether it was necessary and I question many…
Read MoreGod Overthrows the Wicked
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/GodOverthrowsTheWicked.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Do not trust in men – Psalm 146 A. Even a high ranking man is not trustworthy B. Men die. Even with good intentions, they cannot always accomplish what they desire. C. God, however, can do all things. D. It is important to remember that men are very limited in power II. David is opposed…
Read MoreDid the Jesuits develop preterism and futurism?
Question: Is it true that ‘preterism’ and ‘futurism’ were Jesuit interpretations of prophecy that were contrived during the counter-reformation? I’ve read that in a couple of places and wondered what your study has led you to about that. Thank you. Answer: Preterism is the view that the prophecies concerning destruction, especially those found in Revelation…
Read MoreHow do we teach against bad language?
Question: How do we teach against bad language with easy steps for rectification? Answer: The number one way to prevent bad language is for the parents and anyone else involved in the training of the child not to use bad language. Children imitate what they see and hear around them. That is their primary way…
Read MoreWill Jesus come again when everyone has heard the gospel?
Question: I know that Jesus Christ will come again when everybody has heard the gospel. Right? Well, a lot of people at school say that the world is going to end in 2012. Why are they saying this? Answer: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but…
Read MoreIs the song “Light the Fire” scriptural?
Question: Have you ever heard the song “Light the Fire?” I have heard some objections to this song because of the “fire” mentioned and “breathing new life.” Doesn’t it just depend on how you look at it? Denominational people would probably look at it the wrong way. Doesn’t Hebrews 12:29 say, “For our God is…
Read MoreI love web sites like yours that help to clarify the Gospel
Question: Hello, I just wanted to thank you for your site. I am a recovering Catholic and am always looking for more history to plead my case with the rest of my family. I was saved a year ago and am now engaged in a mission to save the rest of my family from the lies…
Read MoreWhy do you say that sex without being married is a sin?
Question: Hi! I’m a 21-year-old girl from Iceland and I found this site by accident as I was looking for answers on the Internet about the chance of getting pregnant when using withdrawal as contraception. I found the answer here and want to thank you for a good explanation. I have a boyfriend and we are…
Read MoreDoes the Holy Spirit really come inside a person at conversion or only upon a person?
Question: Does the Holy Spirit really come inside of a person at the time of conversion? Or, after true discipleship and the timing of God, does the Holy Spirit come in? However, during that time the Spirit is upon you? Answer: It appears you are creating a distinction that is not supported by the Scriptures.…
Read MoreA Brief History of Mormonism
A Brief History of Mormonism (Part 1)A Brief History of Mormonism (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jude 3-21 I. It is not politically correct to speak against another person’s religion. A. As a result many people don’t know much about the religion of another person – Hosea 4:6 B. But how do we deal with…
Read MoreHow do I teach a young woman who harbors anger over the past?
Question: Would you recommend specific passages that I can use for a girl who still harbors pain, anger, resentment, but who is looking for acceptance and love? I have tried to express love and acceptance to her. I think she believes me but doesn’t believe that God loves her. What can I do? Answer: You…
Read MoreHow do I get back to God?
Question: I was a spiritual person until certain events took place in my life. Having God in my heart is what got me through my very unstable childhood, and most of my military career. While deployed I did and saw things no one should ever have to do or see. I saw true evil in…
Read MoreWhat makes some fantasy stories wrong?
Question: Hi! I asked in the past if imagining ideas for a story was OK, and you said that you couldn’t see anything biblically wrong with it. But I feel like I need some details. For example, I heard of some Christians (not that I judge their opinions or anything) saying that they should ban…
Read MoreYou have one of the most sensible articles concerning Jephthah’s daughter
Question: You have one of the most sensible articles concerning Jephthah’s daughter. Thank you for sharing it on the web. Answer: You are welcome.
Read MoreWhat Goes Around …
David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 8, Feb. 23, 2007 While preparing for a cookout on July 3, 2006, a Delaware man decided to use gunpowder rather than charcoal lighter fluid to get the coals glowing in his grill. This “unorthodox” fire preparation method blew up on him, and he suffered burns on…
Read MoreYour misuse of Leviticus 10:9 undermines your argument
Question: I don’t drink alcohol, and I’m not trying to justify drinking alcohol, but on your “Drinking in the Old Testament” page, you are misusing Leviticus 10:9 when you claim “The priests were not allowed to drink.” It only says they were not allowed to drink “when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation.”…
Read MoreWas Judas Really a Traitor?
by Bob Prichard via House to House, Vol. 17, No. 5 In conjunction with “Easter season:’ the National Geographic Society released an ancient document dubbed the “Gospel of Judas.” In their news releases, National Geographic indicated the information in this third-century papyrus codex threatened the “official” doctrine of the church by offering an alternative view of…
Read MoreWarnings
by Gilbert Alexander A dozen sirens wailing a warning of a coming tornado cannot save the lives of those who do not heed. Warning that a dam is beginning to break under the pressure of floodwaters cannot save a city of ten thousand living directly below the dam if they do not heed and seek…
Read MoreUnforgiven
by Bryan Matthew Dockens I sincerely desire the forgiveness of those who’ve done me wrong. Like Stephen (Acts 7:60), and Christ before him (Luke 23:34), I pray that God will forgive those who have harmed me. I do not forgive them, though, unless and until they repent. This does not make me sinfully “unforgiving” (Romans…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Deception
by Tom Wacaster On a hot August day in 1950, a con man visited a small Oklahoma town, telling the people that he was an advance man for a circus that would soon arrive in three days. He put up handbills and sold tickets to a circus that did not exist. It was a “scam,”…
Read MoreTrue Reverence for God
by Gilbert Alexander Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images A man dressed in splendid robes, with chains of gold about his neck and a great ring of gold on his finger, stands before a multitude of people, an ornate miter upon his head. In one hand, he holds a golden censer with burning incense in it,…
Read MoreCan one be a Mason and a Christian?
Question: We have a couple of Mason’s at our congregation. One of these men has had their name mentioned in being considered as an elder. I don’t know much about Mason’s and any information that I find he quickly refutes as being false. Can one be a Mason and be a Christian? Can one who…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with the Baptists, Methodists, etc.?
Question: I think my main concern is: “Is the Church of Christ the only way?” What is wrong with the Baptists, Methodists, etc…? Am I going in the right direction to get to Heaven? I know I have a lot of doubts and questions. Answer: The question, “Is the Church of Christ the only way?”…
Read MoreIs it wrong to win money from a casino?
Question: I basically gamble for money. I gamble on major league baseball and nothing else. I consistently win, having a 58% winning rate, going on two years straight. I am not trying to brag; I just want to tell you where I am and how I feel about this. This is how I am paying…
Read MoreThe Bible’s Witnesses
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/The-Bibles-Witnesses.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 43:8-13 I. The strength of any testimony depends on the quality of the witnesses giving the testimony A. In a court of law the witnesses are grilled as heavily as the defendants. 1. An inconsistent witness is not a believable witness 2. Thus the integrity of the witness matters B. God made…
Read MoreHow should a Christian handle violent or adult content video games?
Question: What does Scripture teach about playing video games, especially video games that have violent, adult, and other content that is sinful? For example, how should a Christian handle playing a video game such as Grand Theft Auto where the games glorify obscenities and murder among many other sinful activities? Or what about a military-type…
Read MoreWhy does Mark have “Eloi” and Matthew have “Eli” for the same statement?
Question: I believe that Matthew’s account lists Jesus’s cry from the ancient texts when he wrote “Eli, Eli lama sabachthani”. This is not a quote from Psalm 22. The Hebrew in Psalm 22 is ‘azab, not sabachthani. I’ve seen some stretches that try to link sabachthani with ‘azab, but I believe it is a bit of…
Read MoreI’m not certain if we are ready to raise children
Question: I have just spent some time reviewing your site and it is incredible. I am having some issues right now and was hoping you could help me, not sure where to turn because I don’t want anyone in my church to think horribly of me. Anyway, here goes. My husband and I met six…
Read MoreDid the thief on the cross work when he rebuked the other thief?
Question: I noticed your ‘Is water baptism is a work?’ and I found it very insightful. I was curious about the thief on the cross. Did this thief do a ‘work’ before he died by rebuking his neighbor? Answer: Obviously the thief demonstrates faith in Jesus. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying,…
Read MoreI enjoyed your article on the Azusa Street revival
Question: I grew up in a Church of Christ. I’m in a foreign country teaching English, and a friend of mine sent me a book about revival. It’s called The Blueprint: A revolutionary plan to plant missional communities on campus. I don’t really like the book so far because of a lot of charismatic gibber jabber.…
Read MoreDoes Romans 4:9-12 indicate that we are saved prior to baptism?
Question: Can you explain why Romans 4:9-12 does not indicate that we are saved prior to baptism? I am not sure how to put the answer into words for an acquaintance that insists that he was saved prior to baptism regardless of clear passages of Scripture. Thank you! Answer: When a person argues against what…
Read MoreWhy is it OK to take some parts of Leviticus seriously but not all of it?
Question: I actually have a legit question for you, thank you for responding to my previous message by the way. Anyway here goes: What makes it OK to take some of Leviticus seriously but not all of it? I don’t see Christians not eating pork or staying away from women while they menstruate. It would be interesting…
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