Was Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic?
Question: One of the problems I would have with your explanation is whether or not Matthew wrote the words in Greek or did he write the words in the original Aramaic. Most Bible scholars believe that Matthew wrote in Aramaic and while Mark’s words are almost identical, he too was a Jew who would have spoken a…
Read MoreThe Preaching of Jeremiah
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/The-Preaching-of-Jeremiah.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 11:32-40 I. As the southern nation of Judah rapidly slid into degradation, there was one bright moment before the end that came in the reign of Josiah. A. It was during his reign that God’s covenant was rediscovered – II Kings 22:8-11 B. Josiah understood what had happened and where…
Read MoreThoughts on Recycling Sermons
by Steve Mathewson How much life should you get out of a sermon? When is it appropriate to preach it again to the same congregation? How much change should you make when you preach it to another congregation? I’ve thought about these questions during my sermon preparation this week. I’m currently preaching through Ephesians, and…
Read MoreIt’s your fault that people are biased against homosexuality
Question: I find your “explanation” of homosexuality intended for young viewers to be detestable. I am rather sickened at the notion that you would take advantage of the ignorance of children and plant the seeds of hate within them. A person’s sexual orientation is no business of anyone but the one in question, and God. It’s because…
Read MoreWas David a young man when he killed Goliath and not a boy?
Question: In studying I Samuel 17:38-40, I am wondering if David is not a young boy as some stories depict him, but instead, he is a young man. Saul was the tallest man among the children of Israel and we see that he is now giving his armor to David to wear. David must have been…
Read MoreThings You Will Never See at a Pentecostal “Healing” Service
Author Unknown One raised from the dead, like Jesus did (John 11:38:44). The blind made to see, like Jesus did (John 9:1-12). The deaf made to hear, like Jesus did (Mark 7:31-37). An ear restored, as Jesus did (Luke 22:49-51). A leper cleansed, like Jesus did (Matthew 8:1-4). Restoration of a withered hand, as Jesus…
Read MoreIt’s Greek To Me
by Roger Blackwelder Some questions were raised recently about the value of having a knowledge of New Testament Greek. Some have used arguments based on the translations of words to authorize immorality that the Bible clearly condemns. This usage of Greek is disturbing; it casts a shadow on an otherwise beneficial field of study. I…
Read MoreWasn’t Paul a Nicolaitan?
Question: I first read your article rebutting someone’s perspective on the Nicolaitans, then your main article. I am a little confused with your logic. You said, “You will find some who build complex arguments that the Nicolaitans came up with the clergy / laity system. It is all built around the fact that “people” is found in the…
Read MoreHow can baptism be necessary when everyone doesn’t have access to water, someone to baptize them, or haven’t practiced it for centuries?
Question: I have been researching the role baptism plays in the Christian experience. I ran across your web site (along with many more) on the subject. I understand that your church believes that baptism is necessary for salvation. The first question I have regarding your views is an entirely practical one. If an area or…
Read MoreAre drums of God or the devil?
Question: I wanted to know if the drums are of God, or is it from the devil. Did God make drums for one of his instruments? Answer: God tells us that it is men who invented instrumental music, not Satan. “His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the…
Read MoreThe Marks of Jesus
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/TheMarksOfJesus.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:11-18 I. Paul battled much of his life with his own Jewish brethren A. They insisted on preserving the Law in many ways. B. A motivation is to be expected – Galatians 6:12 C. It appears some tried to justify it by appealing to Paul. 1. After all he had Timothy circumcised!…
Read MoreThey Lingered Too Long!
by Jimmy Tuten Truth Magazine Volume 24: Number 27, p. 433, July 10, 1980 Over the holidays I was in the home of a dear friend who is in the publishing business. He showed me a beautiful volume on Pompeii that his firm was responsible for bringing into being. I marveled at its magnificent color…
Read MoreCan you explain all these similar phrases about dying with Christ and dying to sin?
Question: What do these phrases mean? I have been crucified with Christ I am dead in Christ I have died to Christ I am dead to sin I am dead in sin I am resurrected with Christ Answer: Let’s examine each phrase in the statement in which it was given: I have been crucified with…
Read MoreDoes the Spirit of God come upon all men?
Question: Someone showed me a verse in the Bible saying the Spirit of God is in all men. How can this be? Answer: The passage you are referring to is: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons…
Read MoreViews of the Cross
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Views-of-the-Cross.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:14 I. How do you see the cross? A. What significance does it have for you? B. To Paul, it marked his separation from the world – Galatians 6:14 C. It was the focus of his preaching – I Corinthians 2:2 D. It was something many could not understand – I Corinthians…
Read MoreHow do you counsel a person who wants to commit suicide?
Question: I am struggling with how to counsel a person who wants to commit suicide. Would you please help me to find out a solution to this problem? Answer: The answer would vary with the cause of the person’s desire to leave this life. So the first thing you need to do is investigate what…
Read MoreIs it proper to feel contempt for those who will not listen to the truth?
Question: I noted in one of your articles that over 2000 people click on over 6000 pages each day at your web site. I’ve spent the last couple of days reading several articles and am satisfied to see that you demonstrate no shame in boldly declaring the truth of the Scriptures. I’ve also noted that…
Read MoreI ran into an argument that “every lexicon” defines oinos as a fermented drink. Do you have sources to disprove this?
Question: I really appreciate the work you do as a Gospel preacher and a brother in Christ. I am in the process of studying the subject of moderate drinking with a brother in Christ, and also for myself. I have no doubt the Bible condemns it and I agree with your work 100%. However, I have…
Read MoreDid Paul really receive the Holy Spirit before his baptism?
I was just reading your answer to 1/24/2008’s question about Paul receiving the spirit before he was baptized. I could be mistaken, but I have never gotten from that passage that Paul received the Spirit before baptism. Ananias told Paul that he would receive his sight and then be filled with the spirit. Then, his sight was…
Read MoreIs it wrong to marry a person from a different race?
Question: I would really appreciate it if you could answer my question: Is it wrong to marry a person from a different race group? Answer: In the Bible, the concept of race doesn’t exist. There are nationalities, but God states that all of mankind is one race. That is because all of us descend from…
Read MoreWhat did Simeon mean in Luke 2:35?
Question: In Luke 2:25-35, it tells of Simeon who saw Jesus as a baby when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple. I am wondering about the last verse, verse 35. Is this saying that the Holy Spirit also gave Simeon knowledge of what Mary would suffer as a mother? Is this what he…
Read MoreGet Your Faith Out Of The Church Building
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring5GetYourFaithOutOfTheChurchBuilding.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreWhat songbooks would you recommend?
Question: We are building a new building and we are needing songbooks. My husband is one of the song leaders. I would like to know which book you would recommend to us. We are strictly a New Testament church. No musical instruments and no praise teams. Also, I need to know where to go to…
Read MoreForeseeing Evil and Avoiding It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring4ForeseeingEvilAndAvoidingIt.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreStop Complaining
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring3StopComplaining.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreGod’s Marvelous Mercy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring2GodsMarvelousMercy.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreHow God Communicates His Will to Us in the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring1HowGodCommunicatesHisWillToUsInTheBible.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreLessons in Christianity
by Whit Sasser of Appleton, Wisconsin April 4-6, 2008 How God Communicates His Will to Us in the Bible God’s Marvelous Mercy Stop Complaining Foreseeing Evil and Avoiding It Get Your Faith Out Of The Church Building
Read MoreHow do I deal with bitterness against the two fathers of my two daughters?
Question: I would like to know how I can deal with bitterness arising from raising my children alone when their fathers just don’t show any interest. I have two daughters, one from before my marriage, and one out of wedlock. I’m divorced now, but both my children’s fathers refuse to take any interest in them,…
Read MoreWhat are the citations for Luther’s quotes on baptism?
Question: Appreciated your article on “Is water baptism a work?” but could you cite your references to Luther’s writings? I’d never before heard that he wrote these things. The references would be valuable. Answer: “What does Baptism give or profit? It effects the forgiveness of sins …” Martin Luther, “The Small Catechism,” in The Book of…
Read MoreDo you think Satan’s face appeared in smoke of the Twin Towers as they burned?
Question: There were, supposedly, “faces” of Satan on the Twin Towers during 9/11. I have seen a video from CNN that clearly could look like “Satan” even though we have never seen him before. What do you think? Also, how often do Satan and God talk to one another, and what do they discuss? Answer:…
Read MoreHow far should a person’s past be checked before baptizing them?
Question: When you have an open Bible study with a family, and they come to the knowledge of the truth, and you find out that a previous marriage has taken place earlier in years, and show them the truth of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and they feel like they are in a scriptural marriage, but…
Read MoreYou think you have the right to judge your fellow man
Question: I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, but my husband was raised in the Church of Christ. I cannot believe that you continue to perpetuate the untruths, misconceptions and basic misinterpretations of the Bible. The Church of Christ does not believe in the forgiveness of sin and the grace of God but…
Read MoreIf gluttony and drinking are both sins, then isn’t abstaining from alcohol as ridiculous as abstaining from food?
Question: How would you answer the following argument: “Getting drunk is a sin, but gluttony is also a sin. Since the Bible doesn’t tell us at what point drunkenness or gluttony is sinful, it is up to us to determine how much is too much. To completely abstain from alcohol is as ridiculous as saying…
Read MoreDo I understand the history of the Temple accurately?
Question: Okay, let’s see if I have this correct. Solomon built the temple because David was not allowed to do so because he was known as a “man of war”. Then that temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Another temple was built, but not as big or as elaborate. This would be the temple during the…
Read MoreThank you so much for your article on envy
Question: I just wanted to thank you so much for your article on ‘envy’. I really didn’t realize there was any hope until I read this. Envy has literally swallowed me whole even though I’ve been saved for almost eight years. Your article or lesson really inspired me a lot and I will be looking up…
Read MoreShould I partake of the Lord’s Supper if I can’t focus on Jesus’ death?
Question: Today I woke up. and to be honest, I didn’t want to go to services. But I said, “No, you are going.” I was so depressed and still am. I knew my I wasn’t in the right mindset to take the Lord’s Supper. I did try to get myself there, but my mind kept…
Read MoreHow do I deal with skeptics?
Question: I’ve been looking at material from skeptics recently and I’ve noticed that I have a big problem with approaching their material. I find myself getting really anxious and worked up in my mind. For example, if I find myself reading an article claiming that Jesus was a myth, I find myself in a state…
Read MoreWhy does Hebrews 4:9 speak of the Sabbath rest remaining if the Sabbath observance is no longer required?
Question: I read in your web site that we no longer follow the Sabbath, but in Hebrews 4:9 it saids, “There remains, then a Sabbath rest for the people of God” and then it continues “let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following their example…
Read MoreWhat does “beth” mean in various town names?
Question: I have a question that came up in my most recent studies with maps. My study sent me to look at the maps in the back of my Bible, and I found something quite interesting. There are some towns with names that begin with ‘Beth’, such as Bethlehem. My question pertains to the ‘Beth’…
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