How do we know that the songs we are using are acceptable to God?
Question: Thank you for your review of Sacred Songs of the Church. Some of your comments really got me to thinking about the songs we sing in our worship services. I love God with all my heart and pray that I am doing what He commands. Maybe you can help me understand this a little better since…
Read MoreHow can I prove to my stepson that branding himself is not a good idea?
Question: My stepson wants to ‘brand’ his skin. Why-o-why? I ask, but anyway, I told him per God (Lev. 19:28) that it is forbidden. But when I read it the words “for the dead” makes it seem it’s okay as long as it isn’t for mourning a dead loved one. I don’t want him to…
Read MoreIs there any evidence of the rapture being written or spoken of prior to 1909 and Scofield?
Question: Is there any evidence of the rapture being written or spoken of prior to 1909 and Scofield? Answer: It depends on which version of premillennialism you have in mind. At its root, premillennialism holds to the idea that Jesus reigns over an earthly kingdom. Such an idea originated among the Jews and it can…
Read MoreExceedingly Abundantly
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ExceedingAbundantly2.mp3 by Simon Harris God, please use Kelsey to bring glory to your Name. We know the odds are against us, but we trust in You. Please use our daughter as a living example of Your power to heal, that all may glorify You as the Great God of Heaven. That was my prayer when…
Read MoreDo you allow women to teach or lead prayer in the assembly as long as they wear a covering?
Question: I just came across your article on the covering by Hiram Hutto. We are studying I Corinthians 11 currently. I will study further, but in the meantime, my question is: Do you allow women to teach or lead a prayer (or singing) in the assembly (when men are present) as long as they wear…
Read MoreThe article “Why I am Not a Nazarene” caused tears to well up in my eyes
Question: I read your article on the web, and tears welled up in my eyes. I am a Nazarene trained pastor who chose the wrong major in college. I chose Biblical Studies over Wesleyan Theology. After pastoring in large churches for 11 years, I had to resign for the reasons you mentioned and many others. It…
Read MoreYour article on the rapture really helped me out
Question: Just wanted to say I enjoyed the article on rapture, I’m a member of the church and have been having a discussion with a family member about the rapture. I found your article and it really helped me out! Answer: I’m glad it helped and I hope you find the other material on the site…
Read MoreI know Paul and Silas, but who are you? Where is this found in the Bible?
Question: I know Paul and Silas, but who are you? Where is this found in the Bible? Answer: I believe you are looking for: “And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?'” (Acts 19:15).
Read MoreAren’t curse words of human origin?
Question: I understand the Bible commands us to “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). I understand the Bible says, “bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). I understand the passage of James 3:1-12. If you think for a moment,…
Read MoreIs the point of life seeing the fruit of your labors?
Question: For a while, I was going through King Solomon’s view of realizing how pointless life is. I was struggling with that for a couple of weeks. But I am doing better now. Just really meditated on it and what Solomon said and a realization of life in itself. It is kind of interesting but…
Read MoreIs my soul in jeopardy if I don’t talk to a Christian about his smoking?
Question: Is my soul in jeopardy if I don’t address the issue of a known smoker that attends the church where I attend? He was baptized years ago and partakes of the Lord’s Supper. By not addressing the issue with him, am I now out of Christ? Also, if a preacher baptizes a known smoker who…
Read MoreWasn’t Paul’s command to collect on the first day of the week just a coincidence?
Question: Again I ask where in these verses does it say anything about Sunday to be kept holy? It just seems like it is a coincidence these things happened on a Sunday. The collections in I Corinthians 16:2 was made on a Sunday because that is the customary day when Jews made payments and settled…
Read MoreI’ve committed to God to stop lusting, but I’m tempted daily
Question: Please pray for me. I am 43 years old and still struggling with lust. I am born again and washed in the blood. I have made a commitment to God to stop lusting, but I am tempted daily. Please pray for me. Answer: Just because you have resolved to clean up your life and…
Read MoreIs it a sin to want to die?
Question: Is it a sin to want to die? Answer: There have been people in the past who because of depression expressed their desire to not continue life. Job rue the day he was born, “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11).…
Read MoreHow far should a Christian go in making sure meat was properly prepared?
Question: How far does God expect Christians to go in determining if meat has been properly prepared for consumption (i.e. the blood has been drained and the animal has not been strangled)? I know that I Corinthians 10:25-31 talks about not asking questions for (the other person’s) conscience’ sake, but to what degree do you…
Read MoreThank you for answering my questions about the Catholic church
Question: Thank you for putting this page on the web. It answers my questions about the Catholic church. I was brought up Catholic and went to church until I was nine. I didn’t really get back into religion until I went into the Navy. I went into an evangelical place to use the bathroom (after…
Read MoreWhy do I swear in my mind in the church and when I get up in the morning?
Question: Why is it I swear in my mind at God when in church and even when I wake up in the morning. I am a believing Christian, but this has got me very worried. I ask God and the Holy Spirit to remove these evil thoughts. Why do they keep popping up? I love…
Read MoreWhat about deacons not being given to much wine, doesn’t this allow for a casual drink?
Question: I really appreciated your “New Testament Beverages.” However, how does one answer the question relating to deacons must not be given to much wine? This seems to allow for a casual drink. If this was merely grape juice, should we not ask prospective deacons how much grape juice they drink? Answer: “Likewise deacons must…
Read MoreThe Pursuit of Happiness (Series)
Fall Gospel Meeting 2009 Drawing by Stefan Van den Bergh, 2004 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness: What Does Happiness Look Like? Learning to be Satisfied: What Do I Require to be Happy? Enjoy the Trip! Don’t Keep Waiting Until you “Get There” Changing the Question: The Shock Value of Pain and Suffering Removing…
Read MoreHow much autonomy does a church have when its evangelist is receiving outside support?
Question: How much congregational autonomy does a young church, without elders and deacons, and its evangelist is supported by an overseas congregation? Answer: It remains autonomous. Your evangelist is supported, I assume in part, by one or more congregations. “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” (Philippians 4:16). That…
Read MoreDo I need to remarry my ex-husband?
Question: You helped me earlier with a problem I was having at work. (Thanks again) So I was wondering if I could ask you to assist me with another problem that has recently come up. I divorced my husband due to his adultery. He remarried and now he and his new wife have a son. My ex-husband has been…
Read MoreHow much do we do before we let God take over?
Question: I have been wondering about how God works in the world today. I am confused about how much we are to do before we let God take over. I believe that God wants us to do what we can and then He will do his part. Is this correct? I keep thinking about Abraham…
Read MoreIs it Ecclesiasticus or Sirach?
Question: In your article “The Extra Catholic Books,” I had a question. In all of the Catholic Bibles I have seen I have not seen the book Ecclesiasticus. I do, however, see another book that is not in the KJV or the NKJV or any other version I’ve seen except the Catholic Bible and that…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say the church worshiped on Sunday?
Question: I have a few questions and comments concerning the texts given as proof of Sunday worship outlined in the article: “Is sex on the Sabbath a sin?” The verses are Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2. Acts 20:7 speaks of an act that is done on any day, and nowhere does it say that…
Read MoreBelief in the book of Enoch and Constantine’s church
Question: I was scanning through web sites and ran into your comments on gen 6;5 and Enoch book Jesus said as in the days of Noah so it will be in the end ,did we miss that Satin was thrown out of Heaven ,that he saw God clone Adam and perverted that activity first ,…
Read MoreOutreach
by Jimmy Mickells The word “outreach” is an expression that has been coined in recent years. If I understand what is meant by its use, it means an effort by a local church to reach out to those that are lost to save them from sin. That certainly is the work of the church. Paul,…
Read MoreThe article on homosexuality by Abraham Smith was right on!
Question: I wanted to let you know that this article on homosexuality by Abraham Smith is right on! I, for one, am very sad to see churches, such as the Lutheran church, embrace homosexuality even to the point of allowing practicing homosexuals to be church leaders! Answer: I’m glad you found the article useful.
Read MoreThe lesson on Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones was well done
Question: Well done! I really enjoyed the web site. Viewed your lesson on Ezekiel’s dry bones. Thanks for the great work you do. Answer: I’m glad you found the site useful and hope it continues to be of service in your studies.
Read MoreMaking My Life Matter
The Amazing Results of Serving Others https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009Fall6MakingMyLifeMatter.mp3 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness
Read MoreMy boyfriend said he won’t have sex with me before marriage, but then he gave me a handjob. What should I do?
Question: I am 23 years old and have been dating a 31-year-old guy for four months now. At first, there was no problem, but after a few days, he started showing a desire to have sex. Honestly, this is my first boyfriend in my life and I didn’t know anything about real dating. I am…
Read MoreCan you help harmonize Matthew 10:34 and Matthew 26:52, and also John 3:13 and II Kings 2:11?
Question: I need help harmonizing a few passages. People use them to claim contradictions. I know the problem is not in the Bible but rather in the person’s approach. Please help me learn to soundly harmonize Matthew 10:34 and Matthew 26:52. Matthew 10:34 says Jesus came to bring the sword. This passage seems to bother…
Read MoreWhen was the earliest Christmas celebration performed?
Question: When was the earliest Christ Mass performed ever? Answer: According to historian Bruce David Forbes in Christmas: A Candid History: “Early Christians had no Christmas. The first written evidence of an annual celebration on December 25 commemorating the birth of Jesus comes from the fourth century. Epiphany developed a little earlier, in the eastern portion…
Read MoreRemoving Hindrances to Servanthood
Too Much Self-Focus https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009Fall5RemovingHindrancesToServanthood.mp3 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness
Read MoreHow do you define “church” and “scripture?”
Question: How do you respond to I Timothy 3:15 where Paul refers to the “church of the living God” as “the pillar and bulwark of faith?” As a follow up how do we define “church?” There seem to be literally thousands of different churches, with almost all claiming to be Bible-based, full gospel or something…
Read MoreAre men permitted to wear a hat during worship services?
Question: My question, which I could have said, “Yes I know the answer to that” has just made me stop and think. I was talking with a younger man after worship services this morning and we were talking about this: “Are men permitted, scripturally, to wear a covering (hat, etc.) during worship services?” Thank you…
Read MoreChanging the Question
The Shock Value of Pain and Suffering https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009Fall4ChangingTheQuestion.mp3 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness
Read MoreI’m excited at how many of my searches list your site
Question: I want you to know I have found your site very helpful during my studies. Thank you for this. I am a member of the Lord’s church and I am just stunned and excited that my Yahoo searches are giving me your site. Just think, if I am landing on this option others may be as well.…
Read MoreThe Beer Can
by Kent Heaton It was lying on the side of the road on the corner to my house. A single beer can was discarded as a piece of trash by a person who had used its contents to fill a pleasure and then thrown out the window. I have seen hundreds of discarded cans and…
Read MoreBe a Better Person
by Carey Scott Don’t we all wish that everyone would be a better person? Do we not hope that some bad people would turn their lives around and start doing good? Do we wish our neighbors would treat us better than before? Do we hope that the people we meet each day would show us…
Read MoreEnjoy the Trip
Don’t Keep Waiting Until you “Get There” https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009Fall3EnjoyTheTrip.mp3 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness
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