The “Name” of Jesus

by David Smitherman via Plain Talk, July 1983 Jesus has a “name” that is above every other name (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9) but that “name” is not just an arrangement of letters to spell that word: J-E-S-U-S is not this name. It is much more than a title or designation. In Scripture, “name” is often equivalent…

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My Concerns for Global Warming

by Dan Richardson via Search, December 2007; Vol. 14, No. 9 We are hearing much these days on the subject of global warming. Environmentalists warn that because of man’s reckless disregard for the release of pollutants, the world is becoming increasingly warmer and we are reaching a peak of global emergency threatening our very existence.…

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Is my marriage before a justice of the peace legitimate?

Question: Please help me.  I am a spiritual person who believes in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  My husband does not.  That is OK.  The problem is that we were not married before God nor did we invite him to our union in any way. We were married by the justice of the peace…

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Is seeing or touching private areas a sin?

Question: I went to your website and wanted to know a few things that I’m too embarrassed to ask anyone else about. I was wondering if the following were considered sins. So since you are a Bible site, I figured you’d know. Please be specific and everything. Is it a sin to show my boyfriend…

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More Than a Haircut

by Jennifer Kegley via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 5, May 2007 “Seek and you shall find” You never know when you are going to cross paths with someone who is searching for the Lord. There are people in this world who are seeking and it is our duty as Christians to show them the way.…

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Must everything we do be in God’s name and a benefit to His kingdom?

Question: I’m really grateful to you for leading me so far. There’s just a really big problem in my life right now and I know you already answered many aspects of it. It just seems like it’s crushing me with its weight. When I work in school, it stills feels like I’m going further away…

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Marks of Maturity

by Steven Harper Every serious disciple of Jesus Christ desires to attain spiritual maturity, of this there should be no argument. Many faithful disciples spend their entire life striving to reach an ever-higher level of maturity, and even babes in Christ have that fervor that drives them to not remain babes but to somehow find…

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How can I overcome the fear of being possessed by a demon?

Question: One thing that’s distressing me is, well kind of, a big problem ever since childhood. I have been scared of demonic stuff ever since I can remember and movies like “The Omen” just freak me out. There was a period of time when I was convinced that the devil was trying to possess my…

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Why do animals have feelings if they are just food?

Question: I have some questions that I desperately need to be answered regarding some of the statements in “Did Jesus Eat Meat?” These questions are not sarcastic or rhetorical, I’m simply seeking answers. If God meant for man to eat animals, then why did he give them nerves that allow them to feel pain when…

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Should I, as a Baptist, be in a relationship with a Catholic?

Question: I am a Baptist in a relationship with a Catholic.  I don’t agree with a lot that her family does and it seems like I am an outcast because of my religion. Is there any advice that you can give me or links to where I can read on how to survive this? I…

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Greek, How Should a Knowledge of It be Viewed?

by Don Martin We do not have the original New Testament today, but manuscripts that have come down to us, copies of the original writings. What we have today is a translation or, to be more precise, about seventy extant English translations of the Greek texts. Some preachers and Christians today possess varying degrees of…

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Could you write a response to “Common Sense Questions a ‘Church of Christ’ Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer?”

Question: I just wanted to start by saying how much I appreciate your website, it has helped answer many questions that have arisen in my life. My preacher has just started a Sunday night study based on the web site http://www.biblebelievers.com/david_martin/martin_church-christ.html and the many false and some “silly” questions this site brings to light. After one night…

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I find the criticism on the Wisdom of Solomon out of order

Question: Regarding the article on the Apocrypha, I find the criticism on the Wisdom of Solomon out of order and quotes “Wisdom” out of context by failing to quote the verses in full. For example, Wisdom 11:20 “But even without these, they could have dropped dead at a single breath, pursued by your justice, whirled away…

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The Lost One

by Edwin Crozier via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 28, July 15, 2007 In Luke 15:1,2, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled against Jesus saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Jesus responded with a parable of a lost sheep. Seeking the Lost Sheep in the Mountains Matthew 18:12 He asked how many of the…

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The Lord’s Supper: Two or Three Symbols?

by Jefferson David Tant From time to time, brethren have discussions about the Lord’s Supper with respect to the “one cup” view as opposed to the practice of serving the fruit of the vine in multiple cups. I have had discussions with those of the “one cup” view through the years, and have studied the…

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The Lord of the Ring

by Kent Heaton “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). During the wedding ceremony, the giving of rings symbolizes the token of pledges made to one another for purity, fidelity, and honor. The circular nature of…

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A Little Wine for Your Stomach’s Sake

by Bryan Matthew Dockens Paul advised Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (I Timothy 5:23). “No longer drink only water …” By this statement, we learn that Timothy’s habit had been one of total abstinence from wine until instructed otherwise by the…

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Let’s Restore Father to His Place in the Family

by Tommy Thornhill The words training and admonition (nurture and admonition-KJV) in Ephesians 6:4, deal with two different thoughts. The training is a discipline by demonstration (action and example), while the admonition is a discipline by reason (using the word). A father teaches a child how to serve God, both by example and persuasion. A…

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Lesson from a Funeral

by Harry R. Osborne via Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 21, p. 10, November 3, 1994 Have you been to a funeral lately? None of us enjoys funerals, but the reflection demanded by such occasions is good for us. The Bible speaks of the need to learn the lessons that are taught by facing death’s reality. Notice the…

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Should prayers only be made for things that bring God glory?

Question: I’ve been struggling (perhaps not the best word) lately regarding my prayer life.  I wonder if you could share some insights into my thoughts.  I don’t know that I have an answer, just questions. It occurs to me that I see a pattern in several locations in Scripture from which my questions stem.  For…

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Which day is the Sabbath?

Question: Could you please tell me which day is the Sabbath? Answer: The Sabbath was a special day of rest under the Old Law. It referred to the seventh day, or last day, of the week. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the…

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What is the Law of Christ?

Question: Read an article on your page concerning Paul and his motives. If what is stated in the New Testament is true, I agree with you about him. Could you tell me what the “Law of Christ” is? My teaching, and correct me if I am wrong, is that “the Torah” better translates from the Hebrew into English…

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Why is eating in the building an issue?

Question: I have a question I’ve never heard answered satisfactorily. Why is “eating in the building” even an issue at all? Where does that come from and how is the argument supported? Answer: “Eating in the building” is actually a misnomer. The issue concerns large social gatherings in a church-owned building where the facilities (e.g.,…

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What should be done when a foreign preacher asks for money?

Question: Regarding the article “The Corruption of Money”: What is the proper and scriptural way to support the work of preachers overseas? How should we approach situations where people write asking for money for individual health care or building buildings? I ask about these in particular because I have seen those often (and you’ve seen…

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Should material by a denominational woman preacher be used in a Bible study?

Question: This morning I learned that a lady in the church suggested they purchase a book written by a “lady” who is a “preacher” and study from it because she makes so many good points!  She also stated that “Although there is some error taught in the book we are spiritually mature enough to work around them…

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Can a short handjob make you pregnant?

Question: Hello! My boyfriend and I were laying on the couch talking and just relaxing. I gave him a hand job for about 4 minutes; he did not ejaculate or pre-cum. I had my pants on also. Are there any odds of my getting pregnant? This was also four days after my period ended. I…

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How can I handle infatuation?

Question: I am a male and 24 years old. I have been having trouble with infatuating over women I find attractive. I’ve struggled with this for a good majority of my life, where I’ll infatuate over one woman for a period of time and then it will fade, and then another woman will come along.…

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Was Katrina a Judgment from God?

 by George Hutto The question of God’s involvement with the recent hurricane which devastated New Orleans may not be popular, but it is fair to ask. After all, the activities on Bourbon Street are not akin to Sunday School classes, and Mardi Gras is notorious for the kind of behavior that would evoke the wrath…

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The Power of God: The Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/PowerOfGodTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:8-19   I.         The Word of God is precious to believers, an object of desire – Psalm 19:7-11             A.        O, how I love your law! – Psalm 119:97-100             B.        Longing for God’s law – Psalm 119:40             C.        Desire it like a new born babe desires milk – I Peter 2:1-3 II.        A popular…

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Do I stay with my husband or run off with my lover?

Question: Thank you so much for responding to my email. This is truly a very hard thing for me and I hate even telling it just because I know how it sounds. I feel as if I could burst because I get so overwhelmed. This email may get long so forgive but I feel I…

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I Will Take Sickness Away from the Midst of You

by Bryan Matthew Dockens The Almighty told Israel, “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you” (Exodus 23:25). Although the Old Testament has been done away with, having been replaced by the New Covenant, it…

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It Can be Done!

Tony Mauck via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 3, March 2007 Some people will not change. At times, we feel like we are running against a brick wall as we attempt to encourage folks to reject falsehood, embrace the gospel, and turn from sin. Many continue on their merry way, not realizing or even caring that…

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Can I get some advice from you?

Question: I am dealing with some things in my life and I don’t know what to do. Your web site popped up and I read one of the articles which hit my situation precisely. My situation is a little different, but I really don’t know where to turn. I am a Christian and have been…

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Is Love to Blame?

by Steve Klein Have you ever known parents who claimed that they loved their children too much to spank them?  Ever known someone who tried to justify having sex outside of marriage because they loved the person?  Ever known a Christian who would not rebuke and correct religious errors because they loved others too much…

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