Thank you for the article
Question: I just read the scripture in I Timothy about Hymenaeus and Alexander. When I googled to search for more clarity I found this link: Hymenaeus and Alexander. Thanks for the clear explanation! It blessed me! Answer: Happy to be of service.
Read MoreAm I loving God and giving Him glory?
Question: A few days ago, I was reading I Corinthians 10:31, the passage about “do all to the glory of God.” Although I’m still not 100% clear on the exact meaning, the passage really made me think hard about myself in relation to God. The entire time I have been a Christian (or so I…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to know to do good, but not do it, it is sin?
Question: What does it mean in James 4:17, that “he that knoweth to do good, but doeth it not, to him it is sin”? I’ve heard it explained in two ways. One, that he knows how to live a moral life but neglects to do so sins. But this seems like a tautology to me. …
Read MoreIf God cares for us, why is there suffering?
Question: I was reading a book and stumbled upon the following quote: “I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.” (Isaiah 44:2a, Contemporary English Version) I thought about this. It brings a couple of questions. If the above quote is true, then all the babies and everyone born into this…
Read MoreIt’s mean to say homosexuality is a sin!
Question: Hello, I am a male thirteen-year-old Christian – more specifically, Roman Catholic. I was reading chapter 12, “Other Sexual Perversions,” and I noticed how you said that all homosexuals would be punished with death. You also used the example of Leviticus 18:22. But I would like to point out that Leviticus also says that…
Read MoreDoesn’t the Lord require Christians to marry Christians?
Question: You said in “What does a woman do when the Christian men around seem more interested in non-Christian women?” “While being married to a non-Christian often makes it more difficult for a Christian woman to remain faithful, there is no requirement that Christians — male or female — must only marry a Christian.” But…
Read MoreBecause I’m committing adultery, does that mean I can’t go to heaven?
Question: I was bought up to go to Sunday school every Sunday at a Free Evangelical Church. I don’t what that stands for, but I got lost in life with God and Jesus. When I was young I had a friend who was a Jehovah’s Witness and we were told we couldn’t play together. We…
Read MoreAre you saying that Roman Catholicism is not legitimate?
Question: In one of your articles, you state: “But I would like you to note that the core of the argument is that the doctrines of the Bible could be modified to suit local customs — a long-standing Roman Catholic practice.” My entire family is Roman Catholic and I was raised in the Catholic church as well. Currently, I…
Read MoreWas Cain fathered by Satan?
Question: I was told by a Sunday school teacher that Cain was fathered by Satan. I cannot find this in the Bible. Can you help me with the answer? Answer: “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD”” (Genesis 4:1). For…
Read MoreShouldn’t you balance your rebukes regarding fornication with love?
Question: I was just reading one of your answers to a question relating to a couple who were attempting intercourse. While the Bible is very clear about what is moral and right concerning intercourse, I found the response lacking some balance in support and love. The word of God is a two-edged sword so is…
Read MoreWhat about people who spend their whole life following the wrong religion in ignorance?
Question: People are born into other religions and live their entire lives thinking that they are following the correct religion. They live life doing good deeds but follow their own religion. How does God view these people? Thank you for the web site and the learning that it provides to people such as myself that…
Read MoreWhen a child is raised to be violent, who is responsible, the parent or the child?
Question: I recently stumbled upon your web site and enjoy it very much. I have a question of my own though that hasn’t been answered fully for quite some time now. There are many children who are brought up into violent families such that they learn to imitate their parents and as adults follow a…
Read MoreWas it wrong to leave a marriage when my ex-husband had tried to kill my son and me?
Question: Was I wrong to leave the marriage? My ex-husband tried to kill my son and me. He told me that he was a baptized Christian. Then he said he was Catholic. After that, he said he did not believe in God at all and cursed His name many times. I have since remarried, but…
Read MoreShould we ask for signs like Gideon did?
Question: Does Scripture condemn Gideon for questioning God with the fleece? Does Scripture command us not to do as he did? I know we are to use Scripture, prayer, and the counsel of godly people. If we are still unsure, are we forbidden to do as Gideon did? Answer: Often people see what they want…
Read MoreDo spouses who knowingly break their marriage covenant ever realize their error?
Question: Do spouses who break their marriage covenant knowingly (having true knowledge of what God says on the matter) ever come to a realization of their error? Do they actually regret what they did? I ask this because having read posts and articles on your web site about spouses (Christians) who are guilty of this…
Read MoreDo you know of a book on being a preacher’s wife?
Question: I was looking for on becoming a preacher’s wife. Would you be able to tell me if there is such a book out there? Answer: I don’t know of a book on that subject directly; however, I would like to recommend a book on the life of a woman who was a well-known and…
Read MoreA big “thank you” for the pictures
Question: I visit your web site especially for the Bible story pictures, which I use for my Sunday school class. I just want to say a big “thank you” for the pictures. I browsed a lot of web sites for Bible pictures, but when I stumbled upon yours I felt truly blessed because the pictures add color…
Read MoreHow could Jesus be sinless when he was born of Mary?
Question: As Mary was the mother of Jesus, she was also, like all of us, a descendant of Adam and Eve. Even though Mary was a virgin, she was in human flesh as Adam and Eve and of sin nature. How can it be said Jesus was without sin after having come into the world…
Read MoreHow do I manage thinking bad things about other people?
Question: I have offensive thoughts toward other people, including God Himself, and religious things and that’s what I am worried about. They can be angry thoughts or simply disrespectful thoughts. Other times I make fun of things or I think “dirty” thoughts about things, not as in me lusting for anyone, but just because the…
Read MoreWhat do you think about partaking of the Lord’s Supper after dinner?
Question: At our congregation, we take communion on the first day of each week. Our preacher has decided to have small groups meet in homes and have a potluck dinner and again partake of the Lord’s Supper, calling it an agape feast. This is causing a division in the church. He is using a lot…
Read MoreDoes God speak to unbelievers?
Question: Does God speak to unbelievers? Answer: God speaks to all the world through the same means, through His word. Paul noted that God commands all men to repent. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:35). How does God deliver His command? “Now thanks be…
Read MoreReading What Was Said
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ReadingWhatWasSaid.mp3 by Pat Kelly
Read MoreHow do you love people who are being mean to you?
Question: My question has to do with John 15:21. I go through this daily at my job. I try to show love for my co-workers at work. But the more I do, the more destructive things my co-workers do to me like hide things from me in my cubicle or move important things from my…
Read MoreShould I stay with a congregation that pays its song leader?
Question: I attend a small church of Christ. We have no elders or deacons. We pay a man to lead singing, which obviously is wrong. What should I do? Will this cause him to lose his salvation? Will I lose mine if I continue to worship there? He is the only one among the men capable of leading singing. Answer: The…
Read MoreIs “Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible” by Jay E. Adams biblically correct?
Question: Please, I would like to know if you have read the book “Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible” by Jay E. Adams. Is this book by Jay Adams biblically and scripturally correct, especially in regards to the remarriage of the innocent and guilty party in a divorce? I will like to know your…
Read MoreWhat is an “idle” word?
Question: In Matthew 12:36, what does Christ mean when he says, “For every idle word … [man] shall give an account”? What is an “idle word”? Does “give an account” mean “suffer punishment” or “be required to explain”? Answer: “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance…
Read MoreHow do I advise a man who told me he is committing adultery?
Question: I have a friend who has approached me about problems in his marriage. They have been married for a few years. The couple are Christians, attend church, and are active in the church. He told me he was struggling in his marriage. He revealed to me that he was committing adultery. When I inquired…
Read MoreMy marriage for a few months is a disaster. What should I do?
Question: Hi there. I got married several months ago. The night before my marriage was a complete disaster. My husband had too much to drink and he fought with me in front of other people. I felt humiliated but thought it was only wedding stress. Long story short, the wedding and the honeymoon were terrible…
Read MoreYour illustrations help in Bible study
Question: Thank you for having this up on your web site. My wife and I are reading the Bible through this year and have been wondering how to envision the Bronze Sea that Solomon made. Thanks again. Answer: Happy to be of service.
Read MoreMy brother embarrassed my non-Christian friend. What should I do?
Question: I have a friend whom I’ve known for about a month. We talk every so often and hang out. We went hiking yesterday and it was the first time she was over at my house. I don’t date non-Christians and she is not a Christian. She knows this and that my faith defines me.…
Read MoreIs it wrong to buy from a company that uses poor business practices to make money?
Question: Is it wrong for us to buy products from companies that use sweat-shops or may have poor working conditions, poor company reputation, etc.? I’ve been thinking about this recently because I personally feel neglectful about shopping at a popular store because I’ve heard that they have had problems with their company in the past…
Read MoreWhen Christ returns, will he unite the denominations into one body?
Question: In the last days, before Christ’s second coming, will he unite his people who are divided into many church denominations into one body of his bride? Answer: There is no passage in the New Testament that states Jesus has ever accepted the concept of denominations. Instead, Jesus’ prayer was, “I do not pray for…
Read MoreDo near-death experiences reflect the afterlife?
Question: I have heard about different accounts that people have had in the afterlife. I have heard people who were unbelievers say that nothing happened and it was simply dark, but no experience of hell. I have also heard an account of a pastor who was in a car accident and according to people who…
Read MoreIs it a sin to sleep with your ex-husband?
Question: My husband and I recently got divorced we have two children together. We still love each other very much and are still sleeping together. Is it a sin to sleep with your ex-husband? Answer: It seems to me you are asking the wrong question. I’m wondering why you aren’t marrying the man you claim…
Read MoreWhy are translations in Greek instead of Hebrew, the language Jesus spoke in?
Question: Why are all of your translations in Greek instead of Hebrew, which would be the language Jesus spoke in? Answer: The following is specific toward Matthew, which is usually the one book people like to claim was originally written in Hebrew: Was Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic? The simple fact is that it…
Read MoreDo we know if Namaan continued to live righteously?
Question: In II Kings 5, we learn about Naaman being saved from leprosy, and also that he does finally acknowledge the one true God (vs.15). But do we ever really know his relationship with God, as far as his soul and the way he worshipped God from then on? Answer: Not much is said about…
Read MoreYou shouldn’t write against having kitchens and fellowship halls since these aren’t important to salvation
Question: I stumbled across your web site and found some very valuable information that may help me in the future. I disagree, however, with one of your beliefs. Having a kitchen or a potluck at the church building is not wrong. The church building is just that — a building. Christians make up the church.…
Read MoreWhen we love God, how do you define love?
Question: I have been writing a paper on what it means to love God. I have some parts and to love God you follow his commandments; if you don’t, you don’t love God. But how do we define love? I have been thinking about it for a long time. It encompasses a whole bunch, but…
Read MoreAre there Christians in all churches?
Question: I have a friend that is a member of a denominational church. I am a member of Christ’s church. We had a discussion about Christians. I told her that she is not a Christian because she has not been added to the Lord’s one and only church of Christ. Do you have any Scriptures…
Read MoreAm I being covetous thinking about a girl who turned me down?
Question: Last year, I met a wonderful girl who has been on my mind almost constantly since I first saw her. In addition to being incredibly beautiful in every physical way, she also has a very sweet demeanor — one of those personalities that just lights up the room. Sadly, I was never able to…
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