Hymenaeus and Alexander
by Kent Heaton Found only in Paul’s letters to Timothy, Hymenaeus is an example of a man who once had been enlightened of the truth, tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the partaking of the Holy Spirit and yet found himself shipwreck concerning the faith. It is tragic to witness the shipwreck of one’s…
Read MoreI didn’t handle an argument with my brother over the movies he lets my nephew watch. Do you have some advice?
Question: I need some outside advice. This morning I got into a short argument with my brother who has a boy — both of whom live with me in my parent’s home. All of us have put in equal hours helping to raise the boy. We all do our best for him. But this morning…
Read MoreShould I divorce to get peace back into my life?
Question: I am currently the minister of a congregation. I am married and my marriage is on the rocks. I often have thoughts of divorcing my wife, but I know that it would have a huge effect on all those whom I have baptized and help lead to Christ. My wife is no longer attractive…
Read MoreThank you for this article on head covering
Question: “Women who understand the Bible also understand why they cover their heads.” Thank you for this article and for the above statement found in your article. It has long been a conviction of mine and one I practice, albeit quite alone among my congregation. I would ask one thing of any person who still believes this…
Read MoreWas Judas at the Last Supper?
Question: My question concerns Judas and his participation or not, in the first Lord’s Supper. I have read over the verses concerning the Lord’s Supper, the night Jesus initiated it. Luke 22:14-22 appears to say he was there, and after the supper, Jesus then identified Judas as the one to betray Him. Mark 14:17-26 indicates…
Read MoreExplain the book of Proverbs
Question: Explain the book of Proverbs from the beginning to the end? Answer: Solomon stated that the purpose of his book was: “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and…
Read MoreIs God bound by time?
Question: We had a small discussion in our college group last week and I wanted your thoughts. Is God bound by our time? What I mean is angels are waiting to see things unfold; I think that’s somewhere in Hebrews. And then Job, of course. God calls the angels to Him twice, so we see…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say when Mary realized she was pregnant?
Question: Does it say or indicate when Mary was with child or you know when she knew she was pregnant, as in how many months she was into the pregnancy? Answer: When Gabriel visited Mary, he said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also,…
Read MoreWhat is the Christian’s Sabbath?
Question: In Hebrews chapter 4, where it talks about the Sabbath and all, if I’m right, the reason for the Sabbath is that it represents Christ. It foreshadows Christ’s kingdom that He is making for us with God, hence our rest or God’s rest. It’s a place, not an age, as others would claim. I…
Read MoreAre there any other mentions of the saints rising from the dead at Jesus’ death?
Question: In Matthew 27:51-53, it says “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they…
Read MoreWhy is grape juice a part of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: I have been trying to find out the why’s of ‘the fruit of the vine’. I understand and have read about the Passover. I think I understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper in relation to the Passover. I know why the bread is represented to be Jesus’ body, and that Jesus said he…
Read MoreCan your family hurt instead of help?
Question: I have been searching for Scriptures on the family being very important, but that sometimes family members may hurt you instead of help you. Please help me with this because the Bible reads in Mark 3:35 that the one who does the will of God is thy family. This is always brought up when…
Read MoreWhy did you only say “probably true?”
Question: I have just looked over your answers to questions circulating on emails. Not knowing the “correct” answers myself and you “scholars” giving “your opinions,” who does the simple layman believe? Everyone has their own interpretations. I see the way you don’t totally come out and say “true,” you say “probably true,” etc. I believe…
Read MoreWhy would the Sadducees bother claiming to be religious?
Question: In Matthew 22:23-31, it says that the Sadducees said there was no resurrection. Also, Acts 23: 8 says the Sadducees didn’t believe in angels or spirits. If they didn’t believe in angels or spirits, then why believe in the words of the Old Testament? If the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, then why did…
Read MoreDoesn’t Matthew 5:27-28 only apply to married people?
Question: With the Scripture: “You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Only married people can commit adultery, so as I see it, this Scripture is not meant for the unmarried. Answer: What…
Read MoreOn Being Educated
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Every school-aged child asks questions like these: “Why do I have to learn this stuff?” Why should a person go to school? What use are all those endless facts? Does education have a value from a biblical viewpoint? To answer such a question, we need to find its synonyms: knowledge…
Read MoreIs the covering in I Corinthians 11 an article of clothing?
Question: Someone related to me that the covering here is not an article of clothing according to the original language. He explained that the veil that Moses used to cover his face was clearly seen as such in the original language, but we don’t see it for the covering in I Corinthians. I have not…
Read MoreI don’t think you proved Paul to be an apostle
Question: There are so much strife and debate among the world and believers in Christ that it seems to be a waste of time that we debate among ourselves. So please understand that I do not come in the spirit of debate, but truly searching the Scriptures to see if it is so. Sha’ul (Paul)…
Read MoreThe Extra Catholic Books
by Donald P. Ames Originally Published in Truth Magazine Vol. XIII 2, pp. 12-14, November 1968 Vol. XIII:6, pp. 10-12, March 1969 Vol. XIII:4, pp. 14-17, January 1969 Vol. XIII:5, pp. 13-15, February 1969 Many today sadly lack information about the extra books found in the Catholic Bible and just exactly how they got there. Many…
Read MoreCan a woman’s womb be reopened?
Question: Can a woman’s womb be reopened? Answer: I’m not certain as to what you are trying to ask. The Bible does speak of women unable to have children as having their womb closed. “But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb. And…
Read MoreAre there warnings about believing you are the only denomination going to heaven?
Question: Some church denominations say, “We are right and all other churches are wrong” (concerning Bible interpretations). Or they say, “We are going to Heaven. All other denominations are not.” Do the Scriptures give any warnings or guidelines about this “attitude” held by certain groups? Thank you! Answer: Behind this question is the assumption that…
Read MoreIn View of the Bible, Should Churches Accept Homosexuality?
by Abraham Smith Homosexuality has infiltrated more and more churches. Will homosexuality be normalized as an acceptable and legally sanctioned lifestyle? Or, will those who practice it be identified as sinners in need of redemption? Will those who regard homosexuality as a sin and therefore refuse to accept homosexuals as members in good standing be…
Read MoreJudgment: Understanding Luke 17:20-37
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Teachers in various denominations connect many strange ideas with the second coming of Christ. Often these ideas are the result of applying verses to topics the original author never had in mind. Luke 17 deals with a coming judgment, but to understand what Jesus is saying, we must decide what judgment…
Read MoreThe Name of God
Text: Exodus 3:10-17 I. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have gone out into the world declaring that God’s name is “Jehovah.” A. A reader of our website wrote to ask why this claim is made since he was only able to find less than ten instances of the name “Jehovah” in his Bible. 1. The KJV uses this name…
Read MoreYour Best Life Now? Really?
by Steven Harper Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you’ve probably heard of a man named Joel Osteen and have probably seen one of his books, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps To Living at Your Full Potential. [He also has a new book out now, Become A Better You.] By…
Read MoreA Soft Answer vs. A Soft Answer
by Steven Harper The wise writer once said, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Good advice, indeed. We would be wise even today to admit that it is much better to give a soft [as opposed to harsh] answer because we will be more successful in our attempts…
Read MoreDating the Book of Revelation
by Steve A. Hamilton The date when the book of Revelation was written has been a controversial subject for centuries. The insight I have gained and relate in this article is not likely to change the debate in favor of any certain date. However, after reading many different sources on the subject, I have not…
Read MoreJesus: Intolerant, Confrontational, and Exclusionary
by Dan Gatlin The typical denominational view of both Father and Son is that “God is love,” and only love. What is so easily forgotten is His severity (Romans 11:22) and wrath (II Thessalonians 1:3-10). Jesus is depicted as quiet, soft-spoken, harmless, almost a wimp (nothing could be further from the truth). The consequence of…
Read MoreLegalizing Drugs
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/LegalizingDrugs.mp3 by Jeffrey W, Hamilton Text: James 5:13-18 I. I heard yet another radio program where the host was arguing for the legalization of drugs. A. His main argument was one of many that I have heard: “We losing the war on drugs” B. The idea is that we can’t win, so let’s stop the fight of…
Read MoreYour information on the New International Version is totally wrong
Question: In “The New International Version,” your information is totally wrong. I looked up most of the meanings of the words that supposedly meant something else than what was originally said and you totally twisted everything up! Here is an obvious example, toward the end, was written: “Notice the subtle change from the idea that…
Read MoreThe Prison Letters
Text: Colossians 4:7-18 I. Near the end of Paul’s third journey, he visited churches to gather funds to relieve the famine stricken brethren in Judea. – I Corinthians 16:1-9 A. Several of the churches sent representatives to travel with Paul – II Corinthians 8:16-24 B. Several of these men are named in Acts 20:1-4. Take special note…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the emerging church movement?
Question: I was researching a little bit today on the “emerging church movement.” I have been reading a lot of their stuff, and finding out it doesn’t seem like they are even Christian. Some of them at times claim they don’t believe God inspired the Word, or as one of them said “paraphrasing” God word…
Read MoreThe Bible: Dare We Leave It?
by Dee Bowman It is amazing how many religions, in general, have left the Bible. Catholicism bears little resemblance to the Bible anymore, nor does denominationalism. In fact, some of the congregations that wear the name “Church of Christ” are quickly abdicating biblical principles in preference for what the people want instead of what the…
Read MoreWhat were the requirements for being a member of the Sanhedrin?
Question: What were the requirements for being a member of the Sanhedrin? Answer: You need to remember that the Sanhedrin was the creation of the Jews. It was justified or based on the seventy elders who aided Moses (Numbers 11:16-17) but where these men individually served as judges to relieve Moses of the burden, the…
Read More“Baptism is an Elective”
by Larry Ray Hafley Truth Magazine, June 16, 1977 “The great church history writers state that baptism misunderstood and misapplied became the major factor of separation in the early church which Jesus formed. Apparently the much mention of baptism in the New Testament overworked the minds of some ceremonialists to the point of declaring it…
Read MoreThe Age of Accountability
by Ben Overby The Bible is clear in teaching that we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, to suggest we are born sinful is to say that God is sinful. We know that God is sinless, therefore, when we begin our journey in this world we are safe (spiritually), due to…
Read MoreIf Daniel was the third ruler in Babylon, who were the first two?
Question: I have a question concerning Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom. Daniel was offered to be the third ruler of the kingdom if he could tell the interpretation of the writing on the wall. The question was asked, Were there two rulers in the kingdom at that time or was there only one king? Answer:…
Read MoreHow do I go about signing up to do the studies?
Question: I did read through the section, The Law. It was very helpful. I took some time and browsed through the rest of the study area, and it seemed to be very good. So, now, my question is: How do I go about signing up for the studies this section was in? Do I just begin doing…
Read MoreCan a person remarry if they divorced for more reasons than just fornication?
Question: Can this person remarry? Her husband committed adultery, was addicted to drugs and became violent. She said the last straw was when he tried to catch their porch on fire and threatened to divorce her and take the kids. She said because of this threat, the adultery, and the drugs, she chose to divorce…
Read MoreWhat happened to your site?
Question: Your sermons and articles are a great help to me. Since this morning I cannot access the site. Can you assist? With blessings and love in our Lord Jesus Christ Answer: Thank you for your kind words. Last month we ran into a problem. Because of the success of the site, we exceeded our…
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