How can I follow God when He is so strict?
Question: First of all, I can’t thank you enough for your time. There’s a lot more I want to talk about, possibly so much that neither you nor I have enough time for. Before I ask you more questions I want to continue to discuss this issue of sex and what not because it’s been…
Read MoreIs “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?
Question: Are you saying the phrase, “cleanliness is next to godliness” is Scripture that can be found in the Bible? If so, where? Answer: No, can’t say I’ve ever stated that. There is a verse on that topic though. In Ecclesiastes 9:8, Solomon advises that we should always keep our clothes and bodies clean and…
Read MoreWasn’t Judas’ problem betrayal and not suicide?
Question: I don’t think Judas’ suicide was the great issue. The main issue was the betrayal of Jesus. Jesus even said the disciples that it would have been better than the one that betrays the Son of Man not have been born. It just seems Judas will be judged for his betrayal than suicide. What…
Read MoreIf I go to confession, will I be completely forgiven of my sexual sins?
Question: I was raised Christian and am still a believer. When I was younger and more impressionable, I wanted to have sex with whatever girlfriends I had at the time. After being unsuccessful in losing my virginity a few times, and reading about it online, I decided to remain a virgin by choice. It became…
Read MoreWhy was Saul hiding among the baggage?
Question: In I Samuel 10:22 it says that Saul was hidden with the equipment. What do you think this indicates? Was he afraid and in hiding? Or maybe he was humble and not wanting to appear as too eager? Also in I Samuel 10:27, do you think the gifts were physical or could they have…
Read MoreI made out with a minor when I was young, how do I gain God’s forgiveness for this?
Question: A long time ago (15 years ago) when I was 20, I went to a party. While there, I made out with a guy who was 17 (I think). We did not have intercourse but did a lot of other things including showering in the nude. I have since changed my life and repented…
Read MoreWhat can we do to maintain intimacy in the bedroom without sinning since we are not married?
Question: My boyfriend and I have been dating for about a year and two months and we’ve been having sex for quite some time. We recently had a talk the other night about whether or not having sex was wrong before marriage, and we were wondering since it’s approved for married couples and we’re not…
Read MoreHow should I pray to grow bigger?
Question: I am curious as to what I’m supposed to pray about. I continuously pray that I’ll grow to be 6 foot or 6 foot 1, but I always end up not trusting God properly. People tell me that I need to believe it’ll happen and pray specifically. I’d like to know if there is…
Read MoreWho are the two witnesses in Revelation?
Question: In the book of Revelation, whom do you say the two witnesses are? I feel that they are Elijah and Enoch since neither of them died a physical death before being taken to heaven. Some are saying it is Moses; but I was of the opinion that mortal man can die only one physical…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 16:1-4 apply to general collections?
Question: Good day to you all. A question has come up here, one that always does, and has to do with I Corinthians 16:1-4. The questioner appears to be denying that the text is an authority for the weekly giving we practice here on the first day of the week. Apparently that: the giving of…
Read MoreWhat Do You See?
by Jim Mickells The Bible is often referred to as the “mirror of the soul.” I suppose that it is called such because of what James said in his epistle when writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. There he said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if…
Read MoreI was once in an orphans’ home
Question: Thank you for your answer. It has helped to clarify those ‘ideas’ that I asked about. But, in truth, I have to say that this is just downright scary. When someone talks about ‘anti’ and ‘liberal’ and ‘sound’, it doesn’t make me think of worshiping my God, but it does make me think that…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the worship of angels?
Question: When Paul talks about the worship of angels right after saying do not judge anyone about Sabbaths, new moon, etc. what is meant by the worship of angels? I noticed in Hebrews 2:2 and in James speech in Acts he also mentions angels giving doctrine to man (I think in reference to the Old…
Read MoreCould you explain I Peter 1:1-5?
Question: I kindly ask you to consider the questions of my searching heart and mind regarding this passage in the Holy Writ, which I want to be clarified without a shadow of a doubt. It is my desire to know the truth for it is by obeying the truth that our hearts are purified and…
Read MoreHow can a husband and wife be equal when the husband has the rule over the wife?
Question: I read your article and I thought it was good. While I agree with most of it I find it hard to believe it all. Eve fell for the lies of Satan and ate the forbidden fruit. She sinned against God and gave Adam the same fruit and he also ate of it, thus causing…
Read MoreMormons believe almost everyone will go to heaven
Question: Before talking down my religion you should make sure you understand it! Mormons believe that almost everyone will go to heaven. We believe that the amount of people who go to outer darkness is so small that it is barely even considered a kingdom. Answer: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is…
Read MoreHow long did Jephthah rule Israel?
Question: How long did Jephthah rule Israel? Answer: “And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in among the cities of Gilead” (Judges 12:7).
Read MoreWhat does personal accountability mean?
Question: What does the term personal accountability mean? Answer: The phrase is not used in the Bible, but we sometimes speak about our personal accountability before God. By this, we are referring to the fact that each one of us must give an account to God regarding the things we personally have done. “So then…
Read MoreWhat is the Redeemed Christian Church of God?
Question: I am a member of the Church of Christ and I study with many that are outside of the body of Christ. I have been doing Bible studies with a couple of different people in different states who say they attend worship at a Redeemed Christian Church of God. I am not familiar with this…
Read MoreWhat is the purpose of life?
Question: What is the purpose of life? Answer: Please read “The Meaning of Life” and “Our Purpose in Life.”
Read MoreHow do you make an interesting conversation?
Question: I would like to ask some help on how to be a good conversationalist. You see, I have a problem when it comes to communicating with people. I’m quite a boring type of person and I cannot produce an interesting conversation. Can you help me with this? I also need advice on how to…
Read MoreDoes Psalm 58:3 show that at least some children are born sinful?
Question: Psalms 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. I looked up in one concordance what “estranged” means: to be strange, be a stranger (Qal) to become estranged strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle) loathsome (of breath) (participle) strange woman, prostitute, harlot…
Read MoreDo you think a Protestant and Catholic can marry?
Question: Suppose there are a Protestant man and a Catholic woman. They like each other, enjoy exchanging ideas, and have long-established a good relationship. Do you see any problem if they fall in love? What is the biblical concern over the matter? Traditionally there is opposition to the engagement, but is there a biblical reason…
Read MoreShould a Christian serve in the military?
Question: Should a Christian serve in the military? Answer: I asked a friend, neighbor, and fellow Christian to address this question. I entered the Air Force in 1983 and have been a Christian for an even longer period of time. I am still serving my country and my God. Being in the military, like maybe…
Read MoreShould I be friends with an annoying person?
Question: In math class, there is a student who is kind of annoying, but very social and has other friends. He wants to be friends with me, but he annoys me, or maybe it’s just his way of being a friend. For example, the last time I saw him he wanted to use every electronic…
Read MoreHow do we decide what offices in Ephesians 4:11 remain?
Question: Ephesians 4:11 (King James Version): “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” Question: Since all offices were given for the same reason according to verse 12, how do we decide which offices still remain? Answer: By the qualifications for the offices. Apostles were selected by…
Read MoreDid Hophni and Phinehas believe in God?
Question: Did Hophni and Phinehas believe in God? Answer: Hophni and Phinehas were two sons of Eli, the high priest of God (I Samuel 1:3). They served as priests at the tabernacle. But despite their position, they were wicked. “Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and…
Read MoreWhat is the function of a pastor?
Question: What is the function of a pastor? Answer: The denominational world uses the term “pastor” in a way that you do not find in the Bible. Among the denominations, a pastor is a person who preaches and runs a local congregation. It is a blend of the duties the Bible assigns to preachers and…
Read MoreWhat is this business about “anti,” “liberal,” and “sound?”
Question: Mr. Hamilton, in the last day or so, you received a question concerning congregations. The writer spoke about ‘anti’ and ‘liberal’ congregations. What does this mean? What is meant by a sound church? I find all this to be very confusing. Jesus didn’t want us to be divided, so what is this anti, and liberal,…
Read MoreCan I use your material to help teach a preacher who has gone astray?
Question: It is evident from the materials on your website that you are truly a congregation of the Lord’s church. I came upon your site while attempting to find well-defined information to refute the “unity” movement today. Unfortunately, my former congregation in Florida is planning a merger with a local “Christian church” in the name…
Read MoreDid Abraham visit prostitutes?
Question: I have read your article “Why Sex Outside of Marriage is Wrong” to develop my understanding. I value your referring to the Bible for answers and will take all the knowledge I can from this particular piece. However, I would like you to shed some light on Abraham’s use of prostitutes when away from…
Read MoreIs romantic love a duty or an emotional thing?
Question: I would like to ask if the romantic kind of love is an emotional thing or a duty. Thank you. Answer: It is not an either on or the other, it is both a duty and emotional. Romantic love is something married couples are bound by duty to give to each other. “Let the…
Read MoreDon’t consequences still follow after forgiveness?
Note: I think this one came in response to a point I made about whether a spouse can claim to have forgiven his or her adulterous spouse, and then divorce him or her at a later time and claim to have the right to remarry. See: “If a woman accepts her husband back in desperation,…
Read MoreCan you explain what it means that the sins of the fathers are put on the children?
Question: I found the passages that relate to the sins of the father, maybe you can give me a view on what they mean. I see how people can make their case, but let me know what it all means, or if needed, put it into context. “You shall not worship them or serve them;…
Read MoreCould you explain this answer I got concerning Acts 2:38?
Question: I was writing the NIV translators, who are intermixed with IBS, about the “for the forgiveness of sins.” I got a regular response, but I am writing to him some more on certain verses. I also wrote the NASB guys but haven’t gotten a response yet. Anyway here is the letter I got. He…
Read MoreDoes a preacher need to give?
Question: Instead of me giving a certain amount of my support each week, if I was a gospel preacher asked the church to reduce what they give me for support in accordance with the amount I have been giving each week the past few months and not manually give, do you think that would be…
Read MoreHow could people live to be so old?
Question: In the Old Testament, when people lived to be hundreds of years old — did they really live years as we know it or did they count seasons as years? How could anyone have lived to be 400 years old? Answer: The word used for “years” did not change meaning in the Old Testament.…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say that some believed, but would not follow?
Question: I have been trying to find, without luck, the verse that talks about people believing but still not following God. I think it was the Pharisees in Acts. I just remember reading a passage and I was wondering if you knew of it. I am using word searches but no luck yet. Answer: I…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with pipe smoking?
Question: I am interested in hearing your comments about pipe smoking. I don’t know anything about it, but one engaging in it says he does not inhale. I have encouraged him to quit, but to no avail and could use some help as to how to do this. Answer: The argument assumes that the only…
Read MoreHow do you make friends?
Question: I wanted to ask you a question. I am kind of maybe what you call shy. Maybe because of the ten schools I have been through in my school life. Every year it has been a new school, but that stopped last year. Students in my class talk to me, saying things like “Hey!…
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