Why is there a “-;” in Exodus 32:32?
Question: First, this is a wonderful website, I have really enjoyed the information I have read and look forward to reading more. My question: What is the meaning of the dash and semicolon in Exodus 32:32? I heard it preached once as “the word Moses could not say” with a further explanation that the word…
Read MoreWhat are your thoughts on the silence of the Scriptures?
Question: Do you have an outline on how important the silence of the Scriptures is? I would really appreciate some thoughts. Answer: See: Silence of the Scriptures
Read MoreWhat should a new congregation be called?
Question: I am starting a small church in my home. I have attended the Church of Christ here most of my life and preached there as well. I greatly value your site. I am starting this church because the two churches of Christ here have a nasty reputation around town. They make the church of…
Read MoreWhat was the last miracle performed in the Bible?
Question: What was the last miracle performed in the Bible? Answer: The book of Revelation was the last to be written. In it, John was taken up to heaven “to show His servants–things which must shortly take place” (Revelation 1:1). Since this is beyond the natural ability of anyone in this world, it would be…
Read MoreIs the only sin to be repented of is the sin of murdering Jesus?
Question: For your information: The only Way that has been perfected to get into heaven is by the faith to repent of the one sin of Jesus’ murder for the forgiveness of ALL sins. This is the only way to obey the Acts 2:38 command. Answer: I left the grammar of this note basically as…
Read MoreDid King Asa go to Heaven?
Question: Did King Asa go to Heaven? Answer: “For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of…
Read MoreShouldn’t Saturday be the Lord’s Day?
Question: Why do most Christians call Sunday the Lord’s day? I was reading through a Bible and was surprised to find in Matthew 12:8 that Jesus Himself says…”For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” If Jesus says He is Lord of the Sabbath wouldn’t that make Sabbath — which was Saturday as…
Read MoreDoubts about possibly blaspheming the Holy Spirit
Question: Many years ago I heard a sermon at church. Later that day, while I was with my family, I said: “If God is God and Jesus is God’s son, then what relation is the Holy Spirit?” I said it as a joke. After I said it I thought that maybe I had said the…
Read MoreIs viewing pornography wrong when you are married?
Question: Is viewing pornography when you are already married wrong? I know there are still people who still view porn even if they are married. Actually, I caught a parent watching an x-rated movie, but, of course, I didn’t show myself to them in fear of being scolded. No matter how you view it porn…
Read MoreIs acupuncture acceptable?
Question: I get acupuncture about every other month for the maintenance of my body. Feels great and I stay very healthy since I’ve been doing this. Is acupuncture acceptable? Answer: Acupuncture is the stimulation of nerves, generally through the use of needles. By overstimulating certain nerve groups, discomfort can be temporarily reduced — not just…
Read MoreDoes “Jehovah” always refer to the Father?
Question: Does Jehovah always refer to the Father? It occurred to me that it might also refer to the Godhead in its fullness. Does anyone know and if so, how can we know? What biblical evidence is there for this? Answer: This is really hard to prove since Young’s Literal Translation uses the word Jehovah…
Read MoreWhy did God allow polygamy under the Old Testament?
Question: Wondering if anyone has any materials on “multiple marriages” in the Old Testament? Would like to hear your views on why this was tolerated among God’s people. I understand this was not God’s choice, however, there is no outcry from the prophets against such. The practice of multiple wives and concubines in the Old…
Read MoreWhat would be a good translation for children?
Question: I would like to buy a new Bible for my children that is easy to understand but is still in keeping with the Word of God. They currently have the King James Version. There are so many translations out there; you just don’t know which version to buy. Answer: You will find that most…
Read MoreWhat do you think about this Jesus tomb found in Jerusalem?
Question: What is your feeling about this Jesus tomb found in Jerusalem? They say the odds of a “Jesus son of Joseph” and Mary on the same tomb together is 1 out of 600. Does this mean Jesus had a son? Answer: When I saw the article in yesterday’s paper, I just knew someone would…
Read MoreDepending on the Situation
Depending on the Situation – Part 1Depending on the Situation – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 5:18-6:2 I. Dinner time conversation was lively the other night. A few caught Dennis Prager’s Ultimate Issues Hour. A. Now I like Mr. Prager’s show for the most part. You don’t usually find commentators willing to address…
Read MoreMy girlfriend and I mutually masturbated. What is the chance that she is pregnant?
Question: Hi. I am worried that my girlfriend will get pregnant. We regret that we did mutual masturbation and somehow we ended up with her panties off and I ejaculated on her napkin. I am not sure that my sperm was completely absorbed by the napkin or leaked down to her panties. Two minutes later…
Read MoreWhy is pornography so addictive and how can I help someone stop looking at porn?
Question: We were just hanging out after school as usual when one of the guys borrowed a mobile phone from a close friend of mine. There were six or seven of us and there were just two girls there. Now this guy who borrowed the phone took a good look at the phone’s features and…
Read MoreHow can I be assured God will forgive me?
Question: I am so tormented with the fear of the sin against the Holy Spirit. When I read the Scripture, it says “blaspheme” which is to “speak.” How can one change that to “reject?” How can I be assured that God will forgive me of any and every sin? I am a Christian in the…
Read MoreWere the offerings in Numbers 28 and 29 individual or national offerings?
Question: During our Bible study of the book of Numbers, one of our members asked if “each” individual had to make all those offerings? My answer to the question was to notice the recurring phrase, “besides the regular burnt offering…” (Numbers 28:10, 15, 24, 31; 29:6, 11, 16, 19, 22, etc.). Therefore it is my…
Read MoreWhat do I need to know to become a preacher’s wife?
Question: I know that I could become a preacher’s wife. I want to be a good virtuous wife because I have, well, kind of seeing a preacher. I want to do the right things in God eyes and not my eyes. I don’t want to mess it up. I have been praying and seeking God’s…
Read MoreIs it wrong to pay a preacher?
Question: Is it a sin to pay a preacher? Personally I don’t think it is, but some of our brethren in the church think it is. Can you give me some scripture for this, either not to pay or pay the preacher? Answer: “My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have…
Read MoreWhere is the ancient city of Babylon located today?
Question: Where is the ancient city of Babylon located today? Answer: The ruins of Babylon are found in Iraq, in the Babil Province, about 80 miles south of Baghdad. You can find a map marking its location here.
Read MoreAny suggestions for handling an angry member?
Question: Well, we had a stormy night at services! A brother lost his temper and made a big scene just at the end of class and was upset so far as I can tell that we did not get to the next lesson as I reviewed the one we were on for the benefit of…
Read MoreDoes “disciple” refer to the apostles or all of Jesus’ followers?
Question: When the scriptures speak of “the disciples” or “his disciples,” how can we know if the apostles are meant? Answer: The only way to tell is to look at the context of how the word is used and even then that is not a guarantee. Obviously, if they are named or if it refers…
Read MoreSin in the Church: A Study of I Corinthians 6:9-10
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The church at Corinth had many problems in living the Christian life. Their problems did not come from a rebellious attitude toward God. Most of their problems came from a misunderstanding of God’s law. In I Corinthians 5:1-8, Paul takes the Corinthians to task for accepting an immoral person as a…
Read MoreThe Search for Assurance
by Paul Earnhart It was a discussion between preacher friends. We were wrestling with the question of how confident Christians ought to be, moment by moment, about their salvation. Some were arguing for absolute assurance, others for a more cautious one. There is perhaps no concern that weaves its way so pervasively through the history…
Read MoreThe Scriptures and Context
by Ethan R. Longhenry “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). As Christians seeking to serve Jesus Christ according to His will (cf. Colossians 3:17),…
Read MoreHas anyone compiled a list of how much the Israelites were to give?
Question: Has anyone compiled a list of how much the Israelites were to give: tithes, offerings, firstlings, sacrifices, etc.? Answer: I assume from the way this question is worded that the desire is for a compilation of all the sacrifices and offerings that an Israelite would give under the law of Moses. I am also…
Read MoreIf someone is born blind and deaf and never is able to hear the gospel or read, will they be lost?
Question: If someone is born blind and deaf and never is able to hear the gospel or read, will they be lost? Answer: All references to reading or hearing the word are not intended to be taken literally. In Luke 8:10, Jesus said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given…
Read MoreDo miracles happen every day?
Question: Recently, in a discussion, someone said that miracles happen every day; and that if you anoint someone and pray over them, then they can be healed. Also, they say that proof of miracles today is the fruits of the Spirit. They “defy the nature of man,” so they are miracles. Even when we are…
Read MoreThou Shalt Not …
Text: Romans 13:8-10 I. In continuing our series on understanding the Ten Commandments, I would like for us to focus our attention on the commands which begin “You shall not …” – Exodus 20:13-17 A. The repeating of a phrase, in this case “you shall not”, causes one to pay attention to the words. It sets…
Read MoreAny suggestions regarding dating?
Question: Hello again! Well, we have become more serious; not official “dating” boyfriend and girlfriend, or courting, or however you say it, but we are committed to each other. In the sense that we aren’t going to date anyone else besides each other. We do hang out alone a lot; there are people in the…
Read MoreHow can you talk to someone who constantly twists the Bible?
Question: I attend a Church of Christ but my fiance practices Calvinism. He doesn’t refer to it like that, but the beliefs are the same. He and his brother are very into this religion. They get everything from a website. They believe the church age is over and that it is a sin to attend.…
Read MoreWhat would you tell an eldership who rejects a preacher because his wife wears a head covering?
Question: What would you tell an eldership who thought that it would be divisive to have me as a minister? I mean I don’t want to make an issue of it. Shaina my future wife would wear a head covering, but I would not teach something the elders do not want me to. I just…
Read MoreWhat does lasciviousness mean?
Question: What does lasciviousness mean? And does it speak clearly in the Bible about homosexuality? Answer: Lasciviousness, licentiousness, lewdness, or sensuality, depending on the translation of your Bible, means being wanton, lewd, or lustful. William Barclay described it as “a love of sin so reckless and so audacious that a man has ceased to care…
Read MoreIf it is wrong to use instrumental music because the New Testament doesn’t mention it, then it would be wrong to use electricity.
Question: My brother was a member of the Church of Christ which is why I know something about their beliefs. They didn’t use musical instruments when singing songs because, as he told me, musical instruments were not mentioned in the first-century church. Neither was electricity, but that sure didn’t keep them from having electric lights…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a birthright and a blessing as in the story of Esau and Jacob?
Question: What is the difference between a birth right and a blessing as in the story of Esau and Jacob? Answer: Birthright: A birthright referred to a person’s inheritance. For most of the world’s history, the firstborn child of a family would receive an extra inheritance from his father. What would happen is that when…
Read MoreShould families with small children sit in the back pews?
Question: Recently a congregation I am familiar with had an article concerning those who have small children. The preacher stated in the article that it would be best if those that have small children sit on the back pews due to children sometimes being noisy and having to be removed from the auditorium. In fact,…
Read MoreYou can’t be saved unless you become an Israelite
Question: You refer to Jeremiah 31:31 as a proof text to prove that it is no longer necessary to keep the Sabbath. Have you noticed who the New Covenant is made with? It is with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Paul cites this in Hebrew 8:8 also. If you don’t belong…
Read MoreHow do I know which church is the one the Lord intended? And what about the Eucharist being the real body and blood?
Question: I ran across your website and read the article on the Catholic church and the Bible. I am a lapsed Roman Catholic who has been searching for the Truth for some years now. I have four small children. How do I know the church of Christ is the church Our Lord intended? What about…
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