The Point of No Return
by Tom Wacaster A plane, flying across the ocean, will eventually reach the “point of no return.” It is a real and definite point, beyond which it is better, in case of mechanical problems, to proceed than to attempt a return to the origination point. In the mind of the pilot, it is impossible to…
Read MoreIf a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness comes to the door, should I shake their hand?
Question: Do you know of any articles that address the true dangers of teachers from outside the church vs. those that are respected teachers from within the church, that teach false doctrines? It seems that there are some who are teaching that one can not even shake the hand of a person who arrives at…
Read MoreWhat does God do if you make a deal with Him and don’t keep it?
Question: What does God do if you make a deal with Him and don’t keep it? What does He do to you? Answer: God is not like your best friend of whom you can ask a favor and then promise to something for him in return. Imagine going up to the leader of a country…
Read MorePerseverance of the Saints and II Peter 2:17
by Bryan Sharp In II Peter 2:1, Peter warns of false teachers from within the Church “who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” In II Peter 2:17 Peter says these same people “are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them…
Read MoreDid Jesus know he would die by crucifixion in advance?
Question: Did Jesus know he would die by crucifixion in advance? Answer: Yes, he did know. He spoke of being “lifted up” which was an allusion to crucifixion where a person is lifted up on a cross. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be…
Read MorePeople Change
by Donnie V. Rader via Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 6-7, October 3, 1996 When General Motors came out with the new aerodynamic style Chevy Caprice (1990) I said that I would never have one of those “ugly” things. When cellular phones started getting popular, I thought it was dumb to carry your phone with…
Read MoreProphets
Text: Jeremiah 23:9-40 I. At the founding of the church, Peter quotes the prophet Joel – Acts 2:14-21 A. A part of the foundation of the church were prophets – Ephesians 2:19-20 B. People in denominations claim that prophecy continues 1. Some claim they have prophets in their midst 2. Others essentially claim they all prophesy. They do not…
Read MorePatience: The Art of Persevering in this Life
by Forrest D. Moyer As Peter continued to list the characteristics that one must add, he named “patience” as being essential in our lives to keep us from falling and to insure us a part in the “everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior” (II Peter 1:5-11). James wrote: “Indeed, we count them blessed who…
Read MorePartial Faith Is Satan’s Victory
by Carey Scott “A major survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that most Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to faith. A majority of those who are affiliated with a religion, for instance, do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation. And almost the same number…
Read MoreCan you explain the Parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-9?
Question: Hello, I was reading Luke 16 last night and am having some trouble comprehending what Jesus meant when He said in verse 8 and 9, “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon,…
Read MoreOrphan Institution in Search of Family Homes
by Dennis Carrow From the sponsoring church arrangement in the effort of evangelism, (i.e., the missionary society), grew the same carnal diversion from the divine pattern in the realm of benevolence. Brethren were not content with following the simple arrangement of the giver sending directly to the needy. The claim was made that we are…
Read MoreI believe that once we are saved, nothing can cause us to lose our salvation
Question: Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,…
Read MoreDo angels preach?
Question: Do angels preach? Answer: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2). “For if the…
Read MoreHow do you explain that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth?
Question: About the authority of the church: Do you have a response to I Timothy 3:15 where the church of God is referred to as the pillar and ground of truth? Whereas the Bible is never referred to because it did not exist until the church put it together? How can you accept the product of the…
Read MoreHow did you locate Pi Hahiroth, Migdol, and Baal Zephron?
Question: In surfing the net I located your map of the crossing of the Red Sea – your map shows the possible locations of the towns mentioned in Exodus 14:2 – Pi Hahiroth , Migdol and Baal Zephon. Where exactly has your research been located as the maps in the back of my Bibles do not show the…
Read MoreLocating Congregations of the Churches of Christ
Directories Find the Church Interactive Bible Directory of Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom Congregations in this Region Nebraska Church of Christ at 7th and Bell, Beatrice, Nebraska La Vista Church of Christ, La Vista, Nebraska Iowa Davenport Church of Christ, Davenport, Iowa Des Moines Church of Christ, Des Moines, Iowa Stone Ave Church…
Read MoreOnly the Players Get Paid
by Steven Harper If you have ever gone to a college or professional basketball or football game where the arena or stadium is sold out, you know the spectators far outnumber the players. At the largest college football stadium, there will be only 22 players on the field while over 100,000 people will be cheering in…
Read MoreI think your translation of Nicolaitan is incorrect
Question: I did some research recently and I found your translation of the word “Nicolaitan” from the Greek to be incorrect. From your incorrect translation comes further assumptions which logically begin a continued false set of observations and conclusions. I am not trying to be difficult, merely bring to your attention that your answer needs to…
Read MoreA Question about the Lord’s Supper
by Greg Gwin [edited] We have received a question about the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. Our questioner suggested that we ought to only take the Lord’s Supper once each year, at the time of the Jewish Passover, because this was the time when Jesus instituted the memorial. He further discounted Acts 20:7 as a proof…
Read MoreJust because the Book of Mormon contains errors, it doesn’t make it doctrinally wrong
Question: Your interpretations to the quotations taken from various Mormon theologians are gross and inaccurate. You take them out of context and obviously don’t understand what they really mean. The ancient people of America wrote the book and excused their flaws as mortal men. Never the less, being commanded to record the things of God, the…
Read MoreIs shaving pubic hair wrong?
Question: Hi there. My wife and I were talking a while back about sex in general. Both of us are Christians and while we were talking the topic of shaving came up. We were wondering is shaving of the pubic area unbiblical? We were unable to find any verses about it. Any help would be…
Read MoreThe Obedience of Faith
by Steve Dewhirst via Gospel Power, Vol. 12, No. 17, April 24, 2005. How odd, that one of the Bible’s most fundamental teachings should have become so puzzling to folks. God is not the author of confusion, but man is. And during the centuries since Jesus walked the earth, the very nature of the faith…
Read MoreShould those assigned tasks in the church have titles?
Question: Thanks for the answer: Can a church organize tasks without elders? So the risk in this type of set up is that members need not shun their individual responsibilities because tasks have been assigned to one brother to ensure the tasks are done. I can see the wisdom in organizing; however, there are some…
Read MoreNo Prophecy
by Carl A. Allen Often, when I am reading at random, I come across a thought that is worthy of passing on. Some of these thoughts are for thinking, not just passing over. I believe this quote to be of that value. “There are no prophecies for Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad or any other leader of…
Read MoreWhen did the Devil fall?
Question: Please comment on the fall of the devil. Was it before the creation of the world (Earth) or after the creation of the world? Where was he thrown? Answer: The Bible contains only a little bit of material concerning the origins of Satan. See the lesson “Satan” in the study of Genesis for details.…
Read MoreThe New ESV Translation
by Mark Roberts I am moving toward using a new translation of the Bible: the English Standard Version (ESV). I have used the New King James Version (NKJV) for years and I love it and appreciate it as a fine translation. However, the new ESV is, in my opinion, just better. It is based on…
Read MoreIs it a Sin to be in Debt?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An article in the paper caught my eye. “For some Christians, it’s a sin to be in debt.” As I continued to read, the author admitted that only a few “hardliners” say owing money is morally wrong. The verses they used to justify their belief were Romans 13:8, which says to owe…
Read MoreAvoiding Debt
Text: I Timothy 6:6-12 Firms go out of their way to offer me credit, For which, I might say, I am deeply indebted! – Doris O’Brien – I. A large industry has developed in the past hundred years or so A. It has existed for centuries, but it was commonly frowned upon until recent decades B. Once…
Read MoreNEEDED: The Discipline to Do the Unpleasant!
by William C. Sexton Some years ago I heard a sermon by a young preacher who made some pertinent points relative to a passage from I Kings 20:42, which says, “Then he said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because you have let slip out of <your> hand a man whom I appointed to utter…
Read MoreHow were the nations scattered and was the world one continent that was divided in the days of Peleg?
Question: I read the page titled “Gog and Magog” and found it very interesting, as well as helpful. But there is one thing I question: I thought, according to the Bible, that Egyptians and Libyans came from Mizraim, Ham’s son, not from Put. Could you clarify this for me? Also, would you comment on how…
Read MoreSome Thoughts to Consider with Our Mothers in Mind
by Abraham Smith “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17). This verse holds many valuable applications for the one who would accept them. From the preceding verses, we learn that Hebrews…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible say about credit cards?
Question: What the Bible said about credit cards, especially for the Christian? I cannot understand people using a credit card to give to the Lord. It brings many problems when you have no control over your spending. I cannot understand this. It is my belief that this is not God’s will. Could using a credit…
Read MoreCan a church organize tasks without elders?
Question: I would like your thoughts on organizing works in a church that does not have the luxury of elders, such as visitors, attendance, sick members, evangelism. Can men be appointed or volunteer to serve as leaders over these areas with an assistant? Wouldn’t this make these areas offices? Do we have authority for this?…
Read MoreMore Fair-Minded
by Bryan Matthew Dockens “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these…
Read MoreAre lectureships scriptural?
Question: Tell me your thoughts about “lectureships.” Is this a scriptural term? Do we have authority for women lectureships? Answer: Let us establish a basic point. The question is not whether a particular term is found in the Bible or not. After all, language changes constantly. What might have made a good translation in say…
Read MoreA series of questions about spanking
Question: At what age does a father stop spanking his boy? I mean do you spank until he’s 21 if he’s still living with you? Do you spank a 13-year-old boy any differently from a 5-year-old boy? Clothed behind versus bare behind How often does one spank the boy? If indeed he’s incorrigible, do you…
Read MoreCould you explain Proverbs 26:3 and 19:29?
Question: Well, I can’t quite figure out: Proverbs 26:3 “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.” and: Proverbs 19:29 “Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.” Answer: Proverbs 26:3 is dealing with control or the giving of direction. A rider of a…
Read MoreMarried to Christ
by Keith Sharp The theme of Romans is the gospel, God’s power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16-17). This is equivalent to saying we are justified by faith apart from the law (Romans 3:20-31). The law that is no part of our justification is the law given through Moses to Israel (Romans 2:12-27; 3:21).…
Read MoreDid God create the earth without a shape and then later give its current shape?
Question: Does Genesis 1:1-2 mean God created the earth without a shape and later gave it the current shape? Answer: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of…
Read MoreHow can past sexual abuses be dealt with today?
Question: Thank you ever so much for taking the time to reply. I am most grateful. For me personally, this has been a very sad experience. I perhaps haven’t made myself very clear as I didn’t want to burden any person with my problems. I’ll be brief: I exposed the sin of sexual abuse on me…
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