Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrine?
Question: Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrines? Answer: “Doctrine” means teachings. Jesus told his apostles, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to…
Read MoreI have a fear that I was baptized incorrectly
Question: Hi there, I know you’ve probably answered many questions like mine, but I’m just struggling with a lack of peace. I ache for peace, and I am praying for help. I doubt my baptism, and I just wanted to seek guidance. I do struggle with moral OCD, and I do think it’s my overthinking,…
Read MoreWhat would you advise about my relationship with an older woman?
Question: I’ll tell you everything I can remember. My first relationship started when I was 18 years old. I didn’t get married and stayed with her for two years until it all ended. It ended because I wanted out and threw away a relationship that was working out well. I blamed myself for a long…
Read MoreGod or Humanism?
by Terry Wane Benton How can one determine that humans are more important than anything if everything is just different forms of material accident? To be a humanist is to make humanity your god and devote religious belief to the superiority of man, and that becomes your dogma and tradition. It is a matter of…
Read MoreIs a gathering in a care facility a church gathering?
Question: I am autistic and live in a facility. I can’t drive from here to any church. My sister could bring me, but she is not very consistent. I can’t rely on her early Sunday mornings. However, the facility I am at has an hour-long gathering of believers on Monday evenings. They sing a hymn,…
Read MoreDo you need to be baptized again after falling away and returning?
Question: I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was a teenager, but I wasn’t baptized. Then I read Mark 16 and was scared, so I got baptized at a Pentecostal Church. However, they taught that baptism didn’t save, and I wasn’t sure if it did when I was baptized. A couple of years ago,…
Read MoreJust another thank you for a great website
Question: Hello, Just another thank you for your great website. I’ve been reading for quite a while about The Development of the New Testament Text by Jim Snapp, 2nd. Wow, my head hurts. I’m not sure I agree with the first few paragraphs, but it is a lot for an old man to assimilate. Thanks…
Read MoreHow Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?
by David Gibson “Decision,” wrote Gordon Graham, “is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it” [Bits & Pieces]. Israel could not seem to make up their minds whether they would serve the Lord or Baal. The Conflict Then King…
Read MorePerversion of the Love of God
by Terry Wane Benton Many want to continue a sinful practice so much that they think they can use the love of God to justify it. God does so love the world that He gave His Son to die for sinners. He loved me while I was yet a sinner (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). But…
Read MoreHow do you deal with a spouse who isn’t living a godly life?
Question: How does a married person obey I Corinthians 5:9-11 in regards to avoiding eating or associating with such a person when the person he is married to claims to have accepted Christ as her Savior but repeatedly commits physical, emotional, and online adultery? What do you do when you discover that she was married…
Read MoreWhat Is the Work of the Church?
by Kyle Ellison Recently, I came across a discussion where community members discussed the need for churches to expand their activities. More physical fitness facilities, more sports options for Christian families, more clothing drives, more dinners, more food drives, more bookstores, improved coffee facilities for first-time guests, and on the list went. It caused me…
Read MoreWhy Does John Mention that Jesus Wept?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Why-Does-John-Mention-that-Jesus-Wept.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 11:17-44 I. Ask someone even slightly familiar with the Bible what the shortest verse is and they can tell you: “Jesus wept.” – John 11:35 A. I was reading an article by Phil Gardner and he asked an interesting question, “Why does John show us a weeping Jesus?” 1. Not,…
Read MoreThings We Are to Find
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 The kingdom of God is likened unto a treasure hidden in a field, or to a lost coin whose owner searched diligently till she found it. Indeed, there is preciousness associated with the kingdom that warrants our seeking that we might find it.…
Read MoreThoughts on “Sinful Nature”
Author Unknown (Labeled “Guest Editorial”) via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 Sinful natures exist. It would be foolish for any serious individual to deny it. How this comes about in a person’s life and just who has a sinful nature are other matters. Please consider a few thoughts on the subject, which…
Read MoreGod Appeared in the Flesh
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/God-Appeared-in-the-Flesh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16 I. Before the first century ended, several varieties of false teachings arose. A. One set has been referred to as the gnostics. The name derives from the Greek word for “knowledge.” – I Timothy 6:20-21 B. These were a diverse group, but they were tied by a belief…
Read MoreCan someone with Down Syndrome lead a prayer?
Question: Can or should a person with severe Down Syndrome lead a prayer? Answer: Leading a prayer requires the ability to communicate one’s thoughts to others and to God. People with Down Syndrome understand language well but are often delayed in developing the skills to express themselves verbally. “Delayed” is a keyword here. Communications skills…
Read MoreThe Christian and Gambling
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 More States in our Union are adopting state-operated lotteries to increase revenue. Every citizen of every state, especially Christians, must understand the issues involved. This is not being written to influence anyone politically but rather to urge readers to investigate some of…
Read MoreReligion in Germany
by Hans H. Waetjen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 Floyd asked me some time ago to write an article on the state of religion in Germany. With all the latest political developments in East Germany, this information may be even more relevant now. So, I will try to describe today’s religion…
Read MoreSaying Goodbye to a Dear Friend
by Adam Litmer It won’t be long now. The binding in my Bible is coming undone, and pages are starting to tear and fall out. Tape and glue are no longer getting the job done. I’m going to have to purchase a new Bible. Honestly, it nearly brings a tear to my eye. I suppose…
Read MoreDa Cai Xiao Yong
by Jeffery Kingry via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 In the middle ages, the famous Chinese poet Xin Oiji (Shin Chee-gee) pleaded with the emperor to withstand the Kin invaders, but it was a generation of appeasement and indulgence. The emperor’s ministers advised him to wait, not recover lost territories, and consolidate…
Read MoreBiblical Law
by Lynn Trapp via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No.1, March 31, 1990 For several months now, I have agonized over the question of biblical law. Three factors have led to my consideration of this subject. First, having read Walther Eichrodt’s Old Testament Theology (Vol. 1), I began to perceive that how I had explained the relationship…
Read MoreHow to Draw Near to God
by George Hutto via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8). James said, “Draw near to God and…
Read MoreBy This We Know Love
by Michael Sullivan via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 “I love you.” We live in a world that drains these words of their power. Even for many who claim to follow Christ, “love” has come to represent strong emotion and warm feelings toward those who are likeable, those with something to offer. Christians…
Read MoreWords Hurt, Words Heal
by Doy Moyer “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Words can hurt. They can be like sword thrusts, cutting deeply and hurting people in ways we may not even consider. Because “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart”…
Read MoreThe Burden of Proof
by Terry Wane Benton We sometimes hear someone say “prove it is a sin,” with the idea that unless the Bible says “this is a sin,” it is acceptable to the Lord. But, the criteria is that for something to be acceptable to the Lord, one must “prove it is acceptable” (Romans 12:1-4). If you…
Read MoreAlways with Grace
by David Gibson It was about 4:00 a.m. in the ICU. There had been a change of shifts, and a nurse entered Chub Lambert’s room whom he had not met before. “Good morning!” Chub said. “How are you doing today?” She didn’t respond at first. After a pause, she said, “I don’t know how to…
Read MoreSongs of the Saints: Tullius C. O’Kane
by Wayne S. Walker A name which may be a little more familiar, or at least recognized, than Skene but still not as well-known as Campbell or Stone is Tullius Clinton O’Kane, who was born in Fairfield County, in the vicinity of Lancaster, Ohio, on March 10, 1830, and educated at the Ohio Wesleyan University…
Read MoreYour articles are always helpful
Question: Brethren: I just wanted to send you a “thank you” for all of your work on your Web page. Your articles are always helpful. Answer: I’m glad we have been able to help you in some small way.
Read MoreCan a symbol be used to identify Christians?
Question: I thoroughly appreciate your congregation’s work on the many articles and topics. I use them myself to continue learning and answer some of my questions about certain topics. I do have a question regarding Christian symbolism. I understand that we should not make graven images or symbols per the apostles’ teachings. These material things…
Read MoreLetter from an Inmate
by David Gibson In a file folder labeled “Hypocrisy,” I found some correspondence I had forgotten all about. It was a letter from an inmate and my reply to his questions. The inmate’s letter: There is a whole bunch of guys here who read their Bible and go to church and even the prayer circle,…
Read MoreDo We Have a Flawed Theology?
by Perry Hall Studying Job, we find two conclusions his friends repeatedly made concerning Job, which are theologically flawed. This is because they believed in an unyielding law of retribution from God: Sinners are cursed and, therefore, suffer; the righteous are blessed and, therefore, live a life of ease. This led Job’s friends to: Condemn…
Read MoreThe Anointing
by Terry Wane Benton “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie–just as it has taught you, abide in him” (I John 2:27 ESV). The anointing his…
Read MoreGender Roles Within the Sacrificial System
by Perry Hall Gender requirements were specified in the Mosaic sacrificial system. We will reveal how this is important to our topic of gender roles within the church. Before that, let’s examine the gender specifications. The priesthood and the Levitical ministers were all males. This is undisputed and must be meaningful since pagan religions had…
Read MoreThe Human Life of God
by Steve Klein via Guardian of Truth XXXV: 14, pp. 419-420, July 18, 1991 One of the most ticklish of all religious controversies since the time of the apostles has been over the nature of the deity that Jesus possessed as a man. Historian Philip Schaff observed that in the years before 325 A.D., “the…
Read MoreGod Was Manifest in the Flesh
by Tim Coffey via Guardian of Truth XL: 5 p. 8-9, March 7, 1996 Paul proclaimed, “Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh” (I Timothy 3:16). For those who saw Jesus in the flesh, the difficulty was not in believing that he was man, but in believing he was God.…
Read MoreHow do I handle someone objecting to “Precious Memories”?
Question: I enjoyed your online message based on the hymn Precious Memories. After having led this hymn in worship for almost sixty years, the preacher where I attend said if Precious Memories was sung, he would walk out and not sing it because it is unbiblical. He says angels do not have specific messages for…
Read MoreHow Do I Make Someone Change
by Wilson Adams “How do I make someone change?” You won’t like the answer. Are you ready? You can’t. People change only when they’re ready to. All the pushing, prodding, needling, and nagging will not bring change. Why? It’s a fundamental law of human nature—you push, and they push back. All this pushing creates gridlock…
Read MoreIs There a Standard for Our Worship?
by Dave Hart How shall we decide what should and should not be a part of our worship? A quick look at the religious world reveals many distinct worship practices and customs. Some hold that the activity of worship is not as important as the attitude of worship. Others maintain that activity and attitude are…
Read MoreTwo Sources of Temptation
by Perry Hall Two frightening sources of temptation used by Satan, according to James 1 and Romans 7, are me (James 1:14) and God (Romans 7:7-12). We see both in the first temptation in Genesis 3. Satan uses Eve, but notice how the possessed serpent only tempts Eve with the Pride of Life. Then she…
Read MoreWhat’s Your Choice?
by David Gibson Many are avid baseball fans, but others care nothing about it. Some love to sit in a fishing boat hour after hour; this bores others stiff. Opera has its devotees; others can’t stand it. Probably most would agree that baseball, fishing, and opera are not matters of life and death. If you…
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