Anything to Make a Point
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An old friend of mine, with whom I have had an ongoing debate concerning the necessity of baptism, found a reference that he felt proved that baptism occurs after salvation. The book is The Immerser: John the Baptist, by Joan Taylor, published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997. In the…
Read MoreYou’re too harsh on public schools
Question: Not all schools are bad. I work for a middle school in South Carolina teaching special education. I know that our school district promotes abstaining until marriage, and it is taught in the classroom. I would say that 75% or more of our faculty and staff are Christians. Instead of condemning public education, you…
Read MoreThe 100-Minute Bible? Wait a Minute!
by Joe R. Price A new version of the Bible, The 100-Minute Bible, was unveiled on Wednesday in London, England. The Rev. Michael Hinton of the Church of England is its author. Here are some descriptions of it from its author and publisher (100-Minute Press), along with some analysis from the complete Bible. “…It summarizes…
Read MoreThe Lord Is a Jealous God
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Nahum 1:2-8 I. In describing love – Song of Solomon 8:6-7 A. The Hebrew word is qin’ah means to be jealous, to be envious, or to be filled with zeal. 1. The root is from a word that means “to become red,” as in a person’s face turning red when angry. 2. It…
Read MoreFear of the Lord
by Randy Blackaby Guardian of Truth Volume 27: Number 4, pp. 118-119, February 17, 1983 Fear is one of those dichotomies of scriptural teaching. We are told, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). But we also…
Read MoreWhere is Edom today?
Question: What is Edom’s name today? Answer: The country of Edom was founded by Jacob’s brother Esau. He picked up the nickname “Edom” or “Red” when he sold half of his massive inheritance for a simple bowl of red bean stew. Edom was located in the region to the southeast of Israel. Mount Seir was…
Read MoreLacking Compassion
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/09/Lacking-Compasion.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio I. Compassion is the deep awareness of the suffering of another and the desire to relieve the suffering. A. Jesus illustrated compassion 1. Matthew 14:14 – it was compassion that led Jesus to heal the sick 2. Matthew 20:30-34 – the healing of two blind men 3. Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus was moved…
Read MoreKing of Kings
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 47 I. The Babylonian conquer, Nebuchadnezzar, was a mighty ruler A. In his first year of reign, he destroyed the Assyrian Empire, and took over all its territory. B. He then proceeded to expand his empire conquering the mighty merchant city-state of Tyre and the ancient kingdom of Egypt. C. Daniel rightly…
Read MoreIs God cleansing the earth with these recent storms?
Question: Is God cleansing the earth with these recent storms? If so, is it because of divorce and the return of the Nephilim? Answer: While the Bible discloses that God has used storms in the past to accomplish His will, the Bible warns man not to try and second guess God. “”For My thoughts are…
Read MoreWho are the false prophets among us today?
Question: Who are the false prophets among us today? Answer: If you are looking for names of specific people, I’m afraid the list would be too large and ever-changing to appropriately answer. The Bible warns us that there will always be false prophets. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they…
Read MoreCoed Slumber Parties?
by George Hutto That’s the title of a recent article in the teen section of the local paper, (Times Daily, Florence, AL, June 1, 2005, p. 6e). “Innocent fun or danger zone?” is the subtitle. The simple asking of the question is disturbing. In this article the author, Helena Ollviero from Cox News Service quotes…
Read MoreHow did the twelve apostles die?
Question: How did each of the 12 original apostles die, and where are the records of their deaths found in the Bible? Answer: The New Testament, for the most part, was written by the apostles or those close to them. As such you would expect the records to end before the authors died, and such…
Read MoreHow do I help someone who almost committed suicide?
Question: I have a problem that I have never had to deal with before and pray that I will not experience anything like it again. One of our member’s granddaughter attempted suicide, by an overdose of prescription medication, last night. She is only fifteen years old, a very sweet young girl, but one that is…
Read MoreHow Did Jericho Fall?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 6:6-20 I. The record of the fall of Jericho is familiar to many people. A. It was an impressive victory for the people of Israel who had recently entered the land. B. Despite the fact that the city was heavily fortified – Joshua 6:1 C. It was completely destroyed – Joshua 6:21…
Read MoreHands that Shed Innocent Blood
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The First Murder A. When do you think the first murder took place? B. Most people would guess Cain and Abel. C. Actually, it was earlier. Satan in the form of a serpent tempted Adam and Eve to sin. With that sin, they died. Gen. 2:17. D. Jesus remarked that Satan was a murderer from…
Read MoreWhat does “you shall have no other gods before me” mean?
Question: What does “you shall have no other gods before me” mean? Answer: See the lesson “No Other Gods” from the workbook The Ten Commandments. If you have further questions, please write again.
Read MoreAre there exceptions to withdrawal?
Question: I have been studying the issue of fellowship within the family. In other words, I have family who are erring brethren and walk not as God has commanded. In accordance with I Corinthians 5 and other verses which say “not even to eat,” are there guidelines or principles for us to follow? I want to…
Read MoreIs same-gender love wrong?
Question: I need to ask a question about love. I have asked before about boy-boy or girl-girl relationships. Is there such a case that you can say it is proper if you’re a guy to be infatuated (or have a crush) on another guy, or for a girl (this is more common, I think) to…
Read MoreGod’s Promises Are Sure
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 6:9-20 I. The Bible contains many promises of an eternal home in heaven A. How can we be sure it is really there? 1. None of us get to visit it before hand. It is not like a hotel where you might check out the beds or see if the view…
Read MoreGiving
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. We talk about giving of our best to the Master A. I tried to show that such an idea was not about physical appearance, but spiritual service. 1. We need to give the best of our time, the best of our effort, to God. 2. We need to also support the church in doing…
Read MoreFrom Whence Comes Quarrels?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Reading: James 4:1-12 I. You all have heard it before, two brothers have a disagreement and soon one accuses the other of being contentious. A. At times, it may be true, but I suspect most don’t understand the charge they are making. B. There have been times when I think it was the…
Read MoreHow do I get someone to believe the truth about homosexuality?
Question: I know a guy who says he’s bi-sexual but is faithful to his wife. He agrees that the Bible is the word of God, but where the Bible condemns homosexuality, he insists that it is mistranslated. What do I say to that? How do I get him to believe the truth? Answer: Your complaint…
Read MoreHow do I answer someone who believes all religions are equal?
Question: One non-Christian I spoke with, a Unitarian, once said to me “No one has shown me anything that proves the Bible is more valid than any other holy book.” When I persisted he said, “How would you feel if a Muslim friend kept telling you that your soul was damned to hell if you…
Read MoreWhy don’t Muslim believing governments allow their people to break Islamic law?
Question: Why won’t Muslim governments who won’t let their people do anything “un-Islamic” just back off, let the people do what they want, and if “Allah” wants anyone punished for it, let him do it for himself? It’s like they’re saying “Allah obviously can’t take care of things himself, so we’re going do it for…
Read MoreWhy do even non-Christians look down on men with long hair?
Question: Why it is that, even among non-Christians, men are looked down on for having long hair? What harm does it do? Nothing. Not one thing at all. I’ve yet to see one even a slightly logical argument against men having long hair. It could even be said that looking down on men for having…
Read MoreFamilies Under Attack
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. We know that Satan is always looking for ways to destroy the works of God (I Peter 5:8) A. Sometimes his attacks are direct, but often they are subtle, so subtle that we often cannot pinpoint when the change took place and we started to stray from God’s path. B. Satan doesn’t attack…
Read MoreMove into the twenty-first century
Question: You’re a freak and you should move into the 21st century! Answer: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before…
Read MoreA Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton A. Eph. 4:17 – Don’t walk like the Gentiles do, in the vainity of their minds. B. They have their own teachers telling them that everything is fine – Jer. 23:7 C. A carnal, or wordly, mind is at odds with God’s purpose – Rom. 8:7
Read MoreHow could Samuel offer a burnt offering when he was not a Levite?
Question: How could Samuel offer a burnt offering when he was not a Levite? Answer: Samuel was a descendant of Levi, his lineage being traced in I Chronicles 6:33-38. Samuel was born in the territory of Ephriam, where his family had lived for several generations. “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the…
Read MoreDid Onesimus later become an elder?
Question: I heard a preacher say one time that Onesimus ended up becoming an elder of the church. Is that not speculation and conjecture? Answer: Ignatius, a Christian who wrote at the beginning of the second century, to the church in Ephesus said, “Seeing, then, that we have become acquainted with your multitude in the…
Read MoreCould masters under the Old Testament law beat or kill their slaves?
Question: I know what the Scriptures teach about how we Christians today are to treat our fellow man and that it is a serious sin to murder, that being so, Is it true that during the Old Testament age the slave masters had the right to severely beat or to even kill their slaves? Answer: The slave laws…
Read MoreWas Rome a safe haven for runaway slaves?
Question: Was Rome at one time a safe haven for runaway slaves? Answer: Roman law in regard to slaves was quite severe. A Roman master could treat his slave as he pleased — sell him, beat him, or put him to death. However, morality and practical matters caused most masters to restrain their hands. After…
Read MoreCan we say for sure that Onesimus stole from his master?
Question: In regards to Philemon 18, can we say for sure that Onesimus stole from his master? Answer: Paul tells us in the book of Philemon that Onesimus was a slave (Philemon 16) who became a Christian after meeting Paul while Paul was in prison in Rome (Philemon 10). Paul makes it clear that Onesimus…
Read MoreDidn’t Jesus say some are born homosexual?
Question: Didn’t Jesus agree that some were born homosexual? You can see his thoughts on the matter if you read Matthew 19:10-12. If you know the history of the words saris or eunouchos, you would know this. Answer: After explaining to his audience that marriage was a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6) and that it…
Read MoreI need help handling teenage dress and language problems
Question: I need another outlook about fashion statements of today in the church. Young ladies are exposing themselves and young men are out of control with their dress and their mouth. I have covered I Corinthians and Deuteronomy 22 and a few other chapters. Can you help me put this in perspective? Answer: I…
Read MoreEli and Being Soft on Sin
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There are many things to admire about the man Eli A. He judged Israel for 40 years; during which time he was God’s spokesman. B. We find no record of any outward evil or sin in his life. C. When Eli learns that Samuel will take his place, Eli does not rebel, grow bitter,…
Read MoreHow old does a person need to be to become an elder?
Question: How old does a person need to be to become an elder? Answer: The word translated as “elders” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word presbuteros, which refers to an older person. No set age is implied by the word and it is sometimes used to denote relative age. For example, in the…
Read MoreWhat should a teenager do to guard against pride?
Question: The Bible tells us that “Pride comes before destruction.” What are the things a teenager should guard against in order to be respectful and humble? Answer: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The problem of pride is not unique to teenagers. All people struggle with it since…
Read MoreThe Corruption of Money (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:3-10 I. In any discussion of false teachers you have to address the issue of money. Money is often the motivation for compromising the truth – I Timothy 6:10-11 A. Teaching for the money they can make – Titus 1:10-11 B. II Peter 2:3 – Some make merchandise of the…
Read MoreWho were the judges and kings of Israel?
Question: What were the names of the kings of Israel? How many judges were there that ruled over Israel? Answer: The judges of Israel were: Othniel Ehud Shamgar Deborah Gideon Abimelech (Not a true judge. He was merely a corrupt ruler during the period of the Judges. Judges 9:22) Tola Jair Jephthah Ibzan Elon Abdon Samson…
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