Who 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…
Read MoreWhy ten commandments and not another number?
Question: Why did God give us 10 commandments and not any other number? Answer: I suppose one could claim that ten commandments were all that God needed to express His summary of the Law given to Moses. It was short enough to fit on two stone tablets (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13), but still expressed enough…
Read MoreCareful What You Say (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Have you paid close attention to your speech recently? Many of us say things that should embarrass us if we truly understood what we said. The words that we chose to express ourselves are important. According to Matthew 12:32-37, we will give an account to God for every idle word that we…
Read MoreIf homosexuality isn’t genetic, then is heterosexuality genetic?
Question: Please explain that if homosexuals are not born that way, then there is no evidence heterosexuals are born that way either. So when did you choose to be a heterosexual? Can heterosexuals also be converted into homosexuals? Can a heterosexual fall in love with someone of the same sex? Can a heterosexual be made…
Read MoreThe Broadening Definition of Racism
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton During the week leading up to the observance of the government’s Martin Luther King Day, the local paper heralded the formation of a new group called Churches Uniting in Christ. Nine denominations joined to campaign against racism. The very development of these organizations which tie denominations together is fascinating, especially when…
Read MoreThe Book of Enoch
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/BookOfEnoch.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 4:1-3 I. I received a letter that objected to a lesson in one of the workbooks posted on our website. A. There was an explanation of Genesis 6:4 that this person found objectionable. 1. “Sons of God” can refer to angels (Job 1:6) or to the righteous (Hosea 1:10)…
Read MoreSaving Our Own
by Connie W. Adams Over the years brethren have asked me a question which has always amazed me. Upon returning from a gospel meeting and reporting that so many obeyed the gospel, someone has been sure to ask “Were they just all young people?” Or “Were they just children of Christians?” Just young people? Just…
Read MoreCan a baptism be annulled?
Question: When a person has been baptized once in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and then receives baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, has the first baptism become annulled? I have a friend who told me that I wasn’t baptized because I wasn’t baptized in the name of Jesus…
Read MoreI believe Jesus was a vegetarian
Question: I don’t follow PETA but believe that Jesus was a vegetarian. As a Jew, Jesus would have followed the Old Testament or Torah faithfully. In Genesis, a vegetarian diet is laid out for us all. Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of…
Read MoreWhat is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life?
Question: What is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life? Answer: This is similar to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Clicking on that question will give you a good introduction to the subject. For further details, see the Notes on Salvation. This gives numerous verses dealing with God’s plan for saving…
Read MoreWho were Lot’s descendants?
Question: Who were Lot’s descendants? Answer: Lot lost most of his family during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. “And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside…
Read MoreIs homosexuality condemned in the Scriptures?
Question: This was received in response to the answer “What kinds of homosexuality does the Bible mention?” Malokos just meant soft as in weak in faith and arsen is male or man and homosexual means male and female gay people, so arsenokotie only meant a gay male temple prostitute. Levitical law is now dead so I don’t think it matters…
Read MoreThe Living Redeemer (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton When we find ourselves in difficult situations, most of us turn to our families to help extract us out of our tight spot. Such aid between family members is expected by God. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied…
Read MoreThe Conscience as a Guide
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 22:22-23:5 I. Teaching the difference between right and wrong A. Young children have no knowledge of good and evil – Deuteronomy 1:39 1. As a result, they are not very concerned with matters of right and wrong. 2. Mom and Dad handle those issues and let you know. B. But somewhere along the…
Read MoreClothed with Christ
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 3:26-29 I. Certain phrases are used so often that we forget the meaning of them. A. Not until someone asks does it take us back and then we have a hard time expressing what we know B. That is why young children’s questions of “why is the sky blue” or “how…
Read MoreCan Christians celebrate birthdays?
Questions: Do you guys celebrate birthdays? Why or why not? Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses not celebrate birthdays? Answer: The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that birthday celebrations originated in pagan customs, such as blowing out of the candles on a birthday cake. They reject anything connected, however remotely, to pagan practices. They also believe that birthdays give…
Read MoreWhat musical instruments were used in ancient Greece?
Question: What musical instruments were used in ancient Greek times? Answer: The Greeks had a variety of instruments, such as the flute, the lyre, the harp, drums, cymbals, and castanets. There were also several horns (wind instruments). A detailed list can be found at: The Musical Instruments of Ancient Greeks Ancient Greek Music. It was…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say homosexuality is a sin?
Question: I saw your email in a Christian site which was also on homosexuality, I decided to write. I wondered if you believe it is a sin as I can’t find any passages on gay love to show that it’s a sin anywhere. Answer: A previous question, “What kinds of homosexuality does the Bible mention?”…
Read MoreThe Deification of Mary
Text: Luke 11:27-28 I. Many of the world’s denominations share common beliefs. They do not accept all beliefs; each has its own unique mix, but there are many common threads found in the denominational world. A. The Roman Catholics, largest of the world’s denominations, does have a belief that is unique to itself – the glory…
Read MoreChristianity by Force
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. We live in a country where the choice of one’s religion is freely made. A. It is not that way in all countries, nor has it always been like this II. The Catholic church had a long history of compelling membership A. In his book, WHAT LOVE IS THIS, Dave Hunt writes and quotes:…
Read MoreMust a Preacher Move?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Over the years, I have heard various individuals argue against preachers being located in a particular area and working with one congregation. Typically, they will point out that Paul, and those with him, worked with many congregations, moving from city to city. In their view, elders should do the bulk of…
Read MoreWho was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok?
Question: Who was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok? Answer: “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of…
Read MoreWere the Colossians being told not to worry about being condemned for keeping the Sabbath?
Question: Colossians 2:16 is a famous verse that people use to justify eating unclean meats and not keeping the holy days and the Sabbath. What most do not think about is: the people of Colosse were new Gentile converts and they were concerned about those around them judging them for doing these things. This is positive proof that…
Read MoreWhy did God command circumcision?
Question: Why did God command Abraham to cut off the foreskin? Answer: Many of the commands that God gave man early on appeared to be meaningless at the time it was given. Only later did God reveal the meaning of the practice. As an example, God commanded that the Israelites offer up incense during the…
Read MoreHow can a wife be her husband’s companion when he is the head of the household?
Question: I was reading through some of the questions and came across the one which says, “Does a husband have the right to spank a wife?” While I do agree that there is no evidence or instruction regarding this subject in the Bible, I do have a problem with the word choice toward the end…
Read MoreHow many swats is proper in a spanking?
Question: Thank you very much for the counsel. I am always glad to have it, especially when it is backed up with Scripture. I talked it over with my son. He keeps back-talking his mom, being disrespectful when she asks him to do things around the house, and not being at home when she needed…
Read MoreThe Kingdom: Past, Present, and Future
Text: Hebrews 11:8-16 I. God had foretold the coming of a kingdom like no other A. It was a kingdom that would not end – Daniel 2:44 1. Every kingdom of the world has ended at some point 2. Mighty kingdoms, such as Assyria 3. Ancient kingdoms, such as Egypt 4. The world has never seen an invincible kingdom B. Its…
Read MoreNotes on Being Born Again
By Jesus’ Resurrection I Peter 1:3 By the Word of God John 1:13 I Peter 1:22-25 By Love I John 4:7 By Faith I John 5:1 By the Water (Baptism) John 3:5 Romans 6:4 (new life) Titus 3:5 (regeneration means born again) By the Spirit John 3:5 Galatians 4:29 Titus 3:5 Through Promise Galatians 4:23…
Read MoreNotes on Apostasy
Proverbs 15:10 Ezekiel 18 Ezekiel 33:12-16 Matthew 3:10 John 8:31 John 15:6 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:1824 Acts 20:28-30 Romans 11:16-24 I Corinthians 9:24-10:12 Colossians 1:22-23 Galatians 5:4-7 I Timothy 1:18-20 I Timothy 4:1-3 I Timothy 6:10 II Timothy 4:4-10 Hebrews 2:1 Hebrews 3:12-19 Hebrews 4:1 Hebrews 4:11 Hebrews 6:4-7 Hebrews 10:26-30 Hebrews 10:38-39 James 5:19-20…
Read MoreNotes on Obedience
Leviticus 18:4 I Samuel 15:22 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Matthew 7:13-14 Matthew 7:21-24 Matthew 28:20 Luke 6:46-47 John 8:31 John 14:15 John 14:21 John 14:23 Acts 5:29 Acts 10:34-35 Romans 6:14-18 Romans 16:26 Ephesians 6:1 Philippians 2:12 II Thessalonians 1:7-9 Titus 3:1-3 Hebrews 5:8-9 James 1:25 James 2:24 I Peter 1:22-23 I John 2:3-5 I John 3:22…
Read MoreNotes on Faithful Life
John 8:31 John 15:4-10 Colossians 1:22-23 Revelation 2:10 see Notes on Obedience see Notes on Apostasy see Notes on Things that Accompany Salvation
Read MoreNotes on Personal Accountability
Ezekiel 18:20 Mark 16:16 Romans 2:6 Romans 14:12 I Corinthians 3:8 II Corinthians 5:10 Galatians 6:5
Read MoreNotes on Age of Accountability
Deuteronomy 1:39 Nehemiah 8:2-3 Isaiah 7:15-16 Luke 2:41-52 Romans 9:11
Read MoreNotes on Baptism
Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:16 John 3:22-23 John 4:1-2 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:41 Acts 2:47 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:36-39 Acts 9:18 Acts 10:47-48 Acts 16:14-15 Acts 18:8 Acts 18:13-14 Acts 18:24-19:7 Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3-5 I Corinthians 1:13-17 I Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:26-27 Ephesians 4:5 Colossians 1:13-14 Colossians 2:12-13 Titus 3:4-5 I Peter 3:21 see Salvation see…
Read MoreNotes on Confession
Of Faith Matthew 10:32-33 Matthew 16:16 Acts 8:35-37 Romans 10:9-10 I Timothy 6:12 Philippians 2:11 I John 4:15 Of Sin James 5:16 I John 1:9 see Notes on Salvation see Notes on Examples of Conversion see Notes on Things that Accompany Salvation
Read MoreNotes on Repentance
Matthew 21:28-29 Mark 1:15 Luke 13:3 Luke 13:5 Luke 15:7 Acts 2:38 Acts 3:19 Acts 11:18 Acts 17:30 Acts 20:21 Acts 26:20 Romans 2:4 Romans 10:9-10 II Corinthians 7:9-10 Revelation 2:5 see Notes on Salvation see Notes on Examples of Conversion see Notes on Things Accompanying Salvation
Read MoreNotes on Belief
Mark 16:15-16 John 3:15-16 John 5:24 John 6:29 John 8:24 John 12:42 John 12:46-48 John 20:30-31 Acts 16:31 Acts 18:8 Romans 1:17 Romans 16:26 Galatians 5:6 Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11:6 James 2:19 James 2:24 You can have faith without salvation John 8:28-37 – Among those who believed were people who wanted Jesus dead John 12:42-50…
Read MoreNotes on Hear
Matthew 7:24-27 John 5:24 John 6:45 John 12:46-48 John 20:30-31 Acts 17:11 Acts 18:8 Romans 10:14-17 I Corinthians 15:1-2 I Timothy 4:16 Hebrews 2:3 James 1:18 James 1:22 Revelation 1:3 see Salvation see Examples of Conversion see Things that Accompany Salvation
Read MoreNotes on Salvation
see Notes on Hear see Notes on Belief see Notes on Repentance see Notes on Confession see Notes on Baptism see Notes on Faithful Life see Notes on Things that Accompany Salvation see Notes on Examples of Conversion see Notes on Being Born Again see Notes on Apostasy
Read MoreExploring the Nature of God in the Old Testament
Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-6 I. The nature of God is admittedly both a large subject and a difficult one A. Large because the God who holds the universe in his hand would be greater than mortal man bound to a single world – Isaiah 40:12-17 B. Difficult because all we know of God is what God has chosen…
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