Why Do People Lie?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:17-32 I. It happens over and over, someone tells me about a situation to get some advice on what to do, but as the story progresses, it becomes painfully obvious that the person is lying. A. Critical facts are left out, the wrong attitude is expressed, and inconsistencies appear, especially…
Read MoreOverseers of the Flock?
by Marvin L. Weir Julien Dupre, A Shepherd and His Flock A faithful child of God realizes that he must battle with those within the kingdom as well as with those outside the kingdom. It is sad that one’s energies and efforts must be expended on exposing those who “will not endure the sound doctrine;…
Read MoreYou can’t judge others!
Question: I think you are guilty of this. With all humility, I come to you out of love so that you may stop preaching and standing with an iron fist as one who judges every individual. You cannot condemn people to hell or preach from the pulpit that so-and-so is going to hell. It’s not…
Read MoreWhy do some consider the minor prophets one book?
Question: Why do some consider Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi all to be one book? Answer: The books that you refer to are commonly called the minor prophets. They are not minor because they are unimportant, but because their writings were short — so short that back…
Read MoreThe Origins of the Seventh-Day Adventists: Also Known as the Adventist-Millerite Movement
by Jerry Blount Today many religious groups can trace their roots back to the activities of a New York farmer named William Miller (1782-1849). After fighting in the War of 1812, he then began farming in upstate New York. In 1818 he converted from Deism to become a Baptist preacher. “I saw that the Bible…
Read MoreWhat Must I Do to be Saved? (Walker)
by Wayne S. Walker Of all the questions asked … Where did I come from? Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? The most important question ever asked was: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) In the sixteenth chapter of the book of Acts, the apostle Paul…
Read MoreWhat are covenants?
Question: What is the definition of a covenant? Answer: In the Old Testament, the word translated “covenant” comes from the Hebrew word berith which means “a bond or treaty that joins two parties.” Making a covenant comes from a Hebrew idiom that literally means “cutting a covenant.” It is a reference to the sacrificial offerings made while…
Read MoreWhat are the consequences of sin?
Question: What are the consequences of sin? Answer: Whenever we sin, there are consequences that come as a result of sin. Some of those consequences are spiritual and some are physical. When Adam and Eve sinned they experienced both physical and spiritual consequences (Genesis 3). The first result of their sin was their awareness of…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with men having long hair?
Question: The deal with long hair doesn’t mean people smoke pot. What about cowboys and their hats in Texas? Is that a sin? My hair is long and in a ponytail, but I don’t do drugs or drink. If you keep your hair in a ponytail, you’re just fine. Answer: I assume you are referring…
Read MoreMay I correspond with you about parenting issues?
Question: Greetings, I recently came across your church’s website and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I am the father of two teenage boys, 13 and 15. I came to Christianity late in life, so it has only been in the last few years that I have begun raising my sons…
Read MoreA Church Treasury, Only in an Emergency?
by Gordon J. Pennock via Truth Magazine – January 1961 It seems that considerable controversy has arisen regarding what we call the church treasury, meaning of course the funds contributed by the members of local churches. This controversy seems to be a by-product of the discussion of scriptural and unscriptural ways in which such funds are spent.…
Read MoreNeglect: A Way of Life
by Bill Humble in The Preceptor, Vol. 2, No. 5, March 1953 The church has always faced a host of formidable enemies, and the present generation of Christians is no exception. There is Catholicism, un-American as well as un-Christian in its basic teachings. There is modernism, whose demoralizing and deadening influences have already engulfed a…
Read MoreDoes “faithful children” mean faithful to God or faithful to the parent?
Question: When Paul speaks of “faithful children” in Titus 1:6, did he mean faithful to God or faithful to the parent? Answer: Terms in the Bible are sometimes difficult to translate because common words are borrowed and used in ways where the common word takes on a deeper meaning than it originally had. For example, one…
Read MoreThe Needle’s Eye
by Irvin Himmel A rich young ruler came running to Jesus and, kneeling before the Master, posed the question, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus called attention to some of the basic commands of the law. The young man answered, “Master, all these have I observed from my…
Read MoreCan spanking hurt a child’s feelings?
Question: My son was very rude and would not explain his behavior. I must mention that it has been over a month since the last time that I spanked him. At that time I gave him a spanking in front of everyone. It was very effective, so I used the same method this time. I…
Read MoreMormonism and the Virgin Birth of Christ
by Connie W. Adams via Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 5 p. 3-4, March 2, 1995 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not…
Read MoreMorals in the Pulpit and in the Pew
by Leslie Diestelkamp via Think, Vol. 2, No. 5, July 1971 Once, when I preached a sermon on morals, a mature man in the congregation asked to speak. For perhaps two or three minutes he exhorted the people, giving complete endorsement to what I had preached. I believe his endorsement may have impressed the people more…
Read MoreMoney Myth Debunked: Money Management is the KEY!
by William C. Sexton In the January 6th, 2004 Fort Smith newspaper, Southwest Times Record, Mary Hunt had a list of MYTHS about money, which Lois read to me and I was impressed with most of them, especially the first one. Let us examine it, and then make some valid points that are related, also…
Read MoreWhy Does God Allow Evil?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton No doubt, sin and the evil accompanying it exist in this world. When atrocious examples of evil come to our attention, people commonly wonder why God allows such evil to happen. Atheists will use the very existence of obvious evil to argue against God. “If God were so good,” they smirk,…
Read MoreMcGarvey as a Preacher and Teacher
by Henry S. Ficklin via Gospel Guardian, Vol. 10, No. 39, Feb. 5, 1959 In 1902, when I began as a student at Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky, McGarvey was President of the College Of The Bible. These two institutions were on the same campus, but they were separately organized. It was McGarvey’s desire, I fully…
Read MoreWhat is the philosophy of true education?
Question: What is the philosophy of true education? Answer: At its core, education is the process of transferring knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from one individual to another. John Milton Gregory, in his book The Seven Laws of Teaching, said, “Teaching is arousing and using the pupil’s mind to grasp the desired thought or to master the…
Read MoreWhat happens spiritually when a husband and wife have a sexual relationship?
Question: What happens spiritually when a husband and wife have a sexual relationship? Answer: When marriage was first instituted, we read, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). The phrase “become one flesh” includes the idea of sexual union,…
Read MoreHow important is the Sabbath day?
Question: How important is the Sabbath day (Saturday)? Is it something that we have to do? Thanks for the help. Answer: Ever since the covenant changed with the death of Jesus, the observance of the Sabbath has ceased to be a requirement. The law brought down from Mt. Sinai by Moses, which included the laws…
Read MoreWhy do Christians worship on Sunday instead of Saturday?
Question: The tenth commandment clearly states that the Sabbath should be kept on the seventh day and we know through the Jewish people that the seventh day of the calendar is Saturday on the Roman calendar. Also, note that in the Spanish language the word for Saturday is “sabado” and not that in the English…
Read MoreMaintain Good Conduct
by Kent Heaton It would be hard to imagine how difficult it was for the early Christians to live under the rule of Nero, emperor of Rome. Peter’s first epistle is considered to be written during the reign of one of the world’s most corrupt and vicious rulers. It would seem from his writing; Peter…
Read MoreLove Never Ends
by Sam Stinson “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” (Song Of Solomon 2:7, ESV) Love is essential for Christ’s disciples. Love is a desire we awaken so that the abilities we practice and the…
Read MoreLiving With Hideous Monsters
by Ben May A man visited a psychiatrist to talk about his dreams. “Every night,” the man said, “I dream that these three hideous monsters are sitting on the edge of my bed, ready to attack me.” “Hmmm,” said the doctor. “I feel sure I can cure you of this problem. But the treatment will…
Read MoreCan you marry a near relative by marriage?
Question: Last night by a man came to the building after services. His wife passed away 4 years ago, and he has been seeing his deceased wife’s niece who is about his age. He has a son who is a member of the church who has told him that this is unscriptural. The only thing…
Read MoreHow do you handle problems with attending services?
Question: I’d like to know what your thoughts are regarding a problem we are having here that seems to be increasing. We have some brethren that have an attendance problem. One of our lady members has been attending less and less. It troubles me that the brethren here don’t seem to want to take action. I’ve talked to her several…
Read MoreWhat to do when a church leader preys on members
Question: Your words of wisdom have been very healing. Thank you. I need to give some contextual information with regards to my ex-boyfriend. I met him at my church. I was in a program called Beyond Divorce, and he was my small group leader as well as the organizer of this entire program. In my…
Read MoreThe Last Fight
by Robert F. Turner via Plain Talk, January 1971 On the ruins of a theater in Ephesus, there is a memorial to an athlete of the 2nd century A.D. which reads: “He fought three fights, and twice was crowned.” Watch out for that last step! You see, those “athletes” fought to the death. A man’s…
Read MoreWelcome to Church … Kids Not Invited
by Mike Thomas I was so distracted once at a church service (away from here), by an overwhelming amount of noise from the audience, that I had a hard time concentrating on the lesson. I tried focusing my attention on the speaker, but the person behind me and a few others across the aisle were…
Read MoreWhat kinds of debt are permissible?
Question: In order to have my household in order for His glory, I understand we should not be in debt. What debt is permissible? House mortgage? College loans? Is there a biblical plan to reduce debt, whether credit card or other items? Answer: Firms go out their way to offer me credit, For which, I…
Read MoreJoseph Smith or Jesus Christ?
by Gilbert Alexander God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son, whose name is Jesus or Immanuel (Matthew 1:21,23; Hebrews 1:1-4). His message is the New Testament, the gospel of Christ, the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Hebrews 8:6; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:16; Jude 3). Do you firmly…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “first fruits”?
Question: What is meant by “firstfruits”? Answer: The phrase is an old agricultural term. It refers to the first harvest of a particular crop. The first harvest is generally the best. The produce has just turned, so there hasn’t been time for spoilage in the fields. Usually, the produce harvest also had the best look…
Read MoreWhat is the meaning of “Hebron”?
Question: I need research information on the meaning of “Hebron”: one meaning a place where we learn to relate to people, not on the basis of what they do for us, but in recognition of God’s work in bringing us together. Answer: Hebron is most noted as a city located south of Jerusalem. Numbers 13:22 tells us…
Read MoreHow should aid be sent to members of the church?
Question: How should aid be sent help disaster victims who are members of the church? I received the following letter [edited] and I don’t know how to respond. Dear Brethren, I would like to offer a unique opportunity to you and your respective congregations. So many times, when there are calamities such as this that…
Read MoreIt Just Slipped Out … Of What?
by Bryan Matthew Dockens When excusing themselves for uttering profanities or curses, the kind of words which should never escape our mouths (Ephesians 4:29), many will say, “I’m sorry; it just slipped out”. But what did those corrupt words slip out of, exactly? Jesus explained, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth…
Read MoreAbraham wasn’t baptized, so why should we need it?
Question: In Romans chapter 4 it talks about Abraham being saved by belief. “For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3). Did they baptize in the Old Testament? Nowhere that I have read. Now you might say that baptism wasn’t required in Old Testament days,…
Read MoreDoes pornography change a person?
Question: My ex-boyfriend told me when I shared with him that it hurt my feelings he was using pornography, “Well, good riddance to a woman like that! Everybody does it! Guys use it to get off.” He would also say things like, “It took me two years to get over Asian skin.” I got out…
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