The Unique Religion of Christ
by Dillard Thurman via Gospel Minutes, 1972 There are many religions in the world, but Christianity is unique! It stands alone. Whereas our coins bear the inscription: “E Pluribus Unum,” to signify “one among many,” it is surely not true in regard to Christianity. It is a unique religion. The word, “unique,” allows only one…
Read MoreWhat is God’s name?
Question: What is God’s name? The Jehovah’s Witnesses tell me it is “Jehovah,” but that appears less than ten times in my Bible. Answer: The name “Jehovah” appears eight times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is not used in the New American Standard Bible or the New King James Version. However,…
Read MoreWhat are the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs about the Godhead?
Question: What are the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs concerning the Godhead Answer: According to The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1968: “God’s personal name is made known to us through his Word, the Bible, and that name is JEHOVAH” (page 17). “As for the ‘Holy Spirit,’…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a job that encourages others to sin?
Question: Is it wrong to have a job where you are not sinning yourself but may be causing someone else to sin? Answer: “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).…
Read MoreWhy didn’t the Jews believe Jesus?
Question: Why didn’t the Jews believe Jesus? Answer: It is a curious thing, is it not, that the Son of God came to live among men (John 1:14), and yet he is rejected by the very people who had been expecting his arrival for thousands of years. “He was in the world, and the world…
Read MoreDoes Abel’s sacrifice prove meat was eaten before the flood?
Question: I read your article on Jesus eating meat. You make the point that God gave plants to be eaten in the beginning. Then you state that was changed at the Ark. However, Abel was a keeper of sheep (Genesis 4:2) and he sacrificed the sheep with the fat (Genesis 4:4). Though it is not…
Read MoreObjections to Satan being referred to as male
Question: You recently posted an answer to a young lady who said that her boyfriend joined the House of Yahweh and is advocating that Satan is a female. What I got from your answer was that Satan is referred to as male in the Scriptures! There recently was a gathering of biblical scholars to answer that…
Read MoreWere the covenants for the Israelites only?
Question: The New Covenant is made with the House of Judah and the House of Israel only (Hebrews 8:8). Indeed, the New Covenant could not be made with any people who did not first have an Old Covenant. Answer: The reference to Hebrews 8:8 is a part of a quote from Jeremiah 31:31-32 which reads, “Behold, the days are…
Read MoreWhat is the background of each book in the Bible?
Question: Tell me about the background of each book of the Bible. What was the reason for writing each book? Answer: The Old Testament The Books of the Law of Moses Genesis: The history of beginnings. The book describes how the world came to be, where man came from, and how the world ended up…
Read MoreHow does adultery start?
Question: How does adultery start? In what way then is it looked upon as adultery Answer: James describes the steps leading to death from sin as thus: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each…
Read MoreIs the end of time drawing near?
Question: From the signs in the Bible, is the end of time drawing near Answer: Bible is quite clear that there will be no advance warning as to when the end of the world will come. Jesus, Himself, stated, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but…
Read MoreCould Cornelius have been an Israelite of foreign birth?
Question: This man is used by many as an example of a so-called “Gentile” non-Israelite being saved. The place of birth, or citizenship tells us nothing about race. But this man’s race can be determined by Scripture, even if he is not described as a “Jew” [or “Judean”]. In the AV of Acts 10:28, Cornelius is…
Read MoreWhat did Paul mean by “chiefest of the apostles”?
Question: What did Paul mean by “chiefest of the apostles” in II Corinthians 11:5? Answer: The context of this verse reads: “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly–and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that…
Read MoreWhich Bible translations are the best?
Question: Which Bible translations have the highest accuracy? Answer: At one time, Bible translations were an arduous task that took years, if not decades, to complete. Now translations are appearing in rapid succession, and it is becoming difficult to keep up with the many that are available. I’ll restrict my comments to those translations of…
Read MoreThe Jesus Proposal by Rubel Shelley and John O. York
A Review by Raymond Elliott This is a new book, having been published in the spring of 2003, by Leafwood Publishers in Siloam Springs, AR. Most brethren know that Rubel Shelley is a preacher for the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. John O. York is “Associate Professor of Preaching and New Testament at…
Read MoreWhy are boy-girl relationships not advisable at a young age?
Question: Why are boy-girl relationships not advisable at a young age Answer: Youth is a time of impatient desires. They want the things available to adults, but adulthood seems so far away. The typical teenage boy enters puberty around the age of 11. The typical teenage girl enters puberty around the age of 10. Two…
Read MoreWhy were the stars and moon created?
Question: Why were the stars and moon created? Answer: The sun exists to bring light during the day and the moon and stars exist to bring light at night. “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night”…
Read MoreWhy are there different denominations?
Question: Why are there different denominations between Christians? Answer: A denomination is a division and, yes, among those calling themselves “Christian” there are a great many divisions. Even among a particular denomination, there are divisions as evidenced by the Episcopals’ arguments over their homosexual bishop, the United Methodists’ arguments on where to allow homosexual unions,…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Tetragrammaton: How Is It Pronounced?
by Ethan R. Longhenry In the religious world, there is much confusion about the Tetragrammaton (a Greek term meaning “the four letters”), referring to the name of God in the Old Testament, designated with the consonants YHWH. There are some religious organizations that place great emphasis on this name, and there is also generally much…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with Catholicism?
Question: What is the difference between Catholicism and Christianity? What is wrong with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church? Answer: This is a large subject on which many books have been written. I will not be able to address this question in detail, but perhaps giving an overview will help. Catholicism has its roots…
Read MoreApostleship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Your church is not organized as the early church was. Where are your apostles?” Such was the contention of two Mormon “elders” who came to my door one day. It is not the only time I have heard such a question; there are several denominations that claim to have apostles, especially…
Read MoreGender-Neutral Bibles
I. Our society has been extremely concerned about avoiding giving offense to various sections of our culture A. Just to use certain words can be perceived to be an insult by various groups. B. All variations of Negro are off limits, as is use of colored to refer to people with very dark skin tones, though people of…
Read MoreThe New International Version
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton One of the easiest reading Bibles being published today is the New International Version. Its clarity comes not only from its use of modern English but also from the willingness of the translators to translate idiomatic phrases of the Bible times into similar phrases of today. This could be dangerous to…
Read MoreObserving the Sabbath (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The first mention of the Sabbath day appears in Exodus 16. It is true that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world in six days. However, in the nearly 3,000-year record which was given in Genesis, there is no mention of mankind observing a Sabbath day. In fact,…
Read MoreThe Glorification of Mary
Text: I. A notable difference between Roman Catholicism and other denominations is the veneration of Mary A. It is not a question of whether Mary existed or even her role in the birth of Jesus. B. The question more revolves around what honor Mary deserves. II. Was Mary sinless? A. The Catholics teach that Mary was immaculately conceived, allowing…
Read MoreObserving Holidays
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/04/ObservingHolidays.mp3 I. It is that time of year when one holiday after another is observed: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and finally New Years. A. Usually this time of year also brings up the question of how we, as Christians, treat these celebrations? B. Many denominations do special events for these days 1. Christmas being the main one with denominations…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the movie “The Gospel of John”?
Question: What are your comments on the movie “The Gospel of John” Answer: I have not seen the movie “The Gospel of John,” so I cannot comment on it. I have difficulty watching religious movies. I continually see the flaws in their representation of the Scriptures and it annoys me that I cannot respond. Rather…
Read MoreTheir Mouths Must Be Stopped
by Brian A. Yeager The Apostle Paul told Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus eat while he was on earth?
Question: Where would we find in the King James Version of the Bible what Jesus ate while he was here on earth? Answer: The particular version of the Bible will not make a difference in answering this question. There is an article located on this website that deals with your question. Please see the article,…
Read MoreDo Jews and Christians both follow the teachings of the Old Testament?
Question: Do Jews and Christians both follow the teachings of the Old Testament? Answer: The Old Testament was given solely to the nation of Israel. “And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be…
Read MoreWere only the sacrificial ordinances abolished from the Law?
Question: It is my understanding that the law remains, and only the sacrificial ordinances were abolished because Christ shed his blood for us once and for all. Answer: The difficulty in declaring that only a portion of the Mosaical Law was ended by Christ is in determining where to draw the line. One of the…
Read MoreIs the covenant different from the Law?
Question: I have just read your article on the Old Testament versus the New Testament. I find two major difficulties in your argument: You confuse a covenant with the Law. This is a major mistake. The Law is God’s legislation for all of creation. It was given to the children of Israel for their instruction.…
Read MoreWhere is the Tower of Babel?
Question: Where is the Tower of Babel Answer: The city of Babel is first mentioned in Genesis 10:8-10, “Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.” And the beginning of his…
Read MoreIs masturbation unacceptable?
Question: Is masturbation unacceptable? Answer: This question has been widely debated because the Scriptures do not directly refer to the practice. However, there are a series of passages that might include it. “If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall wash all his body in water, and be unclean until evening. And any garment…
Read MoreWas there only one continent before the Flood?
Question: Was the world in one piece before the Flood? Answer: By this question, I am assuming that you are asking if all the continents were joined prior to the Flood. If you ever poured water over a pile of dirt as a child, you realize that moving water has great power to alter topography.…
Read MoreDid dinosaurs really exist? (Hamilton)
Question: Did dinosaurs really exist? Answer: The term “dinosaur” was ascribed in the 1800s to the fossilized remains of animals that no longer appear to roam the earth. While one term is used, it actually refers to a wide variety of animals. Hence, some difficulty is introduced in trying to determine if the name of…
Read MoreDoes King Joash give us an example of good financial management?
Question: I have some questions about King Joash’s prudent management. When instructions are given, does this story establish that they should be followed up regularly? Could you explain the renewed financial policies of King Joash? What do you think caused the people to respond as they did in II Chronicles 24:10? II Kings 12:4 and II Chronicles 24:5-6 seem to…
Read MoreCan fellowship be denied?
Question: Where is the Bible passage that authorizes you to deny me fellowship as a member of the church when I acknowledge Christ and have been baptized? is there an ugly little secret that only those whose baptismal outlook is baptismal regenerationist are recognized? Apparently, my belief that my sins had been cleansed is not…
Read MoreIs the Spirit only given to the obedient?
Question: In your study on Cornelius, you indicated that receiving the Holy Spirit did not necessarily indicate that a person believed or was saved. You cited the examples of Saul and Balaam as proof, but doesn’t Acts 5:32 contradicts this? Answer: The study being referred to is “Cornelius Received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 5:32 states, “And we…
Read MoreCan a person be a believer and not be saved?
Question: What biblical reference is there that uses the word “believer” and says that person isn’t saved? Answer: The term “believer” is frequently used to refer to those had entered the kingdom of the Lord. For example, “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14). (See also Acts…
Read More