How do I teach my family?
Question: Good day, Minister, I have been subscribed to La Vista Church of Christ emails for a while now, and I’ve really benefitted from it. But now I have a problem of my own. I’m the youngest child of several siblings, and my siblings are all boys. I turned 18 recently, but I became a…
Read MoreMy Voice
by Chadwick Brewer “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20). Have you ever wondered why God never asked us to have choirs…
Read MoreOne Reason Congregations Fail
by Perry Hall Why are congregations failing? If one answer can be given, groups rely on man’s wisdom rather than God’s. An example of this faulty thinking is found in the eldership. A common model for choosing elders and how these elders “rule” is the business model. The misaligned thinking is if they are successful…
Read MoreDoes God Give Us a Pattern to Follow?
by Terry Wane Benton The total evidence of scripture is that God is a God of order and expects us to follow the pattern of sound words in everything we do (II Timothy 1:13; Colossians 3:17; ICorinthians 14:33ff). God’s Patterns Noah had a pattern to follow in building the ark (Genesis 6:22). He had to…
Read MoreLooking for a Man
by Dene Ward via FlightPaths.org Sometimes, I wish we had taught classes in our churches specifically about what to look for in a mate. I have seen too many young people looking at only the outer man to decide whether he is suitable to marry. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got…
Read MoreOf Necessary Inferences Again
by Terry Wane Benton All my detractors say they believe in necessary inferences, but then they act like I made some point that was counter to their understanding of necessary inference. So, I will define my terms and show that all I have said is beyond dispute on any legitimate level of common sense reason.…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say the people of Babel defied God?
Question: Good day, I’m slightly confused about Scripture and interpretation here. The story of Babel is always propped up as a story of man’s defiance of God’s will, but nowhere do I see the Bible actually state that they defied God. Yes, they did go against God’s command. God wanted people to disperse around the…
Read MoreJesus, the Master Teacher
by Doy Moyer Teaching is hard work. Trying to determine the best approach to teaching a variety of people from diverse backgrounds brings many challenges. What appeals to one group might not appeal to another. Some will hear what others will not, and Scripture anticipates this (e.g., Isaiah 6:9-10). Add to this the ample warnings…
Read MoreWhy does Mark 1:2-3 says it quotes Isaiah when it is not just from Isaiah?
Question: Good day, First, I need to say that I tried to find this answer. I’m unaware if you have answered this. I’m just struggling with the ‘new’ answers page as the old search mechanic allowed me to find the answers I’m looking for quicker, but I’ll probably still get used to it using the…
Read MoreWas Acts 2:36 a Necessary Inference?
by Terry Wane Benton Peter presented many powerful points of evidence from the Jews’ own scriptures and eyewitness testimony in Acts 2:22-35, and he brought his presentation of evidence to a conclusive “therefore.” This word signals that he draws necessary inferences from the facts presented. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly …”…
Read MorePossible Inference Versus Necessary Inference
by Terry Wane Benton It is “of necessity” (necessary) “a change of the Law” for Jesus to be a priest since He was not a Levite (Hebrews 7:11f). In other words, the evidence of Psalms 110 and Jesus being that priest after the order of Melchizedek forces the necessary implication that the Law of Moses…
Read MoreThe Providence of God and Miracles
by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 2, April-June 2024 It is a common teaching among the Pentecostals that miracles exist today. We often hear various claims among different churches about certain miracles that were performed. Sadly, even among some members of the churches of Christ, there seem to be those who…
Read MoreThe Reformation Movement
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 2, April-June 2024 In terms of general “church” history, it is difficult to overstate the importance of the Reformation Movement. As we have already studied, the Roman Catholic Church dominated the world – religiously and politically. As “Christianity” became the official religion of the Roman Empire,…
Read MoreMisconceptions About the Lord’s Supper
by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 2, April-June 2024 One of the acts of worship the New Testament church engaged in was the Lord’s Supper. It is also called “the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7), “the Communion” (I Corinthians 10:16), or “the Lord’s table” (I Corinthians 10:21). In Acts…
Read MoreTeaching the Old Lessons
by Mark White Occasionally, some well-meaning but misguided brother will chide us for teaching the old lessons. He will say, “You are answering questions no one is asking any longer.” By this, he means to squelch our teaching on the first principles of Gospel obedience and salvation by grace through faith; the nature, organization, and…
Read MoreHow do I know I received the Holy Spirit?
Question: Good morning, Thank you for all the helpful resources available through this website. I have found this site to be very helpful. I have read many of the articles you have regarding re-baptism, and I would like to gain further insight into this topic. I was baptized at the age of 14. However, I…
Read MoreOne (or Two) Chapter Lessons
by Don Bunting April 7-10, 2024 Simple topics presented in a single context Reasons to Believe in Jesus (Matthew 1-2) What Christianity Is All About (Ephesians 1) Perilous Times in the Last Days (II Timothy 3) Two Reasons to Follow Jesus (Hebrews 1-2) Understanding Bible Faith (Hebrews 11) God’s People in an Ungodly World (Matthew…
Read MoreHebrews: Encouragement to Remain Faithful
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hebrews-Encouragement-to-Remain-Faithful.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 10:19-25 I. The book of Hebrews interleaves evidence of the superiority of Christ, His covenant, and His church with encouragement to the brethren to remain faithful. A. After giving evidence that Jesus is God’s son, the writer said – Hebrews 2:1-4 B. Jesus was a faithful son and so must…
Read MoreMorality Without Godliness
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 6:24-31 I. Some people have a pretty good sense of morality and yet are not interested in following God A. For example, not all atheists are immoral people B. But there is a problem with the consistency of their moral standards. II. Jehoram A. Jehoram was not a good man, but his…
Read MoreHow do I repent of stealing from my neighbors?
Question: Hello, I have sinned for many years. I recently gave my life to Christ. I repented to the Lord of all my sins. I am devoting the rest of my existence to serving the Lord Jesus Christ. One of my biggest sins was being a thief for many years. I stole mainly to survive,…
Read MoreShould we send our son to a therapeutic boarding school?
Question: Dear Minister, I have two sons: A is 13, and B is 9. Both are adopted and are non-biological siblings. My husband and I have had both boys since they were infants. We go to church twice a week, pray and study the word together every day, the boys go to an excellent private…
Read MoreI can’t find a job
Question: Good day, I’m 20. I’ve been searching for a new job since I lost my previous one. I’m a web developer and a graphics designer. It has been frustrating searching for a new one. I’ve been rejected more times than I can count. I even got an acceptance email, and I never got a follow-up after that.…
Read MoreFour Challenges of Evangelism
by Andy Cantrell There are countless reasons why Christians struggle with evangelism, but I believe the following four categories cover most, if not all, of those reasons. They are Care, Consciousness, Courage, and Craft. Most of the excuses we are willing to vocalize come from the last three areas. We are willing to admit we…
Read MoreThe Sabbath
by Terry Wane Benton The Sabbath day was for Israel to have a day of rest. Paul, by the Spirit, said that sabbaths, among many other things, were a “shadow” of the good things to come (Colossians 2:13-16). Since the shadows lead up to the substance that cast the shadow (Jesus), the substance takes preeminence.…
Read MoreThe Gospel Perverted
by Terry Wane Benton It wasn’t that the Judaizing teachers did not believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. They did. So, how were they “perverting the gospel” (Galatians1:6-10)? They were adding to what the apostles preached. They demanded that circumcision and old law typology be brought in with what the apostles preached…
Read MoreJesus, Alive Forevermore
by Doy Moyer “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18). This is how Jesus described Himself after John saw the great vision of “one like…
Read MoreThank you for the many resources
Question: Good morning, I just wanted to say thank you for the many resources y’all provide on the website. They have been very helpful in my studies. May we continually grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreTheism
by Zeke Flores Theism is alive and well. Aside from those religions that venerate men (Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and Islam, to name a few), some worship supernatural deities (Greek mythology, Hinduism, and many other Eastern religions). There are gods of our own making (money, sex, relationships) which we hope will save us from _________ (fill in…
Read MoreDo I have to marry the man I committed fornication with?
Question: Hi. I am a born-again Christian woman. I have committed fornication with a younger man who is still in college and who is also a Christian. I have realized that it is wrong and repented since then, and I have not had any further sexual relationships with him. I have also avoided communicating with…
Read MoreIs God Responsible for Ahab Doing Wrong?
by Tommy Peeler Is God responsible for Ahab doing the wrong thing? Ahab is ready to go to war without inquiring of God (I Kings 22:4-5). When 400 prophets tell him that he will take Ramoth-Gilead, Ahab is content, but Jehoshaphat wants to inquire of a prophet of the LORD (I Kings 22:6-7). Ahab does…
Read MoreThe Reliability of the Bible
by Zeke Flores There are several ways to establish the reliability of the Bible. One is by manuscript evidence. There are thousands of manuscripts, both whole and partial, of Old and New Testament books that provide harmonized agreement on the teaching of the Bible. Though the original documents are long lost, many of the copies…
Read MoreThe Solution for Sins
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 Sin was a big problem in the church at Corinth. It is a big problem worldwide and throughout all time. But Jesus offers a solution to sin: Washed Sanctified Justified Cleansed Set apart for a holy purpose Made right before the law Justified When we sin,…
Read MoreTime to Reflect
by Terry Wane Benton If you are bored, you are not studying and thinking about the rich treasures available to be enjoyed in Christ. When Paul and Silas were in prison, do you think they had time to be bored? Reflect on what gives you purpose and drive. Do you have a proper hunger and…
Read MoreCan you be forgiven in old age if you willfully sinned in your youth?
Question: Good day, minister, I have been faced with this question a few times and even got the question recently again, but I never had any real good answer to it. I have read your article about deathbed repentance, but my question doesn’t really extend that far. Whether it is scriptural or not, I refuse…
Read MoreShould I arrange for someone to study with my son?
Question: Good morning sir. I hope you are well. My son, who is 14 years old, has shared that he wants to be baptized into the Lord. I don’t know if, at his age, he understands and wants to be baptized for the right reasons. I had planned to arrange for someone from the church…
Read MoreThanks for the help with my OCD
Question: Thanks so much for all the help you have given me over the years. Answering questions by email and speaking to me on the phone. I am very thankful. I have truly learned so much over the years. I got hooked up with NOCD last year, and the counselor I’ve been working with has…
Read MoreDenominationalism
by Doy Moyer Denominationalism today is not just about one particular doctrine but a mindset that relates to how we think about the Lord’s body. Denominational thinking perceives the church (universal) as comprised of an interconnected web of congregations instead of seeing the church as comprised of individual Christians without respect to time or location.…
Read MoreWhy are the laws for remarriage different between the Old Law and New Law?
Question: If the marriage law is universal, why is the remarriage law in Deuteronomy 24 different from Romans 7:2 in that the guilty party who gets married to a second spouse can go back to his/her first husband? Answer: The two laws of God are different. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I…
Read MoreDid I defile myself by sexually touching a woman?
Question: Greetings, I just wanted to know if I sexually touched a woman with clothes on but no intercourse, did I defile myself as Revelation 14:4 says? “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and…
Read MoreWhen There Seems to Be No Fish Out in the Sea
by Orlando Gonzalez The Western World widely sees the month of February as a time for love, a significant period in the year to celebrate romance, to be more specific. Romantic relationships have become a primary focus for many (no surprise there), especially for those who are single and sincerely want to take the next…
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