Am I wrong to associate with someone who steals?
Question: I have some friends who live in a senior retirement home. I met one of them about a year ago and was introduced to some more of his friends. I also live in the same retirement home. I am the only one who is a member of the church of Christ. Hearing them talk, I…
Read MoreAre Translations Authorized?
by Doy Moyer Perhaps this seems like an odd question, but it is good to think about this. Since most people are not going to learn Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the only way they are going to hear God’s word at all will be through translations. But how do we show that translations can still…
Read MoreAre fellowship halls optional?
Question: Good morning, brother Jeffrey: I have had several discussions with an elder of a church of Christ. First, the issue of fellowship halls. I sent him the article entitled “Kitchens and Fellowship Halls, What Was the Issue?” His response was because the early church met in homes for worship and fellowship, there was a…
Read MoreLiteral or Dynamic Translations
by Doy Moyer It should go without saying that we want to have accurate Scripture translations. For many, that means wanting a “word for word” (aka literal) translation instead of a more “thought for thought” (aka dynamic) translation. While some translations get closer to doing that than others (e.g., NASB vs NIV), the truth is…
Read MoreAre Preachers Ministers?
by Terry Wane Benton Yes! They are not the only ministers in the church, but they minister in a certain way; they serve in teaching and edifying the church’s role. They minister the gospel to the lost and the saved. That is a certain way of ministering, but the average church member is a minister…
Read MoreThe King James Translators’ Thoughts on Bible Translations
by Doy Moyer I recommend reading the translators’ preface to the King James Version of 1611. It’s easily found online, and some older King James Bibles may contain it. It helps provide some context when trying to see the value in various translations. People today make claims about KJV that the translators did not make.…
Read MoreDo Newer Translations Leave Out Verses?
A meme has been passed around a good bit, usually with a warning that these newer versions, like the NIV, have removed certain phrases and verses. This is quite misleading and does not comport with how translations work and why certain phrases and passages are “missing.” The truth is, one could just as well argue…
Read MoreLaw of God and Law of Moses: Are They the Same?
by Terry Wane Benton Seventh-Day Adventists have long made the claim that the “law of God” is the moral and permanently binding “Ten Commandments” that were kept inside the ark of the covenant, while claiming that the “law of Moses” was different. They claim it was “ceremonial” law and placed “in the side of the…
Read MoreIf I don’t see it as sexual in any way, is it a sin?
Question: Hello. I have a few questions about things that I have committed with my partner. I am Catholic. He and I had sex, and now, officially, I failed to complete one of the commandments. Now, along the way, we have done some things like blow jobs and everything. My first question is if my…
Read MoreDon’t Be a Peninnah
by Terry Wane Benton Peninnah provoked Hannah severely to “make her miserable” (1 Sam.1:6). If you don’t have anything better in life to do than to make someone miserable, you have made yourself pretty worthless. The story shows a serious flaw in the arrangement of polygamy, but it also shows a flaw in personal character.…
Read MoreWe were pleased to visit your congregation
Question: Yesterday, we visited your church, and we were so pleased we did! The Bible study was informative and thought-provoking. We definitely enjoyed all the fresh perspectives voiced during the discussion! The members are so genuinely friendly and welcoming. We loved the acapella songs. I found your church while doing some research online. I have…
Read MoreIf Baptism Was a Work
by Terry Wane Benton The claim is made that baptism cannot be part of the salvation process (the process from lost sinner to saved and justified in Christ) because it is claimed that “baptism is a work” and “we are saved through faith and not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this claim is very faulty…
Read MoreReceiving the Grace of God in Vain
by Terry Wane Benton Have you thought about the fact that you could have received the grace of God in vain? That is a very real possibility. How can we receive it in vain? “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (II…
Read MoreDo I go to Bible study and worship?
Question: Good morning, sir, I am writing from Nigeria in Western Africa. One day, in the village where I visited a brother, the King sent his town crier (messenger) to announce that the weekend would be used to perform some ritual rites from Saturday morning to Sunday night. They warned that no human must be…
Read MoreMy parents think it is OK to have sex outside of marriage if you are in love
Question: What should I do about my parents if they won’t admit that they sinned by having sex outside of marriage? I consistently tell them that what they did was wrong, but they just admit it reluctantly. My Dad also told me that he thinks that God said that because he and my Mom were…
Read MoreI think one of your tags was misspelled
Question: Hello, I found your church’s website via my Google search for “responsive reading of scripture in the early church.” I found several articles, mostly answers to questions where the responses were based on scripture and the writings of early church fathers, as well as written observations from early-century historians. I have been approached directly…
Read MoreJesus, Our Mediator and Intercessor
by Doy Moyer When we consider what Jesus does for us as His people, two terms are used to help us understand why it is so important to trust Him. Scripture teaches that Jesus is both our Mediator and our Intercessor. Let’s consider these terms. Jesus Is Our Mediator “For there is one God, and…
Read MoreDoes God honor all marriages?
Question: Good morning, I would like to know if God honors all marriages. I was recently in a study and they brought up Hebrews 13:4. I was told this verse God applies to Christians who are in the church. God does not honor marriages outside of Christ. For example, if I am a Baptist and…
Read MoreShould a couple marry because they will be having a child?
Question: Hello, What do you think about a couple who have been dating for five months, argue often for various reasons, and she gets pregnant? The guy is not sure she could be a good wife because he doesn’t like things about her. Do you think they should get married just because they’re having a…
Read MoreIf We Taught More About Grace
by Terry Wane Benton If we taught more about grace, we would teach people to deny ungodliness and worldly lust. Paul told Titus that the grace of God had already appeared to all men. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Now, what does grace teaching look…
Read MoreHow Do I Choose a Church?
by Johnny O. Trail One radio station in Nashville does nothing but talk radio. As an avid talk radio listener, I am always interested in the questions and comments of those who call in. On one show, the host deals exclusively with emails that listeners have sent in. The other day, one that caught my…
Read MoreWas Vashti wrong for refusing her husband’s request?
Question: Hi Jeff, I have a question about Queen Vashti in Esther 1:12. Was she wrong for refusing to appear before the king and his guests? Are wives not commanded to be submissive to their husbands? Please explain if her actions were right or wrong. Answer: First, remember that we are talking about the Persian Empire’s…
Read MoreA Manifesto for Myself on Social Media
by Doy Moyer Please note that these are thoughts I’m mulling over for my own growth and attitude as I think about culture. If you disagree with anything here, that’s fine. I ask for respect and consideration, but you are also perfectly free to ignore this. This is in first person because they really are…
Read MoreAgrippa’s Statement and Common Beliefs
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agrippas-Statement-and-Common-Beliefs.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow Barnabas Encouraged Others
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-Barnabas-Encouraged-Others.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes Zechariah 5 show there are female angels?
Question: I read your posts on the internet with great interest. But I have a question. The Bible frequently speaks of angels, which are implied to be male. However, I find an allusion to female angels in Zechariah 5. Will there be female angels and male angels in heaven? Thank you for your time and…
Read MoreAre women not leaders in the church because they are weaker?
Question: Hello, brother in Christ! I am currently stuck with understanding the application of I Peter 3:7. When we were having a Bible Study on the roles of women in the church, some cited I Peter 3:7, specifically highlighting the part that says “women are weaker vessels” as one of the reasons why God chose…
Read MoreIs celebrating diversity wrong?
Question: Good morning, I am a Resident Assistant at my college. Part of my job is doing programming for celebrating different cultures with programs such as Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Arab Culture Month, etc. I just recently read your statement on Black Lives Matter, and I was wondering if I would be in…
Read MoreAre there inappropriate times to sing or pray?
Question: Are there times it would be inappropriate to pray or sing hymns? I’ve often wondered if you should pray or sing while taking a shower, for example, when you’re quite literally wholly exposed. Is it wrong to approach God in prayer like that or to worship Him in a song like that? Or even…
Read MoreTen of the Best-Known Early English Hymns
by Wayne S. Walker Our English word “hymn” comes from a Greek term (humnos) meaning “a sacred song” and is defined as “a song of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, etc., especially one sung at a religious service.” We often use the term generically to refer to any religious song, but hymnologists make a technical distinction between…
Read MoreAre there qualifications for who performs baptisms?
Question: Dear Minister, May I ask for further clarification? You stated, “There is nothing in the Scriptures listing out a requirement on those doing the baptism” in the article “What is successionist baptism?” My query is, when Matthew 28:19 says, “Go and make disciples,… baptizing them..” doesn’t it imply that saved people are the baptizers…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a homosexual family member living at home?
Question: I have a question that I would like your understanding and advice on. I have Christian relatives who denounce homosexuality but have a daughter who is a lesbian. Being family, they have, at times, allowed the lesbian daughter and her “partner” to live together in the house with them and later assisted the two…
Read MoreDid I correctly repent?
Question: I can remember on the night before I was baptized, I sinned. After that, I prayed to God, told Him I was sorry, and wanted to live my life for Him. I don’t know if I had time to turn from my sins since I got baptized the next day, but I was so…
Read MoreJesus, the Perfect Image of God
by Doy Moyer God made human beings, male and female, in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). There are many thoughts about what that entails. We might think about our spiritual nature, moral nature, free will, the ability to reason, and the capacity to love. We can continue, but human beings have several contact points…
Read MoreIs talking to people about the gospel once a week enough?
Question: I have a question about sharing the Gospel Truth. Is it okay to make attempts to share the Gospel every Saturday, or am I to make attempts to share the Gospel daily? I did try to share the Gospel daily with strangers, but then I felt as though I wasn’t doing enough because I…
Read MoreDoes God not give us an equal amount of faith?
Question: Thanks for the excellent website. I hope and pray that it will continue for many years to come. My question is regarding: “For by the grace given to me I bid every one among of not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each…
Read MoreIf Any of You Lacks Wisdom
by Terry Wane Benton James speaks of the wisdom to see our trials as opportunities to perfect our faith and develop durability, endurance, or patience. We can choose to count it all joy, see how to grow deeper in faith, or we can let the trials beat us down and dishearten us to the point…
Read MoreJosiah and the Book
by Zeke Flores During Josiah’s temple repairs, an astounding find was the impetus of a new force in a revival already underway. The Book of God’s law had been found … by a priest no less! But how long had the Book of the Law been lost? Since Josiah’s great-grandfather Hezekiah led a similar revival,…
Read MorePrejudice in the University
by Ed Harrell Christianity Magazine, Volume 11, #7, August 1994 In a recent book entitled The Soul of the American University: From Protestant Establishment to Established Nonbelief, George M. Marsden of Notre Dame, an evangelical historian, let the cat out of the bag — the only minority in a university that is not free to…
Read MoreHow do I help new Christians start their journey?
Question: Hello brother, Two of my friends were baptized less than two weeks ago. I want to help them along this journey. Are there any tips you can give me about how to help these new Christians? Answer: “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one…
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