Where Did God Say That We Are Not Allowed to Use Instruments in Worship?
by Paul Mays Question: Where did God say that we are not allowed to use instruments in the avenue of Christian worship that is music? Answer: The thing is God doesn’t owe us a list of what worship we are not allowed to offer. He is merciful enough to give us a way that we…
Read MoreExpediency
by Heath Rogers In the previous article, we discussed the difference between general and specific authority. When God specifies something, everything else is automatically excluded. However, when God gives us a general command, we are free to choose how to fulfill that command. This is where the study of expediency must be applied. Expediency is…
Read MoreThe Silence of the Scriptures (Rogers)
by Heath Rogers Bible authority is established through direct statements, commands, approved examples, and necessary inferences. We understand what to do with the stated commands and prohibitions of Scripture, but what are we to do with the things God does not say? We know what to do with God’s voice, but what are we to do…
Read MoreSubmission to Authority
by Heath Rogers We have discussed the need for authority in religious matters, the proper source for authority, and how to establish Bible authority. In this article, we will consider the importance of responding properly to God’s authority. Authority is defined as “the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make…
Read MoreBiblical Authority
by Heath Rogers By What Authority Are You Doing These Things? The Proper Source of Authority Improper Sources of Authority How to Establish Biblical Authority General and Specific Authority Expediency The Silence of the Scriptures Submission to Authority
Read MoreGeneral and Specific Authority
by Heath Rogers Previous articles in this series have set forth the need for authority in religious matters, the proper source of authority, and how to establish what God has authorized. This article will consider an important distinction that must be made in understanding what has been authorized by God. We will study the difference…
Read MoreWhat if someone has no good qualities?
Question: Hi Jeff, I was looking again over your sermon “Ten Rules for Improving the Church,” and one point states: “Consciously look for the good qualities in every brother or sister in Christ. When you think of a brother or sister, make a mental note of the good points each possesses.” I had an individual…
Read MoreIdle Words (Thomas)
by Craig Thomas “Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things; who have said,…
Read MoreDid you see that Pope Francis told Catholics not to convert nonbelievers?
Question: Did you see that Pope Francis told Catholics not to convert nonbelievers? Answer: I’m not a fan of Roman Catholic beliefs, but I also believe that people’s positions should be accurately presented. The claim that appeared in numerous places, such as the World Net Daily, said, “Pope warns followers of Jesus not to convert…
Read MoreMethods of Divisive Teachers
by Doy Moyer Deceit is nothing new. Those who subversively gain followings, start new movements, and cause divisions are masters at it. Scripture warns us of this problem, so we should consider some common elements in the methods of divisive teachers. Every element listed may not be in every divisive teacher, but these are characteristics…
Read MoreWe feel disconnected from our congregation
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, Thanks for all your help. A few years ago I first wrote to you about a liberal preacher coming into our congregation and we eventually had to leave. The preacher was eventually dismissed. But we searched out and are attending a sound congregation but do not feel connected. We have tried…
Read MoreHow do we best handle customers bringing alcohol to our restaurant?
Question: We recently inherited a business in Mexico. It’s a hotel and restaurant. We are looking into the possibility of selling it. But our trips to Mexico to tend to the estate of our father have led us to preach in the area and started a congregation. We do not sell or allow alcohol on…
Read MoreThe Superiority of Christ
by Jefferson David Tant Hebrews chapter one contains a wealth of information as to Christ’s identity and his unique position in all creation. This is what sets him apart from all other so-called “prophets” and would-be “saviors.” No other can match his credentials. Neither Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Zoroaster, Buddha, Mary Baker Eddy, Ron Hubbard, Vishnu,…
Read MoreI’m Not 18 Years Old Anymore
by Zeke Flores I’m not 18 years old anymore My body doesn’t move as it did then; more things droop and sag, and more parts hurt and ache. At 18 I had very few responsibilities. I lived entirely in the moment making decisions solely based on my selfish desire for immediate gratification. At 18 I…
Read MoreThings People Think Don’t Matter
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Things-People-Think-Dont-Matter.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWho Are the Sons of God in Genesis 6?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Who-Are-the-Sons-of-God-in-Genesis-6.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow to Establish Biblical Authority
by Heath Rogers God is the proper source of authority in religious matters. Our authority must come from heaven and not from men (Matthew 21:25). God has given authority to His Son, Who gave the Holy Spirit to the apostles. These and other inspired men have written the New Testament. Consider, then, the proper way…
Read MoreDoes God direct our lives?
Question: I have appreciated your website and the answers you share from the truth of God’s word. I thought maybe you could help me with this: A friend is telling me that God reveals things to us about what to do about jobs, health, etc. In the sense that God directs our path, I suppose…
Read MoreReverencing the Name of God
by David Gibson I once overheard an older woman ask a middle-aged man as he entered the post office, “Are they closed?” “Lord, no!” he said. “They ain’t closed.” In a Dallas hospital waiting room, several women were passing the time in conversation. One of them mentioned that a certain man they knew was 38.…
Read MoreThe Battle of Armageddon (Willis)
by Mike Willis Truth Magazine XXII: 13, pp. 211-212, March 30, 1978 Truth Magazine XXII: 14, pp. 227-229, April 6, 1978 Truth Magazine XXII: 15, pp. 243-245, April 13, 1978 Truth Magazine XXII: 16, pp. 259-260, April 20, 1978 In recent years, the premillennial controversy has raged once again. Practically every time that an attempt…
Read MoreDoes it matter who performs a wedding?
Question: Hello, My fiancé and I have planned a destination wedding. The wedding package we purchased has an officiant included. I mention this because the planner stated that they have their preferred vendors meaning we potentially cannot reach out to the local church and ask a minister to marry us. We are members of the…
Read MoreMormonism and “Men on the Moon”
by Jefferson David Tant Adapted from an unknown author An unbelievable fact that is not known to most is the fact that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, taught that people lived on the moon. And his successor, Brigham Young, concurred with this. “The Inhabitants of the Mood,” an LDS publication from 1892…
Read MoreCreation and Resurrection
by Matthew W. Bassford The primary objection to the resurrection accounts of the Bible is philosophical. It is based on the theory of naturalism. This theory holds that all events have causes rooted in the natural laws of the universe. In the universe, dead people don’t naturally come back to life, so Jesus, if dead,…
Read MoreHow can angels eat?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ, Can you please explain Genesis 18:8 where it says Abraham offered them a calf, curds, and milk and they ate. Thanks. Answer: Before Abraham meets the three strangers, we were told that the Lord appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1). As the story progresses, one of the men begins to be…
Read MoreHiding Behind the Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hiding-Behind-the-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 4:1-6 I. One basic principle of logic is that if you start with a false idea, you can prove anything A. False doctrine could be justified if you started with a false idea as evidence 1. Premise: Presidents of the United States must be younger than 35 2. Premise: Joe…
Read MoreCulture Wars
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Culture-Wars.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 I. Some questions are hard to answer A. Not because the Bible is unclear on the subject B. But because there is a strong cultural bias against the correct answer C. Example of idolatry 1. We have no difficulties denouncing idol worship today 2. Even non-Christians understand that an idol is worthless…
Read MoreIs Everything That Happens God’s Will?
by Gardner Hall via Mount Bethel Publishing, 25 November 2014 After the death of a child, a horrible mishap, or any other tragedy there are always some who say, “It was the will of God.” Is that statement always true? It Depends! Yes… It is the will of God to permit tragedies and trials. Everything…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Standard?
by Doy Moyer What is your standard of what is true? How do you determine what is good? Remove God from any answer and what will you have? Personal preferences? Whatever society says? Human experience? What other options are there? Once God is taken out of the answers, no other standard suffices to provide us…
Read MoreDiscussion on Pre-Marital Sex
by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba and Jeff Hamilton
Read MoreIntroduction to the Book of Proverbs
by Andrew Ulmer and Jeffrey W. Hamilton For an in-depth study of the Book of Proverbs see Proverbs: Practical Advice on Life
Read MoreShould I marry my fiance, who is not a practicing Christian?
Question: Should I marry my fiancé? My fiancé and I have been dating for 7 years. I was 17 when I met him and living a worldly life (partying, drinking, smoking, cursing) I entered my relationship with my current fiancé because he answered this question: “Are you Christian?” and his answer was “yes.” He grew…
Read MoreDangers of Recreational Marijuana
Source: Dr. Liji Thomas, MD, “Dangers of recreational/medical cannabis use,” News Medical and Life Sciences, 26 October 2022. More people are using marijuana and starting at a younger age. “Now that many American states have legalized cannabis, the already high rate of cannabis usage is increasing from ages as young as 16 years.” Current studies on marijuana’s…
Read MoreHope for the Future
by Andy Sochor Throughout the book of Proverbs, a contrast is made between wisdom and foolishness. Since the wisdom described in the book comes from above, those who follow this and live according to its precepts will be righteous. Conversely, those who reject the way of wisdom will inevitably find themselves engaged in wickedness. Despite…
Read MoreAn Admission that the Evolutionary Theory Doesn’t Work
Source: Stephen Buranyi, “Do we need a new theory of evolution?” The Guardian, 28 June 2022. “… scientists still do not know the answers to some of the most basic questions about how life on Earth evolved.” “Take eyes, for instance. Where do they come from, exactly? The usual explanation of how we got these stupendously…
Read MoreJoshua’s Encouragement
by Doy Moyer As the children of Israel were preparing to go into the Promised Land, Moses delivered a series of speeches to help them understand how important their love and obedience to God would be (see Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Moses would not enter the Land himself, but Joshua had been chosen as the successor who…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “Christ died for our sins?”
Question: The Bible says that Christ died for our sins. Does this mean that he died for the forgiveness of our sins? Answer: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3). The English word “for” is used…
Read MoreGrudges
by Matthew W. Bassford I hold grudges. It is one of my biggest spiritual failings. I’m not a particularly touchy person, so I don’t keep an account of light offenses. However, I do have an excellent memory, and though it is helpful in many other areas, it is not at all helpful here. When someone…
Read MoreDo you fellowship with someone who left the church?
Question: If someone leaves the church and you try to encourage them to come back, are you to fellowship with them? Answer: Fellowship describes the state of a relationship between two people. It is like the word “friendship.” Friends do things together, but just because you do something with another person, it doesn’t make you…
Read MoreDo I keep fighting for my daughter?
Question: Firstly, thank you for your ministry. Your doctrine is thoroughly biblical, honors God, and gives Him the glory. God is surely using you to help others through His word so may God continue to bless it and you. A brief summary of my situation and then my question. I will attempt to keep this…
Read MoreIllogical Fixes to Problems
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Illogical-Fixes-to-Problems.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 8:1-8 I. For over 400 years, God ruled over the land of Israel. A. When the people became wicked, God sent in an enemy nation to conquer a portion of the land. B. When the people turned backed to God, he raised up a judge to lead the people…
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