Is it proper to take pleasure in the death of the wicked?

Question: Does the city in Proverbs 11:10 take pleasure in the death of the wicked? Answer: “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting” (Proverbs 11:10). Everyone is happy when things go well with the righteous because the righteous is generous with his blessings…

Read More

The Original Recycler

by David Gibson Recycling is in vogue, but our generation can’t take credit for it. God is the Original Recycler. God uses evaporation and condensation to turn filthy water into fresh water. He created the decay process, utilizing microbes and vultures to manage the carrion. God made our bodies fully biodegradable. Some of us, I’m…

Read More

Are preachers prophets?

Question: Good afternoon. My family and I are members of the Church of Christ, and I have been reading your articles on your church website for several years now, learning a great deal. If you don’t mind responding to this email, I would greatly appreciate it. Recently, the preacher at our church mentioned that he…

Read More

Why didn’t Jesus know there were no figs on the tree?

Question: When our Lord cursed the fig tree, did He know that there was no fruit on it, or was knowledge withheld temporarily? Answer: The account is found in Matthew 21:18-19 and Mark 11:12-14. Early in the morning, Jesus left Bethany for Jerusalem. Seeing a leafy fig tree beside the road and being hungry, Jesus…

Read More

How do I deal with traditional beliefs and practices?

Dear Jeffrey I have begun a journey where I truly desire to know God for myself, not just through what others have taught me, but through personal revelation and understanding. However, I am currently wrestling with some spiritual issues that I hope you can help me gain clarity on, especially as they relate to certain…

Read More

It is hard to find a Christian to date

Question: To Whom It May Concern, I am a 27-year-old male, never married, and have no children. I’m single and am a member of a local church of Christ. My question is regarding relationships. There are no opportunities for me to date where I am a member. I want to wait on the Lord patiently…

Read More

Is it right to dismiss a preacher because he married a non-Christian?

Question: Hello, First, thank you for all you do to answer these difficult questions. They have helped me a lot on my Christian journey. My question concerns something that happened very recently at my congregation; our youth group had two ministers helping and supporting all the activities (spiritual and recreational), and they were doing a…

Read More

What if I hid the fact that I’m a Christian?

Question: Good day, Minister, I am a fellow member of the church of Christ. I’m hoping you can provide me with some insight: If I said that I wouldn’t disclose that I was a Christian and also encouraged my mom not to disclose that she is a Christian as well, and others heard it, would…

Read More

Do miracles still happen?

Question: Do miracles, such as healing, speaking in tongues, etc., still happen? I have seen videos on YouTube about how a very crippled woman was healed (her testimony), and another video of how a non-speaking boy was also healed and still speaks. Answer: Consider whether the evidence given would stand up in a court. Do…

Read More

Why was the bread offered at Pentecost to be made with leaven?

Question: Hi Jeffrey, “You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:17 NKJV) Here, God says the leaven is needed when Jews were baking the loaves of bread sacrificed…

Read More

In Matthew 26:29, what does “new” refer to?

Question: Hi Jeffrey, In “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29 NKJV), what’s the “new”? And what is “that day”? How can we drink the new cup with…

Read More

Which New Testament translation should I read?

Question: Good morning. I wish to ask you which New Testament to read: one written by a Catholic publisher or one written by a Protestant publisher? Thank you very much. Greetings from Argentina. Answer: It isn’t as much a matter of who printed the pages as it is the accuracy of the translation. The Roman…

Read More

It’s good to know we are not alone

Question: Hello, I was delighted to read your comments on Is it a sin to divorce a non-believer? The current liberal trend in the church, led by Christ, to allow divorce and remarriage, is a disgrace and is costing the church dearly. One preacher asked me if a divorced person was not allowed to be happy!…

Read More

Is it a sin to divorce a non-believer?

Question: Hello! I have read much on your webpage about divorce, and I appreciate all the hard work you put into answering these questions. I pray God continues to give us all wisdom through His word. In I Corinthians 7, we have the situation where a believer departs from another believer. We see a situation…

Read More

Faith in . . . Faith?

by Lance Cordle Recently, I reached into a closet to get some trash bags. I was in a hurry, so I did not bother to turn on enough light to see the bags. I remembered that I had placed them on the top shelf of the closet, so I reached upward for them. To my…

Read More

Can names be removed from the Book of Life?

Question: Hi! Google directed me to your website, and I noticed an error. In “What are the books opened in Revelation 20:12?” you said, “Names written in the book of life can be removed (Revelation 3:5).” It should say names cannot be removed. Just thought I’d bring it to your attention so others who don’t know…

Read More

Is it immodest for a man to wear a tight t-shirt?

Question: Would it be immodest for a Christian man to wear a t-shirt that shows his biceps or is tight-fitting so that the muscles can be seen? I believe the kind of attention a man wants to draw to himself will reveal where his heart is, so perhaps I’ve already answered my question. Answer: The…

Read More

Is it wrong to bow to a crucifix?

Question: I attend a Catholic school, and because of that, I was posted to a Catholic hospital. It’s mandatory to attend mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The priest asked me to take their reading on Friday. I tried to avoid it but all efforts proved abortive though I stood on one ground; that I…

Read More

How could Peter be in Rome?

Question: I read from many early Church fathers that Peter was in Rome and preached in Rome. Still, in Galatians 2:7-9 at the Jerusalem Council, the agreement is made that Peter would only go to the Jews, not the Gentiles, so Peter would be breaking that agreement if he went to Rome and preached there.…

Read More

I miss the peace I got from astrology

Question: Good day! I wonder about your insight into what the Bible says about spiritual practices. Before I was a Christian, I was interested in many things, such as astrology, following moon cycles, manifestation, chakra healing, etc. I don’t practice these things anymore, but ever since I stopped, I have had no peace and feel…

Read More

My wife deprives me from sex

Question: Hi Minister, I have read many of your responses to challenging questions. Please help me. I have been married for more than ten years. My wife has deprived me of sex to the point that the rejection felt so bad that I started looking for products I can use to get rid of my…

Read More

Should we hate Satan?

Question: Should we hate Satan? To me, it sure seems like we should hate the devil because he is the embodiment of sin (I John 3:8).  Satan is lost; he’s never coming over to God’s side. It just conflicts with our desire to love our enemies as we’re told to do. Answer: “The fear of…

Read More

Why didn’t Paul heal Trophimus or Epaphroditus?

Question: Good day, sir, May Almighty God continue to bless and strengthen you. My question is: If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal, why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27, and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his…

Read More

Why am I forced to be single?

Question: I am 43 male Christian. I have never been married, and I am a virgin. I never chose to be single or celibate. I could never gain the interest of the opposite sex, so I have been forced to be celibate. Does being forced to be celibate and not being able to get a…

Read More

Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrine? 

Question: Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrines?  Answer: “Doctrine” means teachings. Jesus told his apostles, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to…

Read More

I have a fear that I was baptized incorrectly

Question: Hi there, I know you’ve probably answered many questions like mine, but I’m just struggling with a lack of peace. I ache for peace, and I am praying for help. I doubt my baptism, and I just wanted to seek guidance. I do struggle with moral OCD, and I do think it’s my overthinking,…

Read More

What would you advise about my relationship with an older woman?

Question: I’ll tell you everything I can remember. My first relationship started when I was 18 years old. I didn’t get married and stayed with her for two years until it all ended. It ended because I wanted out and threw away a relationship that was working out well. I blamed myself for a long…

Read More

Is a gathering in a care facility a church gathering?

Question: I am autistic and live in a facility. I can’t drive from here to any church. My sister could bring me, but she is not very consistent. I can’t rely on her early Sunday mornings. However, the facility I am at has an hour-long gathering of believers on Monday evenings. They sing a hymn,…

Read More

Do you need to be baptized again after falling away and returning?

Question: I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was a teenager, but I wasn’t baptized. Then I read Mark 16 and was scared, so I got baptized at a Pentecostal Church. However, they taught that baptism didn’t save, and I wasn’t sure if it did when I was baptized. A couple of years ago,…

Read More

Just another thank you for a great website

Question: Hello, Just another thank you for your great website. I’ve been reading for quite a while about The Development of the New Testament Text by Jim Snapp, 2nd. Wow, my head hurts. I’m not sure I agree with the first few paragraphs, but it is a lot for an old man to assimilate. Thanks…

Read More

How do you deal with a spouse who isn’t living a godly life?

Question: How does a married person obey I Corinthians 5:9-11 in regards to avoiding eating or associating with such a person when the person he is married to claims to have accepted Christ as her Savior but repeatedly commits physical, emotional, and online adultery? What do you do when you discover that she was married…

Read More

God Appeared in the Flesh

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/God-Appeared-in-the-Flesh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16   I.         Before the first century ended, several varieties of false teachings arose.             A.        One set has been referred to as the gnostics. The name derives from the Greek word for “knowledge.” – I Timothy 6:20-21             B.        These were a diverse group, but they were tied by a belief…

Read More

Can someone with Down Syndrome lead a prayer?

Question: Can or should a person with severe Down Syndrome lead a prayer? Answer: Leading a prayer requires the ability to communicate one’s thoughts to others and to God. People with Down Syndrome understand language well but are often delayed in developing the skills to express themselves verbally. “Delayed” is a keyword here. Communications skills…

Read More

Your articles are always helpful

Question: Brethren: I just wanted to send you a “thank you” for all of your work on your Web page. Your articles are always helpful. Answer: I’m glad we have been able to help you in some small way.

Read More

Can a symbol be used to identify Christians?

Question: I thoroughly appreciate your congregation’s work on the many articles and topics. I use them myself to continue learning and answer some of my questions about certain topics. I do have a question regarding Christian symbolism. I understand that we should not make graven images or symbols per the apostles’ teachings. These material things…

Read More

Do We Have a Flawed Theology?

by Perry Hall Studying Job, we find two conclusions his friends repeatedly made concerning Job, which are theologically flawed. This is because they believed in an unyielding law of retribution from God: Sinners are cursed and, therefore, suffer; the righteous are blessed and, therefore, live a life of ease. This led Job’s friends to: Condemn…

Read More

The Anointing

by Terry Wane Benton “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie–just as it has taught you, abide in him” (I John 2:27 ESV). The anointing his…

Read More

How do I handle someone objecting to “Precious Memories”?

Question: I enjoyed your online message based on the hymn Precious Memories. After having led this hymn in worship for almost sixty years, the preacher where I attend said if Precious Memories was sung, he would walk out and not sing it because it is unbiblical. He says angels do not have specific messages for…

Read More