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Why would babies who die be judged?
Question: I have a question about infants, aborted and miscarried souls, and the judgment. Are they awaiting judgment? Would there be any reason to judge them? I have had several miscarried babies, and it’s just something I’ve been wondering about, even though I know where they’re going/have gone. Thank you so much for this website.…
Read MoreHow do I look for a wife without losing focus on God?
Question: Hi, How are you? I’ve been doing well. It has been a rough journey. It’s taken me a while to get to where I’m at and sober from alcohol for the last four months. I’m still working on other areas in addiction, of course. I’ve always had such a strong desire for a spouse.…
Read MoreIs there a difference between original sin and actual sin?
Question: Dear Jeffrey I am combing through reading material around the subject of Original Sin. I am critiquing a book written by a popular proponent of this doctrine, “Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle” by French theologian Henri Blocher. Amongst his discussions, there are two arguments he made to support his doctrine, which I have some…
Read MoreIs the Holy Spirit not bound by only the words in the Bible?
Question: Hi Jeff, I heard a sermon a while ago, and someone recently shared it on Facebook to say that brethren are too worried about emotionalism, and they don’t worship in the Spirit and truth as God intended. “The Holy Spirit is not bound in the words alone within the leather covers of our Bibles.”…
Read MoreWhy bother teaching those in denominations?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, I’ve recently thought that when talking to people of different denominations about the truth, we do have a responsibility to a certain extent. However I also believe that in this country, particularly in the southern United States, we may not be held as highly accountable especially to people of the denominations because…
Read MoreWhy do the headstones in cemeteries face east?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I was having a conversation with my dad about cemeteries. I suppose I never considered it, but he mentioned that all cemeteries are typically arranged with the head of the deceased facing East. And my dad looked it up, and it said that one of the reasons Christians do it is…
Read MoreIsn’t saying that Jesus suggests buyings swords for self-defense an assumption?
Question: Years ago, I discovered your helpful website, but I stopped using it. Recently, I re-discovered your website. I appreciate the tremendous amount of work you have put into the material found there. I have only gone through a small portion of it and found some great resources there. However, I disagree with many of…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “secret things?”
Question: Good afternoon, In Deuteronomy 29:29, what is meant by “secret things”? Is it referring to unrevealed things not found in the Bible? Is it referring to things that the Bible, specifically the New Covenant, doesn’t speak about at all? I hope my wording is understandable. Thanks. Answer: “The secret things belong to the LORD…
Read MoreHow do we deal with a rebellious teenage daughter?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, We wrote you a year ago with a query concerning the raising of our children. First and foremost, we would like to thank you, as our situation has substantially improved. We are, however, writing to follow up, if you would be so kind. We have gotten things under control with our…
Read MoreWas there something else I could have said?
Question: I had a debate with someone about Colossians 2:11-12, specifically regarding how it was interpreted as referring to water baptism and that water baptism was a work of God. However, my opponent argued that “without hands” proved it was not water baptism since a man is involved in immersing you in water. To that…
Read MoreYour website helped me understand difficult concepts over the years
Question: Hey brother, I know that you do not know me, but I just wanted to send some encouragement your way! I just put two and two together that you write a lot of the content on the La Vista church of Christ website. I absolutely love your site! Several of your articles and studies…
Read MoreDid I react in the right way?
Question: Greetings! I have been reading articles on your website for some time, and I recently discovered the question-and-answer section, which encouraged me to write. I need some advice. I have been going through a tough breakup for a few weeks now. I am a Christian, and I was in a relationship with someone from…
Read MoreDo I need to go to school to preach?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I have studied the Bible all my life. I read everything I can. I preached for three weeks a year ago in a local congregation and asked all my elders to attend, and one did. He asked me if I wanted to teach in our congregation. I said yes, and never got…
Read MoreAre all Christians persecuted?
Question: I have a question about a verse that tells us that all godly Christians shall suffer persecution. II Timothy 3:12 states: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” This verse concerns me because I’ve been a Christian since I was 12 (I’m now in my fifties), and I…
Read MoreIs acting a sin?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share a thought that has been on my mind lately, particularly regarding the world of acting and entertainment, and how it might be perceived within the church. It wouldn’t surprise me if one day I came across a sermon or article—perhaps…
Read MoreAre eyewitness accounts unreliable?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I have a question for you. I recently came across someone talking about St. Joseph Cupertino. They claimed that eyewitnesses had seen him levitate on several occasions. The problem I have is that one of the reasons Jesus’ resurrection is trustworthy is based on the eyewitness testimony. And then there is…
Read MoreIs it a sin to not attend on Sunday night?
Question: I was raised in and am a member of the church of Christ. God blessed me with faithful parents who didn’t just “take me to church,” but lived it. I am 66 years old and have struggled with an issue for most of my adult life. It is the question of Sunday night services.…
Read MoreI think I should dedicate every use of my car to my grandmother
Question: Good evening, I’ve been diagnosed with OCD. I’ve been struggling with promises to God for a long time, but now I’ve a problem with one, I suppose I did five years ago. While I was trying to get my driving license, the month before the driving exam, I probably made a promise to always…
Read MoreDoes God lead us into temptation?
Question: Matthew 6:13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen,” seems to imply that God might lead us into temptation. But James 1:13 says God doesn’t tempt people with evil. Could you explain this? Answer: “And do…
Read MoreCould you explain “for some have no knowledge of God”?
Question: In I Corinthians 15:34, “for some have no knowledge of God,” is “some” referring to the “bad company” in I Corinthians 15:33 or to the Corinthians who should become sober-minded? Answer: “If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let…
Read MoreI thought lust would go away once I was married
Question: Hello, I’ve been married for about a year now. I have a wonderful husband, and everything else is great. The issue I have is that I have struggled with lust, masturbation, and pornography for many years. I have been masturbating since I was really young, because I remember a family member touching me inappropriately,…
Read MoreWhy did God take so long to bring Israel into the promised land?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I have a question and would like to seek your wisdom. This pertains to God’s purpose in the various journeys involving the children of Israel. What does the scriptures say or infer about God’s purpose? God asked Abraham to pack up and move to the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1). It is…
Read MoreAm I able to return to God?
Question: I’m in my 30s. Last year, I decided to become a Christian. I’m in the “doctrine,” but I haven’t been baptized yet. When I decided to become a Christian, my family turned their backs on me. I only had the support of a sister and her husband, who preached the word of God to…
Read MoreIs the Bible only for the less educated?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I recently came across a paper written by a preacher of a brotherhood Church of Christ, and here is what it says: “The Bible was not written for the highly educated, but rather, for the simple (I Corinthians 1:26-27).” It does puzzle me, and I would like to hear your view on…
Read MoreWhich should take priority – fellowship or evangelism?
Question: Acts 2:46 states that they would meet every day. Today, with modern schedules, jobs, and family demands, daily gatherings seem unrealistic, but is this wrong thinking? To what extent is the daily fellowship model in Acts 2:46 an expectation for Christians, and how should believers today practically live out this passage? Scripture encourages strong…
Read MoreMy wife doesn’t want to live with me any longer
Question: Hello Bro. Hamilton, Thank you for the tremendous amount of labor you’ve devoted to this website and helping people properly understand and discern God’s word. I have a question about what I should or am allowed to do regarding I Corinthians 7. My wife has been adamant for the last six months that she…
Read MoreDid I marry my teenage boyfriend?
Question: Hello Sir, I hope you’re doing well. I have a quick question and would truly appreciate your biblical insight regarding marriage covenants. When I was in high school, at the age of 15, I had a boyfriend with whom I was sinfully involved, and I’ve since repented and deeply regretted those choices. I’m now…
Read MoreIs unconditional forgiveness only required for unbelievers?
Question: Brother Jeff, I would appreciate your input on this question. We understand from Luke 17:3 and Ephesians 4:32 that forgiveness is conditioned upon repentance. But is this only applicable in situations where the offender is a Christian (brother in Christ) like yourself? In other words, is forgiveness conditional only when the person who offends…
Read MoreIs it adultery to marry again?
Question: Good day; I have read your articles on your website and I find them very edifying. I have a couple of questions, and I hope you can help me. I became a Christian and was baptized at age 17. I was pregnant, and my mom had just become a Christian a year before, and…
Read MoreAre Advanced Medical Directives or Living Wills wrong?
Question: In my country, there is an arrangement called “Advance Medical Directive (AMD)”. “It is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life.” Is it…
Read MoreWhy would God have Moses strike the rock one time and not the next?
Question: Dear Brother Jeffrey, I have a question and would appreciate your insights. In Exodus 17, God commanded Moses to smite the rock for water, and then in Numbers 20, He commanded Moses to speak unto the rock for water. We know that Moses smote the rock in Exodus; he did the same in Numbers,…
Read MoreWhat does “counted” mean in Romans 4:5?
Question: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5 KJV). I’m trying to figure out what the word “counted” means. Does the word “counted” mean “considered?” When it says “his faith is counted for righteousness,” does that mean his faith is…
Read MoreWhy are “be baptized” in different voices in Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16?
Question: I would love your thoughts on this. In Acts 2:38, “be baptized” is a third-person verb in the passive voice, unlike the second-person verbs of “repent” and “hear” (Acts 2:22). This confirms that baptism is less of a work for the sinner to perform and more a work for the sinner to submit to.…
Read MoreWhat happens to the Neanderthals in the resurrection?
Question: Hello Brother, This is a question received from an atheist. Your reply with biblical evidence will help me study this subject further. “Homo sapiens appeared on earth about two million years ago. In the Bible, there is a brief history of a tribe for around six thousand years. It doesn’t record anything about our…
Read MoreNothing to Do?
by David Gibson Two university students were talking. One lamented that there wasn’t anything to do in our small town. The other said he had once been a student in a large city where there was so much to do that his grades suffered as a result. He felt it was to his advantage to…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between “them” and “all others” in II Corinthians 9:13
Question: “By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others” (II Corinthians 9:13 ESV). Is there any difference between “for them” and “for all others”? Are they both needy…
Read MoreIs it repentance if I sin just this once and never do it again?
Question: There is an assignment that I was supposed to complete, and I had ample time to do it, but I didn’t, which I admit was wrong of me. I look to change this attitude in the future. The root cause is social media. I know I must repent of that and not spend too…
Read MoreIs this a good way to do a word study?
Question: I’ve been working on a personal Greek word study structure because I want to gain a deeper understanding of the original meanings of biblical words. I’ve created a layout for how I approach these studies, and I’d appreciate your feedback. This is what I have so far, and I’d love to get your advice on…
Read MoreWas “hell” changed to “hades” to support the idea of purgatory?
Question: Good day, I received the following letter: You’re wrong, brother. The word was changed from “hell” to “Hades” as a way for the church to support purgatory, which is not true. There is no purgatory for sanctification, as sanctification is done here on Earth through the Holy Spirit who dwells within true believers. To…
Read MoreWhy do people change the teachings of Christ?
Question: Hello there! My primary question is this: How can “Christians” claim to love the Lord and accept the Bible as truth, block out, look over, or misconceptualize truths in the Bible that cover their salvation and how to worship? The best thing I can think of is: It’s so traditional that their hearts are…
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