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Can you remarry if your spouse abandons you?
Question: Good Day, Is it true that someone can remarry if it is for abandonment of the marriage? Some pastors are saying you can remarry. Answer: The general rule is, “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave,…
Read MoreWill heaven be here on Earth?
Question: Hello, I am very thankful for the many good articles I read on your website. I’ve recently been hearing some in the church teaching the idea that heaven will be on earth in the future. I know from many scriptures that this is not the case. I think one of the main verses used…
Read MoreHow can someone like me make it to Heaven?
Question: I wonder how someone like me could make it to heaven. I see real Christians, and I’m not really anything like them. I always fall. I repeat the same sins over and over and over. My thoughts are not pure; I’m easily enticed. My faith is knowing that every word of God is true,…
Read MoreWhy did Paul wait a week to teach the Gentiles?
Question: Regarding Acts 13:42, why would Paul have the Gentiles wait a week to hear the word of God? Why would he not simply tell them that the church is meeting tomorrow (the first day of the week) as we are commanded? Thank you Answer: “But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch,…
Read MoreCan a man remarry in this situation?
Question: Please give me the biblical answer to the following situation: A man and woman get married (neither one is a Christian). It is his first marriage and her second marriage. They started dating (and having a sexual relationship) while she was still married to her first husband. They eventually married but later divorced. Is…
Read MoreWhat does it take to start a congregation?
Question: Greetings, Hope this email finds you well. I have some questions about the organization and definition of a local church. My first question is: What are the necessary requirements for a group of Christians to form or constitute a local church in the biblical sense? I understand that an agreement to work together (worship,…
Read MoreHow can there be church autonomy when the church in Jerusalem oversaw many house churches?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question about the autonomy of the local church. I understand that there were many house congregations in the first century. So, if there were many house congregations in Jerusalem, how can they be considered the church in Jerusalem? Also, if there were many congregations in one city, it means…
Read MoreWhat does James 4:5 mean?
Question: Dear Sir, What does it mean that the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously (James 4:5)? Answer: “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “word of mouth” in II Thessalonians 2:15?
Question: In II Thessalonians 2:15, Paul states that the brethren must “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions” that they were taught, under the criteria that they were either given by “word of mouth” or by the Apostles. I’m having some trouble trying to understand what “word of mouth” means, because if we’re taking…
Read MoreYour article on the Sabbath has all the hallmarks of false teaching
Question: I stumbled on your article about Sabbath and was left speechless. The article “Was Paul a Sabbath Keeper?” had all the hallmarks of a person more determined to twist the Scriptures in a classic example of “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mathew 15:9). I have…
Read MoreWere Cornelius and his household saved before baptism?
Question: I’ve been studying the Holy Spirit and have been reading some of the articles on your website. I’m a little confused. The article says that it’s obvious that the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 is salvation. If it’s salvation, then the people in (Acts 10:45) received salvation before they were baptized,…
Read MoreDon’t you know that the language of God is understandable to those needing to understand?
Question: [I left this one unedited since the author believes he is being led by the Spirit.] I don’t know who you’ve met, what you’ve read, or who you’ve talked to. But what I do know is that the blood is dripping from your hands and all that you led astray you will have to…
Read MoreDoes your congregation have a hospitality team?
Question: I am seeking to better understand whether certain practices are becoming more common among congregations of the Lord’s church. Would you please reply to the following question: Does your congregation currently have an organized ‘Hospitality Team’ (or similar group) that is tasked by the church with planning, coordinating, promoting social and/or entertainment activities?” If…
Read MoreI’m not sure Jesus is talking about actual water in John 3:5
Question: Hello, I just had some questions about John 3:5. I am not sure whether Jesus is referring to literal water here. The reason I say that is that later in the book of John, Jesus attributes the Holy Spirit and calls it “Living Water” when talking to the woman at the well. I looked…
Read MoreIs it right to withdraw from a young woman who said she was raped?
Question: Dear minister, A young sister, according to her, was raped, and this led to pregnancy. Her father noticed something unusual about his daughter and subsequently drew the attention of her mother, which led them to find out that she was pregnant, and they had her pregnancy aborted. This matter was reported to the church,…
Read MoreWhat is the “eighth day” in Scripture?
Question: What is the “eighth day” in Scripture? Answer: It is just a way to say, “At the start of the following week.” “For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD;…
Read MoreAre the unsaved left behind?
Question: Are the people who are not saved left here on earth when the event in I Thessalonians 4:17 occurs? Will they be burned up according to II Peter 3? Can you help with this? Thank you. Answer: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that…
Read MoreScience Can’t Rule Out God
by Buddy Payne via InLight Media Has science really proved that God does not exist? Many people assume modern science has made belief in God obsolete—but is that actually true? In this video, Buddy Payne examines the limits of the scientific method and asks an important question: Can science prove that God does—or does not—exist?…
Read MoreHow can you repent before being forgiven?
Question: Greetings! I’ve been struggling to understand repentance. I know it’s commonly taught that we must repent of all sin before we can be saved. However, as I read Romans and some of Paul’s other writings, I find that Paul talks about being made free from sin, putting to death the deeds of the flesh…
Read MorePaul’s Instructions
by Hugh DeLong Paul includes many instructions on living as a disciple. Some we tend to emphasize more than others, but they are all inspired by God. I find the most difficult ones to follow are the ones that don’t fit my personality or abilities. I know I am not alone in this, for most…
Read MoreFallacies About Singing
by Roger D. Campbell When it comes to singing songs of praise to the Lord God, our concepts of such need to be based on the teaching of the New Testament. Sometimes, though, when it comes to singing spiritual songs, Christians accept ideas that simply are not true. Since such fallacies often influence others’ mindsets…
Read MoreIs it wrong to gain interest from a bank?
Question: Can we open a Fixed Deposit with a bank? Because in the Bible, taking interest is said to be wrong, but in the New Testament, according to Matthew 25:27, it seems acceptable. Please tell me what I should do. Should I invest in an FD? I am very confused. Please help me so that…
Read MoreIs it contradictory for the Bible to say “Do not add” and yet books were added to the Bible?
Question: This is a question I’m asking to help one of our members; could you help me answer it? Based on the Bible canon and Revelation 22:1, which states not to add to this book, but also Deuteronomy 4:2, which says the same thing. It feels a bit contradictory at times. I guess then it…
Read MoreWhy isn’t Samuel mentioned as being the son of Elkanah in I Chronicles 6:28?
Question: Why is it that in I Chronicles 6:27-28, the “son of” pattern suddenly stops at Samuel? (“Son of _____, Son of ______, Son of ______, and his son Elkanah. Samuel’s sons…”) Answer: I should mention that there is a minor textual problem in I Chronicles 6:27: the name of Samuel’s first son is actually…
Read MoreStand Firm in the Lord
by Hugh DeLong “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 4:1). Our relationship with the Lord comes with resistance from the world and the devil. Often, it isn’t the ‘big pushback’ but the smaller, continual one that wears…
Read MoreIs the phrase “We are now living under grace” incorrect?
Question: Is the phrase, “We are now living under grace,” incorrect? Answer: The phrase is based on Romans 6:14, but to understand it properly, let’s look at the context: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between punishment and discipline?
Question: Good day, Minister. Thank you for your labor in God’s vineyard. God bless you. My questions are: Is there a difference between punishment and discipline in the Bible? At what point can one say “I am being punished by God” in today’s dispensation? Do you have any write-up or material that explains what exactly…
Read MoreDid I break a vow I made due to OCD?
Question: Good morning, I struggle with intrusive thoughts, doubts, fears, and compulsive behaviors. This is the way it has tended to show up for me: Example 1: Walking down the sidewalk and thanking God for a beautiful day Thought: “You should kneel on the sidewalk to pray publicly.” I would resist: “No, I don’t want…
Read MoreAre atrocities committed reason to reject Christ?
by Kenny Chumbley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 2, June 1994 Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 3, September 1994 Question: How do we answer the atheist who cites the crimes and atrocities committed in the name of Christ as an argument against believing in Christ? Answer: We do not deny that a Christian can engage…
Read MoreCan someone be born with a sin that cannot be forgiven?
Question: Hello, First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I do appreciate your knowledge. I have an interesting question about the topic of “saveability” (not an actual word). Does God allow for someone to be born with sin that they cannot be forgiven of? I know the…
Read MoreIs marriage the business of the church or the family?
Question: Hello Minister, I hope you are doing well. I have a few issues I would like some clarification on. Is marriage primarily the business of the church or the family? In many African contexts, the acceptance of a bride price by the woman’s family during a formal occasion is a prerequisite for marriage. After…
Read MoreDoes faith cause salvation?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, Thank you for sharing the article “What Saves a Person.” I’ve read it carefully and wanted to follow up with a sincere question. I noticed the article lists many things Scripture associates with salvation — God, Christ, grace, faith, repentance, baptism, obedience, etc. — and then concludes that all are equally…
Read MoreIf everyone sins, how can anyone go to heaven?
Question: I have some questions for you: I saw a video that says sinners cannot go to heaven; you cannot walk on the path of sin and still expect your name to be written in the Book of Life. If the video is correct, sinners cannot go to heaven. However, even Christians make mistakes and…
Read MoreScience Still Can’t Rule God Out
by Buddy Payne via InLight Media Has science really proved that God does not exist? Many people assume modern science has made belief in God obsolete—but is that actually true? In this video, Buddy Payne examines the limits of the scientific method and asks an important question: Can science prove that God does—or does not—exist?…
Read MoreWhat are all the commands we must keep?
Question: What are all the commands that we are called to obey under Christ? In 1st John, it states that the commandments are not burdensome, and it lists two commands throughout John’s epistles. How many more commands do I need to follow? I want to make sure I’m not leaving anything out. Answer: God did…
Read MoreWhy don’t preachers follow Paul’s example and not accept pay for preaching?
Question: In I Corinthians 11:1, we are commanded to follow the example of the Bible, so why don’t preachers today follow Paul’s example and not take money for preaching so as not to hinder the Gospel of Christ? Reason I ask this question is because from 1950s-1970s preachers were ranked by majority of people to…
Read MoreA friend doesn’t want to think her parents might not be saved
Question: Hello, Thank you for all the information you have on your website. I use the resources weekly! We visited your congregation a few years ago when we were in Omaha for a hockey tournament. My wife studied with her friend for 5-6 months, almost weekly, and she obeyed the gospel and was baptized. She grew…
Read MoreIs the Jefferson Bible enough?
Question: I recently conversed with someone who is living in a sinful lifestyle, but who I believe is starting to question her life choices. She is in her 70s now and has cancer. She mentioned that she is reading the “Jefferson bible” and wondered if that is “enough.” She asked me to research it since…
Read MoreJust Dropping By to Say Thanks
Question: I just wanted to say thanks. I’ve been looking at your site quite often, and your emails are some of the few I actually look forward to receiving. I sometimes give short talks on Wednesdays and fill in when the preacher is absent, so there are many great ideas for my subject. Thanks again.…
Read MoreHow can I remember where passages are?
Question: Hello, I do appreciate all the questions you have answered and the guidance that you have provided. I have a student who is concerned that she cannot recall scripture to support her beliefs. I understand the basic knowledge of how to commit something to memory. While in nursing school, I sometimes did not fully…
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