Answer – La Vista Church of Christ

How should a preacher ask for a raise?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:25:08 +0000

Question:

Hello!

I have a question regarding a pay raise as a preacher. I love the congregation I am with. I have been here for 3 years. I am the full-time minister. There is a part-time one as well. How do you approach the eldership with this? I understand talking about money can be awkward. How have you approached this situation? The eldership I serve under are good men. Do you trust their goodness, or do I bring up an awkward conversation myself? Based on our numbers and size, it seems possible. Any advice or wisdom would be much appreciated.

Answer:

I would recommend reading: "So You Want to be a Preacher?" Preaching is not an occupation where you make much. If the amount the congregation is providing you is not enough to live on, ask the elders to consider increasing it. If they are unwilling or unable to help you more, then you can ask other congregations that know you if they would help support your work. The other alternative is to work a part-time job to make ends meet. The latter is done by many preachers, including myself. Many years ago, an elderly preacher told me to avoid being dependent on other congregations' support. Some think that because they are supporting the work, they can decide what should be done and taught. Others will drop their support at the least provocation or budget problem. Over the years, I found his advice to be true.

Are church owned schools and hospitals good works?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:44:44 +0000

Question:

Good day, minister.

In a Bible study, we were talking about Christianity and good works. The teacher emphasized that good works do not leave out the church building, schools, and hospitals. I’ve heard a contrasting teaching elsewhere. But the way the teacher put it just offers a new perspective. He mentions that the church can build a school to support brethren who cannot afford the burden. (It is not an uncommon thing here in this country). He calls it benevolence (part of the works of the church). He also hinted that there is nothing wrong with the church making profits from something like that. But the general idea is to help brethren.

There’s also the problem of collecting multiple times on Sunday. He states that there is nothing wrong with making collections for different purposes on the Lord’s day. For example, after the general collection has been made and there’s news that a brother or sister needs financial assistance to maybe cover hospital bills, another collection can be made for that purpose. All these sound new and strange to me, and I will need some clarification.

Thank you very much.

Answer:

Your Bible teacher wants to avoid God's permission for the things he likes to do. Thus, he'll label something as a "good work." Who would oppose a good work? In this way, he never has to open a Bible to prove whether he is right. However, as "But It's a Good Work" points out, "good" in men's eyes does not prove that it is good in God's eyes. Nor does "good" mean it is good for everyone to do.

The church has a specific mission. Just because I can do something as an individual, it does not mean that God wants His church to do the same. See "Individual Duty or Local Church Duty?"

The fact that he wants to do these things and make a profit at it is a strong warning sign. "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep" (II Peter 2:1-3).

Regarding multiple collections, see "Are special contributions scriptural?"

Does a polygamist need to divorce his extra wives?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:17:37 +0000

Question:

If you're married to more than one wife before you became a Christian, can you divorce your second and third wives and be only married to your first wife when you become a Christian?

Answer:

In God's teaching, one man is to marry one woman. "And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6). To marry another while you are still married to your first spouse is adultery. "For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man" (Romans 7:2-3). Therefore, a second marriage while you are married to your wife is not a valid marriage in God's sight. The only solution is to end the illegal marriage. You cannot become a Christian while you are living in adultery.

Are we saved by faith or through faith?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 02:33:11 +0000

Question:

Good day,

Is it correct to say we are saved through personal faith and by faith?

Thanks.

Answer:

The problem is that "by" and "through" are similar enough words in English that they are often used interchangeably.

In Acts 15:9, Peter said God "made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith." However, in the Greek text, "by" is not present and is supplied by the translators to make the sentence read properly in English.

"For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16). Here "by" translates "ek," a Greek word more often translated as "of". It refers to the point from which an action proceeds. "Ek" is also used in Romans 5:1, where we learn we are justified by faith.

In Galatians 2:16, Paul said, "Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified." "Through" translates the Greek word "dia," which indicates the channel through which something happens. "By" translates the Greek word "ek" again. Notice that we are both justified through faith and by faith. Thus, both phrases can be appropriately used.

I refer to the La Vista webpages often

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:28:01 +0000

Question:

Hello,

I am just writing to thank you for your efforts in the vineyard. I refer to La Vista's webpage often. It has so often answered questions, provided ideas for talks, classes, or sermons, and just provided disciples and those interested with a reliable, sound resource.

Thank you very much. Blessings to you. Godspeed.

Answer:

We are glad to be of service and are happy to hear that the site is useful in your studies.

Is the body in Ephesians the same as the church started in Acts 2?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:02:58 +0000

Question:

Good day,

When Ephesians 3:6 says, "... gentiles are fellow heirs of the same body, does "same body" refer to the church that was started in Acts 2?

I'm debating a millennialist who insists on using the KJV. The NIV puts it differently, and I agree with it.

Answer:

"And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23).

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups (Jew and Gentile) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:14-16).

"By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:4-6).

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling" (Ephesians 4:4).

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ ... from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:11-12, 16).

"For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ... for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body" (Ephesians 5:23, 29-30).

Throughout the letter, Paul consistently uses the terms "church" and "body" as synonyms. Since there is only one church, it must be the same church that started in Acts 2.

There is no real difference between the versions for Ephesians 3:6.

"to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (NASB95).
"that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel" (NKJV).
"That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (KJV).
"This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

I’m moving on

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:38:47 +0000

Question:

Mr. Hamilton,

I am finally ready to move on with my life. I have made the commitment to keep fighting the good fight until I am with the Lord and to be fully present for my family as I raise my children. I have spent so many years drowning in guilt and fear that I have come to realize being inactive is not what the Lord wants of me.

I’ll probably never forget the mistakes I made and the hurt I caused. But I also know that those failures have taught me lessons I will never forget. Because of this, I strive to be the most honest person I can be and a faithful and loving wife to my husband, completely devoted to living my life for Jesus.

I don’t want my children, who are still young, to remember their mom as always depressed and consumed by the past. So I am choosing to trust God fully and believe that His grace and mercy apply to me, too. I realize that is a decision I have to make; I can’t wait for my feelings to catch up. I have to press on.

Thank you so very much for your patience and kindness toward me all of these years. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for your online ministry and for taking the time out of your life to help others like me.

With sincere gratitude,

Answer:

I'm glad to help as I'm able.

I agree

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:34:33 +0000

Question:

Hello, brother Hamilton,

I have read at least a thousand of your posts, and I agree with each one. Please keep up the great work.

Your brother in Christ.

Answer:

While I'm not after popularity, I'm glad you are finding the website useful.

Will God condemn us for marrying in a Hindu temple?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:23:59 +0000

Question:

Hello sir

Will God forgive me if I was married in a Hindu temple? I have already been married in a Hindu temple due to certain circumstances. My wife suddenly left her house against her parents' wishes. According to the law here, we would have had to wait 30 days for a court marriage, so we married in a temple, as our certificates say we are Hindus. We needed to get a Hindu marriage certificate first. Will God forgive us? Will a curse come upon our children?

Answer:

In I Corinthians 7:12-16, Paul deals with Christians who have married non-Christians. I'm sure some were married before one of them became a Christian. Yet, Paul doesn't tell them to get married again. Instead, he argues that the marriage is legitimate. "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy" (I Corinthians 7:14).

Marriage is a command by God, but it is not a function of the church. This is why civil marriages are equal to weddings performed by Gospel preachers. But this also means that marriages performed in idol temples are legitimate -- not because of where they were performed, but because they fulfill God's requirement.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, have a second wedding with a Christian officiant.

Are Biblical Names Literary Devices?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:02:09 +0000

Question:

Some biblical figures seem to have names with very negative meanings (e.g., ‘Destruction,’ ‘Dog,' or similar terms), and they do fit the narrative. How should we understand these—were these their actual historical personal names, or are they symbolic/literary names or later interpretive labels used by the biblical text?

Answer:

During biblical times, it was common to give children names with significant meaning to their parents. Often, those names are related to events surrounding the birth or to the parents' feelings and desires for the child. Cain's name means "acquired." Obviously, Adam and Eve acknowledge that they acquired a son from God. Sometime later, they had a second son whom they named Abel. Abel's name means "breath." Abel was killed by Cain, but Adam and Eve had another son afterward, whom they named "Seth," which means "appointed" because they saw Seth as being appointed by God to replace his elder brother, Abel.

Sometimes the names were given because of events at the time of the birth. Esau got his name because he was covered with red hair at his birth (Genesis 25:25). The name Esau means "hairy." His twin brother was born holding onto Esau's heel, so he was named Jacob, which means "heel catcher" or prankster. As Rachel lay dying after the birth of her second son, she named him Benoni, which means "son of my sorrow." Jacob immediately changed his name to Benjamin, which means "son of my right hand." Phinehas' wife gave birth right after learning that her husband died in battle, and the Ark of the Covenant was captured. She named her son Ichabod, which means "no glory."

Of course, naming a child after a favorite relative was also common (Luke 1:59-61).

In a few cases, God steps in to state a child's name (Luke 1:13; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 8:3; Hosea 1:3-9). As you noted, it is interesting how many times a person's name reflects facets of his life. Did his name lead him toward various choices, or was God working behind the scenes? It is something that we can't fully determine.

Another puzzle is what would lead a parent to name their son Nabal ("fool"). Other names sound strange to us, but may have made more sense to the parents. Cabel's name means "dog." They likely wanted to express their hope that their son would grow up to be loyal and courageous. Balaam's name means "destroyer of the people." Perhaps his parents wanted him to become a conqueror.