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You seem to have two articles giving two different positions on whether an elder’s unfaithful child makes him disqualified. Which is it?
Question: I’ve been restudying the issue of elder’s children who fall away. The La Vista website has an article “The Elder and His Children” by Brett Hogland that concludes that an elder whose children leave the Lord would still be qualified to serve, and another article, “Does an elder need to step down if one…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between feeling guilty and feeling convicted?
Question: Is it true that if you don’t know if something is a sin that you should not do it if it makes you feel convicted? So what is the difference between feeling guilty or feeling convicted? Sometimes I put a lot of thought into something that I bought. I bought the entire collection of…
Read MoreAre singing and prayers during mid-week Bible study worship?
Question: Dear Brother, I am a member of the Body of Christ. I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. After midweek Bible class everyone gathers and we sing songs, offer up prayers, a short sermon is given, and an invitation is extended. Is this worship? I know it is not…
Read MoreI think the government is corrupt, so can I get married without the government being involved?
Question: Hello, My girlfriend and I would like to marry outside of the state due to the condition of the corruption and anti-God position of the government and states. I know the Scripture indicates to obey the laws of the land, and I always have attempted to abide by them to the best of my…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between temptation and lust?
Question: Hi I was reading some of the questions that many have posted and one of them caught my attention. In it, you said that being tempted is not a sin. Many of the things we do that are wrong start in the mind, right? So when do the thoughts themselves become a sin? How…
Read MoreI repented of a foolish vow and broke it anyway. So what do I do?
Question: Hello, I am having real trouble with something at the moment, I fear that I have made a vow/oath to God that I really don’t want to keep. The vow does not contain anything sinful, I fear I said “I would give up my hobby.” The hobby is not sinful and I really like…
Read MoreI had oral sex when I was younger, and now I feel I’ll be condemned to have a miserable marriage
Question: I have a question. When I was in high school I was very socially shy and never had a boyfriend. I didn’t really go to church because we were Catholic and my mom thought it was boring. At 19 I had my first boyfriend and one day we kissed, and I gave in and…
Read MoreWas Jesus married?
Question: Was Jesus married? Answer: “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). Source: “Did Jesus have a wife?” The New York Times, September 19, 2012. Let’s start with the evidence: There is a fragment, measuring 4 x 8 centimeters, that contains the words “Jesus said to…
Read MoreI’m pregnant after committing adultery and I don’t know what to do
Question: I’m 34 years. I was recently baptized because I love Jesus and I want to live a holy life. There is this one sin that I have prayed for several times asking God to help me to walk away from this sin. I slept with a born-again guy unintentionally. It just happened because he…
Read MoreI was looking for articles and found one written by someone I knew!
Question: Your website is great! I found it by searching for articles on the covering, which I believe in and diligently practice. I looked at the author, Hiram Hutto. I know this man! I know his daughter, Susan, and her husband, Gary Kerr, an outstanding Gospel preacher. I am distressed that so few Christians believe…
Read MoreThank you so much for placing Ethan Longhenry’s article on your website
Question: Dear sir, Thank you so much for placing Ethan Longhenry’s article, Understanding the Tetragrammaton: How Is It Pronounced? on your website. It is an incredible blessing to me! I am trying to make the reasoning my own as it will be great to share with others the name of our God. His name is Wonderful!…
Read MoreMy fiance and I engaged in foreplay. How do we answer the church if we are asked, knowing this will mean we cannot be wed in the church?
Question: How do we answer the church if I and my fiancé are asked if we have had sex before marriage when we have engaged in the foreplay of sexual activities? Knowing we cannot be wed in the church if we say yes, though we didn’t do the real act. Answer: First, there is no…
Read MoreI had oral sex and I now feel so guilty. How do I overcome these feelings?
Question: I’m 21 and feel very guilty. I had oral sex two nights ago. I did this to avoid losing my virginity. According to what I read on your website, I’m no longer a virgin. I’ve worked so hard to keep it. I feel so sinful and bad. Please help me overcome these feelings. Answer:…
Read MoreIf Paul taught against the Sabbath then why couldn’t the Jews convict Paul of blasphemy?
Question: Hi, If Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-8 are a result of Paul’s teaching that God’s Sabbath had been fulfilled and God’s fourth command was no longer required to be kept, why is it that after two trials the Jews could not Paul had committed blasphemy? If Paul had ever told the Jews that…
Read MoreIf the Bible is inspired then why does it say the earth is round and in other spots speak as if it is flat?
Question: If the author of the Bible is God through people, why in some places does it say the earth is a circle, like a phrase where it says we are like grasshoppers and God is watching over us and then there is another one where a tree is described and it says that everyone…
Read MoreWould a preacher or elder be allowed who had children involved in sexual sins?
Question: Hello, I have been reading some of your web-based information, and I have a few questions; If a youth pastor in the church of Christ (don’t worry, not yours) that has serious secrets in their family such as a gay son who is now out of the house, and a daughter who has had…
Read MoreWhat happens after death? Will I be reunited with my loved ones?
Question: Hi, Right now I’m not a Christian, but I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately. Death kind of scares me, I mean I’m only 14 but still. I kind of wanted to know what you believe, why you believe it, and what I should do, and what happens after death. I also wanted…
Read MoreIsn’t it unfair that North Koreans can’t know about God?
Question: Isn’t it unfair that North Koreans can’t know about God? Do they just go to hell? It’s not really their fault at all. The leader tells them everything. They have no way of knowing about God, no outside communication whatsoever. Will they go to hell for something they have no control of? Obviously, only…
Read MoreI like this church, but my dad doesn’t because it doesn’t have a piano. What do I do?
Question: I’m having some issues right now. We just moved into a new area, and are trying to find a church. There’s one that we went to today that I really like, and feel like I really connect to, but my parents don’t like it. My dad says that he doesn’t like it because there isn’t a piano…
Read MoreWhy don’t you believe that the Spirit actively dwells in the believer today?
Question: In my seeking to find “Christian only” groups, I have visited several “churches of Christ,” which came out of the restoration movement in the 1800s. My question is, though I deeply appreciate the non-denominational and back to the Bible emphasis, why is it that many reject any direct involvement of the Holy Spirit today?…
Read MoreIsn’t Hinduism older than Judaism? And other questions about early history.
Question: Isn’t Hinduism older than Judaism? Why does my textbook always talk about dates as far as 10,000 years back? For example, “farming methods were discovered almost 10 thousand years ago in Mesopotamia” is in a 9th-grade geography book. In one post you said animals were herbivores before the flood. How, if some animals’ teeth…
Read MoreI’m so gloomy. What can I do?
Question: I roam around with a gloomy expression most of the time. I remember her a lot, and I miss her too much. Whenever I see a couple I feel the absence of her. Is there anything that I could do to forget all these things and start looking forward to my future? What should…
Read MoreWithout the church fathers, how do you explain the shift away from the Lord’s Supper and the denial that John 6 is literal?
Question: I have read all the pre-300 AD church fathers. How do you explain the “Lord’s Supper,” not a man preaching, has always been the center of a church service and in evangelical services today it’s a man? How do you explain all the early church fathers who were not later Gnostics or other heretics…
Read MoreFor a Bible class, I was told to ask someone a series of questions. I was surprised at the response I got and I don’t know how to answer.
Question: Hi, I’m taking a Bible class that aids in helping brothers and sisters spread God’s Word. As part of an assignment, we were to ask a non-member of the church the following: What interests you the most? Is the Bible from God? Is Jesus God? Will most go to heaven? Well I asked my…
Read MoreMore questions about Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Question: Just curious regarding Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: what are your thoughts on the genre that many of the new “brethren hymns” are written in? That’s a big chunk of the “other 300”, maybe pushing 1/3 of it by a wild guess? For my own edification, and I take a lot of interest in hymnody,…
Read MoreHow do you know what Bible references to use?
Question: What is the best way in how to study my Bible? As you do when writing the articles, how do you know which specific references to use? Answer: The simple answer is whatever way that keeps you interested. As an example, I’ve never read my Bible from cover to cover. I’ve read the whole Bible many…
Read MoreWhat is meant by abstaining from things polluted by idols?
Question: Hello Jeff, After reading Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; Revelation 2:14, 20 it seems it was wrong for Christians to eat food sacrificed to idols but in I Corinthians 8 it seems OK. It seems to me after reading Revelation 2:14, 20 the churches in Pergamos and in Thyatira were told to repent of eating things…
Read MoreWhy is it so bad to disobey God?
Question: Hi, I have a question. I know sin means to disobey God or to break His law, but I was wondering, why is it so bad to disobey Him? And why was it so bad that Adam and Eve decided to disobey God? Couldn’t God have let it go and let them do what…
Read MoreThank you for all the work you did to produce the study on Drinking in the Old Testament
Question: Dear Brother, Thank you for all the work you did to produce the study on Drinking in the Old Testament. Answer: Thank you. You may be interested in the companion lesson: Drinking in the New Testament. Also, both of these lessons were written in article format and can be found at: Old Testament Beverages New Testament…
Read MoreWhat do you think of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Praise for the Lord, and Songs for Worship & Praise?
Question: I read your excellent review of the Jeffcoat Sacred Songs of the Church songbook. Our congregation is considering changing books and we are considering several of the more traditionally focused books. Have you had the opportunity to review and consider the Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs by Sumphonia? We are also considering the Praise for the Lord and Songs for Worship…
Read MoreMy son recently underwent puberty but has suddenly stopped
Question: My son has recently undergone puberty but his growth has suddenly stopped. He has both facial and body acne, hair on his upper lip, and a consistent deep voice. He is of Asian descent. What stage do you think he is at, based on those few details? I’m too embarrassed to ask for more…
Read MoreYour article on being born again and salvation really helped in a discussion with Jehovah’s Witnesses
Question: Hi, I find your website very biblically based and am happy to see it up here. I looked up to find an answer about being born again and being saved because I am discussing this issue with some Jehovah’s Witnesses and they believe that one needs to be saved but not born again. I…
Read MoreI want to serve the Lord, but my boyfriend doesn’t care to get married
Question: I live with my boyfriend. We have two kids. I love the Lord; my desire is to serve Him, but I know living together without being married is wrong. Repeatedly I’ve told him how I feel about the whole situation. He doesn’t care to get married, and I am tired of living in sin.…
Read MoreWhen is the time to make a righteous judgment versus a wrongful personal judgment?
Question: I have the hardest time separating righteous judgment versus personal. Not verbally but in my mind. Maybe it’s from growing up in the times that make it a struggle. I’m working on it. But what about those of the world? For instance homosexuals. Yes, we love them, but must we voice and say it’s…
Read MoreI have a Seventh Day Adventist claiming that Daniel’s vision of the statue is still being fulfilled
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I hope all is well with you and your family. As always I find your responses very insightful and logical. I have another question based on the book of Daniel. I know there are many who claim to understand the meaning and try to interpret what it is saying. I have a…
Read MoreDo I need to tell the other woman that a man we were both unknowingly dating was two-timing?
Question: I greet you in the wonderful name of Jesus. I read the article about forgiveness and were to confess after sinning. I have a problem, which I hope you can help me with. I’m a Christian, and there was a time when I was interested in a brother at church, but I kept praying…
Read MoreShould a man be picked as a preacher who is pouting because he wasn’t picked?
Question: The preacher of a congregation developed some health problems and one of the men who served as song leader stood in during the preacher’s absence. He thought he would be chosen after the death of the long-time minister, but he wasn’t. He then has refused to do a talk, but still leads the singing.…
Read MoreHow long do I try to make my marriage work?
Question: Hello, My husband and I have been separated off and on for over a year and a half now. We were still sexually involved, although he has been involved with other women during this time until I contracted a sexually transmitted disease from him. Each attempt to reconcile our marriage has been unsuccessful due…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My husband starting to use drugs again
Question: I have been married for over 30 years. We own our own business and work very hard. My husband and I have weathered many storms in our marriage. He has cheated on me, drinks a lot, does drugs, lied, and was verbally abusive to me. We have worked so many problems out with each…
Read MoreShould a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position?
Question: Should a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position? Answer: Preachers are involved in helping people out of their sins. Elders are involved in keeping people faithful to the gospel. Given that Jesus said, “And why do you look at the speck…
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