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I’m going to be going on a tour. What do I do about missing services?
Question: First, I want to thank you for this web site. I’ve visited it quite frequently over the past several years, and it has helped me to understand more about what the Word says. I found myself amazed that questions I had been asking myself had already been asked by previous viewers. It’s helped me…
Read MoreWhen Paul asked the Ephesians if they had received the Holy Spirit, what was he referring to?
Question: When Paul asked the Ephesians, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” in Acts 19:2, was he referring to the gift of Acts 2:38? And is that the same as the Spirit given in Acts 5:32. Thanks. Answer: “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper…
Read MoreHow soon should I forgive someone?
Question: How soon do I forgive someone? People can say things without meaning them. Should I wait until I see that they have really changed? Answer: “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,…
Read MoreHow detailed does a confession of sin have to be?
Question: How detailed does a confession of sin have to be? Do you need to list out all that you’ve done wrong? Answer: First, we need to remind ourselves what is the purpose of confession. Confessing our sins means we are facing up to the fact that we were in the wrong and we are…
Read MoreI want to donate to disaster relief, but not to an organization that has wrongful practices. Where do I start looking?
Question: I am wanting to donate money to help the Haiti situation out, but I also realize that certain organizations are associated with religions whose teachings are not of God. I wanted to give to organizations or charities who will most effectively use the money. Of course, the older, more established charities are better, but…
Read MoreShould I turn myself in for the sins I did in the past?
Question: For some time now, my guilty conscience has reminded me of several crimes that I have committed in the past. The felonies include physical abuse, shoplifting, illegal file sharing and perhaps other things. I was caught red-handed for shoplifting once. However, I was only convicted for that one time. I had actually been shoplifting…
Read MoreDoes the whole church need to hear the whole sermon?
Question: Is there some biblical passage where it is mentioned that in the primitive church all listened to the preacher and all were present during the whole worship? Answer: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in…
Read MoreIsn’t saying you must be baptized limiting the power of God?
Question: I am sorry you feel the way you do about the Church of the Nazarene, but more so about your hard-lined stance about baptism. By saying “No one is saved without being baptized in water” you immediately limit the limitless God. You are saying that God cannot save anyone on their death bed, since they…
Read MoreIf God knows someone will become evil, then why would he allow them to be born?
Question: Someone asked me, “If God knows someone will become evil, such as Hitler, then why would He allow them to be created?” I went to Abraham offering up Isaac as a sacrifice and how God said, “for now I know…” Maybe God chooses not to know if we will become evil since we are…
Read MoreMy girlfriend constantly complains and I’m getting drained. What do I do?
Question: Hello. I have a girlfriend who has a big attitude problem. She’s always complaining about life, and she tends to take it out on me a lot. The funny thing is that we both Christians, and I have plenty of patience with her. It’s come to the point where I get tired because she…
Read MoreThank you for posting such good material
Question: I just wanted to thank you for your good materials posted on your web site. Your article answering the question, “May Christians serve as punitive agents, such as soldiers or policemen, for the civil government?” was most helpful to me. I hope that you will continue your good wok in posting these things to…
Read MoreIf a person says “If I’m lying, may I go to hell” and then lies, will God forgive them if they repent?
Question: I can’t really remember if I have ever done this, but I am kind of sure I have. I hope I never said this, but if someone says to a person: “If I am lying, may I go to hell,” and then they lie, will they go to hell even if they repent? Answer: I…
Read MoreHow do we know what is in our spirit?
Question: I have a sort of complicated question, and really would like any logical answer you can give to help. Any advice you can give, based on Scripture, that helps to establish the truth as to what is the best way for a person to know themselves inside? For instance, I know the Scriptures teach…
Read MoreDoesn’t Gershoff’s study in 2002 show spanking leads to aggression?
Question: I just read some of your Questions and Answers. We have a family in our church who is seriously set on frequent spanking using tools, e.g. a belt. Now I was wondering what God (and the Bible) says about it. You seem to name relevant passages of the Bible properly. But I think the…
Read MoreI feel so despondent and regret the decisions I have made
Question: I’m a senior in high school and I feel downtrodden. I feel so despondent I just don’t know how to get out of this rut I am in. I miss people that I’ve lost over the silliest of reasons, I wish I would’ve gotten better grades last semester even though they were near perfect,…
Read MoreWhat do I do about my family? Some are so deep into sin, I don’t know how to handle it
Question: I am writing today in regards to something I am finding extremely difficult to think about, or even to accept, especially in living a Christian life. In the recent past, one of my goals was to try to re-connect with my family. I come from a very difficult and hard life. For my own…
Read MoreIs it a sin to change what I believe?
Question: Is it a sin to change what I believe? Or what if I am just neutral? Answer: Growth means you are going to change your mind about things. “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may…
Read MoreDid Eve commit adultery with the serpent?
Question: Is it true that Eve committed adultery with the serpent? Where was Adam when this sin was committed? If the serpent was a beast why was Cain a proper human being? What is the biblical position on this issue? Answer: Questions like these wouldn’t even come up if people read their Old Testaments. The…
Read MoreDoes this article prove masturbation is a sin?
Question: I clearly understand that what you are saying is that the act of masturbation is not a sin. But look at what I found. [A link to an article is then given.] Answer: If masturbation bothers you or you are not confident that it isn’t sinful, then you shouldn’t do it. “Do you have…
Read MoreWho was the younger disciple, Mark or John?
Question: Who was the younger disciple, Mark or John? Answer: There isn’t enough information in the Bible to say. John was old enough to be working as a fisherman with his brother and father (Matthew 4:21). Some suspect, though it cannot be proven, that Mark mentions himself in his account (Mark 14:51). But the word…
Read MoreI thought I was married but found out I wasn’t. I had cheated on the man I thought was my husband. Does that prevent me from marrying him?
Question: I have a question about committing adultery while being married. My boyfriend and I believed that we were married and had sexual intercourse. But during that time I strayed and committed adultery with another guy. I know this is a sin and I continually asked for forgiveness from God and my boyfriend forgave me…
Read MoreYour commentary on Ezekiel was very helpful
Question: I wanted to let you know that I facilitate a weekly Men’s Bible study, and we are in the book of Ezekiel. God (and Google) led me to your web site and the commentary you have on the book. Excellent work for His kingdom. We are a small group of guys, some young, some old,…
Read MoreThanks for the article on the Social Gospel
Question: I just wanted to say I appreciated the article on What Is the Social Gospel on your site. I believe it was by Richard Thetford, so I will send a note to him too. I’m in Texas, so I am not part of your community, but I am a church of Christ member, just for…
Read MoreI want to be a real Christian
Question: I am a 17-year-old girl who believes in Jesus and God, but I have sinned a lot. I have used God’s name in vain. I have even questioned if He was good or evil. I know God is good and only God is good. I have even said I didn’t believe in Him. I…
Read MoreHow can I teach my Roman Catholic friends?
Question: I have a couple of Catholic friends that I have tried for some time now to convert to Christianity. They have refused to be my friends and shunned the truth of the Word of God. I am 14 years of age but have been a Christian for three years. I need help with the…
Read MoreCan a couple get married by simply taking a personal vow between them and God?
Question: I have a question about marriage: Is it biblical for a man and woman to get married simply by taking a personal vow between them and God, or must it be done legally? Answer: What creates a marriage is a covenant. “Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:14). A…
Read MoreDoes Paul condemn masturbation in Romans 1?
Question: I was reading a part of the Bible and it was Roman 1:19-23. I was just wondering: does this relate to masturbation being a sin? Answer: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of…
Read MoreDo you know someone who will marry us without a state marriage license?
Question: I would like to get married without the state’s license and with a preacher, of course. Could you please help me find a preacher that would marry in my state? I would also like to obtain more information on this subject. Could I get some more information on how to be married legally or…
Read MoreIs a child bride really married?
Question: Recently I was participating in a discussion with several Christians regarding biblical divorce. One of the group members brought up the marriage of young girls in Third World cultures, such as Afghanistan or Pakistan. From what we have read these girls are sold into marriage by their fathers or extended families. One instance made…
Read MoreWhy is my husband so uncaring?
Question: I too am a wife who feels unloved. My question is, why do men, who give so much loving attention to a woman when they are courting her, stop loving her in the same way as the years go on? We have many children, and the youngest has severe cerebral palsy. When she was born, my…
Read MoreIs II Thessalonians 1:7-9 referring to two groups of people?
Question: In II Thessalonians 1:7-9, are those who know not God, and those who obey not the gospel two groups of people, and if so what groups is this verse referring to? Answer: “… and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in…
Read MoreI’m amazed that a church of such conviction still exists!
Question: I found your site while looking up information on “Edom.” I read your home page and was amazed that a church of such conviction to uphold the biblical teaching manner of the Bible still exists! I have been looking for a straight forward Christian, Bible-believing church for some time now. We have many churches…
Read MoreI wish the best for your ministry
Question: In the course of my daily work, I came upon the web site of your congregation, the La Vista Church of Christ. I wish you the best for your ministry in 2010 and encourage you to persevere during these troublesome times. Have a safe and Happy New Year! Answer: Thank you for your kind…
Read MoreI lied in my earlier note to satisfy a spanking fetish
Question: The following email conversation was made up on my part. I have had a fetish for spanking since I was 4 years old, as far as I can remember. I recently had a memory restored to me of being spanked at 1 1/2 years old. I established some dysfunctional associations with spanking and my sexuality,…
Read MoreIs my ex-husband, who became a homosexual, lost?
Question: My ex-husband has been or was (depending on your biblical view) a Christian for 35 years. We were married for over 30 years when he told me he was leaving me because he is gay and is now a practicing homosexual. What happens about him going to heaven? If you believe once saved, always…
Read MoreWas Jesus omniscient?
Question: I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. Last night I heard a man preach that Jesus was not omniscient while on earth. I asked him after the sermon to explain passages like John 16:30 where the disciples state that Jesus knew everything. He said that we should not proof-text…
Read MoreWhen did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign?
Question: When did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign? II Kings 24:8 and II Chronicles 36:9 give two different numbers. Answer: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem” (II Kings 24:8). “Jehoiachin…
Read MoreHow many years of famine did God threaten David with?
Question: How many years of famine did God threaten David with? II Samuel 24:13 and I Chronicles 21:12 have a different number of years. Answer: “So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months…
Read MoreHow many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah?
Question: How many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah? II Samuel 24:9 says 800,000 and 500,000; but I Chronicles 21:5 says 1,100,000 and 470,000. Answer: When dealing with numbers, you must ask yourself two questions: Are the same group of people being counted and could one account or the other be rounding…
Read MoreMy wife has been committing adultery with her step-brother. What do I do?
Question: Should I stay married and does my wife need to tell the truth? I have been married for over 15 years. I caught my wife cheating on me 10 years ago with her step-brother. She said all they did was kiss, but I knew it was not true. We reconciled to keep our family…
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