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How long did it take for Jacob’s children to be born?
Question: At our Wednesday evening class, the teacher said all of Leah and Rachael’s children were born within 7 years. Another man in the class, who is very intelligent, was puzzled by that and asked several questions for clarity. After about 5 minutes of discussion with the teacher, who is also very intelligent, was convinced,…
Read MoreWill just one sin, such as adultery, keep you out of heaven?
Question: A lady with a Baptist background asked me if I thought one sin would keep her from Heaven. She said “suppose a person was living in an adulterous marriage, but done everything else right such as attending church, studying the Bible, etc. Would this person go to Heaven?” Could you direct me to a…
Read MoreI’m carrying about so much guilt. I hide it from my parents, but am I wrong for doing so?
Question: For some time, I have carried guilt for many things; guilt which I am not often able to suppress. I am a fifteen-year-old girl and my life hasn’t exactly been a box of roses. Within the first three years of my life, I was fed lies by my aunt, by my mother, and I…
Read MoreThank you for that article about lust. It was very helpful
Question: I want to personally thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in writing that on-line article about lust. I’m currently dating a young woman, and I’m fighting my desires. Reading your article was very helpful in showing me what’s really going on behind the scenes. Thank you. Answer: You’re very much welcome. I…
Read MoreAre the twelve Jordan crossing stones still visible today at Gigal?
Question: Are the twelve Jordan crossing stones still visible today at Gigal? Answer: “And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and…
Read MoreI’m not certain if this girl is the one for me. What do you do in such a situation?
Question: I attended a singing night at a congregation and I met a young woman. She is a member of the Lord’s church. Her mom attends when she is not working. Her grandmother is faithful in attendance. She became very interested in me and I was interested in her too because I finally found someone…
Read MoreIs it normal for a young child to connect their private parts to the idea of sex?
Question: Can you please tell me if children normally connect their private parts to the idea of sex or the reproductive parts of the opposite sex? I’m asking because I did so since around 7. Is it normal? Answer: A child, prior to puberty, has no built-in concept of what is sex. He will not…
Read MoreDid you borrow the lesson “The Three Chairs” from Bruce Wilkinson’s book?
Question: I saw “The Three Chairs” as copyrighted information on your web site. This information is copyrighted by Bruce Wilkinson for many years now. The Three Chairs book is on Amazon.com, if you are interested. Whoever is posting this information as copyrighted by La Vista Church of Christ is giving the appearance that your church or preacher condones…
Read MoreGod cannot be tempted, but Jesus was tempted; so, is Jesus not God?
Question: My friend, who is an Arian, gave me this puzzling logic: God can’t be tempted, but Jesus was tempted; therefore, Jesus is not God. Is this true? Answer: For a Christian, it would be easy to spot this line of reasoning as a falsehood because it ends with a statement that contradicts the Bible.…
Read MoreHow can I stop being so judgmental against my sisters who had abortions?
Question: I have been judgmental toward my sisters who have had abortions. I know it is wrong, but these horrible thoughts come into my head and when I am around them I get a very evil look on my face (opposite of smiling) and look stern and hateful. My sister was down from Boston about…
Read MoreIs saying “yes” enough to confess Christ before baptism?
Question: I enjoy reading your articles on your web site. I find your answers to questions biblically sound and with justification. I’m having trouble with confession, perhaps you can expound on it for me. Is simply answering “yes” when one is asked to confess Christ (before baptism) enough? Should the believer follow the quote by…
Read MoreMy sixteen-year-old is becoming violent and I don’t know what to do
Question: I have a sixteen-year-old son that has had trouble in school specifically with grades over the past couple of years. His mother and I were divorced when he was nine but still communicate on a regular basis. Lately, he has become more physical while with her. He has been punching and kicking things for…
Read MoreWhich is the better way to pronounce Jesus’ name: Yahsua or Yeshua?
Question: Thank you very much for your article on “Understanding the Tetragrammaton: How is it Pronounced.” I am in total agreement with your research and conclusion as to the Tetragrammaton yhwh being pronounced as yahweh. Can you share your thoughts and opinion as to the pronunciation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus? Which is more correct in your research and examination: yahsua or yeshua? Please…
Read MoreWhat kind of questions should I ask the elders before joining a church?
Question: I think that I have found a church where I would like to worship. But first, I think that I should have a meeting with the elders before I place my membership there. I was wondering what questions I should ask the elders to make sure that they and the church are following the pattern of a…
Read MoreIs God’s sovereignty absolute?
Question: I want to ask you about some verses a Baptist friend asked me. I hope you can help me understand these verses. Do these verses teach that God’s sovereignty is absolute and that He predestined all things which happen, either good or bad? Isaiah 45:6-7; Exodus 4:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; I Samuel 2:6-7; Ecclesiastes 7:13-14;…
Read MoreWhy is I Peter 3:18-22 so important?
Question: I do not understand the interpretation of I Peter 3:18-22. I read the web site but I still do not understand why this Scripture is so important. Please tell me. Answer: Since I don’t know what you don’t understand, I don’t know what more is needed beyond the explanation given in the lesson “How…
Read MoreWhen does the gift of the Holy Spirit come, after repentance or baptism?
Question: Does the gift of the Holy Spirit come to dwell within us after we repent of our sins, or does it take up home within us after the act of baptism? Answer: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the…
Read MoreWhat are your recommendations for teaching teens about the dangers of sensuous literature?
Question: I’m currently trying to go through a series of lessons with the church’s youth over media and what kinds a Christian should let into their life. I’m currently using a focus on Ephesians and Colossians regarding verses that tell us to “put away” sinful things from ourselves. Specifically, the first will be over music…
Read MoreIf you judge atheists, then aren’t you contradicting your beliefs?
Question: If you judge atheists and you think that atheists judge you Christians, then you are pretty much contradicting yourself, which is a sin in God’s eyes because “all men are created equal.” I don’t judge Christians and their beliefs, so why do you? Thank you for listening to me. Answer: What I find amusing…
Read MoreI feel so guilty about my past sins. I just can’t get them off my mind. Why do I still not feel forgiven? Is forgiveness all about feelings?
Question: Years before my girlfriend, who is my wife right now, and I had committed fornication and I got her an abortion. I was so sorry, even now, and regretful I allowed these things to happen, but it happened. Prior to our planned marriage, I converted and become a Christian. I repented of my sins…
Read MoreCould you explain prophecy, tongue-speaking, and interpretation a bit more for me?
Question: I have a question. It has to do with I Corinthians 14. We are studying the various spiritual gifts bestowed upon the church members and how this gift was abused. The gifts we are focusing our study on is prophecy and tongues. My question, are there several versions of prophecy? Also, my understanding of…
Read MoreI had an affair and divorced my husband. Now I have married again. Is it wrong to stay married to this second man?
Question: I know divorce is wrong. I know adultery is wrong. I have committed adultery, got a divorce and I have remarried to a man that I had an affair with. He and I both go to church now and we both know we have sinned and have asked for forgiveness from God and our…
Read MoreWhy do nice guys finish last?
Question: I was working for a convenience store last summer and I was told by my cousin that Mr. Nice Guy always finishes last. I don’t understand why Mr. Nice Guy always finishes last when he works his tail off. Why is it that Mr. Nice Guy always finishes last? Is this the way God sees it? or…
Read MoreA friend has left Christ. How should I handle this?
Question: I have a childhood friend who was raised in the Buddhist religion. Through the years I had made small presentations of the gospel to him here and there. At some point during our friendship, I had begun sharing my knowledge about the church Christ established and why it would be beneficial to become a…
Read MoreWhy did Jael give Sisera milk and not water as he requested?
Question: Why did Jael give Sisera milk and not water as he requested? Answer: “However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera,…
Read MoreI’ve fallen back into pornography, how can I be confident that when I repent I’ll still go to heaven?
Question: Hi. I was once a member of the Lord’s church. I say “was” because since getting baptized last year, I was so dedicated and love the Lord, but it was so soon after that I got trapped and went back to my wallowing in sin! i.e. pornography and masturbation. Even after I was married,…
Read MoreI like the sounds of your church. How do I find one like it in my area?
Question: I just wanted to say that your web page is wonderful. Not to build you up, but to let you know it gave me some help. And just that I found it extremely biblical and to the point, clear; better than most any pages out there I’ve read. Started off with reading your page…
Read MoreHow did the children of Israel get their name?
Question: How did the children of Israel get their name? Answer: They were descendants of Jacob who was a son of Isaac who was a son of Abraham (Exodus 19:3). Jacob, when concerned about his brother Esau’s possible approach to kill him, stayed behind to pray all night. There he was visited by an angel.…
Read MoreCatholics venerate Mary, they don’t worship her
Question: Allow me to begin by saying that I am not a member of your congregation. Please attend to your own flock before this is taken into account. I am a practicing Catholic that believes strongly in building character through criticism. I also do my best to apply this in my spiritual life. I read…
Read MoreDo you think it is right for a congregation to go door-knocking while neglecting to help its needy members?
Question: I have a question concerning our church. No church of Christ I have ever attended has done this. I have been disabled and been divorced, biblically, for a long time. No boyfriends and very poor. I got into a bind and could not pay my light bill. I was also asked to move because…
Read MoreIs it true that if there were no literal devil, there would have been no need for Christ to appear?
Question: If there was no literal devil, then there was no need for Christ to appear? True or false? I’m referring to I John 3:8. Answer: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has…
Read MoreI’m worried that my son will be too short
Question: I don’t know exactly what I need, but I definitely need help. Before getting back to obeying Christ and attending a church of Christ, I was out doing what I wanted to do and ended up pregnant. The baby’s father and I ended up getting married a few months after I had the baby.…
Read MoreHow is it that Catholics don’t see the wrongful practices in their religion?
Question: I have a wonderful friend who is Catholic, but she is also hovering on snake handling! (I say laughingly.) This lady is very active in abortion marches and does wonderful works, but she will not listen to me. She claims King James was a homosexual who tried to destroy the “true” church that all the…
Read MoreIs Revelation 14:10 referring to judgment on a place or to the final judgment?
Question: “He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10). I am guessing this is talking about when Jesus judges or…
Read MoreWhere does it say that a man can’t be with his wife during her monthly periods?
Question: Where in the Bible does it talk about a woman’s monthly cycle and that a man should not be with her while she is on her monthly? My man and I were having a Bible discussion yesterday and he said he read something about that in the Bible but he could not remember were. …
Read MoreAren’t the translators accurate enough so we don’t have to look at the definitions of Greek words for alcohol?
Question: I have been studying about wine in the Bible. I am convinced that we should not be using fermented wine. However, I was asked some questions for which I don’t have a good answer. Why would the translators of the different versions of the Bible make a mistake when translating oinos with the word “wine,” such as…
Read MoreDid God invent algebra?
Question: I went through a lot of stress in high school with algebra. Did God invent algebra? I don’t think so. If He did, where is it in the Bible? Why did God invent algebra and why do we need it? People are stressed out and having nervous breakdowns over it. I bet you never…
Read MoreIs the use of instrumental music in worship a salvation issue?
Question: Is the use of instrumental music in worship a salvation issue? For example, regarding the division between instrumental and non-instrumental churches of Christ, if in the end when Christ returns both churches are still divided and convinced of their own views on the issue, will all of them that otherwise have remained faithful to…
Read MoreIsn’t divorce for any reason other than fornication a sin?
Question: Where is the Scripture that God allows divorce for any reason other than fornication, such as drug addiction, or abuse? I Corinthians 7:10 is not giving permission to divorce. It is a command not to. If disobeyed, however, I Corinthians 7:11 says she must remain unmarried. There is only one scriptural cause for divorce — fornication. You said there…
Read MoreIf I marry the girl I love, I will be rebelling against my parents. What do I do?
Question: I have some bad news. Over the past month, I had tried to convince my parents that the girl I love was the right one for me but all was in vain. And, yes, I would have gone ahead and heeded your advice, but the culture I belong to is very conservative wherein it…
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