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Are you in fellowship with the authors of the articles on your web site?
Question: Is Brian A. Yeager, the author of one of the articles on your web site a sound teacher? I have looked at his web site and it does not seem that he or the congregation he is with agrees with anything. They don’t fellowship with anybody. Does this person fellowship you and the La Vista congregation? Answer:…
Read MoreWhy did God require the Israelites to leave their non-Jewish spouses?
Question: Could you explain why Moses gave the certificate of divorce? What I mean to say is when was it that God’s people were required to leave their non-Jewish spouses? What were the reasons for this? I am looking to use it for an example of commitment and covenants, such as marriage. Even if you…
Read MoreDid my girlfriend and I sin by trying foreplay even though we will be married next year?
Question: Hello, I and my girlfriend tried foreplay a couple of times, but we have not had sex. She is not just my girlfriend, she is almost my wife. I will marry her next year; this will surely happen. Also, I didn’t have any sexual experiences before. I have gone through all the chapters in your…
Read MoreHow do you teach the Scriptures to an agnostic?
Question: I have an agnostic friend who was raised Catholic and believes that ‘something’ is ‘up there’ and created all of this. But he is convinced that all religion is man-made, whose purpose is behavior control and extortion. I sense that he is searching for something to hope in. Where do I begin to demonstrate…
Read MoreDoes divorce disqualify a man from being an elder?
Question: Does divorce disqualify a man from being an elder? Is adultery covenant-breaking? Answer: Adultery does break the covenant or “law” between a man and a woman. “Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?…
Read MoreI am impressed by your teaching on baptism
Question: I am impressed by your teaching on baptism. It has opened up my mind. Praise God for such wonderful teaching. It is great to know you countered every move of Satan who had taken control of that person who asked you the question. As I was from a Catholic background. I also had many questions about…
Read MoreHow did the early church know what to do and how are we to determine what we are to follow?
Question: I have a question about “restoration” and the biblical pattern for the church. Does the entire New Testament apply to us in that we are to follow every teaching for our church to remain biblically sound? If so, did the early church do this exact thing with all 27 books of the New Testament?…
Read MoreWitchcraft isn’t evil. I don’t believe in evil. It depends on each individual
Question: I just have a comment. Please don’t misunderstand. Witchcraft is like a secret. It is no different than other religions. Nothing bad about it. But don’t confuse witchcraft with people’s intentions, which could be good or bad. Look at all the corrupt people, all of them believe in some religion, and some call themselves…
Read MoreWhere does God promise a husband?
Question: If one is expected to wait for sex until marriage, where does God promise a husband? I’m tired of waiting for 37 years. I just had to fend off a married, now divorced, minister. He is still in the pulpit. He was separated, which I understood was meant for restoration. We have nothing in…
Read MoreHow do you handle a complainer?
Question: There is a preacher I have known for at least 20 years. At one time he lived a few hours from where I was and when he started feeling down his wife would talk him into coming and paying my wife and me a visit because she felt that I could get him to…
Read MoreWhat do you do when people say it is wrong to speak out against homosexuality?
Question: Here lately the whole country seems to be quite preoccupied with the lifestyle of being a homosexual. It is all over the Internet, TV, everywhere it seems. And amazingly churches everywhere are ‘jumping on the bandwagon,’ so to say. So-called priests and other ‘leaders’ are actually embracing this lifestyle themselves while fighting their own…
Read MoreCan a woman teach a third-grade boy who has been baptized?
Question: We have a boy in the third grade who, after discussing it with his parents and with their agreement, was baptized. His Bible school teachers are female. Can they scripturally continue to teach the class with the boy in the class? I’ve heard the justifications both ways. If he’s mature enough to become a…
Read MoreTelling people that homosexuals can change is doing them harm
Question: I’m sorry, but in saying that people can change and pointing them to Exodus International, you’re doing a terrible amount of harm. If you’re going to say homosexuality is some sort of terrible life-altering, life-absorbing sin, it should be comparable to alcoholism, right? That would be good news, since the initial success rate of…
Read MoreWhat if a person dies after accepting God but before he can be baptized?
Question: I have a question about baptism. People always ask what if a person is about to die and accepts God into his heart, does he go to heaven or hell? My response is two things: I tell them the guy had chances before, so God would be just in condemning him to hell. Even…
Read MoreShould I not make waves because of the sin in the church I’m attending because I’m only here for a short while?
Question: I have yet to talk to my problems with the head guy. I have figured I should talk to the pastor and the elder first because the Bible dictates this. I had a conversation with someone whom I really respect here, even though his beliefs are more charismatic than anything — so a lot…
Read MoreThere are people in the Bible with long hair, so it can’t be wrong
Question: This is an old argument. There were men in the Bible who were said to have had long hair. Jehovah forbad Samson to cut his hair and David’s son, Absalom, was said to have cut his hair once annually when it became a burden to him. Absalom clearly wore his hair as he saw…
Read MoreWhy have some books been left out of the Bible?
Question: If the books in the Bible were written by apostles, was Moses considered an apostle? What of Isaiah and Samuel? Were they considered apostles? Is it not said in the book of Matthew that nothing was to be taken from the Old Testament? I’m just curious because if this is true, those books in…
Read MoreWhat imagery in Revelation do you find does not fit the destruction of Jerusalem?
Question: You wrote: “As I studied the book, I found that the imagery does not fit well with the destruction of Jerusalem, so I lean toward the later date.” Which imagery, in particular, do you find not fitting with the destruction of Jerusalem? Answer: This is not an attempt at a complete listing, but it should…
Read MoreI feel so stupid. I just told a child that looking at pornography was a sin and then the next evening did it myself. Can you give me some advice?
Question: Good day. I never realized before. I wish I knew Him so much closer and understand His plans better. I never really realized how great He is. I have so many questions. I know we sin each and every day, but I would like to know more when I am giving advice to children…
Read MoreDoesn’t Colossians 2:12 clearly show that baptism is a work of God?
Question: Doesn’t the following verse very plainly show that baptism is not a work of man, but rendering obedience to God’s will? “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). God is not the author…
Read MoreWill God forgive me for using His Son’s name in vain?
Question: I was reading your web site about using God’s name or Jesus’ name in vain. I was reading it because this morning I made a big, huge mistake! My 10-year-old daughter was asked to sit next to her 9-month-old brother on the couch so that I could grab his bottle from the kitchen. She…
Read MoreIf God knew men would sin, why did He create the world?
Question: I am wondering why God made everything: creation, mankind, and allowed everything to happen as it did in the Bible, especially since He knew what would eventually happen — sin, unfaithfulness, redemption, etc. I guess this also relates to why God even created us? Answer: When I was walking to the building today I…
Read MoreWhat are “sins of thought”?
Question: What are sins made by thinking? You know, mental sins. I know God can read all of our thoughts. Answer: The simplest definition of sin is that sin is breaking God’s law. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4). Sins of the heart (an older way of talking…
Read MoreHave I been worshiping in vain all these years by using instrumental music in worship?
Question: I have enjoyed your questions and answers on your web site. Thank you for your time in addressing matters that concern people. Now I would like to ask you, as many others have asked, about the restriction that your church has placed upon “instrumental music” in the worship of the Lord. This is an…
Read MoreShould I keep denying boys a chance to walk with me?
Question: I commend your site, it really gives people a lot of spiritual help. Thanks! This just happened three days ago. A friend of mine asked to meet me at school to hand me a souvenir from a place he went with his family. We did meet, and after thanking him for his gift he…
Read MoreIs there a group of Jews today who still believe they are God’s chosen people?
Question: Is there a group of Jews today who still believe they are God’s chosen people? Answer: As best that I can tell, most, if not all, in the Jewish faith believe that they are God’s chosen people. There are variations on exactly what is meant by being the chosen people, but I have found…
Read MoreDo I need to put all the money I chose to give in the collection or can I send it to help others of my choosing?
Question: I can’t get remarried due to an unscriptural divorce. How am I able to help the congregation that I worship with, being that I am a divorced male? Also, if I give to the Lord as I have been prospered, can I take the extra money that I acquire and give to missionaries, needy…
Read MoreIsn’t the reason denominations want married preachers is because they confuse the office of an elder with that of the preacher?
Question: I wanted to make a comment about requiring preachers to be married. I have taken note that the denominations do not generally adhere to scriptural church leadership, and instead of a plurality of elders, they have a board of deacons and one ‘elder’ or ‘pastor,’ who also serves as the preacher. In other words, they…
Read MoreWhat should be done when there are couples in the church living together without being married?
Question: I have to address a subject with the missionary society for whom I am working. There are three couples in the church where I am at living together and not married. One couple has been together for over 15 years. Both of their spouses cheated on them so they left their spouses, met each…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible specifically say sex outside of marriage is wrong?
Question: I just read your article. Why is it that all you preachers say sex outside of marriage is sexual immorality? The Greek word porneia means harlotry or idolatry. So how is it that Leviticus 18 states “sexual immorality” and sex outside of marriage is not listed? Where does it specifically say in the Bible…
Read MoreWhy are congregations requiring preachers to be married?
Question: I have noticed on some web sites where congregations list qualifications for their new preachers. Most of them require their preachers to be married, which is absurd! Where in the Bible does it say that a preacher must be married to preach? I can’t find it and I’ve searched. What about I Corinthians 7:8 when Paul is…
Read MoreWhere is the Scripture that states Abraham’s strength did not diminish?
Question: Where is the Scripture that states Abraham’s strength did not diminish? Answer: I believe you are confusing Abraham with Moses. Regarding Abraham’s life, the Bible says, “This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good…
Read MoreDo you have some suggestions on how to talk to a youth group about witchcraft?
Question: I am a new youth leader and am responsible for services for our kids, age 2-18, every Wednesday. They do not come on Sundays, but I am working on that. They are all kids from a poor country area. Most of their parents are not around and I really believe they show up each…
Read MoreWhat should be done when everyone doesn’t follow the song leader?
Question: I’ve been reading several of your comments with interest and ran across one that I myself have seen. I am a member of the church of Christ and have been baptized for 22 years. I have been leading songs for around that same time. I have a background in reading music and participating in…
Read MoreHow do you start over?
Question: I have sent you an email before and I was so happy that you replied. But now I have a much larger problem. I don’t go to the church I want to go to and I’m only 12 so I can’t switch without my parents’ approval, which they won’t give. But every day I…
Read MoreHow do you prevent sibling rivalry?
Question: I was reading some thoughts shared recently by those who are finishing up their years of homeschooling their children. One thing that struck me, in particular, was one mother’s mention of how she enjoyed her children’s teenage years. That is really something! My five daughters currently range in age from 1 year to almost…
Read MoreQuestions about spanking, privacy, and clothing choices.
Question: I have three boys who are actually not my stepsons yet. Their mother, who is widowed, and I are going to be married in about two weeks. We are maintaining a biblical relationship. However, I am a teacher, so I am free to handle childcare over the summer, where she is not. In order…
Read MoreDoes the concept of right and wrong come from the nature of God?
Question: From past study, I have come to the conclusion that that morality, right and wrong, are bound up in the nature of God himself. Things are not right or wrong “just because God said so,” – that is, God does not arbitrarily declare a thing to be wrong that would otherwise be permissible, nor…
Read MoreDoes the Bible talk about members withdrawing from the church?
Question: Does the Bible mention anywhere about a member withdrawing from the church? I know that they can quit attending. Answer: Withdraw means to avoid or to depart, depending on the Greek word being used. So when someone leaves the church they have withdrawn. For example, Demas forsook or left Paul (II Timothy 4:10). Fellowship between…
Read MoreDid God command the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?
Question: Do you think there was a time in the old law that God did command the use of instruments in worship to Him? Such as II Chronicles 29:25-28. Seems like there are split thoughts on this idea. Just wondering about your thoughts. There is no doubt that instruments were used in the Old Law…
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