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Your misuse of Leviticus 10:9 undermines your argument
Question: I don’t drink alcohol, and I’m not trying to justify drinking alcohol, but on your “Drinking in the Old Testament” page, you are misusing Leviticus 10:9 when you claim “The priests were not allowed to drink.” It only says they were not allowed to drink “when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation.”…
Read MoreCan one be a Mason and a Christian?
Question: We have a couple of Mason’s at our congregation. One of these men has had their name mentioned in being considered as an elder. I don’t know much about Mason’s and any information that I find he quickly refutes as being false. Can one be a Mason and be a Christian? Can one who…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with the Baptists, Methodists, etc.?
Question: I think my main concern is: “Is the Church of Christ the only way?” What is wrong with the Baptists, Methodists, etc…? Am I going in the right direction to get to Heaven? I know I have a lot of doubts and questions. Answer: The question, “Is the Church of Christ the only way?”…
Read MoreIs it wrong to win money from a casino?
Question: I basically gamble for money. I gamble on major league baseball and nothing else. I consistently win, having a 58% winning rate, going on two years straight. I am not trying to brag; I just want to tell you where I am and how I feel about this. This is how I am paying…
Read MoreHow should a Christian handle violent or adult content video games?
Question: What does Scripture teach about playing video games, especially video games that have violent, adult, and other content that is sinful? For example, how should a Christian handle playing a video game such as Grand Theft Auto where the games glorify obscenities and murder among many other sinful activities? Or what about a military-type…
Read MoreWhy does Mark have “Eloi” and Matthew have “Eli” for the same statement?
Question: I believe that Matthew’s account lists Jesus’s cry from the ancient texts when he wrote “Eli, Eli lama sabachthani”. This is not a quote from Psalm 22. The Hebrew in Psalm 22 is ‘azab, not sabachthani. I’ve seen some stretches that try to link sabachthani with ‘azab, but I believe it is a bit of…
Read MoreI’m not certain if we are ready to raise children
Question: I have just spent some time reviewing your site and it is incredible. I am having some issues right now and was hoping you could help me, not sure where to turn because I don’t want anyone in my church to think horribly of me. Anyway, here goes. My husband and I met six…
Read MoreDid the thief on the cross work when he rebuked the other thief?
Question: I noticed your ‘Is water baptism is a work?’ and I found it very insightful. I was curious about the thief on the cross. Did this thief do a ‘work’ before he died by rebuking his neighbor? Answer: Obviously the thief demonstrates faith in Jesus. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying,…
Read MoreI enjoyed your article on the Azusa Street revival
Question: I grew up in a Church of Christ. I’m in a foreign country teaching English, and a friend of mine sent me a book about revival. It’s called The Blueprint: A revolutionary plan to plant missional communities on campus. I don’t really like the book so far because of a lot of charismatic gibber jabber.…
Read MoreDoes Romans 4:9-12 indicate that we are saved prior to baptism?
Question: Can you explain why Romans 4:9-12 does not indicate that we are saved prior to baptism? I am not sure how to put the answer into words for an acquaintance that insists that he was saved prior to baptism regardless of clear passages of Scripture. Thank you! Answer: When a person argues against what…
Read MoreWhy is it OK to take some parts of Leviticus seriously but not all of it?
Question: I actually have a legit question for you, thank you for responding to my previous message by the way. Anyway here goes: What makes it OK to take some of Leviticus seriously but not all of it? I don’t see Christians not eating pork or staying away from women while they menstruate. It would be interesting…
Read MoreWas Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic?
Question: One of the problems I would have with your explanation is whether or not Matthew wrote the words in Greek or did he write the words in the original Aramaic. Most Bible scholars believe that Matthew wrote in Aramaic and while Mark’s words are almost identical, he too was a Jew who would have spoken a…
Read MoreIt’s your fault that people are biased against homosexuality
Question: I find your “explanation” of homosexuality intended for young viewers to be detestable. I am rather sickened at the notion that you would take advantage of the ignorance of children and plant the seeds of hate within them. A person’s sexual orientation is no business of anyone but the one in question, and God. It’s because…
Read MoreWas David a young man when he killed Goliath and not a boy?
Question: In studying I Samuel 17:38-40, I am wondering if David is not a young boy as some stories depict him, but instead, he is a young man. Saul was the tallest man among the children of Israel and we see that he is now giving his armor to David to wear. David must have been…
Read MoreWasn’t Paul a Nicolaitan?
Question: I first read your article rebutting someone’s perspective on the Nicolaitans, then your main article. I am a little confused with your logic. You said, “You will find some who build complex arguments that the Nicolaitans came up with the clergy / laity system. It is all built around the fact that “people” is found in the…
Read MoreHow can baptism be necessary when everyone doesn’t have access to water, someone to baptize them, or haven’t practiced it for centuries?
Question: I have been researching the role baptism plays in the Christian experience. I ran across your web site (along with many more) on the subject. I understand that your church believes that baptism is necessary for salvation. The first question I have regarding your views is an entirely practical one. If an area or…
Read MoreAre drums of God or the devil?
Question: I wanted to know if the drums are of God, or is it from the devil. Did God make drums for one of his instruments? Answer: God tells us that it is men who invented instrumental music, not Satan. “His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the…
Read MoreCan you explain all these similar phrases about dying with Christ and dying to sin?
Question: What do these phrases mean? I have been crucified with Christ I am dead in Christ I have died to Christ I am dead to sin I am dead in sin I am resurrected with Christ Answer: Let’s examine each phrase in the statement in which it was given: I have been crucified with…
Read MoreDoes the Spirit of God come upon all men?
Question: Someone showed me a verse in the Bible saying the Spirit of God is in all men. How can this be? Answer: The passage you are referring to is: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons…
Read MoreHow do you counsel a person who wants to commit suicide?
Question: I am struggling with how to counsel a person who wants to commit suicide. Would you please help me to find out a solution to this problem? Answer: The answer would vary with the cause of the person’s desire to leave this life. So the first thing you need to do is investigate what…
Read MoreIs it proper to feel contempt for those who will not listen to the truth?
Question: I noted in one of your articles that over 2000 people click on over 6000 pages each day at your web site. I’ve spent the last couple of days reading several articles and am satisfied to see that you demonstrate no shame in boldly declaring the truth of the Scriptures. I’ve also noted that…
Read MoreI ran into an argument that “every lexicon” defines oinos as a fermented drink. Do you have sources to disprove this?
Question: I really appreciate the work you do as a Gospel preacher and a brother in Christ. I am in the process of studying the subject of moderate drinking with a brother in Christ, and also for myself. I have no doubt the Bible condemns it and I agree with your work 100%. However, I have…
Read MoreDid Paul really receive the Holy Spirit before his baptism?
I was just reading your answer to 1/24/2008’s question about Paul receiving the spirit before he was baptized. I could be mistaken, but I have never gotten from that passage that Paul received the Spirit before baptism. Ananias told Paul that he would receive his sight and then be filled with the spirit. Then, his sight was…
Read MoreIs it wrong to marry a person from a different race?
Question: I would really appreciate it if you could answer my question: Is it wrong to marry a person from a different race group? Answer: In the Bible, the concept of race doesn’t exist. There are nationalities, but God states that all of mankind is one race. That is because all of us descend from…
Read MoreWhat did Simeon mean in Luke 2:35?
Question: In Luke 2:25-35, it tells of Simeon who saw Jesus as a baby when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple. I am wondering about the last verse, verse 35. Is this saying that the Holy Spirit also gave Simeon knowledge of what Mary would suffer as a mother? Is this what he…
Read MoreWhat songbooks would you recommend?
Question: We are building a new building and we are needing songbooks. My husband is one of the song leaders. I would like to know which book you would recommend to us. We are strictly a New Testament church. No musical instruments and no praise teams. Also, I need to know where to go to…
Read MoreHow do I deal with bitterness against the two fathers of my two daughters?
Question: I would like to know how I can deal with bitterness arising from raising my children alone when their fathers just don’t show any interest. I have two daughters, one from before my marriage, and one out of wedlock. I’m divorced now, but both my children’s fathers refuse to take any interest in them,…
Read MoreWhat are the citations for Luther’s quotes on baptism?
Question: Appreciated your article on “Is water baptism a work?” but could you cite your references to Luther’s writings? I’d never before heard that he wrote these things. The references would be valuable. Answer: “What does Baptism give or profit? It effects the forgiveness of sins …” Martin Luther, “The Small Catechism,” in The Book of…
Read MoreDo you think Satan’s face appeared in smoke of the Twin Towers as they burned?
Question: There were, supposedly, “faces” of Satan on the Twin Towers during 9/11. I have seen a video from CNN that clearly could look like “Satan” even though we have never seen him before. What do you think? Also, how often do Satan and God talk to one another, and what do they discuss? Answer:…
Read MoreHow far should a person’s past be checked before baptizing them?
Question: When you have an open Bible study with a family, and they come to the knowledge of the truth, and you find out that a previous marriage has taken place earlier in years, and show them the truth of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and they feel like they are in a scriptural marriage, but…
Read MoreYou think you have the right to judge your fellow man
Question: I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, but my husband was raised in the Church of Christ. I cannot believe that you continue to perpetuate the untruths, misconceptions and basic misinterpretations of the Bible. The Church of Christ does not believe in the forgiveness of sin and the grace of God but…
Read MoreIf gluttony and drinking are both sins, then isn’t abstaining from alcohol as ridiculous as abstaining from food?
Question: How would you answer the following argument: “Getting drunk is a sin, but gluttony is also a sin. Since the Bible doesn’t tell us at what point drunkenness or gluttony is sinful, it is up to us to determine how much is too much. To completely abstain from alcohol is as ridiculous as saying…
Read MoreDo I understand the history of the Temple accurately?
Question: Okay, let’s see if I have this correct. Solomon built the temple because David was not allowed to do so because he was known as a “man of war”. Then that temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Another temple was built, but not as big or as elaborate. This would be the temple during the…
Read MoreThank you so much for your article on envy
Question: I just wanted to thank you so much for your article on ‘envy’. I really didn’t realize there was any hope until I read this. Envy has literally swallowed me whole even though I’ve been saved for almost eight years. Your article or lesson really inspired me a lot and I will be looking up…
Read MoreShould I partake of the Lord’s Supper if I can’t focus on Jesus’ death?
Question: Today I woke up. and to be honest, I didn’t want to go to services. But I said, “No, you are going.” I was so depressed and still am. I knew my I wasn’t in the right mindset to take the Lord’s Supper. I did try to get myself there, but my mind kept…
Read MoreHow do I deal with skeptics?
Question: I’ve been looking at material from skeptics recently and I’ve noticed that I have a big problem with approaching their material. I find myself getting really anxious and worked up in my mind. For example, if I find myself reading an article claiming that Jesus was a myth, I find myself in a state…
Read MoreWhy does Hebrews 4:9 speak of the Sabbath rest remaining if the Sabbath observance is no longer required?
Question: I read in your web site that we no longer follow the Sabbath, but in Hebrews 4:9 it saids, “There remains, then a Sabbath rest for the people of God” and then it continues “let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following their example…
Read MoreWhat does “beth” mean in various town names?
Question: I have a question that came up in my most recent studies with maps. My study sent me to look at the maps in the back of my Bible, and I found something quite interesting. There are some towns with names that begin with ‘Beth’, such as Bethlehem. My question pertains to the ‘Beth’…
Read MoreThank you for the information on teenage boys’ mood swings
Question: I Googled “testosterone anger teenager boy,” and your site was one of several I found. I liked yours the best 🙂 I’m trying to help my twelve-year-old understand why he sometimes feels angry without a specific reason. Being a woman, I can’t relate to what he’s going through, but I had a feeling it…
Read MoreIsn’t it alright to go to a denomination if a faithful church isn’t close?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ and my children have started going to an Alliance Missionary church. There is not a church of Christ close to them, and the one that is 20 miles away does not have young people. I don’t want to discourage them, so I told them the…
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