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Does true faith mean the command to be baptized does not save a person?
Question: I guess I would not mind seeing the other side of my argument. It is simply this: true faith saves you. I could go in-depth of what I mean if you would like me to, but I guess I just want to hit on the issue. I believe that baptism has absolutely no part…
Read MoreShould I divorce my husband over something that happened twelve years ago?
Question: Twelve and a half years ago my husband was nearly arrested for having sex with another man in a public bathroom. At that time I also discovered he has a serious pornography addiction. He attended counseling for about six months and when the therapist moved he discontinued therapy. I believed he was repentant at…
Read MoreIs Desertion a Ground for Remarriage?
by Johnny Stringer Guardian of Truth XXIX: 5, pp. 137, 141, March 7, 1985 Jesus taught that marriage is permanent. In keeping with God’s original intent regarding marriage, He prohibited divorce and stated that all second marriages of divorced persons are adulterous (Matthew 19:3-9; 5:32; Luke 16:18). He made only one exception to this rule:…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood?”
Question: I would like to know in John 6:53-56 what does Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood”? What do flesh and blood represent here? Answer: The statement is found in a discourse recorded in John 6. In the context, Jesus had feed over 5,000 people miraculously and this created a crowd…
Read MoreCan you help me understand who were the people with similar names?
Question: Some articles on the net are so confusing and misguiding that a layman finds it hard to understand or come to a conclusion about who is who. Will you please explain and guide me if these following honorable characters are different or the same? {A} John the Apostle, Evangelist, Theologian John of Patmos John…
Read MoreWhy shouldn’t the Lord’s Supper be served again for latecomers?
Question: In your training, you state that you should not serve again for latecomers. What is the reason for that, given Paul’s instruction to “tarry one for another” in I Corinthians 11:33? I am in agreement with you, but interested in your rationale. Answer: The statement in the class notes is “Don’t do it all over…
Read MoreFinding your site through an email newsletter, I found some of your articles to be very good
Question: Hello to you from England, Reading through the email newsletter I receive, I saw your article “Should a Christian use medicinal drugs that may affect the mind?” Very good indeed, as you don’t very often see things like this from a biblical perspective. Suffice it to say, it has now been bookmarked. Also your “A…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to eat meat?
Question: I am a vegetarian, I am also Catholic. I read a page on your web site: Did Jesus Eat Meat? This subject has always been a struggle for me. My question to you is: Would you agree that when we are judged will we also be judged upon our merits and what is in our…
Read MoreWhy did it take 35-40 years to write the Gospels?
Question: What was the reason for John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew writing their gospels? Why did it take 35-40 years after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to begin to write the gospels or the rest of the New Testament? Answer: As for the purpose of the gospel accounts, see “The Four Gospels.” As to…
Read MoreDid God Create the Earth in One Literal Week?
by David Dann via The Gospel Anchor, May 17, 2000 On the first page of the Bible, we read, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face…
Read MoreHow do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a congregation?
Question: Our congregation has received a letter from a man in the Philippines requesting aid in the form of Bibles, songbooks, and other training materials. Given the concerns you mention, how do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a specific congregation? Answer: Direct aid is less likely to be abused. However, I have…
Read MoreIf we are to keep all the commandments, shouldn’t this include Exodus 20?
Question: You mention keeping all of the commandments. Does that mean all as listed in Exodus 20? Answer: Keeping all of God’s commands include those that state: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah- not according to the covenant…
Read MoreHow should we take care of orphans?
Question: Other than taking a child into our home and family to rear, how should we take care of orphans? Answer: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The word translated as “visit”…
Read MoreCan you suggest how a new Christian can handle hecklers?
Question: A friend of mine, who is a new believer, was asked a lot of questions regarding his beliefs by a few of our associates. Instead of being sincere questions, it seems to have been more of an attack on him. They asked questions such as “Were you there when the Bible was written? How…
Read MoreWhen did evening worship services start?
Question: In the history of the church (the Lord’s church) when did evening services start? I ask this question because I grew up without evening services due to preacher circumstances in a small community. I understand we should desire to meet with our brothers and sisters when the opportunity presents itself, but I witness condemnation…
Read MoreAm I supposed to try to convince my husband to stay with me?
Question: We have been married for close to 20 years and my husband informed me around our second year that he married me mainly because I was pregnant. Ever since then his relationship with me has been based around the family and not us as a couple. The other day he announced to me that…
Read MoreDefinitions for the Songbook
by John Guzetta via “Tower of Strength” Vol.25, No.1. Jan.3, 2010, Lake Wales, FL with some additions by Thomas Thornhill Sometimes, kids come up with comical things. I know a sister in Christ, who, when she was in elementary school, used to think Jesus Arose began, “Low in the gravy lay Jesus my Savior.” What a…
Read MoreDid Domitian persecute Christians?
Question: Love your web site. In reading your answer of 10/27/07, regarding things in the book of Revelation, I noticed at the end, you made reference to Nero and Domitian as some that persecuted (distressed) Christians (the church), Nero is found in the Bible and secular history as being quite guilty, but I fail to be…
Read MoreHow can I convince a friend that baptism is required for salvation?
Question: A friend and I are currently studying with an individual who is stuck on the fact that baptism is, in his view, clearly not required for salvation and praying Jesus into your heart will do fine. We go round and round and just when he starts to agree with us and we think we…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible tell us about Matthew’s life?
Question: What was the life of Matthew in biblical days? Answer: “As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. It happened as he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners…
Read MoreWhy does Jesus sound harsh in Matthew 10:34-36?
Question: Will you please explain why Jesus sounds harsh in Matthew 10:34-36? Answer: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and…
Read MoreOne of my kids in my youth group is into porn, but I don’t know what to do
Question: Oh man. I had one of my kids in the youth group I run move his computer out of his room because of porn issues, but he’s looking at porn again. He is leading a small group within the youth group. But he’s off and on with porn. The XXXchurch thing that monitors what…
Read MoreIs it wrong to date someone you find unattractive and whose spiritual views you don’t like?
Question: My male friend and I have been platonic friends for over 5 years. He’s 13 years older than me. Two years ago he expressed an interest in dating me. I resisted because he is not my type physically or spiritually. He doesn’t see the need to attend church, read the Bible, or abstain from…
Read MorePlease explain the “baptism of fire”
Question: Please explain the “baptism of fire.” Thank you. Answer: The concept of a baptism of fire comes from a statement made by John the Baptist. “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the…
Read MoreIs it right to marry a non-Christian if she is willing to convert?
Question: Is it right to marry a non-Christian girl if she is willing to convert? And can we marry a girl who is divorced? Answer: It is not wrong for a Christian to be married to a non-Christian. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the…
Read MoreShould I reconcile with my ex-husband who is addicted to marijuana?
Question: Should I reconcile with my ex-husband although he has issues with smoking pot? I divorced him over three years ago and I discovered biblically I was wrong because it was not for adultery. He since then continues to smoke but seems to have changed in other areas. I despise the fact that he smokes…
Read MoreDoes God forgive Christians that commit fornication and sexual immorality?
Question: I am in need of your advice. I am 23 years of age. I have been in a relationship for two years. Prior to meeting him, I had very strict standards. It changed a bit as I matured. He was my first kiss, first love, etc. Our relationship started off slow. After spending months…
Read MoreIs it right to feel that my parents are sucking the life out of me?
Question: I have been a Christian for a little over a year now. I am 17, and up until I was a teenager I thought that there was nothing wrong with how my parents raised me. They are very laid back, a little too laid back. When I hit high school, I went wild. I…
Read MoreWho was the person who asked God to roll back time?
Question: Who was the person who asked God to roll back time? Answer: King Hezekiah was ill and was told that he would die, but because he earnestly prayed to God, God sent the prophet Isaiah to him to tell him he would live. “And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What is the sign that the…
Read MoreYour article on animals will help me in a debate in my philosophy class. Thanks!
Question: I just wanted to thank you for your site and what you wrote about animals. I have a debate coming up soon in my philosophy class and your writing was extremely helpful. Again I just want to say thanks. I found your argument very enlightening. Answer: I showed your note to brother Treat and he…
Read MoreWhy do Christians call Jesus the Son of God?
Question: I’m 21 years old. I’m from Northern Iraq which is the Kurdish people region. I’ve been in the United States for 17 years now. My family was sponsored by a church here in America. I love it here. I have gone back to visit twice and I liked it there, but I’m too Americanized…
Read MoreWhy do you say the New World Translation is not a reliable translation?
Question: On your web site, it reads that The New World Translation (NWT) “…is not a reliable translation”. Prof. Jason BeDuhn in his book Truth in Translation Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament (this is not the only book) would strongly disagree with your conclusion that the NWT “is not a reliable…
Read MoreExcellent article on drugs
Question: I just read your article on drugs. Excellent. Particularly timely in light of the epidemic of psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin nicknamed by some the “Cocaine for Kids”. I have written extensively exposing psychotherapy which creates false diagnoses which then leads to compulsory medication in many cases. [The letter continues at extreme length promoting…
Read MoreWhich book is the oldest in the Bible?
Question: Which book is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible? I found the following points: Many scholars agree that Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written by an unknown Israelite about 1500 B.C. Others hold that the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) are the oldest books in the…
Read MoreYou shouldn’t be so negative
Question: I happened on to your site because I was searching a biblical question. I’m impressed that you want to follow the biblical pattern of the church, but you seemed to have missed one. Jesus didn’t start off by being negative. He talked about who His father was and who He was. Most people won’t…
Read MoreI just wanted to commend you for your information
Question: I just wanted to commend you for you and your church’s website and information. Although I’m not a Church of Christ member; the scriptural guidance, and just tips, in general, is very helpful and most welcome. Answer: You’re most welcome. I do hope that one day you do seek out a congregation of the…
Read MoreWhat is the status of a person who married a person who had no right to marry, but later divorced that person?
Question: If someone has been scripturally divorced, but her previous spouse was not eligible for marriage because of a previous marriage. What is the status of that person? Answer: When a person’s marriage ends in divorce for some reason other than fornication, or if the marriage ended in divorce because of fornication and that person…
Read MoreThe Truth About Error
by Kenneth E. Thomas Often one will read an article or hear a sermon and immediately think or say, “I wish I had written or preached that.” When this is the case I often do a lesson with the same title or a modified one with some of the same points, giving it my style…
Read MoreCan you get an STD from anal sex without a condom?
Question: I have a quick and silly question, but I want to be safe. I’m not a virgin but the girl I’m seeing is. I’ve had sexual intercourse with two other girls who are clean. Now my question is if I’m having anal intercourse with my girlfriend at the moment, is it necessary to use…
Read MoreCould someone who was abusing drugs and died of an overdose be in heaven?
Question: My pastor’s son recently died of a drug overdose. He was always in and out of jail and had a drug problem that ultimately ended his life. At the son’s funeral, my pastor said that he was confident that his son was in heaven because he witnessed his son praising God. He went on…
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