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I want to apologize for using your lessons without giving credit
Question: Good morning, I have used some of your sermon outlines and it was pointed out to me that I was not giving the authors of the sermons credit. I sometimes tweak them and sometimes have just followed the outline. I have been accused of plagiarism for doing this. That was not my intention. I…
Read MoreShould we abstain from the Internet and TV?
Question: The congregation where I attend was discussing the book of Joshua the other day. We were talking about the conquest of the promised lands. While the Israelites conquered the land, they did not destroy all like they were told to do. Later these people that were not destroyed about every 20 years came back…
Read MoreIsn’t renting facilities for worship a necessary inference?
Question: Regarding “Necessary Inference,” I am amused at the simplicity of learning that necessary inference promotes. Necessary inference doesn’t add anything to the equation but simply brings together all of the elements whether in the stated equation or the equation as a whole. For example Lydia. If it had stated some of the people within…
Read MoreDoes “Setting Boundaries” apply to marriages?
Question: Good morning, I read “Setting Boundaries” and noticed how it’s applied to children. What if, and I say this will all do respect as I can as a wife, but what if I have a husband who acts like this? Do these principles still apply to a husband? This has to be the most…
Read MoreIf you knew Hebrew, you would see more than what is stated in the translations
Question: In reference to Is “Christian” supposed to be “natsarim”? “Your friend likes to think of himself as superior because he knows a little bit of Hebrew. As you noted, the Bible proves his various positions wrong. Knowledge of God’s teaching does not require knowing Hebrew or Greek. You can understand what God said by reading…
Read MoreHow does copyright work with translated songs?
Question: I would like to seek your guidance, brother, regarding the translation of English hymns into another language. Here in the local congregation where I belong, we are working on a project to create a new hymnal (words only) where the text is in a local dialect. All of my work (written or translated) are…
Read MoreWhy would God give a law that had to be taken away?
Question: You shared this verse: “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:24-26). After the tutor…
Read MoreWhen does discipline become abuse?
Question: When does discipline cross the line and become abuse? My cousin hit her son in the chest with a closed fist as a form of discipline. It was her non-dominant hand and not with full force. Admittedly, her son has behavior issues and didn’t seem too fazed by my cousin’s actions aside from holding…
Read MoreYou are one of my most visited sites when I am studying for my classes
Question: Hello, I just wanted to thank you again for your website. I loved the articles, especially the answers on the Sabbath day. You are one of my most visited sites when I am studying for my classes. I would love it if you had a return arrow to get back to the main page. You…
Read MoreIs the Lord’s Supper cannibalism?
Question: How can I change someone’s mind on how she views the Lord’s Supper? I have a relative who said she believes taking the Lord’s Supper looks like cannibalism. How can I change her mind about that? Answer: I don’t know if I can help. In order to have a discussion with anyone, there must…
Read MoreShould we pray directly to the Holy Spirit?
Question: Good day, brothers in Christ. I heard a few Christians who would lead public prayers and at the end of their prayers, they would include the Holy Spirit (e.g “Father, all these things we pray in the mighty name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen”). Is this acceptable? Also, I’m…
Read MoreIt seems impossible to perfectly control your thoughts!
Question: I suffer from OCD, anxiety, and Asperger’s (on the autism spectrum), basically it’s a high-functioning autism. I have been struggling with this issue for years. As soon as I read the verse about the unpardonable sin, I became obsessed with it. There have been times when this obsession is not as strong as it…
Read MoreIs the Bible not recommended for mental health?
Question: Greetings, I was told by a psychologist the Word of God (the Bible) is not recommended for mental health. If this is not true, may I please have some biblical evidence please? Answer: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according…
Read MoreWould kissing in a play be considered fornication?
Question: You guys do a great job with your answers to some very open, graphic, and very personal questions. Keep up the great job! I’ve been a Christian for almost 40 years and I have never heard this question before, but a couple of weeks ago someone asked this in Bible study: if a married…
Read MoreWere the apostles also elders and can there be unmarried elders?
Question: My prayer is that all is well. I have questions regarding the eldership and its qualifications. Based on what the scripture teaches regarding the elders’ qualification (and work to a degree), we read about them in I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9 (along with Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11; and I Peter 5:1-4). Additionally, only the…
Read MoreYour teaching in “The Establishment of the Kingdom” is very unorthodox
Question: Greetings Mr. Hamilton, I’m reaching out because I have just heard your teaching on “The Establishment of the Kingdom” and I must admit, this is a very unorthodox view in my estimation of what you’re presenting. However, first, I must ask, do you ascribe to an Amillennial position? Seeming that you do not believe…
Read MoreIs a baptism valid if the church believes only Jesus is God?
Question: Hello, I am a member of the church of Christ and have a question for you. My mother-in-law recently started attending the church, and I am concerned about her baptism being scriptural. She was baptized in a non-denominational “Jesus Only” church for the forgiveness of sins. What I mean by “Jesus Only” is this…
Read MoreCan we say there is no sin in heaven?
Question: We read that the devil and his angels were cast down because of rebellion. In light of this passage, can we say there is no sin in heaven? I’ve been confronted with this question. Answer: “And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those…
Read MoreI found out there is a lot of sexual misconduct happening among the leaders of the church I attend
Question: Hello, Jeffrey, I hope you’re doing well. There is a lot going on in my congregation which is given me cause for concern. My elder brother is cohabiting with a lady who he intends to marry and the lady is not a Christian. My sister told the minister privately about this and he promised…
Read MoreIs Peter saying that the backsliding cannot be forgiven?
Question: Greetings! I have a question concerning II Peter 2:20. Is it teaching that backsliding cannot be forgiven or is the “overcome” part speaking of someone who has completely fallen away and, in this case, they were overcome through the deception of these false teachers? Thank you! Answer: “For speaking out arrogant words of vanity…
Read MoreWhy does Matthew quote Zechariah but attributes it to Jeremiah?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question about Matthew 27:9. A brother from church pointed out this verse where it says that it references Jeremiah, but I can’t find that reference anywhere. Instead, I found it in Zachariah. Do you know why this is? Answer: “Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was…
Read MoreShouldn’t a public sin be publicly confessed?
Question: Hello, brother in Christ! I am writing to you as this has been bothering me for months, and I’m still wondering how I would approach this problem. We have a sister in the Church, my close friend, who suddenly got married. I knew she had a boyfriend, but being her close friend, she could’ve…
Read MoreWhy does Paul mention a chapter number if they came later?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ, I am puzzled to know how in Acts 13:33 the apostle Paul is able to quote precisely in the first century something as being written in Psalms 2! If the translators added this at a later time, what else could they have added as they wish? Can you please explain?…
Read MoreWhere did you find that “jealousy” in Hebrew carries the idea of becoming red?
Question: I was reading the article titled The Lord is a Jealous God. In the second paragraph, the author explained the Greek and Hebrew words. I enjoy studying etymology and such things, so especially I loved this section. The explanation of the Hebrew word reads: The Hebrew word is based on a word that means…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 8 apply to not annoying fellow Christians?
Question: After reading Would it be wrong to be buried in a denominational graveyard? I have a question: I knew that I Corinthians 8 addressed eating meat offered to idols. I thought this portion referred to stronger Christians refraining from activities that may cause weaker Christians to stumble. For example, I had an active role…
Read MoreWhat if my husband dates while we are legally separated?
Question: My husband and I separated three years ago but are legally married. If he decides to date other people is that adultery in God’s eyes? Answer: In biblical days, the idea of a legal separation did not exist. Legal separations are essentially trial divorces. The hope was that by providing some space between the…
Read MoreWhy did God make me deaf?
Question: Why did God make me deaf suddenly a few years ago? I try to do good for others. I looked after my mum when she had cancer and I worked in aged care because I care. Then I sprained my ankle, got uveitis (eye inflammation), and lost my hearing only months apart in the…
Read MoreDo occasional sins lead to spiritual death?
Question: Good afternoon, I heard a preacher recently state that in Romans 6:12-18, Paul makes a distinction between presenting your members as instruments for unrighteousness (Romans 6:13) and slaves of unrighteousness (Romans 6:16) which leads to spiritual death. The point being made here was that when a Christian, on occasion, yields his members as instruments…
Read MoreWhen are emotions wrong?
Question: When are emotions wrong? If you feel something, does that make it automatically wrong, or is there more to it than that? One thing I really struggle with is when I feel certain things, I automatically get upset with myself for having felt them at all. Answer: “He who trusts in his own heart…
Read MoreHow can Christ be equal to the Father when he submitted to the Father?
Question: I read the article, ‘Who was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok?’, and I was a bit confused. If Christ was called a messenger of God before he took a lower form (Philippians 2:6-8), how can we argue objectively with the Jehovah’s Witnesses that he is equal to God? In I Corinthians…
Read MoreIs fasting required to communicate with God?
Question: Regarding fasting: some pastors say that when you want God to communicate with you, you have to fast for three days or more, and if you want to be delivered from certain things fasting has to be involved. Is it really true? Secondly, in Matthew 17:19-21, may I ask for further clarification? What are…
Read MoreIs it wrong to charge for marriage counseling?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I hope you are well. I have this desire to be a counselor on relationships and marriage, Also, I have this desire to do public speaking. My dream is to help people in these areas while serving God. I have signed with someone, who does these things, to mentor me in these…
Read MoreIs it “end of the world” or “end of the age”?
Question: Hello, My son has fallen into the web of denominational teachings, including some off-the-wall organizations with the typical anything-goes philosophies, premillennialism, rapture, etc. He and I have finally begun to discuss the truth with the myths he believes. I have sent him several of your articles on the “End of Times, Rapture, etc” he…
Read MoreAre some of the problems behind homosexual attraction due to not understanding what it means to be male?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I read your response to the young man who asked: “I think I’m gay because my penis gets erect for guys and not gals.” Your answer to why the young man doesn’t get erect around young women was excellent and clear: “You don’t get the same reaction because you don’t see…
Read MoreIs it wrong to bow during a prayer offered by someone who does not live a Christian life?
Question: My brother often leads prayer at family gatherings. I have a problem with this. He drinks alcohol daily, often is intoxicated, and lives a sexually immoral life. When he says, “Let’s pray,” everyone bows their heads. My husband is always present and sometimes he does lead the prayer. My brother is not a member…
Read MoreIs having a child by artificial insemination without being married acceptable to God?
Question: Hi! I know someone who wants to have a child but doesn’t want to marry. She is planning to have artificial insemination instead to keep her reproductive organ healthy by bearing a child at least once in her life. She considers adopting too, soon, if she still can. She just prefers having a child…
Read MoreWhy would a prophet tell my mother to bathe me?
Question: Good morning sir, I saw your counseling online and I immediately felt at peace, so I felt I should ask for your advice sir. Some weeks ago, my grandmother’s prophet of a celestial church came to the house and asked my mum to bathe me as she would a child. He said it was…
Read MoreIs imagining what God is like idolatry?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, How have you been? I’ve been wondering, is it sinful or idolatrous for me to try and picture God or Christ in my mind? This is often something I do whenever I pray for God’s wisdom on a matter, when I’m stressed out about something and just want to leave those…
Read MoreI want to change my life. Can you help me?
Question: Greetings to you, I have read almost everything that you have written on homosexuality and you have answered most of my questions. Still, I feel like writing to you with some of my other questions and feelings. I am a young guy. Since I can remember, I felt attracted to men and not girls. I…
Read MoreMy daughter’s school is insisting that she take a class that includes provocative dancing
Question: Brother Hamilton, I pray you and your family are well. I have a concern about a class my daughter is taking in high school. There is provocative dancing that I don’t think it’s appropriate for her and our Christian beliefs. I addressed my concerns to the counselor in order to change her class to…
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