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Is “body of Christ” more proper than “church of Christ”?
Question: I was recently given some materials about using “church” in the name “Church of Christ”. Apparently, this information came from another congregation, whose minister has been known to be very determined to prove a point or very legalistic. The congregation is also the “Church of Christ”. The question is using “church” instead of “body…
Read MoreWhen should I leave a church?
Question: I am looking for guidance on where I should worship in general and more specifically: If there are multiple sound congregations nearby, must I worship with the most local? Am I free (in God’s eyes) to change which local congregations I worship with as I please? When must I leave or disfellowship a congregation?…
Read MoreDidn’t the Christians in Troas worship on the Sabbath?
Question: You will realize that in Acts 20:7 the meeting and breaking of bread were done in the night, meaning, or if we may presume, that these people had been worshiping together on the Sabbath. Since we know that a day then started at sunset, so Paul did preach to them. just as we Christians…
Read MoreIs Assyria the same as Syria today?
Question: Is Assyria the same as Syria today? Answer: Assyria was an ancient empire whose capital city was Nineveh (II Kings 19:36). It was primarily located in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers on the western end — roughly where Iraq is currently located. Syria was kingdom located at the northeast corner…
Read MoreWhat is a lady?
Question: What is a lady? Answer: In England, a lady was a woman who was married to a lord. Thus over the years, the term has become a polite way of addressing woman, such as “The nice lady at the book store helped me find a good Bible.” Its complement is calling a man a…
Read MoreWhat was the climate like in Jesus’ time?
Question: I am doing an assignment on Jesus. Two questions which I am really struggling to find information on are: What was the weather like and what was the climate like in Jesus’ time? What crops were grown in Jesus’ time? If you have any information about any of these could you please let me…
Read MoreA co-worker isn’t speaking to me. Should I ask her what is wrong?
Question: I have a question that relates to a fellow co-worker. We once had a very nice relationship where we could talk about stuff, and recently it has changed for the worse. I have pondered why it has gone this way for a while and now we are at the point where we do not…
Read MoreWhat new law was given concerning the Passover in Numbers 9?
Question: Maybe you can help straighten me out. I have been asked to teach the book of Numbers so I decided to use David Padfield’s lesson on it, had pamphlets of it made up for each member in the class before studying it thoroughly as I should have and find myself really struggling to find…
Read MoreHow did Sabbath day worship get turned into Sunday worship?
Question: How did the Sabbath day (Saturday) when we worship together turn into Sunday? Can you tell me where it is in the catechism’s doctrine? I know a little about the Council of Trent but cannot find where this issue is addressed. Answer: The change in the day of worship came with the changes in…
Read MoreWhy did you use non-biblical sources in your answer on the Sabbath?
Question: I’m surprised that all your quotations about the observance of the sabbath are not biblical, so what is it you are trying to teach us? Can you kindly use the scriptures and not those the Holy Spirit denied being included in the Bible because of their contradictions? Answer: I’m assuming you are referring to…
Read MoreCan anyone be saved who wants to be saved?
Question: Would you say that anyone who wants to be saved, or chooses to repent, will be saved? Is there a Bible passage, or multiple passages you can point me to about that? Answer: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but…
Read MoreMy map shows Baal Zephon to be on the Mediterranean Sea, so doesn’t this prove the crossing of the Red Sea to be allegorical?
Question: I found an old map in my Tanach that shows Baal Zephon was on the Mediterranean with a thin ridge to the east. I note that both the Torah and the King James Version gives “the sea” for the crossing. This indicates to me that in the subsequent verses that hold “Moses brought us…
Read MoreHow do I stop repeating sins?
Question: I have been struggling with my past and with sins that I seem to repeat. I know that Jesus died and is forgiving of sins when we repent. My problem is that I was baptized and then slipped into a path of sin and lust. I truly want Jesus to be in control of…
Read MoreIf you weren’t a part of the rapture and had to face the tribulation, would that shake your faith?
Question: I have a question for you concerning the rapture. I have been thinking about this a long time and I was wondering what you thought of this. With all that is happening in the world today, we all know the end of the world is at hand. My question is this: Suppose some catastrophic…
Read MoreWhat is the punishment for the unrepentant sinner on Judgment Day?
Question: I wanted to write and ask you what you teach the punishment for sin is for unrepentant sinners at the final Judgement. Answer: “… and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who…
Read MoreAre Christians predestined to go to heaven?
Question: I was looking at your website and it is very informative. Will you please answer the following question? Are Christians predestined to go to heaven? Answer: See: The articles “Can I Lose My Way to Heaven?” and “Predetermined Destiny.” And also the sermon “Being a Christian Will Not Save You.”
Read MoreCould you explain Matthew 24:30?
Question: I have a question about Matthew 24:30. (I believe it is about the second coming of Christ.) I have been doing some personal study and discussed it with a fellow brother. Basically, it refers to symbolic events similar to instances of God’s judgment on mankind or nations. Would like to get feedback from you…
Read MoreAre there passages that refer to THE Lord’s Supper?
Question: We have been studying the Lord’s supper issues and one of our main concerns is about a second offering in which only a few partake, for the reasons you listed in your article (not doing it together). We have been questioning the idea of everyone taking it a second time. We have been cautious…
Read MoreDo you employ a full-time leader?
Question: We found your site by accident during a Google search on Edom. We are non-denominational believers based in Indiana. We were pleased to note an emphasis on the spiritual and an avoidance of worldliness in your assembly. We feel called to fellowship with other believers, but we find that very few organizations today manage…
Read MoreIs it possible for a person to blaspheme today?
Question: Thank you for that comprehensive answer regarding blasphemy. That makes a lot of sense. I see what you mean about seeing a miracle and still rejecting God. Does that mean no one could commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit today unless they had a near-death experience or something like that? So just saying or…
Read MoreShould teens be spanked with a switch?
Question: Regarding: How do we start biblical discipline when our children are already older? Spanking teens with a switch? Yeah right. I hope you burn in hell for this kind of advice to parents. You are a fraud and certainly not a man of God. Answer: I certainly noticed how empty your note is of content,…
Read MoreIs this spanking normal?
Question: This afternoon I was at my girlfriend’s house, and she has a 7-year-old son. He was not putting his toys away after he was done playing with them. My friend Gina asked him to please put his toys away, and he said “no” and back talked her. She grabbed him by the arm, told…
Read MoreDoes a marriage begin when it is consummated?
Question: I have a friend who claims that only virgins can get married. If a couple is were not virgins at the time of their marriage, he says it is not a legitimate marriage and they must separate. His reasoning is that a marriage begins when a man and woman have sex. Therefore, the first…
Read MoreWhat about prophecy in the church?
Question: What about prophecy in a church? Should the prophet ask the minister to check the word before it is given? Should a prophet first be ‘released’ into the ministry of prophets before they are free to prophesy or give words in a meeting? Answer: Just because a role was mentioned in the New Testament,…
Read MoreAre homosexuals going to hell because they found themselves to be homosexual, yet remain chaste?
Question: When Jesus said to love your neighbor, he did not distinguish between gay and straight, sinner or saint. He said to love your neighbor. I have gay and straight neighbors. Jesus himself welcomed “sinners.” The article treats homosexuals as if they were a great downfall to society. I know of homosexuals who choose to…
Read MoreShould married couples stay in touch on a regular basis with an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend?
Question: Should married couples stay in touch on a regular basis with an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? And what if the friend is also married? Answer: Does a person’s likes and dislikes in particular personalities change just because they become married? If I really enjoyed golf and had a group of friends with whom I golfed,…
Read MoreSince children are no longer stoned for disobedience, how can homosexuality be called wrong?
Question: During a recent ‘homosexuality’ debate someone has thrown out (and judging by Google it’s the newest rallying cry) that we can’t oppose homosexuality while at the same time opposing the stoning of disobedient children. I have a feeling that the usual Old Testament versus New Testament law argument is going to be largely ignored.…
Read MoreHow do I help a young man going down the wrong path?
Question: I do have a question concerning a young man (about 17) who is heading down the wrong path. He is my friend’s brother-in-law who always gets in trouble legally. He does various things, such as smoking, and stealing, and has been sexually involved with a 14-year-old girl recently. This is the second or third…
Read MoreWon’t a Mormon disagree that their book doesn’t teach pre-existence of mortal man?
Question: I will be the first to tell you that I am not a Mormon. The article on your web site entitled, How to Use the Book of Mormon, is very good. But keep in mind, that a Mormon could challenge your article where it says that the Mormon doctrine of pre-existence is not found in the book…
Read MoreWhat is there to repent for in being homosexual?
Question: I have just read your article entitled What Homosexuals Want and a few questions came up. In the first paragraph, it is referenced that homosexuals, unless they repent, shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven ( I Corinthians 6:9-11). However, in referencing the scriptural quote, it says “homosexual offenders,” meaning those who commit sinful homosexual…
Read MoreWhen should an invitation be offered?
Question: We meet in a rented hall so we don’t have a bell or buzzer to use to alert everyone when services begin. During our business meeting last evening one brother (whose wife teaches the children’s class) made a request. He stated that our normal procedure during our mid-week services has been that we make…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say he left Titus in Crete?
Question: I just discovered your website after searching the Internet for “Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans”. Your explanation is very interesting and has merit. Thank you for providing answers to so many questions that arise from time to time. Now that I think about it, I have a question: How do you explain Paul’s letter to Titus? …
Read MoreShould I give my seven-year-old a spanking for getting an F on his report card?
Question: Yesterday my seven-year-old son came home from school with an F, on his report card. I told him the last time if he gets another F, I was going to get a spanking. Is that the right thing to do? Answer: When I received this note (what you are seeing is a severely edited…
Read MoreDo you know what it means to “cast your bread upon the waters?”
Question: Do you know what it means to “cast your bread upon the waters?” Answer: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2). The phrase is…
Read MoreWhy did God allow polygamy and concubines?
Question: I have been wondering for a while about why polygamy and concubines were allowed. Why was God okay with this stuff? Answer: We are not specifically told, but I can make some reasonable guesses. But to put it into context, as you were growing up, were there not things that you did that your…
Read MoreIf you sell yourself to the devil, is this an unforgivable sin?
Question: I had a question after reading some of your site. You say it is possible to sell your soul to the devil. So is that an example of a sin that is unforgivable by God? And even if it is forgivable does the devil now own your soul anyway so you are still going to…
Read MoreThank you for explaining why social drinking is wrong
Question: I have been reading and re-reading the articles on your website that pertain to social drinking. I’ve been surprised at the lack of articles that exist (at least through a Google search) that really address the issue. Having been “raised in the church,” so to speak, I have always “known” that drinking is sinful,…
Read MoreIs sex on the Sabbath a sin?
Question: Is sex on the Sabbath a sin? Answer: The Sabbath was the day of worship for the Israelites living under the Old Covenant. A part of the requirements for observing the Sabbath was the avoidance of work. “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days…
Read MoreIs it right or wrong to sell inside the church?
Question: Is it right or wrong to sell inside the church? Answer: Before I can answer the main question, I must address a miscomprehension. In the New Testament, the word church refers to the people called out of the world to serve the Christ. The church, in the universal sense, refers to all Christians past,…
Read MoreWho were the two men that hung beside Jesus on the cross?
Question: Who were the two men that hung beside Jesus on the cross? Answer: The Bible only states that they were two thieves or robbers. Anything beyond this is merely idle speculation. “Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left” (Matthew 27:38).
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