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Didn’t Jesus say some are born homosexual?
Question: Didn’t Jesus agree that some were born homosexual? You can see his thoughts on the matter if you read Matthew 19:10-12. If you know the history of the words saris or eunouchos, you would know this. Answer: After explaining to his audience that marriage was a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6) and that it…
Read MoreI need help handling teenage dress and language problems
Question: I need another outlook about fashion statements of today in the church. Young ladies are exposing themselves and young men are out of control with their dress and their mouth. I have covered I Corinthians and Deuteronomy 22 and a few other chapters. Can you help me put this in perspective? Answer: I…
Read MoreHow old does a person need to be to become an elder?
Question: How old does a person need to be to become an elder? Answer: The word translated as “elders” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word presbuteros, which refers to an older person. No set age is implied by the word and it is sometimes used to denote relative age. For example, in the…
Read MoreWhat should a teenager do to guard against pride?
Question: The Bible tells us that “Pride comes before destruction.” What are the things a teenager should guard against in order to be respectful and humble? Answer: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The problem of pride is not unique to teenagers. All people struggle with it since…
Read MoreWho were the judges and kings of Israel?
Question: What were the names of the kings of Israel? How many judges were there that ruled over Israel? Answer: The judges of Israel were: Othniel Ehud Shamgar Deborah Gideon Abimelech (Not a true judge. He was merely a corrupt ruler during the period of the Judges. Judges 9:22) Tola Jair Jephthah Ibzan Elon Abdon Samson…
Read MoreWhy ten commandments and not another number?
Question: Why did God give us 10 commandments and not any other number? Answer: I suppose one could claim that ten commandments were all that God needed to express His summary of the Law given to Moses. It was short enough to fit on two stone tablets (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13), but still expressed enough…
Read MoreIf homosexuality isn’t genetic, then is heterosexuality genetic?
Question: Please explain that if homosexuals are not born that way, then there is no evidence heterosexuals are born that way either. So when did you choose to be a heterosexual? Can heterosexuals also be converted into homosexuals? Can a heterosexual fall in love with someone of the same sex? Can a heterosexual be made…
Read MoreCan a baptism be annulled?
Question: When a person has been baptized once in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and then receives baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, has the first baptism become annulled? I have a friend who told me that I wasn’t baptized because I wasn’t baptized in the name of Jesus…
Read MoreI believe Jesus was a vegetarian
Question: I don’t follow PETA but believe that Jesus was a vegetarian. As a Jew, Jesus would have followed the Old Testament or Torah faithfully. In Genesis, a vegetarian diet is laid out for us all. Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of…
Read MoreWhat is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life?
Question: What is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life? Answer: This is similar to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Clicking on that question will give you a good introduction to the subject. For further details, see the Notes on Salvation. This gives numerous verses dealing with God’s plan for saving…
Read MoreWho were Lot’s descendants?
Question: Who were Lot’s descendants? Answer: Lot lost most of his family during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. “And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside…
Read MoreIs homosexuality condemned in the Scriptures?
Question: This was received in response to the answer “What kinds of homosexuality does the Bible mention?” Malokos just meant soft as in weak in faith and arsen is male or man and homosexual means male and female gay people, so arsenokotie only meant a gay male temple prostitute. Levitical law is now dead so I don’t think it matters…
Read MoreCan Christians celebrate birthdays?
Questions: Do you guys celebrate birthdays? Why or why not? Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses not celebrate birthdays? Answer: The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that birthday celebrations originated in pagan customs, such as blowing out of the candles on a birthday cake. They reject anything connected, however remotely, to pagan practices. They also believe that birthdays give…
Read MoreWhat musical instruments were used in ancient Greece?
Question: What musical instruments were used in ancient Greek times? Answer: The Greeks had a variety of instruments, such as the flute, the lyre, the harp, drums, cymbals, and castanets. There were also several horns (wind instruments). A detailed list can be found at: The Musical Instruments of Ancient Greeks Ancient Greek Music. It was…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say homosexuality is a sin?
Question: I saw your email in a Christian site which was also on homosexuality, I decided to write. I wondered if you believe it is a sin as I can’t find any passages on gay love to show that it’s a sin anywhere. Answer: A previous question, “What kinds of homosexuality does the Bible mention?”…
Read MoreWho was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok?
Question: Who was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok? Answer: “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of…
Read MoreWere the Colossians being told not to worry about being condemned for keeping the Sabbath?
Question: Colossians 2:16 is a famous verse that people use to justify eating unclean meats and not keeping the holy days and the Sabbath. What most do not think about is: the people of Colosse were new Gentile converts and they were concerned about those around them judging them for doing these things. This is positive proof that…
Read MoreWhy did God command circumcision?
Question: Why did God command Abraham to cut off the foreskin? Answer: Many of the commands that God gave man early on appeared to be meaningless at the time it was given. Only later did God reveal the meaning of the practice. As an example, God commanded that the Israelites offer up incense during the…
Read MoreHow can a wife be her husband’s companion when he is the head of the household?
Question: I was reading through some of the questions and came across the one which says, “Does a husband have the right to spank a wife?” While I do agree that there is no evidence or instruction regarding this subject in the Bible, I do have a problem with the word choice toward the end…
Read MoreHow many swats is proper in a spanking?
Question: Thank you very much for the counsel. I am always glad to have it, especially when it is backed up with Scripture. I talked it over with my son. He keeps back-talking his mom, being disrespectful when she asks him to do things around the house, and not being at home when she needed…
Read MoreHow do I cleanse my soul and forgive myself?
Question: I’d like to ask you for some verses on how I can cleanse my soul and learn how to forgive myself for a mistake that I did. Answer: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.…
Read MoreWhere did you find the old children’s Bible story books?
Question: I came across your website while looking for Bible story pictures from my childhood. As a small child, I dearly loved the pictures in the “Standard Bible Story Readers.” I remember memorizing some of the stories. The story of Blind Bartimaeus was my favorite. Several years ago, I saw a large book containing many…
Read MoreDoes the command to “forsake not the assembling of ourselves together” apply only to Sunday worship?
Question: In our Bible study at church, the statement was made that if elders schedule a meeting, then it would be a sin for one to ‘forsake the assembly” if one could have attended. I feel that a person should attend, for it is a benefit to study and learn of one’s duty to God…
Read MoreShould a husband leave a wife he cannot trust?
Question: I have written to you several times and each time you have given me helpful advice. A little background: I assaulted my wife and later my wife had an affair. I have been trying to move forward in our marriage, but I can’t trust her no matter how hard I try. I can’t believe the words…
Read MoreWhich thief went to Paradise?
Question: Several of my Christian friends and I were just wondering which thief on the cross believed that Jesus was indeed who He said He was and went to heaven? Does the Bible say if it was the thief on the right or the left of Jesus? I have searched the Bible and cannot find…
Read MoreAre psychics real?
Question: Are psychics real? How about those claiming to have telekinesis and everything related to it? I know that psychic mediums are real, but it is an abomination to the Lord, so we are not allowed to be involved in such things. But what about those psychics? Is it also a sin or did God…
Read MoreI’m addicted to pornography and masturbation. How do I stop?
Question: I’ve been addicted to porn and masturbation for two years. Everyone around thinks that I’m a right on Christian, but I’m not. Do I have to tell people what’s going on? I’m trying to stop. Will God still forgive me? Answer: Before any sin can be addressed, there has to be a period when…
Read MoreNotes on Suffering
Joy in Suffering Matthew 5:10-12 – Suffering for being righteous leads to a great reward Romans 5:3-5 – Tribulation leads to perseverance, character, and hope James 1:2-4 – Suffering leads to patience and completeness I Peter 2:19-20 – Commendable to suffer wrongfully for doing good I Peter 3:14 – Suffering for being righteous is a…
Read MoreHow should I punish my defiant 14-year-old son?
Question: I have a question in relation to child training. My son is 14 and I have to occasionally give him a spanking. However, he has been getting in trouble with the same sin. He continues to defy his mom. I read your articles on the website in regards to using the rod. I usually use…
Read MoreHow can I feel forgiven?
Question: I am sorry you think I lied to you. I just wanted your view. I haven’t been able to get my Pastor to talk to me. He just walked away and said he couldn’t help when I told him what my husband did to me. I needed spiritual counsel and had no one to…
Read MoreDoes it matter who files for the divorce?
Question: When you say that someone may divorce their spouse due to fornication, does it matter who actually files the papers? A woman I know moved out of her house, filed divorce papers, and then started dating another man. Her husband didn’t know for sure if she was committing adultery since he did not have…
Read MoreShould young boys lead singing in worship?
Question: The congregation I am meeting at has, on the last Wednesday night of the month, a singing night. We don’t have classes that night. We come together in the auditorium and sing songs, pray and someone gives a short ten-minute lesson. We let the boys get up in front of the congregation with their…
Read MoreWhat should a wife do if she feels unloved?
Question: What should a wife do if she feels her husband doesn’t love her anymore? He only touches me when he wants sex. He won’t talk or discuss things with me. When I talk about the situation, he says that’s all I talk about. He works all the time, does things for other people, goes…
Read MoreIs spanking a thirteen-year-old child illegal?
Question: Is spanking a thirteen-year-old child illegal? Answer: As of this writing, spanking remains legal in all fifty states of the United States. Almost all state statutes state that a parent or guardian can use reasonable and appropriate force to maintain discipline and to promote the well-being of a child’s welfare. Most states extend that…
Read MoreIs there authority for Bible classes segregated by ages?
Question: I need the New Testament authority for classes. Where is the doctrine that authorizes classes to be segregated by different ages? Answer: It is common for people seeking to deny biblical authority for some practice to search for only one description and when they can’t find it, sit back and claim there is no…
Read MoreMust elders have more than one child?
Question: Must elders have more than one child? Answer: “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (I Timothy 3:4). “if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Titus 1:6). The Greek word in both I Timothy 3:4 and…
Read MoreIs foreplay wrong if it doesn’t lead to sex?
Question: I’m a 22 male and I have been searching for an answer on this site. Sex is not a problem before marriage for me, but what about foreplay if you are certain it will not lead to sex? It has never been a problem to stop before thinking about sex, but is foreplay really…
Read MoreDoes my divorce mean I failed as a wife?
Question: Thank you, for your response. My pastor did not support my decision to divorce my husband. I was very active and have a deep spiritual conviction, but have felt like I am being condemned and told I am a hypocrite for deciding it was best for my family to leave my marriage. My ex-husband is…
Read MoreI want to sing, but I’m afraid of being in front of others. What do I do?
Question: I have a feeling that I really need to sing, but I just can’t get the nerve to get up in front of everybody. Is this a sin? I’m a shy person and I’ve been getting feelings that God wants me to sing in church, but I just can’t get the nerve to go…
Read MoreIsn’t a kitchen just a way to reach people with the gospel?
Question: I currently stand in the position that it is a matter of opinion concerning a kitchen or fellowship hall. Again, that is where I currently stand. Here where I preach, we do not have a kitchen per se. A majority of the brethren here would like to have one so that it would accommodate…
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