Answer
Were the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus?
Question: Were the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus? Answer: Right after telling Nicodemus that no one can enter the kingdom unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), we read in John 3:22, “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with…
Read MoreWere Adam and Eve covered in light and did they have precognitive power?
Question: Were Adam and Eve covered in light and did they have precognitive power? Answer: Light is a characteristic generally associated with God. For example, Jesus, when transformed, was described as “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). This is because light represents righteousness and…
Read MoreIs the Bible male oriented?
Question: Of couse living in a world of patriarchy MAN wrote the bible !!!!! Hide behind your bible and justify mens disgusting behavior. I think your God is a sick one. If you think spousal rape is acceptable because “God” said women are to please her man and not “giving it” up is her sin,…
Read MoreIs water baptism a work?
Question: Is water baptism a work? Answer: I have always been amazed at the dread shown by people toward the word “work.” You would think that it was a dreaded disease or something equivalent to sin. The word “work” by itself is neither good nor bad. It simply refers to something that takes effort. Faith…
Read MoreDoes spousal rape constitute fornication?
Question: Does spousal rape constitute fornication, or sexual immorality, thus giving grounds for divorce and remarriage? Answer: Some questions are difficult – not because we cannot clearly state the truth, but because the way the questions are worded cause you to make assumptions that may not be true. A classic example is “Are you still…
Read MoreDoes belief include anything more than trust?
Question: Does belief include anything more than trust? Answer: Belief or faith is of primary importance to a follower of God. The writer of Hebrews state, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who…
Read MoreShould baptism be done only in Jesus’ name?
Question: For many years the churches of Christ have used Matthew 28:19 as a baptism that adds to the church that was built by the word of the Lord that went forth from Jerusalem, a baptism that was not present when Israel was told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.…
Read MoreCan the church sponsor the growing of tobacco to raise funds?
Question: Some people depend on raising tobacco for income. Is it good for the church to use the Lord’s money to sponsor this kind of agriculture? Answer: I found this question particularly intriguing because of the underlying assumptions. In order to answer the question well, I need to address several related issues. How may a…
Read MoreCan a hall used by a church for worship also be rented for a potluck by members?
Question: Our congregation meets in a rented hall. Would it be wrong to make use of the facilities available for a potluck gathering? I understand that the church doesn’t have authority to own a kitchen, but I was wondering why we couldn’t rent the facility where we happen to meet for a meal that is…
Read MoreDoes the Bible talk about asking a father for his daughter’s hand in marriage?
Question: Is there any biblical background to making sure someone who is dating or is going to marry someone must have the father’s permission of the daughter? Answer: In the course of recording the lives of various people, the Bible does mention how men and women came together to be married. Several of these did…
Read MoreDoes Acts 20:7 refer to a common meal?
Question: Do you think that Acts 20:7 was talking of a common meal? Why or why not? Answer: The text in question states, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).…
Read MorePraying in a heavenly tongue
Question: Would you discuss the idea of praying in a heavenly language where the person is edified even though others don’t know what they are saying? Answer: The mention of the language of angels is only found in I Corinthians 13:1 where Paul states that speaking in any language is without benefit if it is not accompanied…
Read MoreHow is Abraham famous? What did Abraham care about most?
Question: How is Abraham, or Abram, famous? What did Abraham care about most? Answer: Many, many years ago God promised a man named Abram, “I will bless you and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The blessing was conditional on Abram’s willingness to leave his home country and…
Read MoreDoes Mark 16:16 say that someone not baptized is lost?
Question: I think I have a parallel that explains Mark 16:16. Suppose I state, “All people who are enrolled and live in the dorm are students in the college. If John is enrolled but doesn’t live in the dorm, does that mean he is not a student?” Similarly, Mark 16:16 says “He who believes and…
Read MoreWhat happened to the letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians 4:16?
Question: What happened to the letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians 4:16? Answer: Near the end of Paul’s third journey, Paul visited churches and gathered funds for the relief of brethren in Judea suffering from a famine (I Corinthians 16:1-9). Several of the churches sent representatives to travel with Paul, not because they did not trust…
Read MoreCan adultery be forgiven? Should I tell my spouse?
Question: My husband and I separated because he committed adultery. A few months later I too committed adultery one time because I was stupid and lonely. I am closer to the Lord now and I knew it was and know it is wrong for what I did too. Will He forgive us? Can we still…
Read MoreAren’t the references to baptism just symbolic?
Question: When looking at Galatians 3:27 or the Romans passages, doesn’t it make better sense to understand the word immerse or immersion literally? I am immersed into Christ, immersed into death in spiritual realms. I am clothed with Christ in a spiritual realm, not putting on holy vestments. I am arguing that to say that…
Read MoreIs Mark 16:9-20 genuine?
Question: Does Mark 16:9-20 really belong in our Bibles? Answer: “Is Mark 16:9-20 Spurious or Genuine?” by Howard See is an excellent review of the question. For details on the question, see The Authenticity of Mark 16:9-20 by Jim Snapp. “Some Bible scholars doubt the authenticity of 16:9-20, insisting that Mark did not write this portion. These verses are…
Read MoreDoesn’t Romans 5:1 teach we are saved by faith alone?
Question: Doesn’t Romans 5:1 teach that we are saved by faith alone? Answer: Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This proves that justification requires faith, but your stated goal was to prove that justification was by faith alone. There is no indication of exclusiveness in this…
Read MoreIf man must be baptized to be saved, why do so many passages only mention faith?
Question: The Bible teaches throughout the New Testament that faith and faith alone is necessary for salvation. John 1:12-13; John 3:15; John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35; John 6:40; John 6:47; John 7:38-39; John 11:25-26; John 20:31; Acts 2:21; Acts 10:43; Acts 11:17; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 15:11; Acts 16:31; Acts 20:21; Romans 1:16;…
Read MoreDoes the term “brother” indicate Saul was saved prior to baptism?
Question: Since Ananias calls Saul “Brother” prior to Saul’s baptism, doesn’t this prove that Saul was saved before he was baptized? Answer: The verse in question is Acts 22:13 which reads, “and he [Ananias] stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.” As the conversation between Ananias and…
Read MoreWhy do some women wear a cloth on their heads during worship?
Question: Why do some women wear a cloth on their heads during worship? Answer: The wearing of a head covering has been debated for numerous years. I doubt any single article will forever settle the question, but Hiram Hutto wrote probably one of the best articles I have read on the subject. Brother Hutto comes…
Read MoreHow can the Old Covenant be everlasting and yet come to an end?
Question: Since the Old Testament in many places talks about the “everlasting covenant” with the Israelites, why is it no longer everlasting? Answer: The word “everlasting” does not necessarily mean “infinite.” The world is described as lasting forever, but we know from II Peter 3 that there is a terminating point. Instead, the correct definition…
Read MoreCan you explain “expediency”?
Question: Could you help me understand “expedients”? I have heard the term used for explaining why churches use money for certain things like a building or songbooks. Could you expand on this in light of what the work of the church is, what the collection is for, etc.? Answer: The Apostle Paul wrote, “All things…
Read MoreWhat happens to children when they die?
Question: What happens to children when they die? Answer: The Bible states that children go to heaven when they die. Take a look at this example: “So Nathan went to his house. Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. David therefore inquired of God…
Read MoreHow do we start biblical discipline when our children are already older?
Question: I have a question related to child discipline. I have a 13-year-old son and an 8-year-old son. My wife and I have recently realized the problems we caused by following non-biblical consequences with our boys. My oldest son has been lying, and my youngest has problems with obedience. I read your parenting articles and was…
Read MoreAre Christians commanded to physically labor?
Question: I know a Christian is required to work (I Thessalonians 4:11), but since it says “laboring with your hands” doesn’t that mean only manual labor? Answer: There are several passages which command Christians to labor. Ephesians 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is…
Read MoreWho were the Nicolaitans?
Question: Who were the Nicolaitans? Answer: The work “Nicolaitan” is only mentioned in Revelation 2:6 and 2:15. It comes from the Greek word nikolaites which literally means “a follower of Nicolaus.” Nicholas was a name used by some. For instance, one of the early deacons mentioned in Acts 6:5 was called Nicholas (“nicolaus” in the Greek). Whether this is the same Nicholas…
Read MoreDoes an adulterer have to leave his second marriage in order to repent?
Question: I have a friend and I am trying to teach my friend the truth. I found out that he is in an adulterous relationship. His wife was married before but for only one year. The marriage did not end because of fornication. She is now married to my friend. They have been married 25…
Read MoreHow could Jesus be the son of David?
Question: I hear people say that the son of David was the “savior” Is this true? If this is so, please explain how Jesus could be the son of David. Answer: In the days when the Bible was written, the term “son” or “daughter” was used more loosely than we use it in today’s English.…
Read MoreI do not believe you can lose your salvation
Question: Well I do not believe you can lose salvation. There is too much teaching of it being eternal and If we could lose it that means we can also keep it right? If we can keep it that means it has something to do with us and not just of God. There is a…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with pre-marital sex?
Question: What is wrong with pre-marital sex? If your spouse finds out that you are bad at sex after you are married, won’t your spouse leave you for someone else? Answer: Here lies a classic argument of “Let us do evil that good may come” (Romans 3:8). You want to prevent your future spouse from…
Read MoreCan I lose my way to heaven?
Question: Can I lose my way to heaven? Answer: Obviously, Paul thought that it was possible. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have…
Read MoreIf I do all the commandments, when will I do enough?
Question: If I do all the commandments, when will I do enough? Answer: In asking this question, you have started off in the wrong direction. Essentially you have asked what is the minimum that I can do to be pleasing to God. Yet God doesn’t want our minimum effort. When a lawyer asked Jesus what…
Read MoreWhat about the thief on the cross?
Question: I am still a little confused about what I need to actually do. I heard about baptism, but they say that the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized. Isn’t he in heaven? Answer: I appreciate the time taken to ask questions concerning your salvation. Personally, I don’t believe the confusion comes from what the…
Read MoreWhat must I do to go to heaven?
Question: What must I do to go to Heaven when I die? Please, no opinions. Please use the Bible, it is all we have that is the truth. Answer: I really appreciate your desire for a biblical answer to your question. Far too many only want confirmation that they are right and so they search…
Read MoreHow were Isaac and Jacob blessed?
Question: How were Isaac and Jacob blessed? Answer: In the times of the Old Testament children could inherit two things from their parents: property and a blessing. If your parents had three children, then on their death their property was divided four ways (one more than the number of living children). The eldest child generally…
Read MoreIsn’t it divisive to claim all denominations are wrong?
Question: I just read the article about why you left the Nazarene denomination. On the latter point of baptism, I will not comment now, but I think your first listed reason is a rational mistake. You said, “yet the Nazarene Church exists, as does any denomination, because man disregards the prayerful wishes of Christ.” This…
Read More