Answer
Does the grammar of Acts 2:38 mean that the gift of the Holy Spirit can’t be salvation?
Question: I believe the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit is salvation, but a brother in Christ has told me it cannot be, due to the Greek grammar of “shall receive” in verse 38 having “middle voice future tense”. He believes salvation cannot be the gift since the gift is future tense middle voice,…
Read MoreOne of your articles caused a change in me
Question: Hello, Thank you for your guidance. I read one of your articles and it brought a change inside of me. Thank you so much. Answer: That is good to hear.
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by “I can do nothing on my own?”
Question: Doesn’t John 5:30 resemble Mohammed’s role which was listening and writing and being sent? Here Jesus says that he is nothing without God. Answer: “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to use the right name to address God or Jesus?
Question: Hello Sir, Will God or Jesus condemn us or punish us for not knowing the right name to call Him? I’ve seen some say that it’s a form of idolatry or worshiping someone else if you don’t know the correct name to call God or Jesus. Some say his name is Yahweh or Yeshua…
Read MoreCould you explain Ecclesiastes 2:26?
Question: Could you explain Ecclesiastes 2:24-26? What is meant in verse 26 by “… while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight …”? Answer: The book of Ecclesiastes is exploring the purpose of life. Solomon shows that…
Read MoreWhere should I live?
Question: Hi, I found your question and answer page and have been reading sermons and many of the answers you have replied with. I am struggling with a problem that is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind. My husband and I currently are living in separate homes about 10 minutes apart. It has…
Read MoreHow do I convince a Pentecostal of the truth about miracles?
Question: When you get time would you look over these responses I saw from a Oneness Pentecostal in a discussion with a brother over miracles? I completely agree that miracles ceased, and that which is perfect is referring to the word of God, but the Pentecostal Oneness member brings up some stuff I have never…
Read MoreHow do you make people understand the importance of attending services?
Question: Good day, Many people are just doing good without going to church or recognizing God, how do you make people understand the importance or take Christianity seriously if they don’t see any need? Answer: The authority of the Bible rests upon the fact that its teachings come from God. “All Scripture is inspired by…
Read MoreIs breast reduction surgery wrong?
Question: Hi brother Jeffrey, I hope you are doing fine. I am a member of the Lord’s church and I’m in my late 40s. I am concerned about a decision I have to make regarding breast reduction surgery. Does Romans 14.23 apply to me? “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does…
Read MoreIsn’t Jesus supposed to reign over Israel?
Question: How is it that the following verses define the church as the kingdom of Christ when it specifically states the kingdom of heaven? “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I…
Read MoreShouldn’t the divorce decree mention sexual unfaithfulness?
Question: I wrote to you years ago concerning my ex-wife, who divorced me for desertion while I was stationed in another country while in the military. She has since passed away. I’ve been a widower for years now and I’ve met a lady in the church. She has had two previous marriages, both, according to…
Read MoreHow could Jesus bear our sins?
Question: I need help answering a question. I know I can always count on you to help me out. “The soul that sins dies. The son does not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father does not bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and…
Read MoreI committed fornication. Will our marriage be pure?
Question: Please help me. I have committed fornication with my boyfriend. We want to get married. Will our marriage still be pure? The boyfriend I committed fornication with is a married man. We both love God and don’t want to depart from His ways, yet we have sinned. Currently, I am pregnant. He wants to…
Read MoreIf matter is amoral then atheists don’t have an explanation for where morals come from
Question: I have followed your website for many years. I have been a member of the Lord’s church for nearly fifty years. I have learned many things in life but my greatest knowledge is of God’s most Holy Word. Anyway, I have found your article on “The Failure of Moral Relativism” to be very well…
Read MoreSome try to try to shock or bait you with crazy scenarios, but you patiently answer their questions
Question: Hi Jeff, I am on your mailing list and I get many emails a day of answered questions by you. I eagerly open your emails every day and try to keep up with all your answered questions. It is clear that some try to shock or bait you with crazy scenarios, but you patiently…
Read MoreIs a shotgun wedding or a wedding involving a lie valid?
Question: God bless brother. I have questions about marriage. If someone lies in order to get married does God acknowledges that marriage? A young man married a woman after three weeks of knowing each other. He has a severe ambivalent attachment disorder. She lied to him about her child from a previous relationship of being…
Read MoreIs God as active with mankind as He was in the Old Testament?
Question: Is God the Father as active with us as He was in the Old Testament? Answer: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through…
Read MoreDo churches have boards of directors?
Question: My congregation is considering closing and dispersing due to a continued decrease in attendance and the inability to draw new members or visitors. Now I hear we have to have approval from our “board of directors”? Does each church of Christ have a board of directors? Thank you very much for your help. Answer:…
Read MoreWhat should I do about my hidden sexual life?
Question: Hello Brother, Your site is a valuable tool that helped me with some issues and questions that I have in matters of doctrine and the Christian lifestyle. I’ve been following your site for many years ago. I’m a young preacher. I’m a full-time minister in the church of Christ and I’m in my mid-20s.…
Read MoreDid the apostles have the right to forgive sins?
Question: Dear sir, A question was posted a decade or so ago on John 20:21-23 and whether or not all men could forgive sins. I couldn’t see that the responder actually addressed what was meant by the Apostles having the authority to forgive sins, except to say that they could bind or loose what they…
Read MoreI’m afraid my past sins will affect my child
Questions: Hello, I am a 25-year-old married woman, and I am currently pregnant with my first child. My husband and I have been together for five years and married for over two years. When we were first together, I was at a very low point in my faith. We were not abstaining from sex. I…
Read MoreDo parents get sad when their children hit puberty?
Question: Do parents get sad when their kids hit puberty? I’ve seen a lot of parents get sad when their little boy hits puberty. Answer: The early years of a child’s life are rough on most parents. Caring for a baby takes a lot of time and energy. But soon the child is able to…
Read MoreIs having an operation that leaves you infertile a sin?
Question: Dear brother Jeffrey, A sister in our congregation asked me if tubal closure for contraceptive purposes is a sin. She already has children and becomes pregnant easily, but she cannot afford to have another child, as both she and her husband are working, and it is already difficult to raise the children they already…
Read MoreWhy do we see the spirits of the dead?
Question: My wife lost her mom. However, she claimed her mom visited us almost every day before she was finally buried. Sometimes she would say: “She’s standing at the door”, but I couldn’t see anything. Why do we see the spirit of the dead? Answer: Keep in mind that truth is established by the testimony…
Read MoreIs Bible reading a part of worship?
Question: I salute you, brother, in our Lord Jesus Christ. Is scripture reading also an act of worship along with prayer, songs, preaching, the Lord’s supper, and giving? Is there any biblical order to be done in worship? Answer: “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (I…
Read MoreI’m feeling extreme guilt
Question: I feel extreme guilt for past sins. Sins that most would count as minor. Breaking the law whether intentional or not … not confessing to things I know about from years ago, breaking rules at home, work, friendship-wise, etc. It’s the wee hours of the morning, and I feel terrible thinking how horrible of…
Read MoreAdding to the Word of God?
by Wayne S. Walker Most faithful Christians are aware that through the years many unauthorized additions have been made to what God’s word teaches. Denominations have added their own creeds to the doctrine of Christ. Additions to scriptural baptism, either in the action (sprinkling and pouring) or in the subjects (infants, babies, and small children)…
Read MoreWhat should I tell my son who has a fear of death?
Question: What should I tell my son who has a fear of death like me? He is only six but seems to be afraid of the concept of death. Answer: In order for you to help him, you will first have to conquer your own fears. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me…
Read MoreWhy was Adonijah killed by Solomon’s orders?
Question: Why was Adonijah killed by Solomon’s orders? Answer: To understand the dynamics a bit, we need to understand that typically succession of a king went by birth order. “Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite;…
Read MoreYour map of the Exodus route really helped
Question: Hello, I lead a Bible study at our small church. This week, we are looking into Exodus 13-14. When reviewing the scriptures, I had a difficult time placing the route of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea. Several references I use placed the “cities” mentioned in Scripture in “odd” places relative to…
Read MoreIs an ad blocker immoral?
Question: Is it immoral to use an adblocker on a computer? I’m mainly referring to how you can block ads on videos. Aside from the fact that certain websites could contain malware within their ads, would it be cheating the content creators and streaming services of their revenue obtained from ads if one were to…
Read MoreBaptism, the Godhead, and the King James Bible
Question: Hey, are you the person that is behind the answer on the La Vista Church of Christ website? Surprisingly, it looks like you have very sound doctrine, which, of course, is very rare to find considering how many false prophets and teachers there are that exist. Answer: [Note: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted…
Read MoreI don’t understand Leviticus 27
Question: Can you help me? I don’t understand this chapter on redemption and who is paying who. I understand voluntary vows made as persons, property, animals are consecrated to the Lord, but I am having trouble understanding why the valuations and who is paying who? Thanks. Answer: There are times people make promises to God…
Read MoreIs it wrong to listen to someone’s private conversation?
Question: I’ve had a problem with eavesdropping on conversations between my parents. They’ve been going through some issues spiritually and out of concern, I’ve often gone out of my way to listen in through the wall. I will admit there have been other times I’ve done this out of curiosity even when I knew the…
Read MoreMay a church receive interest on the money it has deposited at a bank?
Question: The local bank, which the church here has been doing business with for over six decades, is closing its local office. The next nearest office is over 20 miles away. If we maintain our current account, the church treasurer would have to drive the extra miles to make the contribution deposit, and at other…
Read MoreWhat powers did the apostles have before and after being baptized by the Holy Spirit?
Question: What different powers did the apostles have before and after they were baptized with the Holy Spirit? Answer: “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness” (Matthew 10:1). “And He called the twelve together,…
Read MoreHow should I help the homeless?
Question: Dear Sir, I live in a city where there are a lot of homeless people. I need to know what I as a Christian need to do to help them. I give money at my local grocery store that goes to a food bank for those in need, I also leave a care package…
Read MoreMy wife lied about her virginity. Can I divorce her?
Question: Hello, I have gone through many of your articles and answers, but still, I am doubtful on the exception clause of Matthew 5:31-32. I have a few questions to ask you. It would be better to quote Bible verses so I can go by the word of God. The question is regarding my marriage…
Read MoreShould we let a denominational group borrow our baptistery?
Question: Hello, Mr. Hamilton, I hope this finds you well. Every morning on my way to work I listen to your sermons. I greatly appreciate the work you have put into your program, as I have learned so much listening to them over the last couple of years. I belong to the church of Christ.…
Read MoreIs there an example of a church asking someone to come work with them?
Question: Hi, I called and talked to Jeff regarding the biblical authority for having a local evangelist or preacher. I appreciate the time he took to talk to me and help me. I do have a few follow-up questions. Also, I really appreciate your website as it is easy to navigate, is full of good…
Read More