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Is leisure travel wrong?
Question: Dear brother, Do you think there is anything wrong with a Christian traveling for leisure? When traveling it is impossible to be involved in your local congregation’s work. Also, it is very hard to evangelize to anyone when you are never in one place very long and cannot form relationships. I almost feel guilty…
Read MoreMy preacher oversees several congregations. What do I do?
Question: God bless you for your detailed explanation of congregational cooperation. However, I’m still confused. My preacher is an overseer of many local congregations in our community. He appoints the preachers of such congregations, takes their offerings, sets up their church buildings, and makes decisions and policies for them. Unfortunately, we don’t have elders in…
Read MoreAre good works the result of salvation?
Question: Are good works the result of salvation? I was in a discussion earlier with someone of the Baptist faith who used Ephesians 2:10 to say that good works are the result of salvation and not required for salvation, since Paul is referring to us being saved in Ephesians 2:8-9, then immediately talks about how…
Read MoreAm I teaching my own doctrine?
Question: Jeffrey, I had a recent conversation with a Baptist about the plan of salvation. He was of the once saved always saved group. I suppose they are somewhat different than the Freewill Baptists? Anyhow, in teaching baptism for the remission of sins to this fellow, along with the truth that a Christian can fall…
Read MoreAre there different gospels?
Question: Hello, I have been seeing more and more about the Kingdom Gospel vs the Gospel of Grace. Dispensationalism is becoming very popular on YouTube, and people are actually turning toward this teaching. I have seen comments that the churches of Christ intertwine the kingdom gospel and the grace gospel. Basically, they are saying that…
Read MoreCan I borrow your material?
Question: Brother Hamilton, I hope this note finds you well. I am a minister and also serve as an elder in the church. I really appreciate your web page very much as it is very encouraging to me. Thank you for your efforts. I have a question. Are you OK with my borrowing from your…
Read MoreI’m so confused about baptism
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, Sorry to trouble you. I understand if you do not have time to read or respond, but I am very confused and would appreciate any help and any clarification you might be able to give. I don’t really know what to make of this, but I am sure you would have…
Read MoreDid you know the Roman Catholics changed worship from the Sabbath to Sunday?
Question: Hi, Did you know that the sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of the week? Sunday is the first day of the week. Did you know that the Papal system takes credit for changing the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday? Father God establishes his dominion and his legal right to rule over…
Read MoreJustification by Works and Baptism
by Matthew W. Bassford At the end of Romans 3 and the beginning of Romans 4, we encounter the most famous of Paul’s teachings: justification by faith in Jesus. Throughout the context, he contrasts it with justification by works. Abraham was not justified by works, nor was David, nor can we be. From this magnificent…
Read MoreAre men called by God to preach?
Question: Why do some people say that in order for a man to preach he has to be called by God? Answer: “Called” is another way to say “invited” or “encouraged to come.” Those who are Christians have been called by God. “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly…
Read MoreWhat was Jesus talking about in Luke 12:49-50?
Question: Dear Minister, I am deeply interested in your thoughts on something Jesus said. I came to cast fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled. I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished. The first is generally described as Jesus’s message…
Read MoreI use your material in my children’s class
Question: I am with the children’s ministry in the Lord’s church. I am using your materials to teach my children and it’s helping me a lot. I just want to thank you and pray that God will bless you with more insight in his word so you will continue to be a blessing to us.…
Read MoreHow is the church of Christ’s view of baptism different from the denominations?
Question: Hello, I recently came across a YouTube comment about baptism that puzzled me a bit: “It’s also important to know the church of Christ view of baptismal salvation is different from every other view; that of the Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics or Orthodox.” Is this a correct assessment? If so, how is the church of…
Read MoreIf a Jew had divorced and married another prior to Jesus’ death, would he have to put away his new wife before being baptized?
Question: Thank you for taking my question. If there had been Jewish men on the day of Pentecost who had previously given their original wives a Bill of Divorcement and were now married to other women, would they have to put away the new wives before they were baptized? Thank you. Answer: Repentance is required…
Read MoreWould I be saved if I only got baptized because all my friends were being baptized?
Question: If I was baptized when I was 12 just because my friends were being baptized would this be a saving baptism? Answer: If your only reason for being baptized was to imitate your friends, then how was it different from following your friends in jumping into a pool? What gives baptism its meaning is…
Read MoreWas “homosexual” mistranslated?
Question: Hi, I recently came upon a claim that, because of mistranslation, homosexuality was condemned even though it isn’t stated as being bad. I read certain people explaining that I Corinthians 6:9-10 is mistranslated since “homosexual” wasn’t even a word in Ancient Greek. They even claim that only the abuse of boys by older men…
Read MoreWhat constitutes a vow?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, What constitutes a vow is something I’ve been trying to understand. Can you help me understand from the Bible why you say it’s a commitment witnessed by others? It seems like these thoughts I have could be considered rash vows, or they could not be vows at all. I think of them…
Read MoreNatural Relations
by Matthew W. Bassford Though the battle is over these days (at least as far as wider American society is concerned), the past couple of decades saw a great deal of strife over the practice of homosexuality. In their ultimately successful assault on Biblical morality, gay-rights proponents adopted three main strategies: rejecting the authority of…
Read MoreAm I sinning if I’m cursing in my thoughts?
Question: My boyfriend was just baptized and he’s been struggling. He has a little bit of anxiety. He’s been trying to work on his cursing. he’s doing great. But he asked me a difficult question. He asked, “Am I still sinning if I keep the cuss words in my brain?” I said that I wasn’t…
Read MoreWhy was Elijah taken up so dramatically?
Question: Why was it necessary for Elijah to be taken into heaven as he was? Answer: Unfortunately, God didn’t tell us why He chose to take Elijah in a whirlwind. Of course, the lack of a reason has led to many speculations, but we must keep in mind that these are merely the opinions of…
Read MoreI compulsively want to make vows
Question: Hello, I have a question about vows. For a year or so, when I become concerned that something I’m doing or might do is sinful, I suddenly start to think a vow to God that I won’t do that thing. This happens with no time to think about the vow, about whether I want…
Read MoreShould you baptize someone who doesn’t plan to be a member of the church?
Question: I read Baptized but Not Converted on your site, but I have a more specific question. After a long study with some ladies, they all came to the conclusion that baptism was essential for salvation. One of the ladies, right before she was baptized, indicated that she wouldn’t be attending services. Should she have been…
Read MoreWould I be able to remarry?
Question: Your website is wonderful and I am learning a lot! I have seen similar questions but not quite the same. I’m not sure if I was a believer at the time of my marriage or afterward. I grew up in the church and knew who God was but I did not have the Holy…
Read MoreI love her, but she remains with her boyfriend
Question: Good day, I joined a church for close to a year now. There’s this particular lady in the church I like and wished to get closer to her to know if she’s free and available for marriage. Eventually, we got talking and it was as if she also had been waiting for me. She…
Read MoreWhen is “faith” referring to the system of faith (the Gospel) or personal faith?
Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, When “Faith of Jesus of Christ”, “by the faith of Jesus of Christ” is mentioned in Galatians 2:16; 3:19-28; and Romans 3:22 is it referring to the objective faith (gospel) or personal faith? The American Standard, ESV, and other versions translate it as Faith in Jesus Christ? Is it referring to…
Read MoreDid eating from the forbidden tree give Adam and Eve intelligence?
Question: After Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, they realized they were naked. Is it not that some kind of intelligence that was revealed in their mind? I am saying this because chimpanzees and other animals move around nude without realizing they are naked. Answer: Intelligence was already shown in the complexity of…
Read MoreIs it wrong to not consider myself a part of any specific religion?
Question: I wonder all the time if I am wrong to not consider myself to be of any specific religion. I know Jesus is our Lord and I believe in him, but when someone asks what my religion is I do not know what to say because I do not like the war that separates…
Read MoreI’m worried that I wasn’t baptized properly
Question: Hey, I’ve been reading your articles about baptism and asked my Christian parents to baptize me. They were very kind and asked me if I believed in Jesus. I did everything right, except I’m very worried I was not under the water properly. They keep saying I was so I try to believe them,…
Read MoreExplain the statement in Job: “God giveth and God taketh away”
Question: Explain the statement in Job: “God giveth and God taketh away.” Answer: “He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD'” (Job 1:21). Job realized that we didn’t bring anything with us…
Read MoreWhat is Arminianism?
Question: Good morning Jeffrey, I’m having an issue understand something. A lot of the denominational world is under the assumption that if a person is not a Calvinist, then they are an Arminian. What is an Arminian? I’ve thoroughly studied Calvinism and its faults, but I can’t seem to find much info on Arminianism. I…
Read MoreWhy are references to the same speech worded differently?
Question: Hi, I had a question regarding the Gospels and in particular certain parts of them. I was comparing the words written in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and I believe Luke 21. I noticed these all talk about the same situation but the wonder I am having is why the words are different. Some parts…
Read MoreWhat can we pray to remove a curse?
Question: Dear sir, I am in my mid-30s and I am unmarried. My two older siblings are also unmarried. I am working but my siblings have no jobs. We live with our uncles, aunts, and their children. Recently, my dad died of a heart attack. One of his brothers died from COVID last year and…
Read MoreKing and High Priest Now
by Terry Wane Benton Premillennial thinking is that Jesus was not able to set up His kingdom in the first century like He planned, postponed that plan, and will come back again later to set up His kingdom on earth and reign for 1000 years. That is a mistaken view. Another view is that of…
Read MoreHow do we save our relationship without having sex until marriage?
Question: Hello there! I recently came across your article about couples that have committed sexual sins before marriage and how they still worked out and still have room for hope. My loved one and I are wanting to get married. We plan on getting married but with going to college, getting out of our debts,…
Read MoreWho is Romans 12:13 talking about?
Question: Good morning, I came across a comment that was made on a particular verse: Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Could you please comment on who it is that is distributing the needs of the saints? And that of given to hospitality. In Greek, this “given to hospitality,” is…
Read MoreI’m worried that I might not find a husband
Question: Good morning, I lived my life believing in God and wanting to do God’s will. I focused my studies on what I believed was God’s will for me, and in my personal life, I tried to help others when I could. I’ve tried to attend a church that focuses on following the Bible. Unfortunately,…
Read MoreHow do I not let my mother’s statements hurt me?
Question: Hello, I read the following answers about dealing with an ungodly parent: How do you honor an abusive parent? How do I honor abusive, ungodly parents? They resonate with me as I am having similar issues with my own mother. I realize people are responsible for their own behavior just as I am for…
Read MoreDo I need to apologize when I didn’t intend to cause an offense?
Question: Hello Mr. Jeffrey, I have a question. Recently I visited a church small group. It so happened that the group, which was lead by a man, had 9 women and 2 men which is significantly more skewed than the general church’s ratio. I obviously was weirded out by this ratio and said, “If I…
Read MoreWhy did Jesus cite only six of the Ten Commandments to the young ruler?
Question: I visit your site often to look up topics and articles. There is very good information cited in them. I have a question, you might be able to answer. In Matthew 19:18-19, why did Jesus only cite six of the ten commandments to the rich young ruler and not all? Thanks. Answer: The account of…
Read MoreYour articles have been helping me
Question: Hello! I am just a person working with the Church of Christ to become right with God to fuller faith. I just wanted to say that you have been helping me with your articles and I appreciate it. I hope God blesses you. Answer: It is always good to hear that someone has benefited…
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