Can a man who lived for many years with a woman be baptized?

Question: This happened over 20 years ago. A husband and his wife, who were idol worshipers and uneducated day laborers, who lived in a slum with their little children. Suddenly the husband left his wife and married another girl. Seeing the state of the woman, a young man who was not married and who also…

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Can a person be baptized who is living with someone but not having sex?

Question: Can a person be denied baptism if he is living with his fiancée but isn’t committing fornication because they saw the error of their ways Answer: Paul declared “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20). If a person realizes that fornication is sinful, then why is…

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Is it a sin to own a luxury handbag?

Question: Hi, I’ve been reading your articles about modesty, and recently I got myself into some heated arguments with a few sisters about owning luxury handbags. Some felt that these are considered as things of the world, and we shouldn’t pursue it, while some felt that owning them will likely invite jealousy. However, the irony…

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Is it by God’s grace that a person survives a near death situation?

Question: Good day, I have heard people saying after a near-death situation that “It is by the grace of God he is alive.” How biblical is that? Thanks Answer: “Grace” is a favor given, even though it is not deserved. We usually use it to talk about salvation, but consider: “For I am the least…

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What proof is there that Jews returned with Nehemiah?

Question: I saw your web page Q&A regarding how many waves of people were taken to Babylon. You also list three return groups. Is there any scriptural support for any Jews returning with Nehemiah? Answer: The list of those who returned with Zerubbabel is found in Ezra 2:2-67. The total was 42,360 male Israelites plus…

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I’m impressed with your website

Question: Dear Jeffrey W. Hamilton, I’m impressed with your website. It seems quite full of sound teaching. You’re fastidious about trying to get references and support for your statements. I was impressed with the article on John Wesley’s View of Baptism and the follow-up. I was glad you debunked that Bible Code hogwash. Folks are…

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Does I Corinthian 11:33 allow fellowship meals at the church building?

Question: Dear Brother in Christ,   I read your answer to Why is eating in the building an issue? concerning eating in the building and have a few questions.   First, you quote I Corinthians 11:17-22 where Paul is remonstrating the Corinthians for leaving some hungry and for some getting drunk asking, “Don’t you have homes…

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What about a person who doesn’t repent until after his baptism?

Question: Dear brother, Thank God for your good work. Please, if an unrepented person who concealed his sin then gets baptized and he later comes to his senses, what must he do? Or when the church finds out, what must the church do? What I understand, based on the steps to salvation, Acts 2:47 and…

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Jesus’ Baptism

by Terry Wane Benton Jesus had no sins, and John was baptizing people who needed their sins washed away. When Jesus requested that John baptize Him, John “tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” Baptism is for sinners who want their sins remitted,…

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Is Satan the source of all evil?

Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Is every single evil ideology, false teaching and deceptive doctrine that is against God derived in some form or fashion from Satan? I noticed the Spirit says many will follow after the doctrine of demons in I Timothy 4. It got me thinking Answer: Since Satan is the one who originally…

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Can you get baptized if you are pregnant but planning to get married?

Question: Hello servant of God, I have a question which my friend has been asking to help and give her some advice: Can a woman get baptize when she’s in early pregnancy and not married yet, but they’re planning to get married? Answer: The physical consequence of sin isn’t what should be of concern. The…

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Is it wrong to obey even though you don’t really want to?

Question: Good day, I know everything we are to do for God and for our fellow man has to be done willingly and with love. Is it wrong to be obedient because you are growing in a command (forgiving) and do not really want to do it? Answer: What if I reverse your question? Is…

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Is it a sin not to give each Sunday?

Question: Since giving is an act of worship. Do we sin on the Sundays we do not give? For example, from my understanding, we are to give as we prosper, so if I only get paid twice a month,  don’t I only give on the Sunday following when I got paid?  I got paid on…

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Are parts of our Bible missing?

Question: I’ve been discussing with a friend about his belief in God, Jesus, and the Bible. He believes in all three, but in regards to the Bible, he does not believe everything in it. He also believes that some parts of the Bible are missing, saying it’s in history that some parts of the Bible…

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Your teachings are helpful!

Question: Wow, your teachings are helpful! Answer: Thank you, but all I am doing is helping to explain what God has already taught. I would not be able to come up with this knowledge on my own.

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How do I talk to my wife about modesty?

Question: My wife struggles with modesty. I do my best to show and tell her that I support and love her regardless of her decisions, but it still makes me uncomfortable when she chooses to dress immodestly. It’s not that I don’t find her attractive, because she is. I feel uncomfortable because I believe that…

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Is it OK to turn another Christian into the police for stealing from you?

Question: Is it right for an elder to detain a sister in a police station because she collected the elder’s ID card and two mobile phones? Answer: Christians are required by God to stop stealing (Ephesians 4:28) and not make a practice of it. Our interactions regarding Christians and what to do about their sin…

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What does ‘the inner man’ refer to in scripture?

Question: II Corinthians 4:16 and some other scriptures refer to ‘the inner man’. What does ‘the inner man’ mean? Answer: Let us look at all the verses concerning the “inner man” to help shed some light on your question. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner…

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Will I be unhappy marrying a girl who is not a virgin?

Question: Dear Sir, I would like to ask a question about what I should do regarding my relationship. I am having difficulty deciding on a solution. Also, please consider our culture and community’s point of view. I have a girlfriend. We are both in our mid-twenties. We have been together for about a month. Before…

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Does my anxiety mean I don’t have a relationship with Jesus?

Question: I have been diagnosed with clinical anxiety. I have been anxious all my life but recently it became extreme to the point of shaking and freezing. I am always asking the question “What if and what will thus be the result of it.” I am very involved in several activities at the Lord’s church…

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How can I overcome the fear of death?

Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, Is there a way to become unafraid of death? I have been terrified of dying since I was very young and sometimes it consumes my thoughts. I fear the concept of being put in a box in the ground unable to move, think, feel or talk to anyone for who knows…

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Were any saved without baptism in the Christian age?

Question: Was there anyone saved after the dispensation of Christ in the New Testament that was not baptized? Answer: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me'” (John 14:6). Children are born without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29) and are not held…

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I got caught up in fornication

Question: Hello, I read a certain response on fornication and God’s forgiveness to us Christians. I also got caught up in fornication. The only book I found myself reading is Jude, which condemns the ungodly act of taking the grace of God for granted. I feel so low in my spiritual status because I thought…

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What should be done about a minister who is committing adultery?

Question: Recently some in our congregation have found out that our married minister is committing adultery. This information was shared with certain brothers. They approached the minister, who vehemently denied it, but there is valid proof of this affair. The minister continues to preach and will be preaching at a church lectureship in a few…

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I don’t seem to be improving. What can I do?

Question: Hello, I’ve been a Christian for about twenty years now and am a member of the church of Christ. I would appreciate if you could answer some questions and help me with some issues I am having. I’ve been examining myself lately, and I realize that I am a lukewarm Christian, at best. A…

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What about people who play the victim card?

Question: Hi, I was wondering what the Bible has to say about those who play the victim card to deceive people. Answer: All lying is wrong, regardless of the motivation behind the lies (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8). Thus, to do something with the intent of deceiving people is sinful. There are various reasons people play…

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Does my parents’ adultery affect me?

Question: Hello, I am a faithful Christian and try to the best of my ability to follow the teachings of Christ. But unfortunately, my parents are atheists, and they had me while committing the sin of adultery. Does their sin have any repercussions on me, and if yes, what should I do? Answer: When Israel…

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If a woman can say “Amen,” then why can’t she say “I disagree?”

Question: If there is such a thing as a “smell” test, I think the “Amen” at least invokes a whiff. If you accept that a woman can randomly and audibly say “Amen” (meaning “I agree” or “I concur”), why could she not randomly and audibly say “No!” meaning “I don’t agree?” Answer: There is a…

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Does I Corinthians 7:2 imply polygyny?

Question: Hello I stumbled on a website about polygyny being biblical still, which stunned me.  It’s not the only one out there promoting this.  The author claimed his insight came from I Corinthians 7:2 when two different words are used to show possession of respective spouses. The words are: heautou  (Strongs #1438) idios  (Strongs #2398)…

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We can’t afford to get married, but would it be bad to have sex now?

Question: Hello! My boyfriend and I have been dating for over five years, not necessarily because we wanted to wait this long, but because we don’t have the money. I only recently finished college, and I didn’t want to get married until I was done with school. Well, I’ve been done with college for about…

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Is the silence of women only applied to prophecy?

Question: Hey brother, Just had a quick question: How do you reconcile I Corinthians 14:34-35 applying women to the entire context beginning at I Corinthians 14:26 and not just the direct context of prophecy grammatically? I have been having issues with that. Answer: “What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has…

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How do I explain to my son that his friend is sinning?

Question: One of my sisters in Christ is a teen girl (age 19). She is also my son’s best friend. I know her well, and I follow her on social media platforms. She recently posted a picture of herself with a friend who is a girl. Her written post attached to the picture included calling…

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Can someone be forgiven if he purposely sins?

Question: My friend lost his virginity because he wanted to. The person he did it with had already done it a couple of times. He felt really bad because he is a Christian. Can God forgive him if he confesses to a priest? Answer: Confession to a priest is a Catholic practice. It is not…

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My boyfriend says times are different now for Christians

Question: My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year. After receiving the grace of God, I have come to the knowledge that sex before marriage is a sin, and I do not want to partake in this anymore but my boyfriend is not on board. I am a born again Christian who…

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I want to be a Christian, but my parents are Hindus

Question: Praise the Lord. I’m Hindu, but I accepted Jesus as my God and Savior. In my family, all are unbelievers. My brother and I were baptized. I praise God for His grace upon us. My family forces us to bow before Hindu idols. It hurts a lot. When the world rejected me, Jesus loved…

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Can a marriage be annulled?

Question: Hello, I was curious to get your thoughts on remarriage. Would a first marriage still be a valid, permanent, or real in God’s eyes if: People do it while on drugs or are drunk and then later, had it annulled, without consummating the marriage and remarried later in life? Would God still consider them…

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I regret that I haven’t stopped committing fornication

Question: Please, I need your guidance and prayers. I am a male of 24 years. I have been baptized but still commit fornication. I have had sex with numerous women of which there is not even one I don’t regret instantly after having sex with. I pray for forgiveness, I but still go back to…

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