Does God lead us into temptation?

Question: Matthew 6:13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen,” seems to imply that God might lead us into temptation. But James 1:13 says God doesn’t tempt people with evil. Could you explain this? Answer: “And do…

Read More

Could you explain “for some have no knowledge of God”?

Question: In I Corinthians 15:34, “for some have no knowledge of God,” is “some” referring to the “bad company” in I Corinthians 15:33 or to the Corinthians who should become sober-minded? Answer: “If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let…

Read More

I thought lust would go away once I was married

Question: Hello, I’ve been married for about a year now. I have a wonderful husband, and everything else is great. The issue I have is that I have struggled with lust, masturbation, and pornography for many years. I have been masturbating since I was really young, because I remember a family member touching me inappropriately,…

Read More

Why did God take so long to bring Israel into the promised land?

Question: Dear Jeffrey, I have a question and would like to seek your wisdom. This pertains to God’s purpose in the various journeys involving the children of Israel. What does the scriptures say or infer about God’s purpose? God asked Abraham to pack up and move to the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1). It is…

Read More

Am I able to return to God?

Question: I’m in my 30s. Last year, I decided to become a Christian. I’m in the “doctrine,” but I haven’t been baptized yet. When I decided to become a Christian, my family turned their backs on me. I only had the support of a sister and her husband, who preached the word of God to…

Read More

Is the Bible only for the less educated?

Question: Dear Jeffrey, I recently came across a paper written by a preacher of a brotherhood Church of Christ, and here is what it says: “The Bible was not written for the highly educated, but rather, for the simple (I Corinthians 1:26-27).” It does puzzle me, and I would like to hear your view on…

Read More

Which should take priority – fellowship or evangelism?

Question: Acts 2:46 states that they would meet every day. Today, with modern schedules, jobs, and family demands, daily gatherings seem unrealistic, but is this wrong thinking? To what extent is the daily fellowship model in Acts 2:46 an expectation for Christians, and how should believers today practically live out this passage? Scripture encourages strong…

Read More

My wife doesn’t want to live with me any longer

Question: Hello Bro. Hamilton, Thank you for the tremendous amount of labor you’ve devoted to this website and helping people properly understand and discern God’s word. I have a question about what I should or am allowed to do regarding I Corinthians 7. My wife has been adamant for the last six months that she…

Read More

Did I marry my teenage boyfriend?

Question: Hello Sir, I hope you’re doing well. I have a quick question and would truly appreciate your biblical insight regarding marriage covenants. When I was in high school, at the age of 15, I had a boyfriend with whom I was sinfully involved, and I’ve since repented and deeply regretted those choices. I’m now…

Read More

Is unconditional forgiveness only required for unbelievers?

Question: Brother Jeff, I would appreciate your input on this question. We understand from Luke 17:3 and Ephesians 4:32 that forgiveness is conditioned upon repentance. But is this only applicable in situations where the offender is a Christian (brother in Christ) like yourself? In other words, is forgiveness conditional only when the person who offends…

Read More

Is it adultery to marry again?

Question: Good day; I have read your articles on your website and I find them very edifying. I have a couple of questions, and I hope you can help me. I became a Christian and was baptized at age 17. I was pregnant, and my mom had just become a Christian a year before, and…

Read More

Are Advanced Medical Directives or Living Wills wrong?

Question: In my country, there is an arrangement called “Advance Medical Directive (AMD)”. “It is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life.” Is it…

Read More

Why would God have Moses strike the rock one time and not the next?

Question: Dear Brother Jeffrey, I have a question and would appreciate your insights. In Exodus 17, God commanded Moses to smite the rock for water, and then in Numbers 20, He commanded Moses to speak unto the rock for water. We know that Moses smote the rock in Exodus; he did the same in Numbers,…

Read More

What does “counted” mean in Romans 4:5?

Question: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5 KJV). I’m trying to figure out what the word “counted” means. Does the word “counted” mean “considered?” When it says “his faith is counted for righteousness,” does that mean his faith is…

Read More

Why are “be baptized” in different voices in Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16?

Question: I would love your thoughts on this. In Acts 2:38, “be baptized” is a third-person verb in the passive voice, unlike the second-person verbs of “repent” and “hear” (Acts 2:22). This confirms that baptism is less of a work for the sinner to perform and more a work for the sinner to submit to.…

Read More

What happens to the Neanderthals in the resurrection?

Question: Hello Brother, This is a question received from an atheist. Your reply with biblical evidence will help me study this subject further. “Homo sapiens appeared on earth about two million years ago. In the Bible, there is a brief history of a tribe for around six thousand years. It doesn’t record anything about our…

Read More

Nothing to Do?

by David Gibson Two university students were talking. One lamented that there wasn’t anything to do in our small town. The other said he had once been a student in a large city where there was so much to do that his grades suffered as a result. He felt it was to his advantage to…

Read More

Is this a good way to do a word study?

Question: I’ve been working on a personal Greek word study structure because I want to gain a deeper understanding of the original meanings of biblical words. I’ve created a layout for how I approach these studies, and I’d appreciate your feedback. This is what I have so far, and I’d love to get your advice on…

Read More

Was “hell” changed to “hades” to support the idea of purgatory?

Question: Good day, I received the following letter: You’re wrong, brother. The word was changed from “hell” to “Hades” as a way for the church to support purgatory, which is not true. There is no purgatory for sanctification, as sanctification is done here on Earth through the Holy Spirit who dwells within true believers. To…

Read More

Why do people change the teachings of Christ?

Question: Hello there! My primary question is this: How can “Christians” claim to love the Lord and accept the Bible as truth, block out, look over, or misconceptualize truths in the Bible that cover their salvation and how to worship? The best thing I can think of is: It’s so traditional that their hearts are…

Read More

Is baptism by immersion valid?

Question: Is baptism by immersion valid? Ezekiel prophesied, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you.” Doesn’t that verse mean baptism is to be done by sprinkling and not immersion? Peter said we are “sprinkled with the blood of Christ.” Also, Peter baptized in Jerusalem on Pentecost, where there wouldn’t have been deep enough water to…

Read More

Are all denominations false?

Question: Are all denominations false? Did Jesus ever command anyone to create denominations? To me, it seems that denominations are man-made religions, not something the Lord initiated. I don’t believe God leads people to follow a particular denomination or to find their identity in one. Many people proudly call themselves Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, and so…

Read More

Can a person have the gift of recognizing and casting out evil spirits today?

Question: I came across your website and have been encouraged by your biblical answers. Thank you for having it available. My friend professes to have the spiritual blessing of recognizing evil spirits in others and casting them out. He has mentioned examples of this. I was unsure about that, so it seems possible after searching…

Read More

Should someone work for a company that is involved in alcohol and gambling?

Question: Hi Jeffrey, I hope all is well with you. I would appreciate your thoughts about a company’s activities and the Bible’s guidance on working for that company. The company in question is a large retailer that does much good for society by providing food and other items at low prices. However, the retailer also…

Read More

My cousin left after announcing he was gay

Question: Hello pastor, My congregation is a close-knit congregation. The majority of us are family. My cousin, who was baptized in our church, has recently told the congregation that he is gay and that he does not want to be part of the church, he never believed in God, etc. This destroyed his family. He…

Read More

My cousin is upset that I didn’t invite her to my wedding

Question: Hello Pastor, I have a question that has been on my mind recently. I was reading in Matthew something like, “If your brother has something against you, leave your offering at the altar and reconcile.” I remembered a circumstance that happened a while ago, and it’s worrying me if I’m right with the Lord. I wonder…

Read More

How can I know that God has forgiven me?

Question: How can I know that God has truly forgiven me? And how can I be sure I’m now free to move forward without needing to return? Answer: Paul tells us that God cannot lie — not will not lie, or sometimes doesn’t lie, God is not capable of lying (Titus 1:2). It is God who…

Read More

Outstanding article on the date of Revelation

Question: I came across Steve Hamilton’s articles on the date of the Revelation, and I just have to say: Outstanding! He writes like a true scholar, backing up every word with primary source references. Please forward this to him! I’ve added his articles to my library. Answer: I’m sure he will be happy to see your…

Read More

What does unity look like?

Question: Dear Jeffrey, I’m struggling a bit with what unity really means in light of scripture, and I’d appreciate your guidance. From my study, I understand unity to involve being “of the same mind and judgment” as in I Corinthians 1:10-11, and having the humility and love described in Philippians 2:1-5. This seems to point toward…

Read More

Should parents visit their homosexual children?

Question: Jeff, I have a question regarding a situation someone close to me is in. I’m wondering if I need to say something to them or not. They are a couple in the congregation. They have a daughter who, unfortunately, is a homosexual. She is (to my understanding) married to another woman and lives in…

Read More

Should churches have a Mother’s Day event?

Question: Should churches have a Mother’s Day event? Answer: Why? Where do you find God requiring churches to create special events around secular holidays? After all, Mother’s Day in the United States started in 1908 and became an officially recognized day in 1914. It is easy to get caught up in seeing the “good” and…

Read More

How do I straighten out the mess I’ve made?

Question: Dear servant of God, For 17 years now, I have lived with the woman I consider my wife because we have three children together. Last year, she slept out in another man’s house while on a trip to our home area, and I immediately realized what was happening. Once she returned to where we…

Read More

Is using a VPN wrong?

Question: Hello, I’ve seen that you answer practical questions from people. I’ve been struggling with a dilemma about using a VPN to evade geographical restrictions imposed by the commercial blockade on Cuba. I’m working on a website for affiliate marketing. I didn’t consider the VPN, but that started to resonate with me because I decided…

Read More

Can we use “saint” as a title?

Question: Good evening, dear brother. I saw a flyer by a church that referred to its speakers as Saint … . My question is can we use saint as a title? Answer: I suppose there is as much justification for using “saint” as a title as there is for using “brother” as a title. All Christians are…

Read More

Was Noah Sinning?

by Perry Hall In Genesis 9, Noah gets drunk. Ham’s actions follow, leading to a curse. Noah was not cursed. Was drunkenness, therefore, not a sin? This is a good example of allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, specifically showing how Genesis Narratives help explain other Genesis Narratives. The Bible keeps telling the same stories, just…

Read More

Is it proper for a woman to preach?

Question: Good day, Minister, I am reaching out because I was searching to see if it was okay for a woman to preach in a church. I read a lot, and your breakdown was more understandable and less depressing. I recently joined a church, but women run it. The church members are doing everything in…

Read More

What happened to the dead raised at Jesus’ death?

Question: Good evening, Minister, This question has been lingering on my mind for quite a while now. In Matthew, we read of the dead being resurrected after Jesus died. So what happened to these people? I know the Bible is silent on what happened to them, but I was just thinking: Where did they live?…

Read More