Answer
Why did Paul refer to the saints and faithful brethren in Colossians 1:2?
Question: In Colossians 1:2, Paul speaks to the ‘saints and the faithful’. Why does he make a distinction between the two? Answer: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God…
Read MoreCan a child have too many toys?
Question: Can too many toys hamper a child’s play? Answer: You might be surprised to learn that overindulging in “things,” such as toys, can lead to boredom. The article “Boredom” provides more details.
Read MoreIs life only enjoyable for the righteous when they reach heaven?
Question: Hi Jeff, I read in the Scriptures of all the good things, promises, happiness, peace, comfort and more that the righteous are told they will enjoy, but when you consider their life, it is mostly filled with misery. So I ask, is it only in heaven that they will enjoy these things? Thanks. Answer:…
Read MoreHow do I get others to see the necessity of attending?
Question: Hey brother Hamilton, I have a concern I know you will be able to help me address. I am a teacher at a local church of Christ. I have been doing my best teaching the congregation starting about a year ago. I am also a teenager who will be graduating this year. My concern…
Read MoreWhat do we do when the government is involved in our child rearing?
Question: What do we when outside government authorities are involved in our child raising? Answer: This becomes a difficult question to answer well because much depends on the reason the government has seen fit to interfere. The best that I can do is answer in general and hope that I have hit upon your…
Read MoreDoes it matter if you are baptized facing forward?
Question: I just started going to a church of Christ and love it. They’re a real loving congregation. I was just baptized. I’m new to all this but have OCD and am particular. I find it odd that they baptized me forward while I was on my knees. I’m new to all this and felt…
Read MoreHow could Cornelius be righteous if all of man’s righteousness are filthy rags before God?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I’m having trouble in my understanding on a matter. In the book of Isaiah it seems to insinuate that a man’s righteousness is filthy rags before God, and Isaiah, a righteous prophet, felt unclean in the sight of Holy Yahweh; yet, the Bible also states we can please God with our…
Read MoreMust Christians wear white?
Question: I have a question after reading an article online. It seems to indicate the proper dress code must be white because Christians wearing white clothing is a sign of purity. So it is sinful for men to wear black clothing on services on Sunday? Is a black shirt or trousers immodest and wrong? Answer:…
Read MoreHow do I honor my stepmother and accept her?
Question: How do I honor my stepmother and accept her? What are our places now in the family? I am just looking around in all sorts of places for answers, so I hope this is something that is appropriate to ask you. Recently my family has grown as my dad has remarried. My mother passed…
Read MoreDoes “burning with passion” include masturbation?
Question: Hello preacher, I write to you because I want to read your answer more carefully and I believe that a written response will be more crafted. I’ve already read the material you have on the website about masturbation while one still a single person and the subject was closed to me for. Recently, however,…
Read MoreReally enjoy your website
Question: Really enjoy your website and your “thus saith the Lord” for everything taught. I too am part of a small congregation. Keep up the good work! Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreIs it wrong to refer to an elder as “brother”?
Question: Good day, We have a duty roster which I draw up monthly. One month I listed one of the elders as “brother,” which he was not happy with. Is it really such a violation to call you a brother and not an elder? Answer: Actually, the violation is on the elder’s side. Consider that…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be called?
Question: What does it mean to be called? Answer: “Called” is another way to say “invited” or “encouraged to come.” “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as…
Read MoreI want to be baptized, but how can I find a true believer to do it?
Question: I recently came across the fact that baptism is a necessary step for the forgiveness of sins. If this interpretation is true, it means that I’ve never met a Christian in my whole life. Most people I know who are or claim to be a Christian were baptized because they knew God commanded it.…
Read MoreIs there a point when it is too late to leave sin and be forgiven?
Question: I grew up in a church of Christ. I was baptized in middle school. I have struggled with sexual immorality beginning from a young age for a long time, along with other sins including taking plan B. I think as a teenager I did not take sin as seriously as I should. I have…
Read MoreThank you for your head covering article
Question: Sir, I came across your article on a head-covering website and wanted to thank you. We attend a very small church of Christ in an equally small town. My two adult daughters and I headcover, as does my granddaughter, who is a baptized believer. We have found that God is blessing us for being in obedience…
Read MoreHow could Jesus be taught of God if he is all-knowing?
Question: Hey brother, Jesus says He was taught by God. I always found that interesting and intriguing. If Jesus is all knowing, can you help me understand how he was taught by God? Answer: “So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from…
Read MoreA post on your website brought me clarity and peace
Question: I’ve been a Christian for many decades. In the most recent decades, PTSD and other events really messed up my mind. Age took its toll too. The last month has been particularly tough. A single post on your website brought clarity again … and peace. Thanks for taking the time to develop your website.…
Read MoreHow could Satan be in heaven?
Question: I know you get a lot of questions, but I’m hung up on this one. In your answer about Satan’s fall from grace, you conclude that Satan was in heaven: “Satan could at one time appear before God (Job 1:6; 2:1; I Kings 22:19-22); thus, he was in heaven.” Couldn’t he have appeared before God without…
Read MoreIs it scriptural to “join” a church?
Question: I have a question about joining a church. I’m a bit at a loss to know how to go forward. This is all rather new to me as my family left “going to church” decades ago and have since worshiped with other Christians in homes or fellowships. One of the church leaders asked me…
Read MoreCan I pursue a career singing pop music?
Question: Can I pursue a singing career in pop music? I have an opportunity to get myself out there, but I would like to know if it is OK to pursue a career in entertainment because I don’t want to lose my soul. Please, I would love an answer. I’m very conflicted at the moment.…
Read MoreCan she leave me after being committed to each other for three years?
Question: I am in a relationship with a girl for the past three years. I am a firm believer and was baptized in water nearly 15 years ago. The girl is also a firm believer. In the past three years, we have had sex countless times. We are committed to each other. Our parents know…
Read MoreAre many prophecies being fulfilled in recent years?
Question: Good Evening, I have been reading a lot on prophecies that have supposedly been fulfilled in recent years or months. I am not entirely sure how to handle this information. Much of it seems like grasping at straws, while some of it seems startlingly clear. I would like your thoughts on this. I have…
Read MoreWhen I confess and repent, will my relationship with God be restored?
Question: If I pray to God and tell Him I know what I did was wrong, and I know I did it a few times, but I will never do it again, then will my relationship with God be good as long as I repent? Answer: When you accept that you are no longer that…
Read MoreDid Adam and Eve not know they were naked?
Question: Is it true that Adam and his wife did not know that they were physically naked before sin? I.e. the terms ‘naked’ and ‘clothed’ did not exist unto then. Answer: “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25). Adam and Eve were like little children in this…
Read MoreWhat if a person does not go completely under the water at the same time? Is it still a baptism?
Question: What are your thoughts concerning baptism when a finger or knuckle or possibly someone with long hair doesn’t all get under at the same time or under at all? It seems like that could happen accidentally with no knowledge of it or could also be noticed by the baptizer. It seems like it’s still…
Read MoreCan God be proven scientifically?
Question: Your email address was given to me by a friend of mine recently. He said that you’d be willing to respond to questions. I have regarding faith in God and creationism. I am sending this message in hopes that this could be the case. I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of…
Read MoreThe original Lord’s Supper was observed at night and it wasn’t on Sunday
Question: The original Lord’s Supper was observed at nighttime (Matthew 26:31), and it was not observed on the first day of the week (Sunday), The practice of breaking bread was done on a daily basis from house to house, not on a weekly basis as in the churches of Christ. You find this information in Acts 2:46. And you’ll also…
Read MoreWhy do the churches of Christ insist that their name is scriptural?
Question: Why does the “Church of Christ” insist that their name is scriptural when it cannot be found anywhere in the Bible? The church is referred to as the “church of God” eight times in the Bible, but never is it called the “church of Christ.” The verse they use is Romans 16:16, but it doesn’t…
Read MoreDoes the Holy Spirit only work through the Word?
Question: Hey brother, I know God and Christ work today, I read an article from Truth Magazine in regards to the Spirit. They used scripture to defend the Spirit only works by the word. Does the Spirit only work by the Word? Is He active in regeneration, renewing, and divine intervention? I realize He does…
Read MoreShould we be worried about advances in Artificial Intelligence?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Supposedly there is technology that can read thoughts. I didn’t think that was possible. What should be the Christian reaction to all this technology? Also, should all this crazy A.I. technology make a Christian nervous? Answer: The current state of technology is not nearly to the point of thought reading. It…
Read MoreI’m too impure and unworthy to come to God
Question: I’m truly scared about this, but I thought I would give it a go. I’m 15 years old and I’ve done stuff most adults haven’t dreamed of doing, such as smoking weed, giving hand jobs, and receiving masturbation. The problem is anytime I try to change and move forward something pulls me back. It’s…
Read MoreI too left the Nazarene church, but over legalism
Question: I was reading your letter online and, like your “I left the Nazarene church,” I left on the other hand because I found the practices to be legalistic. I find your letter to be greatly encouraging. Thank you and God bless you. Answer: I’m glad the article was of benefit to you. “Legalism” is…
Read MoreMy sister-in-law stopped talking to me and I don’t know why
Question: Hello sir, I have a question about family problems. I have a sister-in-law who cannot stand me for no other reason from what I can gather than jealousy. I’ll try to explain. She deleted me from social media recently and cut off communication between us. I noticed and right away I called her to…
Read MoreShouldn’t we be skipping some verses in Ten Thousand Angels and Amazing Grace?
Question: In the song “Ten Thousand Angels,” the last words in the fourth verse states: “Salvation’s wondrous plan was done.” In the preceding words, He gave himself to die, followed by Salvation’s wondrous plan was done gives the idea that there was nothing left for Christ to do in order for salvation to be accomplished.…
Read MoreI found pornography on my fiance’s flash drives. What should I do?
Question: I found flash drives in my fiancé’s stuff: one had a hidden folder of photos of family, wallpapers, and a folder named “Girls” with half-naked pictures of women — both anime and movie star. Another flash drive had a New Folder with mixed pictures both half-naked anime photos plus photos of us. I confronted…
Read MoreCan we become perfect?
Question: What is perfection? Can we, as Christians, obtain perfection? If so, how do we obtain it? Answer: The Greek word translated as “perfect” is the word teleion. It means something that is complete, perfect, whole, full-grown, ripe, mature, or adult. Thus, becoming perfect is just another way of saying you have matured. In “Yet we…
Read MoreWhat does a wife do when she finds out her husband lied about committing adultery against his former wife?
Question: This question is in reference to a friend. She grew up in the church, and she was baptized. She entered into a marriage with someone, but her spouse committed adultery against her. My friend remarried sometime later and was under the assumption that she was entering into a scriptural marriage. Her new spouse had…
Read MoreI get so mad at my former boyfriend that it is affecting my life
Question: Hello, I am a member of the Lord’s church. I have been going through a rough cycle of hurt, anger, and unforgivable times with my daughter’s father. After we broke up a few years ago, it started to be rough with co-parenting with him. I called off my relationship with him because I knew…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a congregation to sell land it no longer needs?
Question: If a congregation sells a plot of land (that was originally intended to build a building), is it unscriptural if it makes a profit? Answer: The congregation purchased the land for the intent of building a building and for whatever reason the plan did not work out (as sometimes happens). Since the land is…
Read More