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Is it supposed to be brothers or brothers and sisters?
Question: Hi Jeff, In Acts 6:3, some translations say brethren, some say brothers, and some say brothers and sisters. Which one is correct? Did the men of the congregation choose the seven or was it the whole congregation? Thank you. Answer: Like many languages, the male gender of words is used when talking about a…
Read MoreWhy did the Israelites add an extra week to the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
Question: Hello, I’m from a church of Christ. I, of course, believe in worshiping after the pattern in the New Testament. How would you harmonize II Chronicles 30:23 with this? This text appears to show the Israelites adding seven additional days to the Feast of Unleavened Bread with God accepting it. There is no apparent…
Read MoreCan parents annul their daughter’s marriage?
Question: Please Minister, Can it be right for a parent to annul the marriage of their daughter based on disrespectful behavior shown toward them by their son-in-law? Can a married woman divorce her husband based on the same reason? Answer: A marriage covenant is between a husband and wife (Matthew 19:4-6). Parents are not a…
Read MoreShould we pray to cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus?
Question: Is it OK, while we pray, to cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus? For example, we cover ourselves with the blood of Jesus for protection. Do you remember the Passover when a lamb’s blood was used for protection against death? In that same way, better blood that speaks more than that of a…
Read MoreWhy am I having financial struggles, even though I serve God through ministry?
Question: Why am I having financial struggles, even after I chose God first and serve Him through ministry rather than a secular job? Answer: True preaching has never been known to pay well. While there were times Paul received enough financial support to focus completely on the preaching of the Gospel, there were many times…
Read MoreEach time a friend visits money goes missing
Question: Each time a colleague visits, my money goes missing. Twice he has visited and twice my money has gone missing. What should I do? Answer: I would say there is a strong probability that your colleague is using drugs. First, put your money in a safer place. Second, stop inviting this person into your…
Read MoreWhy did God tell Hezekiah to set his house in order before he died?
Question: I want to know why God asked Hezekiah to set his house in order for he will die? Second, did Hezekiah actually set his house in order before he died after God added more years for him to live? Answer: While most of us do not know when we might die, some of us…
Read MoreI have learned more reading your website than what l have learned in all the churches I have gone to
Question: I am writing to thank you for this great website. I have learned more reading your website than what l have learned in all the churches I have gone to. I thank God for this wonderful website and secondly you for creating such a wonderful learning tool. May God bless you and all your…
Read MoreDid Mary lead prayers? Did people receive all the gifts of the Spirit?
Question: Thank you for taking my questions. We were discussing the upper room Wednesday night. Acts 1:13-17 mentions that Mary, Jesus’ mother, and other women were present. We were trying to determine if Mary herself was praying while all the people were there. I know some women prophesied back then. My option is she was…
Read MoreDoes John 14:26 apply to Christians today?
Question: Hi Jeff, Does John 14:26 apply to Christians today? If not, why? Thanks. Answer: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that…
Read MoreIs it wrong to pray to die?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church, and I would like to know if it is wrong to pray to die. I have had a couple of incurable health problems for years, and I just can’t take it anymore. It has robbed me of any chance at a good life here, and I’m…
Read MoreI don’t trust my boyfriend anymore
Question: I started dating a guy, who I believed had a strong passion for Christ and teaching others about him. We’ve been dating for less than a year, but I have come to realize how lustful he is, and how much he thought about sex and mutual masturbation. A few days into dating he began…
Read MoreYour website was the first step for me to convert from atheism to Christianity
Question: Hello sir, I talked to you around three and a half years ago. I just want to thank you! I grew up an atheist and converted three and a half years ago. Your website was the first step for me to come to faith. I am now training to be a missionary. Without your…
Read MoreHow could Jesus’ baptism save before his death?
Question: I am a member of the Church of Christ. My son-in-law has decided to follow the Baptist teachings. I have done much study on baptism since his decision. I have studied many questions on your site. I am perplexed by your responses on one set of verses: John 4:1-2. You seem to say in…
Read MoreShould a man confess that he helped someone steal?
Question: Ten years ago a friend of mine committed a crime. He helped a homeless man carry a computer screen to sell it for drugs, even though he himself never broke in but helped carry it from the outside. No harm to anyone was done as it was empty and just after midnight. Anyway, he…
Read MoreWhy was an unclean animal used to symbolize Jesus’ tribe?
Question: Greetings, According to Leviticus 11:27, the lion is an unclean animal because of its paw. Therefore, how is it that the lion (Lion of the Tribe of Judah) is chosen as a type of Christ? Thank you. Answer: Unclean animals are a classification in regard to food. “Nevertheless these you shall not eat among…
Read MoreDoes a confession need to be taken before baptism?
Question: We are having a problem with words in our congregation. When you baptize someone should you say the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the remission of your sins?” Or should you just immerse them and say nothing? Also, our preacher does not…
Read MoreI read your online lessons and got baptized
Question: Dear Elder, Thank you for everything. I read your online lessons and got baptized. God bless you. Regards. Answer: Wonderful news!
Read MoreWhy can’t two women or two men marry and become one flesh?
Question: Hello, I am a Christian and I struggle with homosexual feelings. One thing I’m stuck on is the statement that homosexuality is wrong because only a man and woman can become one flesh. Then I ask what is one flesh? And I get the answers… One flesh is having the same values One flesh…
Read MoreDoes marriage bring forgiveness for fornication?
Question: I have read a number of things that you have written, and I find you to be very well-spoken, and you explain points very well in an understanding way. However, I’m still a little lost. I’m trying to find out if, when two people who have committed premarital sex are married, whether or not…
Read MoreHow close of a friend can I be to someone who uses drugs?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I hope you are doing well today. I have a question that I’ve always wondered about but never really been able to settle in my mind. Should a Christian hang out with an unbeliever? Obviously, Christians are not completely separate from unbelievers, but where is the line drawn? I have an old…
Read MoreWill sinners physically burn in hell?
Question: The Bible says after the judgment we who have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior will see eternal life, but those who did not will go and burn forever. I want to know what is that going to burn. Is it the spirit or the flesh? Answer: I don’t know that I…
Read MoreWhat a wonderful explanation about Sabbath keeping
Question: Hello preacher Jeffrey, What a wonderful explanation about Sabbath keeping. Surely we have been fed hamburgers for a long time. Your website has made me fold my hands and keep quiet for a while, praying to God to make a way for me to meet with you, sit next to you, and receive this plain…
Read MoreWhat is Hades?
Question: Do I understand correctly that there is one place called “Hell” and another place called “Hades”? And Hades is where the souls of the dead go until the final day of judgment? Answer: The term Hades is a general reference to “the realm of the dead”. By itself, it means nothing about what happens…
Read MoreHas God forgiven my friend who is living with a married man?
Question: Hello, I have a close relative who is in an illegal relationship. He was married, but he knew that the marriage was already broken. He was trying to fix the situation when he realized there was no more love in his heart for his wife. He then reunited with a long-time friend via social…
Read MoreWe are having a really hard time not having sex before our wedding
Question: Hello, I have a question concerning sex before marriage. My fiancé and I are getting married in about four months, and we are having a really hard time with not having sex. Here’s why we are struggling so much. We are so ready to commit fully to each other and bring our lives together…
Read MoreWhat should I do to have my prayers answered the way that I pray them?
Question: What should I do to have my prayers answered the way that I pray them? Answer: I think the hardest thing to remember about prayer is that sometimes the answer is “no”. We have the ability to ask for far too much and a father cannot always grant everything that a child could want.…
Read MoreShould a Christian school use an art textbook depicting nakedness?
Question: A university attended by many Christians currently uses an art textbook containing photography of nudity, photos glorifying homosexuality, sculptures of female genitalia, and multiple sculptures of nude human bodies. The administration and many brethren are defending such content because it is “Art” and not intended to be viewed as pornographic. There is one person…
Read MoreHow do we deal with a girl in our congregation who was raped?
Question: A girl in our church had a baby not long ago but refused to acknowledge her sin and repent. She recently said she was at a party that she should not have gone to, and she was raped by two boys. None of us knew this before. So how are we, as Christians, to…
Read MoreShould someone who fails to give a greeting be ignored?
Question: My brother complained to me about a girl who knows him very well. She came to his workplace but did not greet him. He was not happy because it showed disrespect in his opinion. (The lady is younger than him.) He also said that if he is in a position to offer assistance to…
Read MoreHow can we conclude that a person is glorified?
Question: I’d like to know how to define “glorify.” How can we conclude that a person is glorified? By what sign? Answer: The word “glorify” means “to give glory to”. Glory can mean honor, praise, or devotion, but it is usually considered a much more intense word than any of these. Thus, to glorify God…
Read MoreWhen did Samuel begin ministering to the Lord?
Question: Hi Jeff, At what age did the prophet Samuel begin ministering to the Lord? A teacher said seven years. Answer: We don’t know. Samuel was brought to the tabernacle after he was weaned (I Samuel 1:23-24), so he could be anywhere from 2 to 5 years old. As a boy, he served in the…
Read MoreI see your patience in trying to correct people’s misuse of Scripture
Question: I see your patience in trying to correct people’s misuse of Scripture. Answer: I’m glad it is noticeable.
Read MoreCan you achieve anything by just believing in yourself?
Question: Hi Jeff, I am a young man who is inexperienced in life but want to explore. I hear a lot of “you can do anything if you just believe in yourself.” But when I consider that there is a lot to learn, but our life span is short, I get scared. So I ask:…
Read MoreThank you for putting your articles online
Question: Hello, I want to thank you for putting your articles online. That makes it so easy to share with others, even around the world, with whom I am studying. Our congregation is like yours. I am hoping we can put our preachers’ audio or video online soon. Your friend in Christ. Answer: I’m glad…
Read MoreCan someone lose his reward but retain his salvation?
Question: Dear minister of God, Would you be kind enough to assist me in answering the following: For me, my understanding is that the believer’s eternal salvation is a matter of grace through faith alone. His reward is based on righteousness and works. Whereas the believer’s eternal salvation can never be lost, his reward can…
Read MoreIs benevolence by Christians limited to other Christians?
Question: I want to know whether sharing or any act of benevolence by Christians should be limited to the body of Christ alone. Answer: There are two standards for benevolence work. One concerns what the church can do and the other concerns what individuals are expected to do. The easy one is what is commanded…
Read MoreWhen will the rapture, seven years of distress, the war led by Jesus, and his 1,000-year reign occur?
Question: The four events that I am interested in are: the rapture will occur, Seven years of great distress on earth will happen a big war will then take place when Jesus personally comes back to earth, Jesus reigns on earth for 1000 years. Now what I wanted to know is: Will they occur before…
Read MoreCan I remove sin by myself?
Question: Hi, I want to know if I can remove the sin by myself or do I have to trust Jesus in order for this to work? Answer: When you sin, you put yourself into debt and into slavery. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that…
Read MoreWhat should be done about a girl who is unmarried, pregnant, and not willing to repent?
Question: A college girl in our congregation, whose father is a deacon, became pregnant and is not married. She says she will not go forward and repent or make any statement of being sorry for her sin. I am an elder’s wife and have said to the other elders’ wives that I will not take…
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