Are Romans 2:4 and Titus 2:11 talking about two different types of grace?

Question: Good day, Titus 2:11 speaks about the grace that brings salvation, meaning unmerited favor. Does Romans 2:4 talk about a different grace, where God cares and supplies to all human beings so that they would want the grace mentioned in Titus 2:11? Thanks. Answer: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to…

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Why isn’t the Lord’s Supper taken as the last meal of the day?

Question: Why is the Lord’s Supper taken early in the day on Sunday and not in the evening? After all, supper is something that is taken in the evening. Answer: In English, “supper” refers to the last mean of the day. The memorial in which we remember Christ’s death is referred to as the Lord’s…

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Are all addictions sinful?

Question: Hi, I’m still confused about I Corinthians 6:12, where it says, “I will not be enslaved by anything.” To me, it sounds like all addictions are sinful. I know we talked about this, but I’m still confused. Answer: In I Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul gave a list of some sins that can keep a person…

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Is it tempt or try?

Question: In Matthew 4:7, it seems to say something different in two translations. The ESV: Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'” The NKJV: Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” Which translation is…

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Is a single person who commits adultery prevented from getting married?

Question: There is much discussion and teaching within the church about divorce, adultery, and remarriage, but something I’ve never heard discussed is what about the person who commits adultery, but who wasn’t married? The Bible is clear that a spouse who commits adultery with someone else is not eligible to remarry another if that married…

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I don’t trust my boyfriend enough to marry him

Question: I grew up in a Christian family. I did choose to be baptized at age of 11 or 12, but now that I’m older I find myself reading the Bible for my understanding and find myself in a tough situation that will cause me to not inherit the kingdom of heaven. For this reason,…

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Thank you for your article on religious obsessive-compulsive disorders

Question: Hello, I would just like to thank you for your article on religious obsessive-compulsive disorders that I just stumbled upon. For years I have been suffering from this condition without realizing that it was a real condition, and thinking that I was the only person who had some of the thoughts you listed. I couldn’t…

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Does God hate gays and bisexuals?

Question: Does God hate gays and bisexuals? Answer: May I ask my own question? Does God hate thieves? What you are implying in your question is that who a person chooses to have sex with somehow innately defines who the person is. God doesn’t see it that way. People can change and God has gone…

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Is masturbating a lack of self-control?

Question: I found some of your insights on the subject of masturbation quite amazing. As an evangelical, we are taught to develop spiritual disciplines of which self-control is one. In fact, in Galatians 5:22 the apostle Paul highlights it as one of the fruits of the Spirit. To this effect, it is argued that, if…

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Do I have to marry him because we had sex?

Question: I am in my early twenties, a newly born-again Christian and a Protestant. I am in a relationship with a Catholic guy for over five years. We did have sex and he has been loyal to me all these years. He is also a violent and angry person. As I grew in Christ, I…

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What exactly is sodomy?

Question: What exactly is sodomy? My understanding is that it is oral sex with either the same sex or between man and wife, but I have had many arguments with other people who say oral sex is OK between married people. This is such an embarrassing topic, but I really want to hear your opinion.…

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We use your Bible studies extensively

Question: Thank you so very much for all the information that is available on your site. We attend a church of Christ here and use your Bible studies extensively. There are very few strong churches of Christ left. Thank you for being one of them. Answer: Glad you are finding the material on the website…

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What is the penance for adultery?

Question: Hello, I would like to know what is the penance for adultery. If forgiveness is possible, does the “forgive and you shall be forgiven” apply? Answer: The idea that there are acts of penance done for sins is not taught in the Bible. It is merely a Roman Catholic tradition. See: Do we have to…

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Is it a sin to not offer an invitation at the end of a sermon?

Question: I understand there is a sin of omission, James 4:17. I attend a congregation where the preacher never preaches the gospel, hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of sins. He preaches the truth and is very scriptural in all of his lessons; however, he very rarely, if ever, extends an…

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Why is Jeremiah referred to as the weeping prophet? 

Question: Why is Jeremiah referred to as the weeping prophet? Answer: “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! … I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, and for the…

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Can I be filled with the Spirit when I have a sinful past?

Question: Hi, good morning, I was looking for a particular topic online when I came across your page where you were giving advice about fornication, etc. However, I’m 21 years old, baptized at 11 years old, changed churches, and I’m now at my present church for several years now; anyways, I’ve been engaging in sexual…

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Is all sin premeditated?

Question: Is all sin premeditated? Answer: I was intrigued by your question. I am not sure what you exactly mean by premeditated and what boundaries to go by, but in the Bible, there are sins mentioned that people don’t realize what they are doing. There are also other sins where people just were not given…

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I’m confused by the apparent compilation of records in Genesis

Question: I have been reading your material in Genesis and find your conclusions intriguing on the book being a collection of inspired records that Moses made under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  I am creating material for my daily Genesis podcast, so I want to ensure that I’m accurately portraying this part of your…

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I’ve been going through a lot and I’ve just had it with life

Question: I need help. I’ve been going through a lot right now. But here is what is going on: We couldn’t afford to stay at my original house, so we had to move into a smaller house. Money is really tight right now. We’re poor. I don’t know if God is doing it to us.…

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How do I teach others about difficult topics?

Question: Hello preacher, How are you? Fine, I hope. It may sound strange, but considering how much you’ve answered my questions and the frequency I read the site’s articles and sermons, I’ve got used to your writing style and kind of feel like you are a close friend of mine. Every time a doubt pops…

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If I don’t have sex, he refuses to support me

Question: I have been living with my children’s father for ten years. I am a stay-at-home mom in my late twenties. I was baptized at my church camp. He’s upset with me all the time — before and after I was baptized. Well, I sinned. I had sex with him two weeks ago. The reason…

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Did animals start eating meat after the fall of man?

Question: Thank you for the wonderful and comprehensive website with so much Bible-based information.  I’m reading it daily and learning so much. Many thanks. One question comes to mind that I did not find an answer to, although the Bible does mention that the first animals in creation ate the grasses of the field.  Were…

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Is it wrong to look at images of Hindu gods?

Question: I have a question: you see, with my religion now, I tend to look at other religions. Not for worship but there are some religious gods in Hinduism that I usually research because they look interesting, such as the art that is made of them. Is that bad? If I’m interested in them but…

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How do I get my wife to stop nagging?

Question: Hello, What does the Bible say about a nagging wife? She brings up legitimate concerns from time to time. We currently are having financial problems because we are having to pay for an upcoming childbirth, and we have had a lot of unexpected expenses come up this year. But she goes overboard with it…

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Why did God kill the Egyptian babies?

Question: Can you please shed some light on the angel of death causing the firstborn of all the Egyptian babies to die? I understand to some degree that God in His sovereign will allow this to work out for the freeing of the Israelites from bondage. Knowing that no one can fully comprehend the infinite…

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Can you sell drugs and be a Christian?

Question: Hello Jeff, I just wanted to follow up with you on the conversation I had with my friend tonight. First, there’s someone he wants input on helping. He has a friend — let’s call this friend Bob — who owes him money (possibly from past drug deals, but I’m not sure). My friend has…

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To me, love proves there is free will

Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, Thank you for your lessons in reference to the determinist or Calvinist’s point of view vs. the view of choice or free will: There Is No Partiality With God The Role of Obedience in Salvation Is Our Fate Predetermined? If one takes the Calvinist’s view that only the elect are called…

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Your rapture article is highly inaccurate

Question: I find your rapture article highly inaccurate as you throw verses together that clearly have no harmony with the calling up of God’s people. How else does a world order be ushered in without millions going missing?  If there is no rapture there is no changing of the bodies. Christ isn’t physically on the earth and…

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Could God have sent a married man to be my husband?

Question: Could a man who is married be the husband God sent to me? The reason why I ask this question is that I have never felt this way about anyone, especially someone who is married. The shocking thing is that he feels the same way that I feel, and we both are trying to…

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