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I ruined my reputation as a Christian. Do I have to marry the woman I had sex with?
Question: Hello sir, I have read some of your answers related to sexual sins, and I thought I would seek Godly help from you. I was a very strict Christian in my early life. However, after completing my education, I desired worldly things instead of growing in God. I am staying in a non-Christian country, and…
Read MoreActs 11 does not prove we can now eat pork
Question: You said we could eat pork and pulled Acts 11 out to debate your cause, but you see that that vision was talking about the Gentiles if you keep reading on. The Bible tells us to get the conclusion of the whole matter. Answer: In “Uncleanness,” I said: “While many of the items selected…
Read MoreWhile I don’t agree with everything, I am impressed by your arguments on Buddhist philosophy
Question: I have read many of your posts and the question and answer page. I read all your thoughts on Buddhist philosophy (I’m Buddhist) and am impressed with how you put your arguments forward. I don’t agree with everything of course, but I like reading your positions on various subjects. I just wanted to say…
Read MoreWere there men, besides Paul, in the assembly where Paul met Lydia?
Question: In Acts 16:13 where the women had assembled on the Sabbath by the river, do you think that was a woman-only assembly, or were other men, besides Paul, there? Answer: Paul took Silas with him (Acts 15:41), Timothy also accompanies Paul (Acts 16:1-4), and at Troas Luke joins (the “we” in Acts 16:11). There…
Read MoreDid God tell Eve not to touch the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Question: I have always loved your website, but I read an article that says that God never told Eve she was not to touch the tree of knowledge, but according to Genesis 3 that’s not so. Answer: What God said: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you…
Read MoreDid some prophecies in the Bible go unfulfilled?
Question: Hi! We live in a predominately LDS community. After six years we have had our first missionaries visit. We have asked them to come back and study, so I have been prepping. In doing so I have been studying Deuteronomy 18 about prophets and applying that to Joseph Smith’s prophesies, but in doing so,…
Read MoreWhen I see my old friends from before I became a Christian, it is hard to be around them because of what they talk about
Question: I’m 21, and I have some friends from high school. We grew up together, and I love them as friends. Like many, I recognized God as my Lord in word, but not in deed (living a sinful lifestyle). Last year, with the grace of our Lord, I changed. I’m turning in the right direction,…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for a church to use committees to make decisions for the church?
Question: Good day brother, I’m a member of the church of Christ. Is it scriptural for congregations of the Lord’s church to have committees? I mean committees like evangelism committee, building committee, edification committee, visitation committee, benevolence committee, counseling, and disciplinary committee, etc. Thanks in anticipation. Answer: In the Bible, churches did not handle problems…
Read MoreI got pregnant from fornication. I repented of it, but does it need to be confessed before the entire congregation?
Question: Hi. I recently wrote concerning confession of sin. I wrote a letter confessing my sin of fornication that resulted in pregnancy to the church elders. They called a meeting with me to discuss the letter. I was instructed to turn to James 5:16 in which they interpreted to me that in this verse James…
Read MoreCan I not marry the woman my brother had sex with in the past?
Question: Bless you sir, I must confess you are doing a great job here. I have a pressing need and I’m disturbed. Is marring a lady your brother once had sex with in the past incest? There is a lady I’ve been dating for sometime now. My brother broke the ugly news that I can’t…
Read MoreThe article on animal rights is pitiable
Question: [This note was left unedited since it offers critique of this website.] I’m shaking my head in pity because I feel such sorrow for the author of this sadly poorly unjust literature. Cognitive rehab is available. I just want to let the author know Killing wildlife as a means of cultural survival ( clothing, food,…
Read MoreI don’t want to sin anymore
Question: I was married before, when I was a young kid of 17. I was forced to marry. I didn’t know the laws of God because my parents didn’t really believe. We never had Bible studies at home, and I never was forced to go to church, so I didn’t get to know God. My…
Read MoreDid Saul lose his salvation?
Question: Hey, I just read a great article you had about the account of King Saul’s death and how he committed suicide. But as I continued to read, you said he most likely went to hell because he murdered himself. My question is: What do you make of these inspired words spoken by King David after…
Read MoreIs it proper to ask for non-miraculous signs?
Question: Hi, I had a question regarding asking God for a sign in the Bible. I was reading an article on your site about it (Should we ask for signs like Gideon did?). I’m curious about signs of a non-miraculous nature. Does God communicate with people like Jonathan in I Samuel 14:6-12? Thanks! Answer: “Then…
Read MoreI’m talking to a man who only wants to talk about disciplining children
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I hope you are fine. Please, I need your advice. I met a man online. He started initiating the conversation. He has a son and is very interested in children’s behaviors. We have been talking for several months, but he never talks about us — he only talks about children and how…
Read MoreWhy did David prepare for a silver lampstand when the tabernacle had a gold lampstand?
Question: It says David prepared silver for the lampstand of silver, but in the tabernacle it was gold. Why does it say silver in Chronicles? Answer: “The weight for the lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the…
Read MoreIs a marriage in front of a Justice of the Peace valid in God’s sight?
Question: Good afternoon, I have been praying for several weeks for the Lord’s guidance. The questions that I have led to more questions. One day I came across one of your articles and I read. I started to cry. The article I read was: Can my girlfriend and I get married after committing fornication? Shortly after…
Read MoreWhy are we not supposed to cut the sides of our hair?
Question: Why are we not supposed to cut the sides of our hair? Answer: “You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard” (Leviticus 19:27). The word that is translated as “shaved” means to strike off with violence, and the word rendered “disfigured” in this…
Read MoreIf a woman can’t lead prayer then she shouldn’t discipline or deal with finances
Question: I am currently in a discussion with my brother about women praying with their husbands. I agree with your view of the matter and what the Bible says regarding a woman leading her husband in prayer. My brother takes the opposing view and states that if that were the case, a woman shouldn’t discipline…
Read MoreDo I need to prepare myself as a priest to fit into the kingdom?
Question: I have a question regarding the practical application of royal priesthood in the upcoming kingdom of God. Recently I got to know one of the elders and preacher in the church. According to him, we are a royal priesthood (referring to I Peter 2:9) and the role of priest is to offer up Christ…
Read MoreShould I marry this woman from another country?
Question: I am about to get married to a young woman who lives in a poor country. I love God and desire Him truly. She is an orphan and was raised in the church by a kind of missionary mother. She believes almost everything I do. We are set to marry in a few weeks,…
Read MoreI struggle because I have never experienced or felt my religion
Question: My question is about Christianity itself. I go to one of those big non-denominational churches you see in the metropolitan areas. I have kind of been struggling with actually experiencing God or feeling any presence. I’m not even sure if I’m a Christian. To clear any pre-misconceptions I never say profanity. I’m not against God…
Read MoreMy girlfriend promises that we won’t have sex, but every time she comes over we do it again
Question: Please I need some advice. I am a Christian. I have a girlfriend who is not a Christian and I have committed fornication with her. Whenever I commit the act with her I feel guilty. I am not at peace and I ask God to forgive me. The worst part of it is that…
Read MoreYour website led me back to Christ after twenty years
Question: I wanted to send a personal email and thank you for your teachings on your website. I was a member of the church of Christ my entire life. In my middle 20s, I was briefly married and divorced with the cause not being adultery. My ex-spouse went to prison for a felonious crime. I…
Read MoreHow do I tell my sister that my son is not demon-possessed?
Question: I have a son that has been diagnosed with major depression and other issues. My sister, who I think means well, is convinced that he has a demon in him. How do you even talk to a person that keeps trying to make you and your child believe this? Answer: Many people don’t really…
Read MoreI want to jump and lavish in God’s glory
Question: I’m a Roman Catholic and I finally fully accepted Jesus into my life after 15 years of me just saying I believe in him and still turning my back and obeying the world. I am continuously growing and deepening my relationship with him. I go to a Christian school and my best friend is…
Read MoreDid the priests have a rope tied to their ankles when entering the tabernacle?
Question: I have heard all my life that priests in the Old Testament when entering the tabernacle had a rope tied to their leg in case they were killed because of some sin in their life, they could be pulled out since no one else could enter the Tabernacle. Thank you. Answer: This is a…
Read MoreThanks for having such a wonderful website
Question: Thanks for having such a wonderful website. You bless many lives. May God bless you richly. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreIs it right to offer food when teaching the gospel?
Question: Hi Jeff, The minister in my congregation proposed something in the area of evangelism to the church which i don’t think is scriptural. He said we should go with some food items to give to those we meet whenever we go for house-to-house evangelism. His belief is that it will boast or make the…
Read MoreShould a church pay for a member’s cremation or ask if his house is in order?
Question: On two separate occasions, the church paid for a member’s cremation. One member was asked if he had his house in order. Is this proper? Answer: The church is only involved in helping members with major disasters, such as a famine in the region (I Corinthians 8 and 9), or, in the longer-term, widows…
Read MoreThank you for your article on drug use
Question: Hi Brother, Please keep me in your prayers. I’m a brother, in my thirties, who is struggling with sin — marijuana use being one of them. I definitely am trying to rid myself of all sin and that is certainly one of them. I just read the article that was written on the website.…
Read MoreIf a person is divorced for fornication, does that mean he cannot reconcile with his former spouse?
Question: Hi Jeff, I talked about the subject of divorce and remarriage with a preacher. I listened to what he said carefully but couldn’t prove him wrong. I don’t want to let my biases get in the way, but we’re not in agreement. I told him I won’t preach on the subject in the pulpit…
Read MoreI appreciate the passion with which you tackle some really difficult questions
Question: Hello, Just a quick email to encourage a brother in Christ. I so appreciate your website and the passion with which you tackle the task of responding to some really difficult questions and accusations. Wanted you to know your website is a blessing. Happy New Year! Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreIs it normal to get depressed over the worldly-minded?
Question: Is it normal to get depressed because there are people in the world who hate God, and even more so because those who claim to be Christians have thought processes that are not much different than those out in the world? Answer: “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according…
Read MoreWho decided that some words are inappropriate?
Question: Good Evening, Regarding words like gosh, gee whiz, etc., does anyone know who and when was it decided that these were words that had meanings referring to God, Jesus, etc.? As a child, my mother didn’t like the word “gosh,” so it wasn’t said. As an adult and a Christian, I don’t use these…
Read MoreAll the Bible doesn’t prove anything. If it did, how could we walk by faith?
Question: All the Bible doesn’t prove anything. If it did, how could we walk by faith? Answer: It appears that you think faith is unreasoning and based on nothing. But you cannot have faith without knowledge of the Bible. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). If…
Read MoreWhen should I tell my future wife about my pornography addiction?
Question: Hi! I have been a porn addict since I was a teenager and I so far I have not managed to get rid of it. However, I admit that it is sin and am willing to deal with it when God wants to help me. Right now I have not managed to find a…
Read MoreYour website is such a blessing
Question: I have to say that your website is such a blessing. I belong to a very very small congregation in that still doesn’t have elders. We are working very hard to have a website and you have been a great inspiration. Answer: Thank you.
Read MoreI always enjoy reading the question and answer section
Question: I want to say thank you for your website and your diligent work in providing sound doctrine for everyone in search of it. I found your website a couple of years ago and still look at the sermons and articles posted today. I always enjoy reading the question and answer section. It has helped…
Read MoreAm I lying if I tell someone “sorry” or “I love you” when I don’t feel it?
Question: I can be very detail-oriented. Sometimes I feel like my words aren’t inaccurate, and I wonder if I should look at it as lying. There are still certain things I don’t know if I should think of as lying. For example, is saying “sorry” as a polite gesture wrong if I don’t feel remorse…
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