Answer
My boyfriend left me and his child. Any advice?
Question: I have been in a relationship for 11 years. We have a child and used to get into it about my other kids sometimes. He’s been cheating on me for over a year. I found out earlier this year, but he said he was sorry and I was the one he wanted to marry.…
Read MoreIs giving a gift to a well-placed friend wrong?
Question: I want to know more about bribes, If we know some people in control, like a chief or head of a department, and we are friendly with them, perhaps sometimes giving a gift or support at a time of need, such as a sick family member, and that person favors us, not to pervert…
Read MoreDo you think God brought us together so we can live together?
Question: I have a lot of unanswered questions. I am not at peace in my current living situation. Recently I agreed to live with a Christian man whom I’ve known for a long time, and I’ve grown very uncomfortable with the arrangements. Let me start by saying that my ex-husband and I were friends with…
Read MoreWhere does it say the Lord will have His share, even if He has to take the young ones?
Question: Where does it say the Lord will have His share, even if He has to take the young ones? Answer: This statement and the idea that it presents are not found in the Bible. I can’t even come up with a twisting of some passage to arrive at this idea. I also did an…
Read MoreWere Jesus and his family refugees?
Question: I’m wondering if Jesus and his family were refugees of political violence, or are these web posts lies? I’ve seen comparisons to the Syrian refugees on the web. A Google search brought me to your site. Did they flee Bethlehem to Nazareth to escape? What is the best answer to those posts? Answer: About…
Read MoreWas forgiveness required prior to healing?
Question: A question was raised in a Bible study this past Sunday with various opinions. Reading articles on your website leads me to believe you may be able to provide some additional insight, with Scriptures, into our discussion next Sunday. Studying Mark 2 Jesus forgives the paralytic and then heals him afterward. A comment was…
Read MoreI’ve been avoiding dating, but there’s this girl I like who is of a different religion
Question: I have been attending a church of Christ since I was born, and I made the decision to be baptized when I was in my teenage years. I’m now in my early twenties and in grad school. My faith and my beliefs are a major part of my life. As such, I shied away…
Read MoreHow is smoking weed any worse than drinking once in a while?
Question: Is smoking weed bad in God’s eyes? Yes, I know the horrible effects it can have on your health, but I’m talking from a Christian’s point of view. Some people get drunk and God will see them through, but when they smoke weed will God resent them? What if I want to try it?…
Read MoreAre we already married because we committed fornication? What happens to the baby that was conceived?
Question: Praise the Lord! I have a fiancee. We were both born-again Christians, but we fell into the sin of sex. Due to that sin, my fiancee is now pregnant. Initially, some advised us to have an abortion, but we didn’t do that because we knew it was a sin. We asked for forgiveness from…
Read MoreIs it true that once you’ve accepted Christ you are not a sinner, even when you sin?
Question: First, I am a Christain. After accepting Christ, I tried running away from anything that could bring me down spiritually. I was told I was practicing self-righteousness. I lived my life and I fell into sin, but when I fall there are these feelings of guilt in me, and I go to God for…
Read MoreWhat about Christian Reconstructionism?
Question: I am curious if “Christian Reconstructionism” is real and if so, a cult. Some people said that Christian Reconstructionism is the idea of some Christian trying to bring America back to its Christian roots, but they are trying to follow some Old Testament laws. In doing so, some of them will try to criminalize…
Read MoreWhat is the best way to lovingly tell someone they are wrong?
Question: In your opinion what is the best way to tell someone that they are wrong but loved? If someone is a homosexual, how can you tell them that their actions are wrong in a loving way? It seems like you need to strike a delicate balance there. Answer: “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,…
Read MoreQuite an impressive list of topics
Question: Hi, I just came across your website, and I have to admit, I am impressed. I have bookmarked it so I can go back and read more of the articles that you have posted. That is quite an impressive list of topics and I can see that it would take some time to go…
Read MoreI continue to benefit from this site
Question: Hello Jeff, I continue to benefit from all the functions of your website. I appreciate the time and effort you give to make it what it is. May God bless you in your work there. Answer: I’m glad the work is useful to you.
Read MoreFor over two years I have thoroughly enjoyed your articles
Question: Dear Sir, I am a saint who worships at a church of Christ. I teach Sunday school class, and I often co-teach a Tuesday night ladies class. Sometimes, I Google topics with “church of Christ” added to the search so that I will pull from archives of the Lord’s people. For over two years…
Read MoreShould we not worry about false teachers because at least Christ is being preached?
Question: Does Philippians 1:12-18 mean that whatever way the gospel is preached it is not too important? What will then be the reward of a person or people involved in preaching the gospel out of envy and strife? There are some congregations here that have decided to do monthly joint evangelism, but the problem with…
Read MoreThose words in italics are idle words!
Question: Dear Minister, “… there will be two in one bed …” The Greek does not have ‘men’ “Two will be grinding …” No ‘women’ in the Greek text either. “Two will be in the field …” Again, no ‘men.’ The words ‘men’ and ‘women’ have been added by Catholic and later Anglican translators because…
Read MoreI just realized I never was properly baptized
Question: Hello, A couple of members of the church of Christ in my neighborhood suggested to me two Sundays ago that I should be re-baptized. After subsequent research (especially through your website), I was forced to admit that I was never properly baptized. I was baptized at only 10 weeks of age! Even before I…
Read MoreI thought I had changed, but then I sinned and had sex
Question: Hello, I’d like to ask a question. But I must first tell you that I grew up going to the church of christ and my grandfather was a preacher. I got into drugs at a young age as my stepfather abused my mother and I when I was growing up. I finally surrendered all…
Read MoreIs voluntary celibacy desired by Christ?
Question: Hi, I perused your site and was looking at your posts about celibacy with which I agree that forced celibacy should not be imposed. Yet, the vow of chastity is a vow that is a gift that is to be honored and revered among persons undertaking this path in their life. Chastity is a…
Read MoreIs refusing medical treatment a sin?
Question: I know that assisted suicide is sinful because it is taking matters into your own hands, but when is it a sin to refuse medical treatment, or is it sinful? I’m not talking about those who refuse it because they are going to keep right on praying that God will make them better, I’m…
Read MoreCan a child baptized without his parents’ knowledge feel the presence of God?
Question: If a child was baptized as a baby without the parents’ knowledge but raised in a Jewish home, could that child feel the presence of God without knowing it? Answer: There are too many false assumptions in this question. One does not need to be baptized to feel God’s presence. God’s presence is known…
Read MoreReally informative stuff
Question: Wow! Really informative stuff in “Why is sex a sin?” You’ve addressed all the questions that always bothered me. Thank you so much. I also like the point you made that “sex before marriage is a sin because God said so.” It’s absolutely true that whatever He instructs us to do will benefit us…
Read MoreI am most thankful for the outstanding website you have developed
Question: Dear Jeff, Greetings in the name of our Savior. I hope you and yours are doing well. I’m writing primarily for only one reason. I am most thankful for the outstanding website you have developed for the La Vista church. I’m grateful to you for the countless hours you must spend to keep it…
Read MoreWe aren’t able to meet the terms necessary for a traditional wedding
Question: Hi, I just have a quick question: I am a lady of 31 years and my boyfriend is 32 years old. We are both working and studying. I am Zulu and he is Venda. Our cultures are not the same. The Vendas pay a lobola, but the Zulu people just have a union of…
Read MoreI am miserable after my divorce
Question: I recently got a divorce, not by my choosing, but because of my actions — I cheated on my wife on numerous occasions. I am also a recovering drug addict. I can’t honestly say how many times I left her all alone at the house with our children. I put her through misery, not…
Read MoreDoes Deuteronomy 29:14-15 teach that the old covenant is still in effect?
Question: Does Deuteronomy 29:14-15 teach that the old covenant is still in effect? Answer: “I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone, but with him who stands here with us today before the LORD our God, as well as with him who is not here with us today” (Deuteronomy 29:14-15). Moses is…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”?
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”? Answer: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Imagine someone tells you that he is going to give you $100 … that is, right after…
Read MoreWhat do I do about my past affair?
Question: I have been married for almost 30 years. I got married in my early twenties to my high school sweetheart for all the wrong reasons. I have really never been happy in this marriage. I have grown children. I had an affair with a man for ten years. We both were Catholics and this…
Read MoreHow do I handle my contributions when I rotate between three congregations?
Question: Greetings, I have a question regarding the weekly contribution (I Corinthians 16:1-2). In my city, there are three local churches of Christ that I attend regularly. Normally I’ll attend one on a certain week, the next on the following week, and the third the week after that. And then I repeat the whole process.…
Read MoreWithdrawing is too judgmental
Question: You said, “Because he is persisting in his sin, he must be withdrawn from. For a church not to do so is to given permission to sin,” in A man now attends church as a transgender female. Should he be withdrawn from? I think that is way off. That seems judgmental to me. God…
Read MoreDo you think that everything you believe is right?
Question: I have two questions. First off, which version of the Bible do you use and why? Secondly, I am going to tread carefully here so as not to offend you and I mean no offense in asking this but, do you think that everything, every doctrine you believe is right? I think that there…
Read MoreDoes our fornication mean our marriage will never be blessed, even if we repent?
Question: Hello, Recently an event happened to me and I’ve been looking everywhere to find a solution, including browsing the Internet. Then I landed on your website, which is very useful. I had a girlfriend, and we were really close until recently. We meet each other last year, and I fell in love with her.…
Read MoreIs paying lobola equivalent to marriage?
Question: Greetings, I would like to know if lobola (bride price) is equivalent to marriage with regards to sexual relations. I have recently paid lobola (bride price) but not the full amount, I am saving money and will pay the full price next and then get married. My curiosity is: Is it ok still sinful…
Read MoreMy friend claims that Romans 1:26-27 is not condemning loving, committed homosexual relationships
Question: Hello, Thank you really much for your ministry, I want to ask for your biblical answer about Romans 1:26. A woman I used to consider my friend, has terribly disappointed me. She presents herself as a “Christian lesbian.” I trusted her orthodoxy with Scriptures, blindly for a year, being her friend, her brother in…
Read MoreIf the Lord only speaks through the Bible, why was the Spirit promised in John 16:13?
Question: So the Lord only speaks through the Bible and not through the Spirit? I’m kind of confused now. Just wanted to see if you could clear this up for me: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he…
Read MoreDid God create the matter we see?
Question: Hebrews 11:3 says “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Is this verse an argument that God did not create the matter we see but rather formed it into what it is now?…
Read MoreAm I really married since the marriage traditions in my community are contrary to God’s laws?
Question: Dear Brother, Thank you for the important site you have created in order to answer those questions that affect Christians’ lives. I live in a community where people are influenced by traditional superstition and idolatry. I found out that our tradition of marriage is as far as heaven from earth compared to the laws…
Read MoreWhat a beautiful, simple explanation of who the churches of Christ are!
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ in Tennessee. I happened to run across your page when I Googled “Was Paul a member of the Sanhedrin?” I went to your home page, and, wow, what a beautiful, simple explanation of who we are! Just thought I would send a word of praise and…
Read MoreShould I go to the wedding of a brother who is committing adultery?
Question: Hello friend! I need help answering a question: One of the college students at my church asked me this and I’m stumped, so I figured a brother in Christ could help me. Here’s what she asked: “My brother is getting married through the court, but he has already been married through the church and…
Read More