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My wife deprives me from sex
Question: Hi Minister, I have read many of your responses to challenging questions. Please help me. I have been married for more than ten years. My wife has deprived me of sex to the point that the rejection felt so bad that I started looking for products I can use to get rid of my…
Read MoreShould we hate Satan?
Question: Should we hate Satan? To me, it sure seems like we should hate the devil because he is the embodiment of sin (I John 3:8). Satan is lost; he’s never coming over to God’s side. It just conflicts with our desire to love our enemies as we’re told to do. Answer: “The fear of…
Read MoreWhy didn’t Paul heal Trophimus or Epaphroditus?
Question: Good day, sir, May Almighty God continue to bless and strengthen you. My question is: If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal, why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27, and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his…
Read MoreWhy am I forced to be single?
Question: I am 43 male Christian. I have never been married, and I am a virgin. I never chose to be single or celibate. I could never gain the interest of the opposite sex, so I have been forced to be celibate. Does being forced to be celibate and not being able to get a…
Read MoreWere the apostles in full agreement on all doctrine?
Question: Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrines? Answer: “Doctrine” means teachings. Jesus told his apostles, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to…
Read MoreI have a fear that I was baptized incorrectly
Question: Hi there, I know you’ve probably answered many questions like mine, but I’m just struggling with a lack of peace. I ache for peace, and I am praying for help. I doubt my baptism, and I just wanted to seek guidance. I do struggle with moral OCD, and I do think it’s my overthinking,…
Read MoreWhat would you advise about my relationship with an older woman?
Question: I’ll tell you everything I can remember. My first relationship started when I was 18 years old. I didn’t get married and stayed with her for two years until it all ended. It ended because I wanted out and threw away a relationship that was working out well. I blamed myself for a long…
Read MoreIs a gathering in a care facility a church gathering?
Question: I am autistic and live in a facility. I can’t drive from here to any church. My sister could bring me, but she is not very consistent. I can’t rely on her early Sunday mornings. However, the facility I am at has an hour-long gathering of believers on Monday evenings. They sing a hymn,…
Read MoreDo you need to be baptized again after falling away and returning?
Question: I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was a teenager, but I wasn’t baptized. Then I read Mark 16 and was scared, so I got baptized at a Pentecostal Church. However, they taught that baptism didn’t save, and I wasn’t sure if it did when I was baptized. A couple of years ago,…
Read MoreJust another thank you for a great website
Question: Hello, Just another thank you for your great website. I’ve been reading for quite a while about The Development of the New Testament Text by Jim Snapp, 2nd. Wow, my head hurts. I’m not sure I agree with the first few paragraphs, but it is a lot for an old man to assimilate. Thanks…
Read MoreHow do you deal with a spouse who isn’t living a godly life?
Question: How does a married person obey I Corinthians 5:9-11 in regards to avoiding eating or associating with such a person when the person he is married to claims to have accepted Christ as her Savior but repeatedly commits physical, emotional, and online adultery? What do you do when you discover that she was married…
Read MoreGod Appeared in the Flesh
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/God-Appeared-in-the-Flesh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16 I. Before the first century ended, several varieties of false teachings arose. A. One set has been referred to as the gnostics. The name derives from the Greek word for “knowledge.” – I Timothy 6:20-21 B. These were a diverse group, but they were tied by a belief…
Read MoreCan someone with Down Syndrome lead a prayer?
Question: Can or should a person with severe Down Syndrome lead a prayer? Answer: Leading a prayer requires the ability to communicate one’s thoughts to others and to God. People with Down Syndrome understand language well but are often delayed in developing the skills to express themselves verbally. “Delayed” is a keyword here. Communications skills…
Read MoreYour articles are always helpful
Question: Brethren: I just wanted to send you a “thank you” for all of your work on your Web page. Your articles are always helpful. Answer: I’m glad we have been able to help you in some small way.
Read MoreCan a symbol be used to identify Christians?
Question: I thoroughly appreciate your congregation’s work on the many articles and topics. I use them myself to continue learning and answer some of my questions about certain topics. I do have a question regarding Christian symbolism. I understand that we should not make graven images or symbols per the apostles’ teachings. These material things…
Read MoreDo We Have a Flawed Theology?
by Perry Hall Studying Job, we find two conclusions his friends repeatedly made concerning Job, which are theologically flawed. This is because they believed in an unyielding law of retribution from God: Sinners are cursed and, therefore, suffer; the righteous are blessed and, therefore, live a life of ease. This led Job’s friends to: Condemn…
Read MoreThe Anointing
by Terry Wane Benton “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie–just as it has taught you, abide in him” (I John 2:27 ESV). The anointing his…
Read MoreHow do I handle someone objecting to “Precious Memories”?
Question: I enjoyed your online message based on the hymn Precious Memories. After having led this hymn in worship for almost sixty years, the preacher where I attend said if Precious Memories was sung, he would walk out and not sing it because it is unbiblical. He says angels do not have specific messages for…
Read MoreMy adultery has ruined my marriage. Do you have any advice?
Question: I would like you to advise me, please. I cheated on my husband. I committed adultery once, and he forgave me when I confessed it to him. But today, I see I did not repent; I only pained my conscience. After forgiving myself, I did it again after a few weeks. I have kept…
Read MoreCan I give on Sunday instead of Wednesday as my church leaders want?
Question: Dear sir, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! Am I not unified with the church if I contribute to the church on Sunday instead of Wednesday during our midweek devotional? Our church leader wants us to give our contribution during our midweek devotional and not on Sunday, and he wants us to be…
Read MoreIs the Bible Truly Relevant for African-Americans?
Question: As an African-American Christian, I often find myself caught between two worlds. I’m sure you’ve heard how, before being enslaved in America, African people practiced ancient spiritual traditions. However, once they were brought here, they were forced into a distorted version of Christianity—often under duress, facing violence, mutilation, and even death for not adhering…
Read MoreCan you help me understand I Corinthians 7:12-16 and how it applies in a situation?
Question: I appreciate the content posted on your website. It has been very helpful in studies, for clarity and explanation on several occasions, and in discussions I’ve been involved in. I have a question I couldn’t quite find an answer to, though, and I was hoping you could provide some insight. My brother is married,…
Read MoreA Desperate Man
by Adam Litmer His son’s life is on the line, and he’s desperate. He’s heard about a great healer named Jesus. Packing up his son, he rushes off to find this man. He will beg Jesus to heal his son as he has reportedly healed so many others. When he arrives, he does not find…
Read MoreDoesn’t Revelation show that there are animals in heaven?
Question: “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean” (Revelation 19:14). Does this literally mean that there are a lot of horses in Heaven waiting to be used for the second coming? The sin curse is lifted at the start of the millennium. What…
Read MoreDo I need to tell?
Question: Hello, I came across your page while searching for some answers. I am trying to rededicate my life to the Lord daily. I’ve had a very unpleasant past. I’ve confessed what I can remember to the Lord and several people. But a few particulars keep coming up. I was such a good girl before…
Read MoreCan a church divide itself into smaller groups and remain a church?
Question: Good day, brother. Here’s a case I’d like you to consider, A local church agrees to hold gatherings in different locations, not in the current meeting place but in zones based on proximity to one another. There are three zones, where fellowship is held in brothers’ houses on the same day, at the same…
Read MoreShould those with mental illness be treated as shut-ins?
Question: Dear Sir, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! Sometimes, people with clinically diagnosed mental illnesses, like MDD, anxiety disorders, bipolar, etc., have episodes. They don’t want to go to church because they feel judged and misunderstood. Sadly, some of them don’t feel safe while in the church because some of their triggers happen…
Read MoreHow do we deal with a homosexual child?
Question: Shalom brother Jeffrey, We have a dilemma. Two of our children are gay with a partner. There are some situations that I foresee in which I fear sinning, and they are the following: Can they visit us in our home with their partner? Can they sleep under our roof? Could we travel as a…
Read MoreHas the Lord Given Enough Evidence?
by Terry Wane Benton The heavens declaring His glory (Psalms 8; 19; Romans 1:20), leaving us “without excuse,” along with our eyes, brains, hearing, being “wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:13-14), the seasons, rain, and food give testimony (Acts 14:17), and the prophetic word is made more sure in amazing predictions and fulfillment (II Peter 1:16-22), and…
Read MoreHow do I forgive myself?
Question: Brother, I am in my later years and obeyed the gospel nearly forty years ago. I have been in the church of Christ all this time. I have filled in preaching and teaching in my local congregation at many levels. I have been going to other countries for about fifteen years to preach, teach,…
Read MoreYour lesson on wine was excellent
Question: Hello, I came across your website while preparing some lessons on alcohol and the Bible. I wanted to say your lesson on wine was excellent and very detailed. Thank you for your research. Answer: I’m not certain which lesson you are referring to as the site contains several, but I’m glad you found the…
Read MoreAre interracial marriages wrong?
Question: Hello Jeff, I have been a bit worried lately, and I needed your guidance. I am currently dating someone of a different race. We love and respect each other, but like any other relationship, it has ups and downs. We also do our best to follow Christ’s teachings. Lately, I have heard people’s views…
Read MoreWhy are all nations judged when all were not involved in the oppression?
Question: Greetings! In Joel 3:2, why are “all nations” judged when not all nations participated in the oppressions? Or is this eschatological? Thanks. Answer: “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley…
Read MoreDid Jesus pay a ransom to Satan to free us from his domain?
Question: Did Jesus pay a ransom to Satan to free us from his domain? Answer: “No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him– for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever– … But God will redeem my soul from the…
Read MoreHow much do our genes influence our behavior?
Question: I have a question that has baffled me. How much of our behavior is genetic, and how do we understand this in light of free will? My family has a history of adultery, alcoholism, and abuse on both sides. I was told by someone that genetics may explain this. How do we understand this?…
Read MoreAm I binding too much on myself?
Question: Hello brother, I’ve read many of your articles relating to Religious OCD. After reading your articles, I feel convinced I have suffered a bit of this. I’ve been baptized three different times. For some reason, my mind wonders and thinks I didn’t do something right or that my heart wasn’t in it like it…
Read MoreDo you have to say amen at the end of a prayer?
Question: Does the Bible say you must say amen at the end of a prayer? Answer: Many prayers are recorded in the Bible, but not all end with “Amen.” Hannah’s prayer in I Samuel 2:1-10 Solomon’s prayer in I Kings 8:23-53 Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:4-19 Jesus’ prayer in John 17:1-26 Thus, it is not…
Read MoreThere are some translation errors
Question: Dear friends! As I was researching the book of Ruth on your church’s website, I noticed a reference in the text to verse 14 of the first chapter of the book: “Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and Ruth clung to her (Ruth 1:14).” This is…
Read MoreDo churches decide where preachers should teach?
Question: Do preachers have to be sent out by churches according to Romans 10:15? Answer: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How…
Read MoreA Work in Progress
by David Gibson “And I am sure of this,” Paul wrote, “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). If we belong to Christ and grow in him, each of us is a work in progress. God is currently at work…
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