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Can you help with some questions that arise from dealing with a Black Hebrew Israelite?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I want to ask you some questions that I need some insight on. A friend of mine is a Black Hebrew Israelite. They are very interesting people. First thing, They have a big deal with the “J” and the Lord’s name. I explain that God has many names, but they argue…
Read MoreWould a man be qualified as a deacon if his teenage son attends denominational services with his friends and is not a Christian?
Question: First, I would like to compliment you on your website. There have been many times I have included the phrase “La Vista Church of Christ” when web searching tough scriptural questions that I have. I am an elder in the church of Christ. We are in the process of appointing deacons. We are considering…
Read MoreWith so many ways being taught, who am I supposed to follow?
Question: Christ liberated us from legalism. I’m confused about determining what is wrong in our culture. I’ve always been brought up with a tough view on things that aren’t customary. My question is: if we’re called to preach the gospel to the world, how do we do it? Are we to be with the world…
Read MoreWhat about prayer cloths?
Question: I have a friend that asked me about “prayer blankets or cloths”. I am aware of the Scripture she is referencing: Acts 19:11-12. I’m just unsure on how to help her understand scripturally why this is not necessary. Thank you for your time and scriptural truth; I really appreciate it. Answer: “Now God worked unusual…
Read MoreDid I hurt the reputation of my ex-boyfriend?
Question: Over five years ago, I met a man who became my boyfriend. He was a deacon in his church. He brought me to his church and there I attended. He has a history of being involved in multiple relationships before being converted to Christ many years ago. He has been divorced and has grown children from…
Read MoreHow can we not commit fornication again before our wedding?
Question: My fiancé and I had sex even when we agreed not to, though all necessary plans to get married are on the ground. But I feel so guilty and alone. Forgiveness is what I need from God to face life again. Actually, we had decided not to have sex again, but I have no…
Read MoreIs it wrong to wish someone good luck?
Question: Is it wrong to wish someone good luck? Answer: Events in our lives do happen at times by chance. “I returned and saw under the sun that — the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor…
Read MoreWhat you said about the whole sexual immorality subject is very beneficial
Question: Dear Preacher, I’d like to thank you for your answer about the whole sexual immorality subject. I found what you said very beneficial and for that, I say, “thank you.” I think what you do is a good thing because I think that you shine a light on people who are in the dark.…
Read MoreHow does an atheist or a person of another religion know it is God calling them?
Question: If so how does one know that it’s God calling them if they’re a part of another religion, or if they are atheists? How do they decline the ‘invite’? Answer: Too often people hear a phrase and make assumptions without intending to do so. People talk about God’s calling and forget to ask: How…
Read MoreWill I make heaven if I don’t keep God’s laws perfectly?
Question: I read “I have OCD-Religion and obsess over bad thoughts. Is there anything you can do to help me?” today that, in a way, describes my feelings. Although most of it does not concern me, some do and I am wondering if I too have OCD. My problem basically concerns overthinking things. This started…
Read MoreI have been going to your website for years
Question: I have been going to your website for years and now my oldest son has found it and has let several people know about this site. It is very much appreciated. Answer: I am glad to hear that you’ve found the site useful.
Read MoreCan a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children?
Question: I have a question I would very much like an answer to: Can a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children? Answer: “Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households” (I Timothy 3:12). “Must” lays down a requirement that…
Read MoreSince I blamed God for my miserable childhood and left God, is it possible to return and be saved?
Question: I’ve had a lot of anger toward God. When I was a child I was molested by a family member who lived in our house. My father was an alcoholic (he got help when I was in high school) who would abuse my mother, threaten to kill her and try to kill my mother…
Read MoreReally appreciate the excellent content of your website
Question: Thanks. I’m an elder at the Mountain View Church of Christ in Cumming, Georgia. Really appreciate the excellent content of your website. Answer: I always appreciate the encouragement.
Read MoreHow can I wait three years to get married?
Question: I have been dating my boyfriend for two and a half years now. We are both Christians and both want and work toward a marriage. We believe sex belongs in a marriage and want to keep it like this until we marry. I’ve come to a point where I want to get married because…
Read MoreWhat if God tells you to do something horrible, do you do it?
Question: Hello, Often when I hear religious people talk about this or that person in the Bible doing something that God asked, the phrase “Because God said so” is emphasized. It is also talked about how there can be no morality without God, and questions like “If killing you made my life better, why shouldn’t…
Read MoreIs it wrong to avoid doing something because I don’t want to be embarrassed?
Question: Hello, I have a question. Is not wanting to be embarrassed a sin? Or is fearing what people would think of you a sin? I really think I had some form of OCD years back that I am now trying to fully rid out of my life. I had this habit of picking up…
Read MoreWhy was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
Question: Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul? Answer: We aren’t told. As Saul began teaching among the Gentiles, he switched his name from Saul to Paul. The transition is noted in Acts 13:9. Some speculate that Paul wanted to disassociate himself from his past when he persecuted the church. But this would only be…
Read MoreHow do I stop committing fornication? (2)
Question: Good afternoon sir, I am a 26-year-old guy. Please, I have been having challenges with stopping fornication. Even after hearing the word, I still find myself misbehaving and this happens when I am really determined to set my heart spiritually before God. Sir, I also really want a true destined wife for myself, someone…
Read MoreIs the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23?
Question: Is the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23? If the diameter of the laver is 10 cubits, then shouldn’t the circumference be 31 cubits? Answer: “And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line…
Read MoreI’ve been so lonely that I’ve gotten involved in pornography. How do I get back on track?
Question: Thank you for your web site. I feel quite happy to read such great answers and feel inspired to follow Jesus Christ in the right way. For the past few months, I have been feeling very lonely and depressed despite being surrounded by wonderful friends. I have started to withdraw from people and question…
Read MoreHow do you stop being lazy?
Question: I know that being lazy in general is a sin, but it’s really hard to stop. I do well and then I backtrack. I even stopped my gluttony issues when it comes to food, but this is something I’m struggling with. Any help? Answer: Laziness is an attitude of wanting to get by with…
Read MoreShouldn’t my wife tell me who she had her affair with?
Question: My wife had an affair for about a month that she confessed to. I was in the hospital with a stroke for several weeks and she spent several nights at this person’s house. Although she has admitted to the affair she refuses to tell me with who. She says she is not telling me…
Read MoreAm I wrong to be unhappy that my wife continues to visit the grave of her former boyfriend?
Question: My wife often visits the grave site of her former boyfriend who she dated for around 10 years. He was also very close with my in-laws. Initially, I wasn’t opposed to it for we weren’t married. However, since we are now married I expressed my displeasure with this matter and also the fact that…
Read MoreHow do I earn God’s love back?
Question: Dear Jeff, I find myself asking you questions in the wee hours of the morning. I get so conflicted with questions and loneliness that I don’t know where else to turn. But anyway, my question is: How do I earn God’s love back? I’ll give context first before continuing. Lately, I’ve been putting God…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between sin, iniquity, and abomination?
Question: Is there any difference between sin and iniquity, and is there any difference between sin and abomination? Answer: “Sin” generally translates the Greek word harmartia. It means to err, to miss the mark or the goal. Harmartia and its related forms are the most general word describing that which is sin. In Hebrew, the word is chatta’ah, which…
Read MoreIs a person responsible for the lies an aunt may have made when she was three?
Question: Hi, A person immigrated to this country over thirty years ago as a child (age 3). The aunt of the person might have told immigration that the child was her natural child instead of revealing that the child had been adopted. Is the child responsible to God for this matter or is it just…
Read MoreDo you accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the Bible?
Question: I am thinking of going to this church, but I would like to know: do the churches of Christ accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the documents and books of the Bible? Answer: If there are that many mistakes, then how do these people know they are mistakes? In other words, what…
Read MoreAm I married because I did sexual acts with my girlfriend?
Question: I am 21 years old. I have been dating a girl my same age for about 6 months. We are both baptized Christians but have made serious mistakes. About a month ago, she gave me a hand-job. This happened three times but after the third time, I felt awful about it and have told…
Read MoreWhat if someone is allergic to an element of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: How do people with severe allergies take communion? If someone has a severe allergy to gluten or flour or something else that is needed to make the bread, what are they supposed to do? Can they bring their own tapioca wafer or are they merely doomed to Hell? What about the fruit of the…
Read MoreWhat is the doctrine of laying on of hands?
Question: This is my third year after being added to the body. Somehow, I often find myself in intense discussions with friends and relatives regarding certain areas of belief. Many times I can hold my own, but when it comes to laying on of hands, I’m not certain how to discuss this. When I read…
Read MoreShould I marry the woman I committed adultery with as a second wife?
Question: Dear Minister, I am a young man married to one wife for the last four years. My wife is now five months pregnant. Unfortunately, I committed adultery with another young woman and she is one month pregnant. We have made it a secret not to tell my wife until when the child is born…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for a congregation to have men in their twenties as treasurers?
Question: Hi there, Our congregation has just appointed two men in their mid-twenties as our treasurers. Is this scriptural? I always thought it should be older men. Our congregation also doesn’t have elders or deacons. Answer: Typically the physical needs of a congregation are handled by deacons, but the congregation where you are doesn’t have…
Read MoreIs it wrong to want to smash pumpkins in protest of Halloween?
Question: This one was really on my mind, and I was reminded of a Bible verse: “Be angry and sin not.” I’m not sure where it came from, but I remember hearing it from another brother. The thing is that I see all these costumes. You have the girl costumes which are skimpy and you…
Read MoreHow do you do it all?
Question: This is a vast site, Jeff. I still think it’s crazy how you’re a preacher and yet you answer most of these questions. How do you do it all? Do you like, take turns answering questions, or do you devote an entire day answering things? Whatever you do I’m all for it. I want…
Read MoreDoes a person in an adulterous marriage have to get divorced first before he can be baptized?
Question: The following scenario has been presented to me by another person for my thoughts and guidance on it: I have a tough situation. A man I’ve known most of my life was baptized the other day. This man was in adultery. The church went ahead and baptized him. I don’t know all the details…
Read MoreWhat does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean?
Question: In the song, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”, what does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean? Answer: “In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.” “Rapture” is an older English word for “a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.” Therefore,…
Read MoreDoes Romans 14 mean homosexuals should be accepted without passing judgment?
Question: I am an agnostic atheist, and I am interested in your response to my question: If you believe homosexuality is unnatural, why does your God allow it? This verse supports my opinion: Romans 14:1-4, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes…
Read MoreHow do I help a girl who has abusive parents?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton! I’ve written to you before and I greatly appreciate your site, which I visit almost daily. I know you’re busy, so I’ll try to keep this somewhat brief (I am greatly sorry for the length). I’m also going to try and present an objective account, though it is from my perspective,…
Read MorePunished in Jesus’ presence or away from his presence?
Question: One of the seeming “contradictions” I want to give an answer to is found in these two Scriptures: “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:9). “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone…
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