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Is it a lack of faith if your prayer isn’t answered?
Question: Dear Sir, Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to your website. I have recently started attending a local church of Christ, in part because of the wonderful Scripture-based answers on your website and the freedom and new life promised by following God’s laws rather than man-made directives. My boyfriend attends…
Read MoreThank you so much for the sermon “Can We Trust the Text of the Bible?” on your website
Question: Thank you so much for the sermon “Can We Trust the Text of the Bible?” on your website. I am so blessed spiritually when I read this teaching. When I shared this teaching with our church many people were blessed and touched by this teaching. I really feel the presence of God when I…
Read MoreOur congregation would be very liberal if they had the money
Question: Hi, I came across your website as I was doing research on the “One Nation Under God” effort by the church of Christ in Tennessee. I want to say I enjoyed reading your article on Institutionalism. I intend on reading more of your articles. We are attending a congregation where we moved about a year…
Read MoreMy husband doesn’t want children and insists that I get an abortion if I get pregnant. What do I do?
Question: Hello Jeff, I recently started studying the Bible, and I want to get baptized soon as I understand how it goes. It’s my wish to follow God’s commands, turn my life around, and be a good child. I am married to a non-Christian, and I would like your advice on how to address a…
Read MoreDoes an organization formed to meet the government’s requirements have any say over congregations?
Question: Greetings to you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. How are the brethren over there? I want to thank you for the support you gave me whenever I come to you. I have always had it in mind that I will do my best to change things I’m sure are going wrong…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between adultery and fornication?
Question: I was just wondering: I think that if someone sleeps with a married person but they are not married, they now to are committing adultery? And if that person, who was not married, sleeps with someone else later in life, who is not married, does that new person commit adultery too? Just wondering how…
Read MoreI committed adultery with a married man, now I feel guilty about it
Question: A couple of years ago I had sex with a married man. It lasted about two years and it was revealed to his wife that we were having a sexual affair. I’ve lied to her about what went on between us. I’m very ashamed and disgusted by what I’ve done and ask God to…
Read MoreI question everything I do, even though there aren’t commands against it because it might not be from faith
Question: Hello again. For a while now I have been struggling with making sure I am doing things in faith as mentioned in Romans 14:23 while not trying to stress myself out and worry about it so much. What is talked about in Ecclesiastes 7:16 seems to be what I am doing. Because I know…
Read MoreIf a couple divorce, and then reconcile, do they need to remarry?
Question: A married couple divorces, within a short time they reconcile, (in God’s eyes the wife would have been wrong, she repented and made it right with God and the church). This all happened many years ago, but they just never formally remarried, and the state in which they live it is legal for either…
Read MoreIs it right for a church to have a paid minister of music?
Question: Hello, I am a member of a Church of Christ that currently doesn’t have elders. The congregation is “run” by the minister and a few hand-picked men who basically say yes to whatever the minister wants to do. This has bothered me since this minister arrived at our congregation several years back, but now…
Read MoreDo I have to help with my parents’ business during my breaks?
Question: My parents sell consumer goods and think I am lazy because I, as a college student, prefer to study indoors than help with sales during holidays, such as Christmas break, industrial strikes, etc. What do I do? Answer: I assume that your parents are helping to finance your college studies, in whole or in…
Read MoreI found your “Answering a Muslim Critic” offensive
Question: I’ve noticed in your article ‘Answering a Muslim Critic’ you have made several attempts to disrespect our Prophet Muhammad SAW. Now I am not a good Muslim, nor am I a sinless human being, but to me that is wrong. You have made the Prophet sound violent and merciless whereas there are plenty of…
Read MoreI know it’s wrong, but I do not know what happens when we are together
Question: I am writing this due to the guilt that I am having. I am born again and I minister in our church on the altar in one way or another, though I am not a preacher. I am 25 years old and last year I met with my boyfriend and we clicked. We fell…
Read MoreI just had to email you and express how excited I am over your website!
Question: Brother Hamilton, I just had to email you and express how excited I am over your website! It is a true blessing! I am 44 years old and many of the topics that you addressed, I can relate to. It is very refreshing to hear your answers are biblically based. There is no room…
Read MoreShould I stay with my fiance or go with the guy I recently met?
Question: Please bear with me as this is long. While searching for my answer I stumbled across one of your previous questions that were somewhat similar, so I decided to write you. I met my now fiance over five years ago when I was at a low point in my life. I was a drunk,…
Read MoreAre wedding receptions based on scripture, or is it traditional?
Question: Are wedding receptions based on scripture, or is it traditional? Answer: The Bible records the fact that wedding receptions, or marriage feasts, occurred (Genesis 29:22; Luke 14:8; John 2:1-10; Revelation 19:9). The reason for the meals likely goes back to covenants. When two parties made a covenant, they would sit down together for a…
Read MoreIs the efficacy of baptism in our faith in God? Does that mean faith is more important than baptism?
Question: What is meant by Colossians 2:12, “in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead”? Is it teaching the efficacy of our baptism lies in our faith in God? If so then one of the faith only might say that “Faith…
Read MoreMy husband is living with another woman, should I divorce him?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ. I am now battling with the decision to divorce my husband. I don’t know what to do. My husband and I have been married for about five years. He got baptized while we dated. I was born and raised in the church, but he never…
Read MoreCan you read about mythology if you don’t believe in it?
Question: Hi, Is reading Greek mythology allowed? For example, the Percy Jackson series? I think there are some verses of the Bible that talk about mythology (I Timothy 1:3-4;4:1-8; and II Timothy 4:2) But can you read about mythology if you don’t believe in it? I’m confused. Thanks! Answer: The myths condemned in the Bible…
Read MoreIs it possible to feel the presence of God when one worships Him?
Question: Is it possible to feel the presence of God when one worships Him? Answer: You ask the question in the wrong way because in the realm of possibility when dealing with God, almost anything is possible. But if you ask how God made His presence known in the past, then we find: Seen “And they…
Read MoreIs the saying, “everything happens for a reason,” biblical?
Question: The saying, “everything happens for a reason,” is it biblical? Answer: Sometimes things happen by chance. God said, “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 to…
Read MoreDoes God join all marriages or only some?
Question: “What God has joined together let no man put asunder.” Because of this scripture, I recently heard someone say that God doesn’t join all marriages. Is this true and under what circumstances will He not? (This excludes gay marriage or people remarrying) And if God doesn’t join a marriage does that mean the couple is…
Read MoreAre you saying people don’t get baptized in the Holy Spirit anymore?
Question: Are you saying that people don’t get baptized in the Holy Spirit anymore? If this is so, then what is it called when people are filled with the Holy Spirit? Like I have seen people get prayed for and they will shake and fall to the ground because of the power of God. What…
Read MoreI don’t like people touching my food. Is it biblically wrong?
Question: I would like to know how to deal with an issue of mine from a biblical point. I have a problem with people touching the food I’m eating and not having clean habits (by the way, it seems like a very silly “problem” now as I write it). It’s causing me all these thoughts…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my lesbian daughter?
Question: My daughter is in a lesbian relationship and recently became engaged. She is aware that I believe homosexuality is condemned in the Bible as a sin and also that, regardless of whether or not she chooses to live in sin, I will still love her. The problem is not whether or not she is…
Read MoreShouldn’t we emphasize a relationship with Jesus instead of rules?
Question: I just want to add that I looked around the site, but I never saw a topic about creating an intimate relationship with Jesus. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that people live according to do’s and don’ts. They don’t understand that Jesus wants a relationship with them and that Jesus is not just…
Read MoreAren’t you being rude in some of your answers?
Question: Hello, I was writing because I’ve read some of your articles and found them helpful and appreciate all that you do. There is one thing that is not a big problem, but I see when you write some of the answers to questions you come off rude to a couple of people, and I…
Read MoreDoes the Higgs Boson’s existence prove the Big Bang theory?
Question: Okay, so my chemistry teacher told us today that the Higgs Boson or the God particle proves the big bang. What is this Higgs Boson thing? Every day I’m getting some weird information. It’s all so confusing. Answer: Science has been trying to figure out how the world works for a long time. Part…
Read MoreYour information on the New Testament not being originally written in Hebrew helped me defend the truth
Question: Thank you so much for your article on Yeshua Messianic groups regarding a Hebrew New Testament. Just yesterday I had an interaction with a person from such a group. I am very much blessed and found the answers to defend against these false Yeshua groups. Once again thank you so much. Answer: I’m glad you found the…
Read MoreIs it wrong to marry a non-believer?
Question: “While it is not generally advisable to marry someone who is not a Christian, it is not wrong either.” You mentioned this in your answer and this is the first time I heard a Christian advisor giving such advice. I came to know the Lord years ago. Several years ago I drifted away, and I was engaged…
Read MoreDoes the Holy Spirit come to us at our baptism?
Question: Jeffrey, Thank you for your wonderful work in teaching the Bible and for your web site. I have become much stronger in the faith as a result of your help. I have come upon a statement that I am not sure is correct: “At baptism God sends His Spirit to dwell in us. He…
Read MoreHow do I repent of something I enjoyed?
Question: Hello, I’m a Christian and I am a praise and worship leader and a Sunday school teacher in my church. For a while, I have been struggling with my fiance to not have sex, even though we started before but not completing it. However, today we did have sex, and I don’t know how…
Read MoreCan you remarry after a separation of seven years?
Question: I don’t doubt God’s forgiveness, but can a person remarry when he is separated from his spouse for over seven years? The marriage was not annulled nor have they divorced yet. Do both commit adultery if they have a new partner? Answer: “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual…
Read MoreDoesn’t John 6:65 teach predestination?
Question: I am still struggling a bit with the topic of predestination and, at least from the NIV translation I am reading, John 6:65 seems to point toward predestination. What do you think it means? Answer: “And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that everyone has to give an account to God?
Question: What does it mean that everyone has to give an account to God (Christ)? Answer: See: What Will Happen on Judgment Day? “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I…
Read MoreI was amazed by the articles on tithing
Question: Two be quite honest, I was amazed seeing the articles on tithing for the first time! This teaching came without any selfish interest on the part of the preachers in the Lord’s church as they would have been on the receiving end. I am impressed and I pray that Christ continues to keep the church. Answer:…
Read MoreI failed to pray last night because I fell asleep. Should I offer two prayers tonight?
Question: Hello, I have a question. I ask you because I did not find any topic related to what I am curious about. Last night I was watching TV and in a moment I fell asleep. The problem is that I did not pray that night because I fell asleep. Will God forgive me or…
Read MoreDid Jesus have brothers?
Question: Hi Jeff! Did Jesus have brothers? How can we explain that a word such as “wine” has so many meanings depending on the context and root of the word in Greek, but that the word “brother” means just that? I ask because some denominational churches teach that when the Bible said “brother” it really…
Read MoreHow do I let go of my girlfriend’s past?
Question: I am 21 and have been a Christian since I was 8, I am a virgin and plan to stay that way until I get married. A while back I started dating a girl who I had met at church, she had only been a Christian for about a year and a half. I…
Read MoreWhat do you mean by “Ultimately, these sins will cause you to lose your salvation”?
Question: What do you mean by “Ultimately, these sins will cause you to lose your salvation”? Once saved, always saved. Answer: See: Once Saved, Always Saved. Question: Without eternal security then the whole concept of being a ‘born again’ Christian is meaningless. A person would never know if they are going to heaven or hell. I’m…
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