The Solution for Sins

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 Sin was a big problem in the church at Corinth. It is a big problem worldwide and throughout all time. But Jesus offers a solution to sin: Washed Sanctified Justified Cleansed Set apart for a holy purpose Made right before the law   Justified When we sin,…

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Does the type of water matter in baptism?

Question: Dear Minister, Thank you for your website. It has a lot of good stuff. It is really awesome. Thanks. And thanks for being willing to answer questions by email. Is any water type (fresh, chlorinated, salt, a bit muddy, etc) acceptable before God for baptism? As far as I know, no one but me…

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Suffering in Baptism?

by Perry Hall Amid Peter discussing suffering and judgment, he mentions, “baptism now saves” (I Peter 3:21). Contextually, what baptism saves us from is God’s judgment on a sinful world. The context from 3:14-4:19 is “Suffering and Judgment.” However, there are many ways baptism cannot save us from suffering because baptism is inherently tied to…

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What Must I Do to Go to Heaven?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/What-Must-I-Do-to-Go-to-Heaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 19:16-22   I.         I was asked, “What must I do to go to Heaven when I die? Please no opinions. Please use the Bible, it is all we have that is the truth.”             A.        I am impressed that this man only wants a biblical answer. Far too many simply want…

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Christ Sent Me Not to Baptize

by Terry Wane Benton In I Corinthians 1:17 Paul said, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” The assumption that denominational people make is that Christ did not send Paul to baptize because…

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Does baptism give continual cleansing?

Question: Hello, I hope you are well. I have a question for you. I was baptized several years ago and when I was baptized I felt like my heart was not into it completely. I went into the baptism knowing that there were sins that I was not going to give up and was going…

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Is my baptism invalid because I did it to avoid going to hell?

Question: When I got baptized, I was being baptized not necessarily wanting forgiveness but more about keeping myself from going to Hell. I was sincere in my commitment to God giving Him my life, but I was baptized out of fear of going to hell. This burdens my conscience every day and I don’t know…

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Can I be baptized if I had sex with my boyfriend?

Question: Hello. I’m thinking about getting baptized, but also I’ve had sex with my boyfriend many times before. I just want to know, can I still be baptized even if I’ve done so? And can I be able to continue after baptism? Answer: “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise…

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Can I get baptized while being in a relationship?

Question: I’m a 21-year-old male. My Father is a pastor. I’m in a relationship with my sister-in-law. Now I wanted to take baptism, but I have concerns. Do we need to break our relationship in order to get baptized? She is a very good girl, and I preached the gospel to her and made her…

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Which baptism was in effect between Jesus’ death and Pentecost?

Question: Good evening, After reading Exodus 19-24, it appears the Patriarchal Age ended in Exodus 19 but was not ratified by blood until Exodus 24:7-8, which relates to Hebrews 9:22. With this in mind, if I’m correct in my earlier assessment, which baptism (John’s or Jesus’) would have been authorized after Jesus’ death but before…

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Thoughts on Baptism

by Jefferson David Tant The rite of baptism is almost universally practiced in the thousands of denominations that claim to follow the Bible. It is observed in various ways, such as immersion, pouring, and sprinkling of water, sprinkling of rose petals, etc. Then there is infant baptism, baptism of believers, and baptism for the dead.…

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Is a baptism valid if the church believes only Jesus is God?

Question: Hello, I am a member of the church of Christ and have a question for you. My mother-in-law recently started attending the church, and I am concerned about her baptism being scriptural. She was baptized in a non-denominational “Jesus Only” church for the forgiveness of sins. What I mean by “Jesus Only” is this…

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A Better Understanding of Baptism

by T. Sean Sullivan As many lessons as having included baptism, one might think everyone has it all figured out. However, lessons don’t always stick and their points are not always being absorbed as they should. There also seems to be a never-ending stream of false ideas from out there. With so much confusion on…

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The Passover Lamb and Baptism

by Matthew W. Bassford The story of the first Passover is familiar to most of us. In Exodus 12, Moses instructs the Israelites to take an unblemished male lamb, slaughter it, eat it as part of a ritual meal, and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their houses. This strange ceremony had…

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Irenaeus on Baptism

by Dan Mayfield “First of all it bids us bear in mind that we have received baptism for the remission of sins, in the name of God the Father, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was incarnate and died and rose again, and in the Holy Spirit of God.…

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Is Sincerity Enough?

by Jefferson David Tant A popular idea among many people when questioned about their religious beliefs is that sincerity is the final judge of what is right and wrong. So long as a person believes in Christ, whatever his practices or beliefs may be in regard to that faith, so long as he is sincere,…

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Saved Through Water

by Matthew W. Bassford Genesis 7:11-24 tells the story of the greatest cataclysm ever to overtake the earth. Because the wickedness of man was great on the earth, God sent a flood to cleanse it by destroying everything that lived on the land. In this flood, every human being died except for eight. The patriarch…

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I fear I didn’t have the right attitude before I was baptized

Question: First off, I would like to say, I grew up in a church of Christ. A few years ago, I was struggling with hardcore sin in my life. My brother died that year, and it woke me up quickly. I was partying, drinking, smoking weed, cussing, having sex, and just not living right. I…

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Circumcision

by Terry Wane Benton Circumcision was the cutting off of the foreskin of the males in Israel. Why was it done? It was a daily reminder that the offspring coming through these people (Israel) would one day bless all nations through the “seed of Abraham” (Genesis 12:1-4), and this mark in the flesh was to…

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Who are the “them” in Acts 2:41?

Question: Since John’s baptism did not give people the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise that we read about in Acts 2:38-39, did the ones who received his baptism receive the gift and the promise if they lived into the New Testament? Some in the church believe the “them” in Acts 2:41 includes…

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A Trustworthy Statement

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-Trustworthy-Statement.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton II Timothy 2:8-13   I.         If we died with him             A.        Related to Romans 6:3-7                         1.         In baptism we share in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus                         2.         Death leads to life                                     a.         New (different) life here on earth – Romans 6:4                                     b.         A life after physical death – Romans 6:5                                     c.         The latter is what…

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Baptism, the Godhead, and the King James Bible

Question: Hey, are you the person that is behind the answer on the La Vista Church of Christ website? Surprisingly, it looks like you have very sound doctrine, which, of course, is very rare to find considering how many false prophets and teachers there are that exist. Answer: [Note: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted…

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Should we let a denominational group borrow our baptistery?

Question: Hello, Mr. Hamilton, I hope this finds you well. Every morning on my way to work I listen to your sermons. I greatly appreciate the work you have put into your program, as I have learned so much listening to them over the last couple of years. I belong to the church of Christ.…

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I’m supposed to be baptized soon, but I keep focusing on sexual things

Question: Hello Jeff, For years I hated gay and trans people. I am always ridiculing them and when I’m downloading a movie or tv series I always check whether there are gays in it or not first before downloading. The violent stuff or heavy sex (man and women) doesn’t matter to me, it’s always seen…

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Is baptism more than a symbol?

Question: Hello, I have a question about a possible omission in a statement found on “What Saves a Person?” It’s specifically about this statement: “Be Baptized: God selected a simple method by which we demonstrate and declare our acceptance of His offer of salvation — immersion in water. It is a physical act that symbolically represents what…

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What happens to people who die without being baptized?

Question: Hello, I have been reading about the church of Christ and the issue of baptism. If baptism is required for salvation, what happens to people who die without being baptized? Thank you. Answer: What happens to a person who disobeys God? “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all…

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I’m so confused about baptism

Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, Sorry to trouble you. I understand if you do not have time to read or respond, but I am very confused and would appreciate any help and any clarification you might be able to give. I don’t really know what to make of this, but I am sure you would have…

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Justification by Works and Baptism

by Matthew W. Bassford At the end of Romans 3 and the beginning of Romans 4, we encounter the most famous of Paul’s teachings: justification by faith in Jesus. Throughout the context, he contrasts it with justification by works. Abraham was not justified by works, nor was David, nor can we be. From this magnificent…

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Should you baptize someone who doesn’t plan to be a member of the church?

Question: I read Baptized but Not Converted on your site, but I have a more specific question. After a long study with some ladies, they all came to the conclusion that baptism was essential for salvation. One of the ladies, right before she was baptized, indicated that she wouldn’t be attending services. Should she have been…

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I’m worried that I wasn’t baptized properly

Question: Hey, I’ve been reading your articles about baptism and asked my Christian parents to baptize me. They were very kind and asked me if I believed in Jesus. I did everything right, except I’m very worried I was not under the water properly. They keep saying I was so I try to believe them,…

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The Corinthians’ Error on Baptism

by Perry Hall “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Corinthians 1:17 CSB). When people today use this passage to discredit the place and importance of baptism, ironically they make the same mistake as the Corinthians but for a different reason. Paul’s actual defense of baptism shows that…

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I’m not sure I was baptized correctly

Question: Hi, I hope you all are well. I’m a sister (I think) and your website has given me great encouragement and also some questions recently. I was baptized after several months of Bible study. I am concerned that it may not have been done the right way or that I may not have had…

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Was baptism commanded in the Old Testament at the time of John the Baptist?

Question: Was baptism commanded in the Old Covenant at the time of John the Baptist? I thought baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament for salvation. I have always heard that baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament. Am I missing something here? Mark 1:4 mentions John’s baptism of repentance for the remission…

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We Were All Baptized

by Doy Moyer One of the most significant arguments for baptism that I believe is under-utilized is the fact that the epistles, written to those who are already Christians, assume that the believers were all baptized. Look at passages like Romans 6:3-6; I Corinthians 1:13; 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:10-13; etc. These are not written…

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By Grace Through Faith with the Washing of Water

by Terry Wane Benton Notice the prepositions: by, through, and with. The Book of Ephesians uses all three to describe what is involved with our salvation. It teaches we are saved by grace. It teaches we are saved through faith. It teaches we are saved with the washing of water by the word. It is…

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Baptized into Christ

by Terry Wane Benton Image by Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, said that the Israelites were “baptized into Moses” when they were crossing the Red Sea while fleeing Pharaoh and his armies. They were immersed under a cloud of water and with the walls of water on each side (I…

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I wonder if I falsely remember being baptized

Question: Some say it is absolutely wrong to be baptized more than once and to not do it. Some say it is an outward sign to others, and one can be baptized more than once for various reasons. I have even read that water baptism is not necessary for salvation, which I can agree to a point.…

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