The Bible and Medical Science

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/The-Bible-and-Medical-Science.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 45:20-25   I.         We know that the Bible is God’s directions for mankind             A.        It is not a history book per se; that is, it doesn’t document all of world history. Just a small, but relevant portion.             B.        It is not a science book, but it does mention scientific facts once…

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Why did Jesus stay around for forty days after his resurrection?

Question: Good day, Brother Jeffrey, I am asking for your help regarding this question: Why did Jesus stay around for 40 days, after He came back from the grave, instead of going immediately into Heaven? I know you are busy answering hundreds of emails every day so I am sorry for adding another burden on…

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He Showed Himself Alive by Many Proofs

I.         The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity             A.        If it is not true, then our religion is a hoax             B.        I Cor. 15:12-19             C.        Our faith stands or falls on whether not the resurrection actually occurred. II.        Objections to a resurrection             A.        “It’s unscientific”                         1.         The Soviet Encyclopedia The concept of a resurrection “is found to be the…

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Demanding a Sign

by Matthew W. Bassford Matthew 16:1-4 is one of the more off-putting passages in the gospels. Some Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus asking for a sign. A reasonable request, right? Don’t you have the right to ask a self-proclaimed prophet to show that he’s really from God before you believe in Him? However, Jesus…

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The Wonder of Smell

by Whit Sasser God’s design of the sense of smell is a wonder to experience and ponder. Who hasn’t experienced the sheer joy of smelling honeysuckle, freshly cut grass, brewing coffee, and hundreds of others similar? Some folks like the smell of gasoline, a new car interior, cigarettes (if a smoker), and such like. And…

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The Wonder of Hearing

by Whit Sasser God’s design of hearing is such a wonder of the human body and our ears in particular. “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both” (Proverbs 20:12). Our world is full of sound—sirens, traffic, thunder…songbirds, music, voices, etc. Thank God, we can hear! I have read that…

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Do historical facts make the Bible true?

Question: Brother, How would I handle the difference between the inspired text that makes claims and a comic book that someone can use to make claims? I was told this: “For instance, I can claim the existence of Spider-Man because he is from Queens, NY, and that is a real place with real historical figures…

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The Kurkh Monoliths – The Stele of Shalmaneser III (Part 2)

by David Wheeler Black Kurkh Monolith Previously, I reported on one of a set of steles known collectively as the Kurkh Monoliths. The one which was our subject was the stele of Shalmaneser III. Shalmaneser III was the ruler of the Assyrian Empire from 859-824 BC. The Kurkh Monolith recorded his advancement to the Syrian…

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The Kurkh Monoliths – Stele of Shalmaneser III

by David Wheeler Via Evidence in Archaeology To see a Biblical figure referenced in a stone inscription is a beautiful thing. It testifies that the book which we revere and study from is a trustworthy historical document and based in reality. Sometimes the secular inscriptions can reveal details of the Biblical figure’s life that aren’t…

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The Need for Foundations

by Jefferson David Tant In news reports from Atlanta, Georgia, there have been pictures of a service station/convenience store that is collapsing. What is the problem? There is a large water conduit running under the property, and evidently, a huge leak has formed, perhaps even a collapse of some sort. This has caused the collapse…

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“Mite” God Be Our Creator?

by Larry Hafley Leucania Moth (False Wainscot Moth) Tiny mites infect and inhabit the ear of the Leucania moth. Yes, I said, “the ear,” singular. In whichever ear the mites first locate, the other is left free. Hence, if the left ear of the moth is infested by mites, the right ear will remain clear…

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Verdict on the Resurrection

by Ray Madrigal via Guardian of Truth – April 4, 1991 Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict? In these closing statements, I will briefly summarize the evidence that you are asked to weigh. Since this case is one of history, I shall appeal t Verdict on the Resurrection o the…

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Archaeology and the New Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ArchaeologyAndTheNewTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 1:1-4   I.         The Bible is a historical book that contains many historical references, but it is not a book of mankind’s history.             A.        But where it mentions historical facts, it has always been proven to be true.                         1.         Arguments against the Bible are based on the lack of supporting evidence…

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Confirmation

by Jefferson David Tant “Confirmation” is an important factor in life. We want, and need, things to be confirmed, validated, or guaranteed. We want things “signed, sealed, and delivered,” as a popular song suggests. Statements in court are to be confirmed with an oath “to tell the truth…” Certain documents may be required to be…

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What does I John 5:7-8 mean?

Question: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (I John 5:7-8 KJV). What does verse eight mean?…

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Faith is the Evidence

by Doy Moyer “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NASB). Some translations say that faith is the “evidence” of things not seen (KJV, NKJV). What does this mean? We often point out that faith is not blind. Because of the use of the term “evidence”…

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The Historical Accuracy of the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/HistoricalAccuracyOfTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29   I.         When we claim that the Bible is inspired, we are giving a vague notion that it uplifts a person (though it does) or that it is unique (though it is).             A.        Inspiration means it came from the mouth of God – II Timothy 3:16-17             B.        But it is…

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Archaeology and the Old Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ArchaeologyAndTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29   I.         Mankind’s memories of the past are poor at best             A.        In general, we don’t keep extensive records and those records we do keep are often on material that does not last.             B.        There is a branch of science, called archeology that attempts to bring the past to light.…

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Validating the Good News

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ValidatingTheGoodNews.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29   I.        How do I know that the Bible is inspired? How can I be really certain that it comes from God?            A.       There are various ways to show that the Bible must have came from God.            B.       Today we will use methods that the Bible itself suggests. II.       If the…

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Does a Camel Bone Disprove the Bible?

by Terry Partain Fox News, Yahoo News, Forbes, Duke University, and of course the New York Times have jumped on a story from Tel Aviv University that claims they have finally found evidence that the Bible made a mistake. Could be they think Bill Nye the Science Guy needs a little help. They have found camel bones…

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Christ in Prophecy

by C.G. “Colly” Caldwell via The Preceptor, September 1988 One of the strongest pieces of evidence supporting the Bible is the fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus Christ. The Old Testament was completed in the fifth century B.C. Malachi is usually dated between 444 and 432 B.C., and it is the final message of God until…

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The Fingerprints of God

by Doug Cyrus via Think on These Things If a person’s fingerprints are found on an object you know the person has touched that object, you have detected their presence. It is interesting how God reveals His presence in the Bible by hiding information that obviously has His fingerprints all over it. Proverbs 25:2 says: “It…

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How can you distinguish between the real and the make-believe?

Question: Alright, how do we know that religion, in general, is not just our mind playing tricks on us? This has been bothering me badly now. I didn’t know if you had an answer or not. For example, I had terrible anxiety problems. I was convinced that my house was haunted. I started hearing things…

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Prophetic Proof

Prophetic Proof – Part 1Prophetic Proof Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 18:18-22   I.         Throughout history there have been people claiming to know what others do not             A.        They claim to know mind of God and the future             B.        If you hint at questioning the truth of their claim, they get upset.             C.        Yet, Moses told…

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Is there any non-biblical evidence that proves the prophecies in the Bible?

Question: A friend and I talked for a little while tonight regarding Bible evidence, and when we talked about prophecy, he raised the argument that prophecies from the Bible verified purely from within the Bible can’t be used to prove the Bible. Is that a fair argument? And are there non-biblical evidence of prophecies coming…

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Is there any scientific evidence that Christianity is the true religion?

Question: I am not a Christian! But I have been thinking about that religion. I would like to know more about Christianity. Is there any scientific evidence that Christianity is the true religion? And didn’t the church oppose science some centuries back? Thanks. Answer: “Scientific evidence is the result of objective testing of a theory…

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The Church of Oprah

by Dan Gatlin For decades, Oprah Winfrey has proclaimed faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, when one examines Oprah’s Jesus, he is not the same Jesus found in the New Testament. Oprah’s Jesus is not God in the flesh, but merely a “good man.” He is non-condemning and tolerant of “alternative lifestyles.” In short, her Jesus…

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Prove All Things

by Gary Dennis Jones In feudal times, so the story goes, there were two rival kingdoms, one of which sent out a messenger to spy on the other. When the spy got to this kingdom, the inhabitants were all a-flurry, being in the midst of forming an army to kill the rats that were infesting…

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What does the Bible have to do with God?

Question: What does the Bible have to do with God? I’ve been reading questions and answers on your site, and I really like how you stick with the Bible without adding any opinions that aren’t in there. You see, I have a problem, and I was hoping you would be able to help me. I’ve…

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The Weight of the Nails

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/WeightOfTheNails.mp3 Text: Psalm 139   I.         For a book as concise as the Bible, it contains a surprising amount of detail             A.        Detail that many ignore             B.        So much detail that Reader’s Digest once took it upon themselves to produce a condensed version of the Bible, for which they were justly ridiculed.             C.        I Corinthians 2:12-13 – God selected…

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Confirmed

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Confirmed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:12-21   I.         How important is the proof of what we know? – Hebrews 2:1-4             A.        God put a lot of effort into not just saying but proving.             B.        Jesus Christ is the foundation – I Corinthians 3:11             C.        It becomes a solid foundation – II Timothy 2:19             D.        So many people…

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How can I know the God of the Bible isn’t a myth?

Question: How do I know that believing in God is the right thing to do? How do I know that the Bible isn’t something that is made for mankind to get by through life without worrying as much as non-believers do? I don’t know what to think about God and life and death. Just the…

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How can I believe the Bible when science has proven it wrong?

Question: That was an interesting article about the possible age of the earth.  I am a Christian, but I still need some answers so I can feel comfortable about where I stand. So, if I understand it correctly, there is scientifically proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, undeniable truth that the earth is much, much…

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Constantine created the King James Bible

Question: Left unedited. I read “The Origin of the King James Version” and find it very interesting but you never say anything about the actual origin of the King James Bible. In short, this version was created by Emperor Constantine in the year 325AD. At this time, he was losing his hold on his empire…

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