Dogs Don’t Go to Heaven

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/DogsDontGoToHeaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 22:12-17   I.         When we want to illustrate a point, we often will search through life around us to find something similar. It is especially good if the audience understands the example             A.        Those points make a lasting impression on us because we are familiar with the illustration             B.        Thus Jesus’…

Read More

Why Israel Fell

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/WhyIsraelFell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 9:1-7   I.         The prophet Isaiah told the people that the Messiah was coming.             A.        He would bring righteousness to all the nations and remove the burdens of sin             B.        He would establish a new government, one that would last forever             C.        The people of Israel foolishly thought that the Messiah would…

Read More

Will Jesus come again when everyone has heard the gospel?

Question: I know that Jesus Christ will come again when everybody has heard the gospel. Right? Well, a lot of people at school say that the world is going to end in 2012. Why are they saying this? Answer: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but…

Read More

Pat Robertson’s Failed Predictions

by Heath Rogers You may remember that in January of last year, we ran an article citing some predictions that Pat Robertson had made for 2007. The following is an excerpt from a news story by Steven G. Vegh, published January 3, 2007: Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson cited communication with God in predicting Tuesday that horrific…

Read More

Ellen G. White

by Jefferson David Tant Although there have been other proponents of observing the Sabbath day in modern times, Ellen G. White is the most prominent, as she is considered to be the founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. A full examination of her work would be the subject of another article, but there are…

Read More

How do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a congregation?

Question: Our congregation has received a letter from a man in the Philippines requesting aid in the form of Bibles, songbooks, and other training materials. Given the concerns you mention, how do you feel about giving non-monetary aid directly to a specific congregation? Answer: Direct aid is less likely to be abused. However, I have…

Read More

The Corruption of Money

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In any discussion of false teachers, you have to address the issue of money. Money is a significant motivator behind those who would compromise the truth, for the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (I Timothy 6:10-11). Even in Paul’s days, there were men who taught…

Read More

Should I be suspicious of Filipino preachers soliciting support?

Question: I recently received the two attachments from preachers in the Philippines. While surfing through the net I came across a post of yours “The Corruption of Money”. Pretty scary! Before the brethren here decide to send a one-time amount of financial support I have been asked to do some investigating to determine whether or…

Read More

Can I use your material to help teach a preacher who has gone astray?

Question: It is evident from the materials on your website that you are truly a congregation of the Lord’s church. I came upon your site while attempting to find well-defined information to refute the “unity” movement today. Unfortunately, my former congregation in Florida is planning a merger with a local “Christian church” in the name…

Read More

Spirits surround us at all times

Question: I like your website, I’m sure it took a lot of work. There is one part that queries if there are ghosts among us, which effectively answers no. I find this interpretation to be incorrect based on the evidence — spirits surround us at all times. I do not profess to be an expert…

Read More

Can the Bible be understood by the common man?

Question: Have you heard of Eli Soriano? What do you think about his teachings? Answer: I looked briefly at Eli Soriano’s website. I’m afraid I didn’t get far because there was a statement on the first page that I knew to be contrary to God’s Word. “The Bible contains many things hard to understand. Such…

Read More

How can you talk to someone who constantly twists the Bible?

Question: I attend a Church of Christ but my fiance practices Calvinism. He doesn’t refer to it like that, but the beliefs are the same. He and his brother are very into this religion. They get everything from a website. They believe the church age is over and that it is a sin to attend.…

Read More

Religious Exploitation

by Oscar Miles I have sometimes speculated about what would upset Jesus most if He came to live with us as a human as He did 2,000 years ago. I have contemplated many different scenarios through the years. I thought He would be angry at religious division when He prayed for unity as His death…

Read More

All These Things Will I Give Thee

by Gary McDade Surely, the Devil thought the temptation a valid one he offered the Lord on that exceeding high mountain when “he showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,” promising them to him if he would “fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9). Many in Bible times fell…

Read More

For the Love of Money

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Paul warned that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (I Timothy 6:10). Because of the desire for wealth, Satan has pulled many Christians away from their service to God. Yet, the desire for easy money has led to the church being the target of many…

Read More

Faith Healers or ‘Fake’ Healers?

by Greg Gwin So-called “faith healers” continue to claim great abilities for healing various ail­ments of the physical body. While we steadfastly believe in all the miracles of the Bible, including the many instances of miraculous divine healing, we are equally as strong in our denial that these modern “healers” have any God-given power in…

Read More

The Appeal of Ketcherside’s Teachings

by Herschel Patton via Truth Magazine – April 1974 We have been saddened lately by a few brethren, mostly among the young, abandoning strict adherence to a “thus saith the Lord” and casting their lot with liberal brethren, even to the extent of “open fellowship” with the denominations – as advocated by Carl Ketcherside. Several young preachers,…

Read More

Must a preacher teach from the Greek and Hebrew text?

Question: I would like you to answer a question for me. There’s a person here in our city teaching from his basement or another room he has rented. He teaches Greek and Hebrew lessons and he also appears on TV. This person teaches that if your pastor isn’t teaching from the Greek or Hebrew Bible,…

Read More

How do these mega-churches attract so many people?

Question: I wanted to get some feedback from you as to the way church services are conducted on TV (T. D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, etc.). It seems with these mega-churches, the attraction that they receive is astounding. It makes me wonder what the attraction is, as so many are lead by personal satisfaction, emotional feelings,…

Read More

How Do They Do That?

  I.         We have discussed a doctrine in the past which has been advocated which declares the gospel accounts: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are Old Testament books.             A.        It is not hard to refute the belief, but I want to use an article written by one of its proponents as an illustration to help us learn…

Read More

Have you heard about Kim Clement?

Question: Where are you at? Have you not yet heard of Kim Clement! He prophesied publicly in front of a large audience long before any of the following happened ( I keep detailed archives of the meetings regarding time place and manner): ·        George W Bush became President ·        The debacle of the Florida Vote with Al Gore ·        Hurricane Katrina…

Read More

No Prophecy

by Carl A. Allen Often, when I am reading at random, I come across a thought that is worthy of passing on. Some of these thoughts are for thinking, not just passing over. I believe this quote to be of that value. “There are no prophecies for Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad or any other leader of…

Read More

Have You Gone to Him About It?

by Brian A. Yeager How brethren deal with sin among the saints should often be brought into question. In fact, one could easily write many articles pointing out how infrequently brethren will apply what the scriptures teach when it comes to congregational discipline. Then, when brethren finally decided to practice scriptural discipline it is sad…

Read More

How Do They Do That?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton You watch as the magician waves his hands and mutters mysterious words. Suddenly, the handkerchief he was holding becomes a dove. You know it is a trick, but you wonder how he did it. You read yet another account of a con man taking the money of several people. The lies…

Read More

Be on the Alert

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The world is filled with corrupted views of Christianity. Despite the Lord’s desire that his followers would be one (John 17:22), we find thousands of denominations. Oneness cannot be obtained by teaching different beliefs and then stating the differences really do not matter to God. God has already told us His…

Read More

The Corruption of Money

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:3-10   I.         In any discussion of false teachers you have to address the issue of money. Money is often the motivation for compromising the truth – I Timothy 6:10-11             A.        Teaching for the money they can make – Titus 1:10-11             B.        II Peter 2:3 – Some make merchandise of the…

Read More

Racketeering

by R.L.Whiteside via. The Bible Banner, 1946 It seems that about every line of human activity is cursed with racketeers. If people were not so gullible, common racketeers could not work their schemes. Racketeering was at first a scheme to obtain money or other advantages by threats of damage to person or property. It was…

Read More

What to do when a church leader preys on members

Question: Your words of wisdom have been very healing.  Thank you. I need to give some contextual information with regards to my ex-boyfriend. I met him at my church.  I was in a program called Beyond Divorce, and he was my small group leader as well as the organizer of this entire program.  In my…

Read More

Their Mouths Must Be Stopped

by Brian A. Yeager The Apostle Paul told Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn…

Read More

It Depends on What You Mean by “Is”

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton based on an ad written by Floyd Chappelear When a person is caught in an indefensible position, they will frequently argue over the meaning of words. If you can’t define your position, then you cannot hold them accountable. Even simple words suddenly become vague because the arguer will not accept any…

Read More

Be on the Alert

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-5   I.         It is our natural tendency to interpret the actions of others with our own views.             A.        It is hard for those who are good to understand why people will do evil.             B.        While thinking about how to lead in to this lesson, I received the following e-mail back before…

Read More