The Parable of the Unjust Steward

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Parable-of-the-Unjust-Steward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Luke 16:1-13             A.        Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8.             B.        How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II.        This parable follows three other…

Read More

Why are the Resurrection Accounts so Different?

by Edwin Crozier If skeptics jump on anything about the gospel records of Jesus Christ, it is the differences between the four authors’ accounts of the resurrection events and appearances. For example, Matthew mentions an angel who met the women at the tomb sitting on the rolled-away stone (Matthew 28:2). Mark mentions the women meeting…

Read More

Claims of Contradictions in the Resurrection Accounts

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Claims-of-Contradictions-in-the-Resurrection-Accounts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 1:1-4   I.         People who don’t want to hear a message will try to find some way to discredit either the messenger or the message             A.        If there is a perceived flaw, then they feel justified in tossing out everything they don’t want to accept             B.        Atheists and Muslims do…

Read More

Stacking the Deck Against Jesus

by Matthew W. Bassford If there is anything we should take away from reading through the gospels this year, it is a deeper understanding of the skill with which the Evangelists crafted their narratives. Nothing in any of the gospels is there just because Jesus did it. As John observes in John 21:25, all four…

Read More

How do I respond to the “I never told you to hate anybody” meme?

Question: Hi Jeff, I recently came across a post that, rightly so, was completely wrong. The post basically says and I will also attach the picture, that Jesus never said homosexuality is wrong, marriage can be with whomever and it doesn’t matter who you worship. My question is just by the gospels alone, can it…

Read More

Are the gospels not historical because they are theological documents?

Question: Hello. I just saw your study on Jesus being rejected at Nazareth after teaching in the synagogue. I am currently in a graduate-level course before I start my grad studies. I’ve been looking at your studies for quite some time since I became Christian, and I appreciate your loyalty to the authority of Scripture.…

Read More

Is there no proof who really wrote the four gospels?

Question: What evidence do we have that the four gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? I hear a lot of people saying they were anonymous, and we have no proof they were written by the people whose names are given to them. Answer: To claim there is no evidence would require setting terms on…

Read More

Wasn’t Luke a disciple of Paul?

Question: Wasn’t Luke a disciple of Paul and not Jesus though he did follow Jesus. So were the other three gospels were written even later because Luke didn’t come in the picture till 30-40 years after our Lord’s death. Answer: Luke is never described as being a disciple of Paul. Paul did not collect personal…

Read More

Why is there only one gospel when we have four gospels?

Question: I’m confused, if there is only one gospel why do so many people say the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Answer: The gospel is the good news preached concerning Jesus Christ and salvation. All of the New Testament is the gospel in this sense. See The Message Preached to see that the…

Read More

Why does Matthew mention the exception to divorce but Mark and Luke don’t?

Question: Why is the exception clause “except it be for fornication” in Matthew 19:8 regarding the teaching of Jesus on divorce and remarriage not included in Mark’s account of this teaching (Mark 10:2-10) or in Luke’s account (Luke 16:18)? Answer: Each gospel account was written to different audiences with different purposes. None give a complete…

Read More

What is meant by “so the last error shall be worse than the first”?

Question: In Matthew 27:64, what does “so the last error shall be worse than the first” mean? Answer: “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception…

Read More

Were Roman soldiers involved in the arrest of Jesus?

Question: How many Roman soldiers came to arrest Christ? Answer – None – the guard force was from the Temple guard. A Roman guard would not have taken Jesus to the High Priest’s house but to the Roman fortress to be held. Answer: “The band of soldiers (tên speiran). No word for “of soldiers” in…

Read More

The “Jesus Was Born Under the Law” Argument

by Terry W. Benton The Argument Stated: Jesus was “born” under the law (Galatians 4:4) and he died on the cross to “end” the Old Testament law of Moses (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14). This means that everything Jesus said and taught was under the authority of the Old Testament law of Moses. The Argument Answered:…

Read More

How many Passovers did Jesus attend during his ministry?

Question: Some say that Jesus attended three Passovers during his ministry and by that try to determine long He preached His gospel. I’ve heard that there may have been four Passovers, thus making His preaching career longer than 3 1/2 years. The possible fourth Passover, I believe is in the Gospel of Luke? Answer: Jesus…

Read More

Why do we cite Matthew regarding divorce since Jesus lived under the Old Law?

Question: As I understand Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32 concerning divorce, Jesus is answering the Pharisees (Jews) as they were tempting him on this question. His answer was the same as the law that they were under (except for fornication). Such as in the case that Joseph thought Mary was in. Why do we in the church today…

Read More

Were the disciples rowing the boat for seven hours?

Question: In Mark 6:45, were the disciples rowing that boat for 7 hours?  I know it says the “fourth watch” but is that equivalent to 7 hours like I heard a preacher say? Answer: In the days before timepieces, people tended to divide the days and nights into three-hour segments. While you might not know…

Read More

Did Mary’s intercession advance the hour Jesus showed he was the Messiah?

Question: Catholics say that according to John 2:1-11, the mother of Jesus not only interceded but thanks to her intercession, Jesus Christ advanced the hour to show (to manifest) his glory and He was the Messiah. Please address the following concerns: Is that true that thanks to Mary intercession, Jesus advanced the hour to show…

Read More

What are the four faces of Jesus?

Question: What are the four faces of Jesus? And how are they related to the present-day church? Answer: The phrase is not used in the Bible, but it is how some modern writers refer to the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each gospel is addressed to a different audience and, therefore, addresses different…

Read More

Thank you for the information on the two lineages of Jesus

Question: Thank you. A friend of mine has lost all of his faith and is now picking on the Bible for all of its inconsistencies. He has brought up the two lineages of Jesus as proof, and thanks to your sermon notes, plus a few other sources, I believe I may finally have an answer he…

Read More

Did the folded napkin in John 20:7 mean Jesus was coming back?

Question: I received the following in regard to John 20:7. Is this true? Why did Jesus fold the napkin? This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the e-mails. Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this……. John 20:7 tells us that the…

Read More

Who were the scribes?

Question: Why would the scribes be involved with seeking the death of Jesus? I thought scribes did the writings, copying of the manuscripts, etc. Did they have authority as well as the Pharisees? What part did they play in the temple activities then? Answer: One of the duties of the Levites was to make copies…

Read More

Are the gospels more important than the rest of the New Testament?

Question: I recently heard a preacher from a non-denominational church. He touched on a point I totally disagreed with, but it will take me some time to research as I read through the gospels and mark out verses. But in the meantime, I was wondering about your opinion. He made a statement that what is…

Read More

Of what tribes were Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and his parents?

Question: Of what tribe was Mary from? Joseph was of the tribe of Judah, I think, but was Mary also of this tribe? And was there intermarriage between the tribes of Israel? Was John the Baptist a Levite? Was he actually considered to be a priest, or solely a prophet? It says that his mother…

Read More

What does “the day of visitation” mean?

Question: In Luke 19:44, what do you think is the “day of visitation”? What do you think the other references in the Bible mean in regards to this phrase? We are doing a chronological study and up to this time frame. I have asked you one other question and you are about in the same…

Read More

Was Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic?

Question: One of the problems I would have with your explanation is whether or not Matthew wrote the words in Greek or did he write the words in the original Aramaic.  Most Bible scholars believe that Matthew wrote in Aramaic and while Mark’s words are almost identical, he too was a Jew who would have spoken a…

Read More

How many Roman soldiers came to the garden to arrest Jesus?

Question: How many Roman soldiers came to the garden to arrest Jesus? Answer: The Scriptures do not say. “And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people” (Matthew 26:47). “And immediately, while He was still speaking,…

Read More

The Gospels and the Covenants

by Roger Blackwelder It has been observed that the traditional divisions we use to describe the Bible are inaccurate. Genesis through Malachi are called the Old Testament or Old Covenant. Matthew through Revelation are called the New Testament or New Covenant. The titles are problematic for at least two reasons: 1) The covenant between God…

Read More

Why did it take 35-40 years to write the Gospels?

Question: What was the reason for John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew writing their gospels? Why did it take 35-40 years after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to begin to write the gospels or the rest of the New Testament? Answer: As for the purpose of the gospel accounts, see “The Four Gospels.” As to…

Read More

Was Judas at the Last Supper?

Question: My question concerns Judas and his participation or not, in the first Lord’s Supper. I have read over the verses concerning the Lord’s Supper, the night Jesus initiated it. Luke 22:14-22 appears to say he was there, and after the supper, Jesus then identified Judas as the one to betray Him. Mark 14:17-26 indicates…

Read More

Does the Bible say when Mary realized she was pregnant?

Question: Does it say or indicate when Mary was with child or you know when she knew she was pregnant, as in how many months she was into the pregnancy? Answer: When Gabriel visited Mary, he said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also,…

Read More

Did Jesus return the donkey he used for the triumphal entry?

Question: Did Jesus return the donkey he used in entering Jerusalem just before his death? Answer: It is not recorded, so any guess would be purely that — a guess. The colt was freely given to the Lord for his use (Mark 11:6). Beyond that, there is little that can be stated.

Read More

Wasn’t Judas’ problem betrayal and not suicide?

Question: I don’t think Judas’ suicide was the great issue. The main issue was the betrayal of Jesus. Jesus even said the disciples that it would have been better than the one that betrays the Son of Man not have been born. It just seems Judas will be judged for his betrayal than suicide. What…

Read More

Thank you for the notes on the Parable of the Unjust Steward

Question: I just read your notes on the Parable of the Unjust Steward. Thank you! I looked at many sites and thought they didn’t quite grasp it. I am using this story at a maximum-security institution to share with these guys how to be shrewd and cunning for the Lord and not waste their time and…

Read More

Does the fig tree refer to Israel?

Question: Is it true that the fig tree Jesus refers to is Israel?  Can you explain this? Answer: You really did not give me much of a clue as to what you were referring to, but I did a quick search on the Internet in order to discover what is a common doctrine dealing with…

Read More