Do commentaries contain God’s words?

Question: In these dark days of political upheaval, financial uncertainty, and more, Christians and non-Christians alike have been asking many questions! Deep spiritual questions. I have questions, and I am not the only one in our Bible study groups! l think you will agree that men of God have written Bible commentary and claim that…

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Biblical Infallibility

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Biblical Infallibility: Can We Trust the Bible? Biblical Infallibility: The Bible’s Claims for Itself Biblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible

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The Unusual Style of the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Unusual-Style-of-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:16-21   I.         When we talk about the Bible, a major point made in its defense is to point out the unusual unity it displays despite being written by about 40 writers over a 1,500 year period.             A.        The authors lived in different regions, had different occupations.             B.        The writings…

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I think Adam and Eve sinned simultaneously

Question: Dear Minister: Adam and Eve Sinned Simultaneously. In “How Long Is A Day?” you said, “If Eve was not the first to sin, then what do we do with Paul’s proof in I Timothy 2:14?” First, consider the source (Saul|Paul, aka 18 verses in Acts 22:24-29; 22:30; 23:1-5; 23:6-11). Paul’s argument started from the wrong…

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Spiritual Thoughts, Spiritual Words

by Matthew W. Bassford The fundamental question of our faith is whether the Bible is the inspired word of God. If it is, we can rely on its contents. If it isn’t, everything we believe in, from the creation to the resurrection, is built on a foundation of sand instead of rock. Not surprisingly, then,…

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The Nature of the Apostles’ Inspiration

by Clarence Johnson Sentry Magazine, September 1999 When Jesus sent the apostles out on what is sometimes called the limited commission to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. He told them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware…

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The Inspiration and Preservation of Scripture

by George P. Estes Sentry Magazine, December 1999 That Scripture is the word of God is accepted by all who believe in God and in Jesus. This includes the sixty-six books we call the Bible. ln this age, some nineteen hundred years from the apostles of Christ, we need proof of what we have. And…

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How Do We KNOW the Bible Is True?

by Jefferson David Tant Introduction For thousands of years, a book has influenced the world. Eastern and Western civilizations have had their laws, customs, and culture molded by the teachings of this ancient document. Kingdoms have risen and fallen in keeping with prophetical statements contained within its pages. In the 550 years since Johannes Gutenberg…

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Foreshadowing

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Foreshadowing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 22:1-14   I.         A mark of a good writer is his use of foreshadows to give the reader a hint of what is to come later in the story             A.        It gives a sense of unity to a book, but it is difficult to do well. Small details must be…

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Homer Sometimes Nodded

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Homer-Sometimes-Nodded.mp3 Text: Numbers 23:18-19   I.         Horace (65 – 8 B.C.), a Latin poet, wrote “Sometimes even the noble Homer nods”             A.        Homer was a blind Greek poet of the eight century B.C. Know for the Illiad and the Odyssey.             B.        As accomplished as Homer was, he sometimes erred with reference to the facts of the incidents that…

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Biblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Arguments-Against-the-Bible.mp3 Text: I Peter 1:22-25   I.         The arguments have not changed much over the years. Same given today as hundreds of years ago. II.        All or Nothing             A.        Do we have to insist on total infallibility of the Scriptures?             B.        Some fear that one error would overthrow all of Christianity.             C.        However, if the writers of the Bible were…

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I think Paul changed his mind as he got older

Question: I note that you comment a lot from Apostle Paul’s epistles, but the apostle Paul changes his mind on subjects as he ages.  Food for one.  I understand that he didn’t want to put a burden on the Gentiles, especially when literacy rates were probably so low in that era.  Now, literacy is high…

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How did prophets know what God wanted them to say?

Question: So you know that Moses who wrote some of the books of the Bible and other people also wrote books. How did they know what God wanted and what He didn’t want? Or did God really have a voice that reached from the heavens to earth and told them what to write back then?…

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Location

Location (1)Location (2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:153-160   I.         The Bible doesn’t contain fillers. Every word exists in its text for a reason – I Corinthians 2:11-13             A.        That doesn’t mean we are always aware of the reason but we should acknowledge that God does know His purpose             B.        The four gospels only mention 25…

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God never speaks to us in verbal language

Question: Peace be with you; We’re dealing with God’s word, not conversation between two people, so God never speak to us in verbal language. Best wishes. Answer: I left this note as it was sent. I have to admit, I’m puzzled because there are so many wrong concepts presented in so few words. The Bible…

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The Resurrection of Christ and the Inspiration of the Scriptures

by Robert H. Farish via Gospel Guardian, April 14, 1960 The evidence by which the resurrection of Christ is proved is the testimony of the apostles. This testimony was originally given orally and later put into writing by the apostles. This testimony asserts not only the miracle of the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:20) but also…

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Does John 14:26 apply to Christians today?

Question: Hi Jeff, Does John 14:26 apply to Christians today? If not, why? Thanks. Answer: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that…

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Does Inspiration Change a Man?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DoesInspirationChangeAMan.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 6:1-12   I.         A common teaching among the denominations is that a person cannot come to know God unless the Spirit of God enters in to change his outlook.             A.        It comes from a basic belief that man is born corrupt from the sin of Adam. He needs God…

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Our Changing Attitude Toward the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OurChangingAttitudeTowardTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:22-25   I.         A new translation of the Bible came out last month, called “As Good as New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures.”             A.        Actually, “translation” is not a good description of it. As my wife commented, it doesn’t even make a good paraphrase.             B.        Several examples were given…

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Is the Bible fallible because it was written in human languages?

Question: Dear Jeffrey, I am sorry that I have to turn to you for help, but this is why I am currently studying to be a preacher because people like you and many others inspire me to be able to teach. Unfortunately, I have wasted away much of my life after vain things, such as…

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Led by the Spirit

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/LedByTheSpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 8:1-17 I.         We have spoken at length in the past about the exactly who is the Holy Spirit             A.        We have shown that he is a being who is a part of the Godhead, just as the Father and the Son.             B.        He is made more mysterious by men because of…

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Are the Gospel Writers Credible?

by Wayne Jackson The writers of the Gospel accounts — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — quite definitely affirm that Jesus Christ claimed to be the Son of God and that he performed miracles to authenticate that affirmation. Further, they allege that even though Jesus was put to death on the cross, after three days…

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Biblical Infallibility: The Bible’s Claims for Itself

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BiblesClaimsForItself.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 31:24-29   I.         A.        When talking about whether we can trust the Bible or not, it may seem strange to turn to the very book we are considering.             B.        We want to show that it is not a optional belief.             C.        The Bible claims to be infallible. If it is not in…

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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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The Wondrous Book of God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/WondrousBookOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:17-24   I.         Eulogy of the Bible             Many years ago, I entered the wonderful temple of God’s revelation. I entered the portico of Genesis and walked down through the Old Testament Art Gallery where the pictures of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Daniel hung…

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God Told Me

by Doy Moyer Years ago, my dad (Forrest Moyer) was on live radio teaching Scripture. A man called in and said, “God spoke to me and told me to play my guitar in church.” Dad responded, “Really? Well God told me not to.” The man quickly responded, “Oh no He didn’t.” Hmm. I was having a Bible…

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Why do you use the non-inspired NKJV?

Question: Love your site! But why do you use the non-inspired version that has changed scriptures and missing words? I also notice that some of the NKJV have a 666 crest that looks like a trinity circle on them. Very deceptive — just like the fish sign for Dagod! Thanks for your thoughts. Answer: There is…

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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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How May We Know the Bible is of God?

by Abraham Smith Can you trust your Bible? Is the Bible a book of God or a book of man? If we doubt the Bible’s trustworthiness, we lose it as: an infallible standard of truth; an authoritative basis for obedience or hope; “living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12); and as a…

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How dare you claim that the book of Enoch is uninspired!

Question: Dear Minister, How dare you claim my beloved book of Enoch an uninspired work of men! People like you are just afraid to accept that angels descended upon earth and fornicated with earthly women and procreated giants. Yes, Jesus said that angels do not marry- they do not marry in heaven, but angels have powers…

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Apostolic Supremacy

by Clinton D. Hamilton via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 1952. The real issue with reference to religious division is which church is the true one. In an almost unanimous voice, religious people affirm that for a church to be the true one it must teach the identical doctrines revealed by the apostles. The…

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Is Mark 16:9-20 Inspired?

by Kyle Pope via Biblical Insights, Vol. 9, No. 8, August 2009 Many students of the New Testament have found themselves puzzled by notes encountered at the close of the Gospel of Mark claiming, “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9–20″[1] Should we question the reliability or inspiration these…

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God Breathed

by Stan Cox In II Timothy 3, the apostle Paul penned a wonderful sentence that establishes both the precious nature of the words contained in our Bibles and their efficacy in ordering our lives as His servants. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for…

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