Did the Jews accuse Jesus of being born of fornication?

Question: In John 8.41, did the Jews accuse the Lord of being “born of fornication?” Answer: You are reading more into the exchange than was stated. ” “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak the things which I have…

Read More

John, Jesus, and Jehovah’s Witnesses

by Jefferson David Tant Those who are familiar with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teaching about Jesus Christ are aware that they believe that Christ is not the Son of God, but that he is Michael the Archangel, a created being. Note the following quote from their writings: “the evidence indicates that the Son of God was…

Read More

Is Jesus a created lord?

Question: Hi, good day, I have a question: Was Jesus a created Lord in Acts 2:36? What is the difference between his Lordship in Acts 2:36 and in I Corinthians 8:6? Is he not God because the Father is the one God and he is just a created Lord? Another question: The Bible says that God…

Read More

Unlike You and I

Unlike You and I (Part 1)Unlike You and I (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:12-18   I.         What would you be like if you had absolute power?             A.        Oh, it is fun to imagine all the things you could do if you had the power to do it, but what kind of person would…

Read More

The Godhead Dwells in Us

by Whit Sasser God Dwells in Christians II Corinthians 6:16 Ephesians 4:6 Philippians 2:13 I John 4:12-16 Christians Dwell in God I John 4:15-16 Christ Dwells in Christians Colossians 3:11 John 6:56 John 15:4-5 John 17:23, 26 Galatians 2:20 Galatians 4:19 II Corinthians 4:10-11 II Corinthians 13:5 Ephesians 3:17 Romans 8:20 Philippians 1:20 Christians Dwell…

Read More

A Trial Lawyer Examines the Trial of Jesus

by Larry L. Crain, A trial attorney in civil rights and constitutional law (abridged by Jefferson David Tant) During Easter, many believers reflect on the Crucifixion of Christ. As a lawyer, I have been intrigued by the criminal trial culminating in Christ’s execution. The Gospels give four narratives in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They…

Read More

Christ First! Last! and Always!

by Jefferson David Tant “I beseech you … brethren … to present your bodies a living sacrifice … And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2). We all know the words. Do we really know what they mean? “All to Jesus I surrender,…

Read More

Did Jesus fear?

Question: The Bible teaches that we should not fear. “For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (I John 4:18). We know that Jesus was the only man to live a life without sin. Did Jesus fear as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Father, if you…

Read More

Believing the Unbelievable Story of Jesus

by Don Bunting God intends for people to come to Him by faith.  Undoubtedly God could reveal Himself to humanity in a powerful, material, undeniable way.  Still, God says:  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of…

Read More

This Is My Body

by John Hendrix via Seeking Things Above “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). What of the body of Jesus? What do we think as we take the bread? There is no monument…

Read More

Can we or should we call Jesus our brother?

Question: Can we or should we call Jesus our brother? Answer: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and…

Read More

Jesus – Humble Servant King

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jesus-Humble-Servant-King.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: Mark 11:1-11 The king of the Jews enters Jerusalem Mark 11:7-11 – on a colt donkey Zechariah 9:9-10 – fulfilling prophecy Significance of Donkey Horse symbol of war Size Strength Speed Chariots – Zechariah 9:10 Donkey symbol of peace Jesus was not a conquering King taking his kingdom by force…

Read More

Portraits of God’s Leaders

A series of lessons presented by Ross Ward of Des Moines, Iowa, April 4-9, 2021 King Saul – An ‘I’ Problem Saul relies on his own will and ability, ultimately refused to accept responsibility for his actions (I Samuel 8-16) Jesus – Humble Servant King Jesus is King but not according to the world’s standards…

Read More

His Name Shall Be …

by George Slover “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The names of Christ reveal the various aspects of his nature and character. By…

Read More

Purge Me with Hyssop

by Johnny O. Trail Most scholars believe David wrote the fifty-first Psalm after his transgression with Bathsheba. If this is the case, it is one of the most penitent Psalms in the Old Testament. From the passages recorded in Psalm fifty-one, it appears the writer was heartsick over his sins. Psalm 51:11-12 says, “Do not…

Read More

The Plea for a Daysman

by Jarrod M. Jacobs Job chapter nine records one of the speeches Job made when defending himself against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. This speech in chapter nine is somewhat different from the others. Job does not spend much of his speech responding directly to Bildad and what he said in chapter eight. In chapter nine,…

Read More

Hostile Fulfillment of Prophecy

by Matthew W. Bassford In Acts 13:27, Paul makes a fascinating claim about the Jews of Jerusalem and their rulers. He notes that even though they did not identify Jesus as the Messiah or recognize Him in the prophecies of the Old Testament, they fulfilled those prophecies in their bad treatment of Him. This is…

Read More

Listen to Him

by Jefferson David Tant A “breathtaking” event took place in the lives of Jesus’ disciples James, Peter, and John when they went with Christ up a mountain. It was an experience they would never forget “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a…

Read More

Is Isaiah 53:5 speaking of physical or spiritual healing?

Question: Is Isaiah 53:5 speaking of physical or spiritual healing? Answer: “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,…

Read More

Jesus was nothing more than a good Jewish man

Question: Note: I basically left this note as it was received. Incidentally, before I delete your nonsense comments of alleged religious significance. I don’t understand why you call the Jewish Essene Rabbi Yehoshua, (who lived over 2000 years ago) Jesus and/or Christ. Also, Yehoshua ate Kosher and you eat pork. Yehoshua did not eat meat…

Read More

Propaganda Wars

by Terry Wane Benton There was the truth that Jesus was in fact raised from the dead, and then there were the opposition forces who needed to keep the nation from converting to Jesus. They wanted to stay in control of the crowds and keep their wealthy pockets padded. To lose control to Jesus would mean…

Read More

The Deity of Christ

by Charles N. Spence, Jr. Sentry Magazine, June 2000 One of the principal points of the Christian doctrine is the deity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus was just an ordinary man, though perfect he may be, his death could never benefit the entire race of sinful man. Some faiths actually believe and teach that Jesus…

Read More

My King

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/My-King.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

Read More

I can’t believe you waste time discussing imagination

Question: I cannot believe that you would waste so much time discussing total bonker imaginings. The fact that none of the persons who wrote about Jesus personally knew him seems to escape your grey cells. They lived three hundred years after he died!! You know nothing of what the leaders of the Sanhedrin said! How could you? You…

Read More

Suppression of Truth

by Terry Wane Benton Pilate presents Jesus, saying Behold your king John 19:14-15 The whole effort by the leaders of the Jews and Romans against Jesus was to turn the tide of public opinion against Jesus. They staged His trials and execution on the cross to humiliate Him and end His influence upon the people.…

Read More

When the Fullness of Time Had Come

by Wayne Chamberlain Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Throughout history, God has used natural events, nations, cultures, individuals, and even beasts to facilitate and accomplish the fulfillment of His will. Evidence is strongly indicative that God used some of these same components in preparation for the corning Messiah and the carrying of His message into all…

Read More

Jesus and Prayer

by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Jesus as Our Intercessor The intercession of the Holy Spirit does not set aside the intercession of Jesus Christ. “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…

Read More

One Great Birth, Two Great Names

by Doy Moyer We are at that time of year when the birth of Jesus Christ is on the minds of many. That much is a good thing. There are many misconceptions about His birth, but doors may be opened to talk about it and we need to be willing to do that. We do…

Read More

Why Jesus Died

by Matthew W. Bassford How do you convict a sinless man of a crime serious enough to warrant His execution? It might sound like a logic puzzle to us, but for the chief priests, it was a serious problem. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, they determined that He had to die. However, they…

Read More

Does Psalms 118:22-24 refer to Jesus and his resurrection?

Question: Dear Sir, May the peace of God be with you all. I would be grateful if you could help me with the understanding of Psalms 118:22-24. Is the verse(s) referring to Jesus and his resurrection? Thank you, God bless you. Answer: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is…

Read More

Can We Pray Ever to Jesus?

by Terry Wane Benton This question is asking us to discern whether there is a pattern in scripture so restrictive that it never allows us to say a word to our mediator (a strange restrictive pattern that allows everyone to usually talk to their mediator or advocate but not in this case) or say a…

Read More

When was Jesus born?

Question: I have known Bible scholars to teach that Jesus was born in the Spring or maybe the month of April!? What say ye? Answer: The day of Jesus’ birth gives rise to endless speculations. Instead of picking a day based on some obscure philosophical argument, let’s list out the markers that we do know.…

Read More

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…

Read More

Present Your Case

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Present-Your-Case.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:21-22   I.         The Apostle Paul challenges Christians everywhere to prove all things – I Thessalonians 5:21-22             A.        Jude 3 tells us to contend earnestly for the faith             B.        I Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer to every question                         1.         The Greek word is the one…

Read More

Jesus Turns up the Pressure

by Matthew W. Bassford As different as the four gospels are, all four of them put their greatest emphasis on the events of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Before that point, their narratives take different paths and discuss different things. At that point, all of them focus on the garden, the cross, and the empty…

Read More

Did Jesus not want to go to the cross?

Question: In the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed to God and said remove this cup from me, was he saying he didn’t want to go to the cross? Answer: Jesus understood that it was necessary for him to die on the cross, but it doesn’t mean he enjoyed what he did. In John 12:20-28,…

Read More

Does Colossian 2:9 mean that Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Question: Does Colossian 2:9 mean that Jesus is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Answer: “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). “Fullness” (from the Greek word pleroma) means a complete or full expression. Thus, in Galatians 4:4 the fullness of time doesn’t mean all time but the moment…

Read More

Majesty! Worship His Majesty!

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Majesty-Worship-His-Majesty.mp3 by Wilson Adams Faith Over Fear

Read More

Jesus Predicting His Death

by Matthew W. Bassford Luke 18-19 chronicles the high point of Jesus’ ministry. He is on His way to Jerusalem, surrounded by an exultant crowd. According to Luke 19:11, the throngs believed that “the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.” In other words, they anticipated that when Jesus came to Jerusalem, He…

Read More