What Is the Bible?

Question: Hi, I would like some answers to my doubts. I know you can help me with this because of everything I have read on your site. I’m happy that your teachings are exactly the same as our non-denominational church. I find them right too. Praise the Lord! My questions: What exactly is the Bible?…

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Why are miracles not happening in the church?

Question: Hi! I am a member of the church. One thing I never understood is this: There are movies, such as Breakthrough, a true story about a boy falling through ice, then being pronounced dead, and then his mother prays over him and suddenly he starts breathing again, and then he is perfectly fine with…

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Miraculous Spiritual Gifts

by Matthew Bassford Many of you may well have had, as I have had, the experience of talking Bible with somebody who believes that the miraculous spiritual gifts of the first century continue today. Let me be honest with you, brethren. It is difficult to find success in studies with such people. Though it’s not obvious,…

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Do we experience God in a present way or only in the past tense?

Question: Good day, Is the church not to experience God in a “present way,” or does it only need to be in a past tense manner through the Bible? Thanks. Answer: I had difficulty with your question because it was worded vaguely. The meaning changes depending on how you define the terms. God is ever…

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Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts

by Ron Drumm It would be wonderful to have a spiritual gift like the ability to do miracles or the ability to speak in tongues. There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in the New Testament. They are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits,…

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Miracles Then Versus Now

by Terry W. Benton When Jesus worked miracles, nobody could deny it. Unbelievers tried to explain them away, but they could not deny a miracle happened. Jesus raised the dead, healed the lame, opened blind eyes, turned water to wine, walked on water, healed the dying at great distances, and all of it instantaneously. There…

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Did Mary lead prayers? Did people receive all the gifts of the Spirit?

Question: Thank you for taking my questions. We were discussing the upper room Wednesday night. Acts 1:13-17 mentions that Mary, Jesus’ mother, and other women were present. We were trying to determine if Mary herself was praying while all the people were there. I know some women prophesied back then. My option is she was…

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Coming Out of Pentecostalism (Article)

by Bill Davis One of the greatest challenges for any Pentecostal to overcome is to accept the fact that God no longer works miracles today as he did in times past. Three years ago I wrote a series of three articles in Seek the Old Paths on Why I Left the Pentecostal Church (June, July, August 2013). In those…

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Hamilton)

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/GiftOfTheHolySpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:29-39   I.         Our text – Acts 2:38-39             A.        When a person repents and is baptized, two things are promised: forgiveness of sin and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.                         1.         This promise is for all Christians – “As many as the Lord shall call.”                         2.         It is also not limited…

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You May be Surprised to Learn …

by Doy Moyer Have you ever taken for granted certain things and believed them, just because that is what you have been told? Perhaps you find yourself in that situation now, believing and doing things because that is what you were told. Religious people sometimes believe and practice something because a preacher said it, or…

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How can I get closer to God and be filled with the Spirit?

Question: Hi, I was looking for a particular topic online when I came across your page where you gave advice about fornication and other matters. I’m 21 years old. I was baptized when I was 11 years old. Since then, I changed churches, and I’ve been at my present church for over five years. I’ve…

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Great Things from Acts 2

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GreatThingsFromActs2.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Wow

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Wow.mp3 by Nicholas Bement

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Was forgiveness required prior to healing?

Question: A question was raised in a Bible study this past Sunday with various opinions. Reading articles on your website leads me to believe you may be able to provide some additional insight, with Scriptures, into our discussion next Sunday. Studying Mark 2 Jesus forgives the paralytic and then heals him afterward. A comment was…

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Baptism of the Holy Spirit: A Promise?

by Carl A. Allen Through the years I have talked with, and debated with, Pentecostal preachers and it is not uncommon for them to take the position that the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit ” is a command. Many have been the times I have cited a passage to prove that the “Baptism of the…

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Does “prophecy” always involve the miraculous?

Question: I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any New Testament examples of “prophesy” or “prophesying” being uninspired? Our preacher said that whenever you see the word “prophesy” or “prophesying” is always referring to the miraculous or inspired. Are there any examples in the New Testament that show these words meaning…

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When Was Cornelius Saved?

When Was Cornelius Saved? — His PastWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — A Man of PrayerWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Experienced MiraclesWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Received the Holy SpiritWhen Was Cornelius Saved — We are Saved in the Same Manner by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 11:5-18   I.         Sometimes is it useful to…

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Were the disciples able to do miracles before Pentecost?

Question: I see in Matthew 10:8 that the Lord gave authority to the apostles to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, etc. (all before Pentecost). Are there any references to them performing such acts before the Spirit came upon them at Pentecost? Answer: In Luke 10:17, when the seventy came back from visiting the towns in…

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It is nice to find godly, sound congregations

Question: Hello Jeff, While studying for my class tomorrow I googled: “How many people did Jesus raise from the dead.” I could only think of three and thought I’d better check. Then I found your web site.  It’s nice to do this and find other godly congregations of the Lord’s people around the country.  That…

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Didn’t the elders pass miraculous gifts to Timothy?

Question: I read your answer: What is the doctrine of laying on of hands? and it really helped me understand how the gifts of the Holy Spirit were passed on. When I shared it with my Pentecostal friend, she agreed but pointed to the 1 Timothy 4:14 verse “Do not neglect the gift that is in you,…

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Does Acts 2:17 mean that miraculous gifts continue today?

Question: How do I respond to someone who uses Acts 2:17 in support that prophesies and the gifts the Holy Spirit may still be here today? Answer: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to…

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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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What about prayer cloths?

Question: I have a friend that asked me about “prayer blankets or cloths”. I am aware of the Scripture she is referencing: Acts 19:11-12. I’m just unsure on how to help her understand scripturally why this is not necessary. Thank you for your time and scriptural truth; I really appreciate it. Answer: “Now God worked unusual…

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What is the doctrine of laying on of hands?

Question: This is my third year after being added to the body. Somehow, I often find myself in intense discussions with friends and relatives regarding certain areas of belief. Many times I can hold my own, but when it comes to laying on of hands, I’m not certain how to discuss this. When I read…

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Did Jesus gain the power to do miracles because he fasted?

Question: Before Jesus began his ministry, he was led to the desert where he was tempted. He fasted the whole period. Many in the denominations claim he was empowered two perform miracles after his fast, such as turning water into wine, etc. In their claim, two miracle-working powers popular are that they fasted for a…

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Is it a lack of faith if your prayer isn’t answered?

Question: Dear Sir, Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to your website. I have recently started attending a local church of Christ, in part because of the wonderful Scripture-based answers on your website and the freedom and new life promised by following God’s laws rather than man-made directives. My boyfriend attends…

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Should faith be based on what we see?

Question: Good day Sir, Someone once told me that her faith has grown more through the things she has witnessed (miraculous healing, prophecies, people delivered from demons, etc.). Can this be true since prophecy has ceased? Further, should faith be based on what we see? If not on what should it be based on? And…

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Can believing in modern-day miracles affect your salvation?

Question: I am thankful that I found this site. I have someone who believes in miracles. I have addressed this subject to him in full. My question is: Do you think if someone is a born-again Christian and has put on Christ in burial baptism that if they believe in miracles today that it affects…

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Have Miracles Ceased?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HaveMiraclesCeased.mp3 Text: John 9:14-34   I.         Several denominations teach the continuance of miracles             A.        Proofs offered are based on emotional feelings and indirect evidence (I know a person who heard a person claim they saw …)             B.        The standard appealed to is what a person thinks is right             C.        To oppose is taken as the same as calling the…

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Miracles in the New Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MiraclesInTheNewTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text:   I.         Many claim to have miraculous gifts, just like those given in the New Testament             A.        It doesn’t matter that you or I can show verses that state such gifts were temporary and were going to end.             B.        It doesn’t matter that most of the big time preachers claiming such abilities…

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What is the difference between spiritual gifts and miraculous gifts?

Question: Could you give me information that points to the differences between spiritual gifts and miraculous gifts? Answer: Spiritual gifts refer to the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. They usually refer to the miraculous gifts as explained in I Corinthians 12. These gifts were not given to every Christian and were given only for…

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Can someone live in a giant fish for three days?

Question: Can someone live in a giant fish for three days? I’ve never understood that. I know it’s referencing Jesus’ situation, but it confuses me. When Jesus is getting baptized did God really shout from the sky? I probably seem really ignorant, but I thought it would be good to start reading the Word again,…

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How does the Holy Spirit testify to people today?

Question: Hello, I was reading your page and I was wondering if you thought that the Holy Spirit testifies with people today. I can see what you mean by churches making a following off these emotional responses but are you saying that God doesn’t have a way of testifying with us to let us know…

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