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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Miraculous Gifts

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/MiraculousGifts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text:   I.         For decades now many of the traditional denominations have been in decline.             A.        The more liberal the beliefs, the larger the decline. Those espousing conservative views show growth. But the ones showing strong growth are the charismatic groups             B.        Name the largest groups in a region, and over half are…

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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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Belief, Baptism, and Signs Following – Still Today?

by Larry Ray Hafley Here is the text of Mark 16:15-20: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In…

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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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Why Pray for the Sick?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/WhyPrayForTheSick.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         We have talked about the purpose of miracles earlier             A.        Purpose                         1.         To reveal the truth – John 16:13                         2.         To confirm the truth                                     a.         Heb. 2:3-4 – God shows his agreement with the speaker                                     b.         Mk 16:20 – Confirmed the word spoken                                     c.         Acts 2:22 – Jesus was attested by God through miracles                         3.         Miracles were…

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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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How can you know you are filled with the Spirit?

Question: How does a person become filled with the Holy Spirit and know they are filled? Does everyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit have the gifts that Acts speaks about? Answer: A Christian receives the Spirit by the hearing of faith. “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the…

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I wanted to let you know about a healing that happened to me

Question: First of all, I have found some great resources on your site, even though we differ in opinion on some things, I can respect what you believe. I wish I could have had someone like you to share some of the information with me from your book about growing from a boy into a…

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Will God cure us of herpes?

Question: Hi, I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and just one time in my life I felt like killing myself. I knew God existed all the while, but I never obeyed him. I have this long-distance boyfriend, and I visit him on vacation. The first time we had sex it was…

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Could God speak in a still small voice today if He wanted to?

Question: Hello, I was baptized for the remission of sins about a year ago and became part of the church of Christ.  I wanted to know if it was still possible to hear God’s voice audibly or as a small inner voice speaking gently.  I know that we no longer need to hear God’s voice…

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Belief, Baptism, and Signs Following – Still Today?

by Larry Ray Hafley Here is the text of Mark 16:15-20: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In…

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Miraculous Gifts as They Are Designated in the Scriptures

by Gilbert Alexander Jesus touched the eyes of a blind man and he saw Mark 8:22-25 Miraculous gifts, or spiritual gifts, as they are designated in the Scriptures were given to the apostles for specific purposes. They were given directly to the apostles when the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost…

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Does Jesus promise in John 14:12 that miracles would continue?

Question: Does Jesus promise in John 14:12 that miracles would continue? Answer: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). In this context, Jesus is giving his…

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Was God speaking through Balaam’s donkey’s mouth?

Question: In Numbers 22-24 (I think) the one guy’s donkey starts talking because God opened the donkey’s mouth, but does that mean that God is talking through the donkey, or did God just show the donkey how to talk? Answer: “Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What…

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