Which book should be first, Job or Genesis?

Question: I’m confused. A brother mentioned what I understood to mean that Job was to be the first book in the Bible and not Genesis. Since then I have done my own research and am now seriously confused. The way I see it is “Does it really matter?” There are considerably good points brought up…

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Elders in the Old Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/EldersInTheOldTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 29   I.         While we don’t live under the laws of the Old Testament, there are things to be learned from its pages – Romans 15:4             A.        Sometimes we forget that elders have been used long before the church             B.        It would be useful to learn some of the history of…

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What was the history of baptism prior to John?

Question: Hello! I don’t know where to look for the history of the baptism of John. I have the understanding that baptism was done since the Babylonian captivity for the conversion to the Jewish faith (a proselyte, but I don’t know where to find any documentation to confirm or deny it. I just don’t know…

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On Stoning Adulterers and Not Eating Shellfish

by Hugh Fulford via The Fellowship Room Periodically — at least three or four times a year — someone feels compelled to demonstrate his or her lack of knowledge of the Bible by writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper railing against Bible-believers who oppose homosexuality. (Capital punishment of convicted murderers is another…

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Didn’t Jesus fulfill the Old Testament when he came in the flesh?

Question: I have a question: Didn’t Jesus fulfill the Old Testament when he came in the flesh? Answer: When Jesus was born, the Mosaic law was still in effect. He was circumcised and presented to God as the firstborn male of Mary and Joseph as the old law prescribed: “And when eight days had passed,…

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Why is Proverbs frequently quoted and applied today?

Question: Why is Proverbs frequently quoted as applying today when it is in the Old Testament? Wasn’t the Old Testament done away with? Answer: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Count the number of times…

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If all Scripture is profitable, why don’t we use the Old Law?

Question: Could you explain how II Timothy 3:16 relates to our not being under the Old Testament? I would like to know so I can better equip myself. Thank you. Answer: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man…

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Not Like the Old

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/NotLikeTheOld.mp3 by Pat Kelly

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Were Abraham and Moses in the church?

Question: I heard a quote from a preacher sometime ago that Moses and Abraham are not in the Church of Christ (Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 12:13), even though they are currently saved. I understand they were never baptized into Christ; but if they are not in the body, where are they? It is my understanding…

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Outside the Camp

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/OutsideTheCamp.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 13:9-14   I.         Understanding the place of the Old Testament is difficult for man             A.        God is clear that                         1.         The Old Law would come to an end – Jeremiah 31:31-34                         2.         The Old Law did come to an end – Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15-16             B.        The book of Hebrews is mostly about…

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What books would you recommend reading in the Old Testament?

Question: What books would you recommend reading in the Old Testament? I read Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers at the beginning of my turn to God and Jesus Christ. I was just haphazardly picking books at random then. Answer: What I would recommend first is reading are the books on practical, everyday wisdom. Proverbs – Proverbs…

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Are Christians required to observe Passover?

Question: Is the Passover meal a requirement for Christians meaning if they do not eat it they sinned or is it more of a celebration or memorial as to what Christ has done for us? Please explain if possible. Answer: The Passover was a memorial under the Old Testament. It reminded the Israelites that the…

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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:…

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Did the Old Law not end until the destruction of Jerusalem?

Question: In your lesson, “The Sermon on the Mount: The Law,” you keep to the literal meaning of Heaven and Earth in Matthew 5:18.  Additionally, you argue the best understanding of the passage is to read the two “until” phrases be joined with an “or” rather than an “and.” I am currently studying with a…

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The Ten Commandments and the Old and New Testaments shall stand forever!

Question: Do not mislead the people with your manipulation of the Word of God and your omissions about the “Ten Commandments.” His Word and Commandments were, are and forever shall remain true! He alone is the Creator and the destroyer! No mortal with limited knowledge can change what He tells through the only Living Book, the…

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Someone upset that the Old Testament is no longer in effect

Question: do we read the same bible? But then again this is how things have to be for the prophecies to come to past the road to destruction is broad and alot of you people are on it you claim to be christians and luke 4:16 shows you live contrary to how christ lived you…

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Do Methodists understand we are not under the Old Law?

Question: I am about to begin a study of why Christians no longer keep the Old Testament Laws with a very special lady, soon to be my wife, who is a lifetime Methodist. My mention that the Law is no longer kept piqued her interest.  She expressed she would like to see that in Scripture. …

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What sins under the Old Testament remain as sins today?

Question: Hi there. I really like your work and biblical analysis. I read your answer on “Which scriptures are applicable today?” and I have some questions to ask. I am currently dealing with which sins are applicable to life today. I have to, of course. check myself that I am not motivated to discard these…

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What are the first five books of the Bible called?

Question: What are the first five books of the Bible called? Answer: “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me”” (Luke…

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The Jerusalem Conference

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JerusalemConference.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 11:1-18   I.         The meeting in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 15, is used to justify many things             A.        The gathering of denominational bodies to consider issues is justified by this passage.             B.        Many go a step further to justify decisions of what rules the denomination will support             C.        Messianic Jews believe that…

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How was worship conducted in Israel when the temple was destroyed?

Question: I have a question regarding the Tabernacle and the first Temple in the Old Testament: Was the Tabernacle the dwelling place of God and was the Temple the place of worship for the people? If so, when the first Temple was destroyed and tabernacle removed, how did the people worship God if there was…

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Did Amos curse those who introduced instrumental music into Hebrew worship?

Question: Is it true that Amos pronounced a curse upon those who, like David, introduced instrumental music into Hebrew worship? Answer: David did not introduce instrumental music into Israelite worship, God did. Long before David lived God commanded the Israelites to blow trumpets as part of their worship (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 10:10). Prophets used instrumental…

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Where have you seen that the Law was done away with?

Question: So because he follows the law statutes and commandments of the Old Testament, you assume that the Hebrew Israelites are not correct? You need to do some more reading, where, in the Scriptures, have you seen that the law, statutes, and commandments were done away with? If you read Exodus, that will answer your…

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The Old Testament and New Testament Christians

by Joe R. Price Moses Brings a Second Copy of the Stone Tablets Exodus 34:29-30 The Old Testament is a relevant part of God’s word, even though it is not the standard of authority by which we obtain reconciliation and life in Christ (Colossians 3:17; Galatians 3:23-27; Romans 7:4; II Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 2:14-18). To…

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If God doesn’t change, then why not follow both testaments?

Question: I thought your God was the same as yesterday today and tomorrow: Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” So how can God have two wills, creating the Old and New Testament? That sounds more like a change to me. So if God is the same always, then you should be…

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Is Semiramis a myth or a fact?

Question: Who were Semiramis and her husband Nimrod? Are they responsible for goddesses and religions such as Catholicism along with praying to Mary and so forth? I have read of many “mother and child” religion like in China and in India (correct me if I am wrong). I can’t identify many of them now but…

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Were sins rolled forward under the Old Law?

Question: In a Wednesday night lesson recently, our minister stated that under the Old Law sins were not rolled back when sacrifices were made. He said there was no Scripture that says that and that it has just been repeated until people think that. He said since God knew from the beginning of time that…

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How many major and minor prophets are there in the Bible?

Question: How many major and minor prophets are there in the Bible? Answer: The division of major and minor prophets come from the Old Testament. There are 17 books of prophecy in the Old Testament and they are divided into two groups: the long books (the major prophets) and the short books (the minor prophets).…

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Did Gentiles who converted to Judaism worship in the same way as a native Jew?

Question: Regarding the Gentiles who repented of their wickedness and converted to Judaism (such as Ruth, and the 120,000 of Nineveh that repented), were they commanded to follow all the laws and commandments the same way as all Jews were? Did they then worship in the same way, offer sacrifices, etc.? Answer: There were provisions…

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Did God command the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?

Question: Do you think there was a time in the old law that God did command the use of instruments in worship to Him? Such as II Chronicles 29:25-28. Seems like there are split thoughts on this idea. Just wondering about your thoughts. There is no doubt that instruments were used in the Old Law…

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The Roman Catholics, 1486 AD, and the “Title Page” Argument

by Terry W. Benton The Argument: “..the Roman Catholic church in 1486 AD arbitrarily placed the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John –before the cross — (MMLJBC) in the New rather Old Testament by placing an erroneous New Testament “title page” between the books of Malachi and Matthew. Answer: Everyone already knew that…

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Does a change in the Law mean God changes His mind a lot?

Question: Since God changed His Law, then apparently God changes His mind a lot. Answer: Actually God planned the change all along. The Law of Moses defined sin and bound it to mankind, but it could not in itself save. It spoke only of future salvation. “For the law made nothing perfect; on the other…

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Shouldn’t we follow the Old Testament and the New Testament?

Question: Shouldn’t we follow God’s rules in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament? (I’m reading the Bible currently, and I’m only in Joshua right now.) I mean, well, some of the rules would be considered kind of illegal, such as sacrificing your first born child. I could not do that even if…

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What is the Law of Christ?

Question: Read an article on your page concerning Paul and his motives. If what is stated in the New Testament is true, I agree with you about him. Could you tell me what the “Law of Christ” is? My teaching, and correct me if I am wrong, is that “the Torah” better translates from the Hebrew into English…

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