Why do people choose the priesthood when they want to follow Jesus?

Question: I was wondering if many people who accepted Jesus and decided to follow him joined the priesthood. My question is: Is becoming a priest the only way to follow Jesus and go to Heaven? Why do people choose the priesthood when they want to follow Jesus? And what is the difference between becoming a…

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The Unchanging Word

by Jefferson David Tant In one of the conversations our Lord was having with his disciples, he stated: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). And the apostle Peter wrote: “For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The…

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Are willful sins irremissible?

Question: Hello, I repented wholeheartedly and believed that I would never (willfully) sin again.  I was determined to not sin.  I was overjoyed to be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins because I knew what Jesus went through to make it possible, and I thought that surely I would never turn my back and…

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You don’t interpret I Timothy 4:1-4 correctly

Question: I happened upon your site and didn’t have time for the whole thing but I thought I may help you with a correct interpretation of a passage you quote from St. Paul at the top: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving…

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The Man of Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ManOfSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 2:1-12   I.         Have you noticed that when little is said on a particular topic that it generates more discussion than when much is said?             A.        Of course, when little is said the range of possibilities is wide open.             B.        It generates strong opinions (not truths, just opinions) which cannot…

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Does the Church Produce the Bible or Does the Bible Produce the Church?

by Ryan Thomas Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions regarding the Bible is that it is a product of the church. Many reject the Bible as our sole source of religious authority and instruction and belittle us for believing in the “Bible alone theory.” Thus, there is a great need to discuss the relationship between…

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All Christians Are Priests

by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined A study of the New Testament reveals that all Christians are priests. Peter said, “You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5; The New Catholic Translation). Thus, all Christians…

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Your ignorance of Scripture is shown in your misquote of the Rosary

Question: I am truly amazed at your ignorance of Scripture, as an example, you erroneously present the alleged Lord’s Prayer as part of the Rosary. Show me where in the Scripture (which you got from the Catholic Church) the heretic words…”For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” I cannot…

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Did Jesus have brothers?

Question: Hi Jeff! Did Jesus have brothers? How can we explain that a word such as “wine” has so many meanings depending on the context and root of the word in Greek, but that the word “brother” means just that? I ask because some denominational churches teach that when the Bible said “brother” it really…

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Was Peter in Rome?

Question: Was Peter in Rome? Answer: The supposition that Peter was in Rome is based on “She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son” (I Peter 5:13). Babylon is used as a representation of a city given over to sensuality and worldly pleasures (Isaiah 47:5-15). In…

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Martignoni – Thrasher Debate on the Pope

John Martignoni, Catholic, and Thomas N. Thrasher, Christian via Meditate on These Things, April 2012 Proposition “The apostle Peter was the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.” Affirm: John Martignoni Deny: Thomas N. Thrasher Martignoni’s First Affirmative My task is to argue the affirmative of the proposition: “The apostle Peter was the first Pope of…

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Thank you for your material on Catholicism

Question: Mr. Hamilton, You do not know me, nor do I know you. I have never visited your church, nor will I ever. I live several states away; thus, our physical meeting will most likely never take place. Despite all of this, I would like to offer a personal “thank you”. “Why” do you ask?…

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How can the church exist without a succession of apostles?

Question: I happened upon your website today and you mention a few things I’ve been wondering about. I’ve studied Catholicism quite a bit, and am continually searching for Truth, and you seem to be headed there as well. Of course, Jesus is Truth, but how well has that Truth been handed down in 2000 years?…

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Believing the Bible’s Creation Account is Called “Pagan Superstition”

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11). WorldNetDaily released an article on May 6, 2006, titled “Bible literalism ‘pagan superstition’?” In it are quotes from a Vatican astronomer, Guy Consolmagno. For…

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I sinned, but I’m afraid to tell my priests

Question: I am twenty-two years old, almost twenty-three. I did something a few days ago that has damaged my heart deeply and left a big emptiness. I have been dating a guy who is not a Christian. He started going to church when we started dating. I was baptized two years ago and had been…

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Apostolic Succession

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ApostolicSuccession.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-36   I.         How do you prove that your brand of Christianity is real?             A.        For some, the argument is based on who was around the longest.                         1.         A religion that just recently started is declared to be suspect. If the church has been around for 2,000 years, then where was…

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Stop criticizing what you don’t understand

Question: There is so much negative sentiment and false understanding of the Catholic church found on your website. I pray that someday you may have the opportunity to get the actual answers you seek and begin to understand the fullness of the Christian faith in his church. Until then please stop criticizing what you do not…

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Is having a vasectomy a sin?

Question: Is having a vasectomy a sin? My husband had a vasectomy several years ago. I am just finding out now that we may have committed a rather large sin or is that just a Catholic view? Is this a sin we both committed? Answer: Having a vasectomy is not a sin. The Roman Catholic…

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Is Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory?

Question: Is Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory? Answer: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger…

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The Development of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy

by Frank Van Dyke via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952 The Catholic doctrine of the primacy of Peter and the Roman See was set forth in the following decree of the Council of Florence in 1439: “Also we decree that the holy apostolic See and the Roman pontiff has a primacy over…

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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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Must I confess my sins to a priest to be forgiven?

Question: I was born into a Catholic faith but a non-church going family. I have now and “always” had a problem with the Catholic faith saying that we cannot get absolution unless we have confessed our sins to a priest. I have not been to confession in over 40 years. I do pray almost daily,…

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Who are you to judge Catholics?

Question: I read your page about Catholics; who are you to judge? I think if your heart is into preaching this much maybe you should reach for the lost or non-believers or even possibly people that attend church regularly but believe they are saved for that mere fact. Answer: A classic response: In telling me not…

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You should delete your information on Roman Catholicism

Question: Hi, I just wanted to inform you that the segment on your website when the question “What is the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?” has a very misleading answer. Much of the information is incorrect. I have studied a lot about Catholicism, and it was offensive in the ways you portrayed them. If you…

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Why are you bashing the Roman Catholic Church?

Question: I just had a question for you. I was browsing your web site (which is very nicely made, I might add) and I saw a question and it was answered about what is wrong with the Catholic Church. It seemed to me that what was answered was mostly bashing the Catholic Church, more than just…

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The Catholic Church and The Bible

by Dennis Tucker Recent articles in the local newspaper have dealt with the Catholic Church and whether or not it is of Christ. Some view such discussions as being non-Christ like. They think everybody has a right to their own faith and all faiths are alike. Therefore, one can be a Catholic, Protestant, Jew, or…

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Do I need to keep foolish promises I made in the past?

Question: I have been worrying about things in the past. Before I became a Christian I was scared and considered being a nun. In prayer, I think I spoke concerning being a nun because I was scared of going to hell. I am not 100% sure I stated as a fact I would become one…

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Were the Apocrypha books accepted as canon before the Council of Trent?

Question: Again I question your dates. You say that the Catholic Church added the “Apocryphal” books to the Bible in 1546 AD. I’m assuming you are talking about the Council of Trent, the Church’s response to the Reformation. You are correct in saying that the Church affirmed that the “Apocryphal” books are Scripture. However, you…

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Does your timeline for Roman Catholic beliefs have some errors?

Question: Hi, I read your web page on why some Catholic teachings are wrong. I would like to point out some of what I think are fallacies of your argument and I’d appreciate a response. Starting with your timeline: Priests Early 2nd Century – Separation of clergy and laity, this also goes with your argument that…

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Is it wrong to get married in a different church?

Question: I have a question. I took your advice and want to get married. My mum, my wife-to-be, and I are cool with getting married in a Lutheran church. Our bone of contention comes from our best man and woman who are born again, like ourselves. They will not do a wedding at a Lutheran…

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