Running Away and Running To

by Perry Hall James 4:7-8 is taking on a more powerful meaning to me. Here’s the text: “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8 CSB). Why…

Read More

Who were the mighty men of valor?

Question: Good morning, Who are the mighty men of valor in  Joshua 1:14-15? Are they special skilled forces or just faithful men of courage and mental strength, who are willing to do what God instructs them to do? Answer: “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp…

Read More

Saints

by Webb Harris, Jr. Guardian of Truth XXXII: 13, pp. 402-403, July 7, 1988 The Problem of Avoided Terms It is fundamental to a proper understanding of divine revelation that we appreciate that the “popular” definitions of many words common to the Scriptures differ from the intended ideas of the inspired writers. The term “saint”…

Read More

The Fullness of Time

by Jefferson David Tant In two passages, the apostle Paul uses the expression “the fullness of the time,” and this expression is very “full” in its meaning. Among other things, it shows God’s wisdom in preparing the world for the coming of his Son, and as we look at the condition of the world in…

Read More

Why did Paul say, “I say, not the Lord”?

Question: I Corinthians 7:12: “But I (not the Lord)…” I studied this years ago, and I realize Paul is capping his statement from verse ten. But Why? Is this not from the Lord? Answer: In I Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul addresses a command that is based on the Lord’s authority, given while Jesus was here on…

Read More

How old is “young” in I Timothy 4:12?

Question: Hello brother, May I know who can be considered as young in the church based on I Timothy 4? Thank you. Answer: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (I Timothy 4:12). The Greek word neotetos simply…

Read More

Is I Corinthians 11:30 talking about physical or spiritual ailment and death?

Question: Jeffrey, “For this reason many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (I Corinthians 11:30). I have heard, I think more than one person, state that the Greek rendered “sleep” here means dead (physically dead). Is this correct? I guess I’m trying to figure out if they were physically weak and sick…

Read More

Hard Sayings

Hard Sayings – Part 1Hard Sayings – Part 2 Text: Hebrews 5:5-14   I.         There are hard sayings in the Bible             A.        When Jesus was followed by a crowd looking for free food, he began explaining that they needed to seek spiritual food that only he could offer – John 6:35                         1.         Eventually Jesus said something hard to…

Read More

What is meant by “handwriting of ordinances”?

Question: What is meant by the “handwriting of ordinances” that Paul says was against “us” (including himself along with his audience)? Was the church at Colosse Jewish, Gentile or both? Answer: Colosse is located in the area that we now know as Turkey. The city was located in a valley about 100 miles east of…

Read More

The Day of the Lord

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Day-of-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:14-24   I.         In Peter’s first sermon, he quotes the prophet Joel who warns of the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.             A.        As we read the warnings of God through the prophets, repeatedly we find references to “the day of the Lord” or “the day…

Read More

What did Demas love?

Question: I was doing some digging about Demas. Demas left Paul because he loved the world. We aren’t supposed to love the world. It’s never said if Demas ever got back in a right relationship with the Lord, but if he died in the state of loving the world, then he died lost. Upon further research,…

Read More

What does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean?

Question: What does “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh” mean in I Peter 3:21? I already know that “Baptism also saves you” as stated in the first part of this verse, but what exactly is the “filth of the flesh”? Answer: Sometimes it helps to look at other translations. “Corresponding to…

Read More

What does “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” mean?

Question: Please explain “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” from Luke 21:24. Thanks. Answer: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and…

Read More

What does “alien sinner” mean?

Question: I came across an article on your website by James Sasser comparing Romans 4 and James 2. In it, he uses the term “alien sinner” several times in reference to Abraham and Romans 4:4-5. Can you define this term for me? It is something I have not heard mentioned before. Thanks! Answer: Everyone sins (Romans 3:23).…

Read More

Does God knit each one of us together?

Question: Good day, I have heard preachers say that God has knitted us together in our mothers’ wombs. Surely this is a general statement to mean God is the designer and sustainer of our lives, not that He has physically and individually put us together? I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Answer:…

Read More

Did Jesus become a curse?

Question: Good day, In Galatians 3:10-13, did Jesus become a curse? Please give some insight into this verse. Thanks. Answer: “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.'” So then those who are of faith are blessed…

Read More

If Your Right Hand Causes You to Sin

by Terry Wane Benton Jesus talked about “causing” ourselves or others to sin, and in making His point cut deep, He showed that retaining sin is far more serious than cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye (Matthew 5:27-30). You can go to heaven without a hand or an eye, but you cannot…

Read More

What does “unequally yoked” mean?

Question: Hello, I was reading over some of your questions and answers on marriage. I came across Is it wrong for a Christian to marry a non-believer? and I found it a little confusing. Could you explain how being unequally yoked only applies to situations where the unbeliever has power over the believer? Answer: “Do…

Read More

Is “drive them out” or “cast out” the same as “utterly destroy them”?

Question: Hello, When you read about the second generation (Israelites) possessing Canaan. In Exodus 23:27-31 and Deuteronomy 7:1, 16-23, the language used is “drive them out,” “cast out,” and “utterly destroy them” when speaking of the seven detestable nations who inhabited the land at the time. I question is: is “drive them out” or “cast…

Read More

What is meant by “redeeming the time”?

Question: What does God mean when He said, ‘’Do not waste your time, because the days are evil”? Does this mean saving your homework for another day when you are tired is a sin? Answer: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the…

Read More

Is the Spirit of God the same as the Holy Spirit?

Question: Is the Spirit of God the same as the Holy Spirit? Answer: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The phrase “Spirit of God” and “Holy Spirit” refer to the same being. He is also sometimes called the Helper, the Comforter,…

Read More

Beulah Land

by Paul Springer What is Beulah land and should we sing about it?   The word is used in Isaiah 62:4-5 (NKJV), “You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; nut you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your…

Read More

What does ‘the inner man’ refer to in scripture?

Question: II Corinthians 4:16 and some other scriptures refer to ‘the inner man’. What does ‘the inner man’ mean? Answer: Let us look at all the verses concerning the “inner man” to help shed some light on your question. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner…

Read More

Does I Corinthians 7:2 imply polygyny?

Question: Hello I stumbled on a website about polygyny being biblical still, which stunned me.  It’s not the only one out there promoting this.  The author claimed his insight came from I Corinthians 7:2 when two different words are used to show possession of respective spouses. The words are: heautou  (Strongs #1438) idios  (Strongs #2398)…

Read More

Is II Samuel 7:11-14 talking about Christ or Solomon?

Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I’m having issues understanding II Samuel 7:14. Clearly, it is a reference to Jesus and the kingdom of God, but who is God talking about committing iniquity in this passage? Answer: “The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. When your days are complete…

Read More

What does covering sin mean?

Question: Hi, This may be a silly question, but I just want clarification on the difference between having a multitude of sins covered and hidden. What is the difference between “charity covering a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8) and “converting a sinner and having a multitude of sins hidden” (James 5:20). Answer: The King…

Read More

Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible?

Question: Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible? (Luke 16:16) Answer: “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it” (Luke 16:16). “From the days of John the Baptist until…

Read More

Why did Paul refer to the saints and faithful brethren in Colossians 1:2?

Question: In Colossians 1:2, Paul speaks to the ‘saints and the faithful’.  Why does he make a distinction between the two? Answer: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God…

Read More

Does “burning with passion” include masturbation?

Question: Hello preacher, I write to you because I want to read your answer more carefully and I believe that a written response will be more crafted. I’ve already read the material you have on the website about masturbation while one still a single person and the subject was closed to me for. Recently, however,…

Read More

What does it mean to be called?

Question: What does it mean to be called? Answer: “Called” is another way to say “invited” or “encouraged to come.” “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as…

Read More

Is the heart the same thing as the mind?

Question: The brethren here have been asking about the mind and heart in reference to salvation. When one believes from the heart, is it the same thing as the mind doing it? Some passages say the heart does something and other passages say the mind does them. Answer: “Jesus said to him,” ‘You shall love…

Read More

What did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?

Question: Hello, I had a question regarding the kingdom of God. From my understanding, the kingdom of God is another term for the church. However, after reading the gospel accounts, I found a problem with Luke 21:31. “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” My…

Read More

What is the difference between praise and worship?

Question: I need a lesson from you about the difference between praise and worship. What is it that we mean when we say “let’s praise the Lord” and when we say “let’s worship the Lord”? Please help me in that area. Answer: Praise “And she conceived again and bore a son and said, “This time…

Read More

What is the meaning of “pipes prepared in thee”?

Question: In the book of Ezekiel 28:13, what is the meaning of “pipes prepared in thee”? Did Satan have musical instruments as part of him? Did he have a harp as part of his body? Answer: “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and…

Read More

What is meant by the dividing asunder of soul and spirit?

Question: Can you explain Hebrews 4:12, especially the phrase: “the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow”? Answer: “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and…

Read More

What is meant by ruling with a rod of iron?

Question: What did the Apostle John mean, when he wrote that Christ, the child, “was to rule all nations with a rod of iron” in Revelation 12:5? Answer: We are given an image of the kingdom, the universal church, coming into being after Jesus was resurrected and went back up to the Father. Reading a…

Read More

How could the gospel have been preached to the whole world?

Question: Dear brother Jeffrey, There is something that has puzzled me for a long time. It is the statement that the gospel has been preached in the whole world in the Apostles’ day. I can’t understand how this could be because the western hemisphere had not been discovered at that time. For example, how could…

Read More

Is it supposed to be brothers or brothers and sisters?

Question: Hi Jeff, In Acts 6:3, some translations say brethren, some say brothers, and some say brothers and sisters. Which one is correct? Did the men of the congregation choose the seven or was it the whole congregation? Thank you. Answer: Like many languages, the male gender of words is used when talking about a…

Read More