Posts Tagged ‘understanding the Bible’
Considering the Context
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Timothy 2:14-18 I. My wife and I have done it numerous times and I’m sure it has happened to you as well. We’ll be talking about someone we know and then a comment is made that leaves you totally puzzled. So-and-so doesn’t have a relative by that name; at least,…
Read MoreThe Helper
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 16:1-15 I. Lifting a few statements from their context can often make a writer appear to say things he never intended. A. It happens in politics all the time, and it happens in religion as well. B. In his last hours, Jesus made a series of promises concerning the Helper that…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the ignorant and unstable would twist Scriptures to their own destruction?
Question: What was Peter talking about in II Peter 3:16 when he said that the ignorant and unstable would twist scriptures to their destruction? Answer: “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all…
Read MoreHow can I know which way is right when I can logically prove sin isn’t always wrong?
Question: I continue to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and lived then died for the sins of the world and then was resurrected. However, recently I’ve become confused by all the different interpretations of the Bible and all of these people claiming to be right and inspired by God. I realized that…
Read MoreHow do I ensure I am following what the Bible truly means?
Question: Greetings Brother Hamilton, Upon my defending the gospel and the one true church many learned men desire to use the Restoration Movement as an assault against the church of Christ claiming it could not possibly be the true church. How do you deal with such attacks? Also, I do not desire to follow the…
Read MoreI want to read the Bible daily, but I have a hard time digesting what I have read
Question: I want to read the Bible every day and abide by it, but I have a hard time knowing where to go when I start reading. I usually just open it and read it, but I don’t necessarily digest what I’m reading if that makes sense. Because of that, I tend to not make…
Read MoreSince the Scriptures can be unclear, doesn’t it require an organization to state what is true?
Question: Scripture is unclear at times and at other times seems to be contradictory. With that in mind, there are many different interpretations from many different sources. So, my question is this; If what the Bible says is true, not according to personal interpretation, who or what organization is the true scriptural authority? It seems…
Read MoreHow can I figure out the truth when so many people disagree?
Question: This is part of the problem I’ve been having: If something is part of the Old Law then why don’t Jews today try to make homosexuality a death penalty in places like Florida, Israel, or anywhere there’s a large Jewish population? It is this inconsistency between people and what’s said in the Bible that…
Read MoreHow can I check my own understanding if I misunderstand the Bible?
Question: How can I check my own understanding in comparison to the Bible, if I misunderstand the Bible itself? Answer: “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). The first point to realize is that the Bible is understandable. Yes, people do twist the teachings of God,…
Read MoreIs the natural man unable to choose anything that is spiritual?
Question: I had someone quote to me I Corinthians 2:14. Does this mean that the natural man will not choose anything that is of a spiritual nature? I believe that we have a free will to choose what we so desire, but if we were all in times past a natural man, would we desire…
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