Question #500 - Why so many churches?
We all believe in Jesus. So why is there so many different churches/denominations?

Leon's Response

Question #499 - Anti-church?
I have been told there is a church of Christ that is called anti-church. Do you know what there teachings are?

Leon's Response

Question #498 - Is the Bible really the Word of God?
On what do you base the idea that the Bible is the 'word of God'? From my studies it seems that it is a collection of Christian writers, not necessarily the apostle to which they are ascribed. It seems to me that these can be valuable teachings for Christians to read but not the actual word of God.

Leon's Response

Question #497 - Kitchen unscriptural?
Do you think that having a kitchen in the building or a part of the church site is unscriptural use of the Lord's money, and by some brethren called the social gospel, and will it cause the brethren to be lost?

Leon's Response

Question #496 - Supporting orphans unscriptural?
I have been told that to help with orphans homes out of the church money is wrong use of the Lord's money. Do you agree it is not scriptural?

Leon's Response

Question #495 - Sin defined
Is there such a thing as mortal and venial sins? Are there sins known as the 7 deadly sins?

Leon's Response

Question #494 - Wrong to have a choir?
Do you believe it's wrong to have a choir in church - no musical instruments - just a choir?

Leon's Response

Question #493 - Two questions in one...
The John who was at Jesus' crucifixion, was he of any kin to Jesus?

After Saul's conversion did he spend any time preparing himself to spread God's word?

Leon's Response

Question #492 - Is life fair?
Is life fair?

Leon's Response

Question #491 - Forgiveness without repentance?
Please help me reconcile Mark 11:25 which seems to say if I hold anything against ANYONE, I should forgive them, and Luke 11:4 which says forgive us
our sins and we forgive EVERYONE who sins against us. Help me reconcile those two verses with Luke 17:3-4 which says IF he repents forgive him. This implies if he doesn't repent I should not forgive him. I think Luke 17 is saying repentance demands forgiveness (and quite frankly, from Mark and Luke, I should forgive ANYONE and EVERYONE) II Cor. 2 muddies the water even more when Paul tells the Corinthians to forgive the man who repented from the sins of I Cor. 5. I'm not so sure they shouldn't have already forgiven that man. It seems like we can rebuke a brother in sin, and at the same time forgive him for past offences and yet judge him to be lost for future offenses. Quite frankly the more I think about this the more confused I get. I would very much appreciate your thoughts.

Leon's Response

Question #490 - Forgiveness
Please add this comment to my previous question. Is it possible that the definition of forgiveness for I Cor. 5 tied to II Cor. 2:5-11 is to "fellowship", and the definition of forgiveness for Mark 11:25 and Luke 11:4 is to "release, not hold against, not be angry toward" basically to forgive in the sense we think of forgiveness. If this word can mean two slightly different things in two contexts, then I could drop the "fellowship" definition into Luke 17:3-4. Are there other occasions you know of where the same Greek word can mean different things? What do you think?

Leon's Response

Question #489 - Passover or Day of Preparation? 
What is your view of when Jesus was crucified; Passover (Sabbath) or the Day of Preparation? Are there other possibilities? Thanks.

Leon's Response

Question #488 - a new earth rather than annihilation? 
It has always been my belief that when Jesus returns the dead in Christ and those alive in Christ will meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4-5). At this event, the earth will be destroyed (2 Peter 3). However, based upon Rom 8:21-23, some make the argument that the earth will not be annihilated, but rather purified and become the "new earth" discussed in Revelation. What is your take?

Leon's Response

Question #487 -  suffering in temptation
Sometimes in studying the Word, you discover something you have never seen before, never read about in any book or heard in any sermon. For me, this discovery was in regards to suffering. Suffering, to me, has always referred to 1- physical suffering, either by man or Christ, or 2- emotional suffering, either by man or Christ. I believe now there is a third category. Our suffering in temptations, not only ours, but the suffering in temptation of Jesus. Heb. 2:18 says that Jesus suffered when He was tempted. I've always known that Christ suffered on the cross, but suffering in temptation? If temptation caused Jesus to suffer, why am I not going to suffer in temptation? I am. So how do I deal with this suffering? Heb. 4:15 says He sympathizes with our weaknesses, because He's been there and done that. I believe Jesus' temptations were throughout His life, not just on the mountain with the Devil. Jesus suffered through temptations and always said no to those temptations, but He suffered. And it was in those temptations, in that suffering, that He learned obedience. (Heb. 5:7-10). Well, if an alcoholic is tempted by booze and he says no to it--I believe he is suffering. When he takes a drink, I believe he stops suffering, but if he doesn't take that drink--I believe that "for a time" or "for a season" he is suffering. When someone is angry about something, and he bites his tongue and says nothing, I believe he is going through an type of suffering, and in time if he holds his tongue, his anger subsides. When someone is addicted to pornography and says no to that addiction, I believe he is suffering, and in time if he continues to say no, his temptation will subside and the suffering will diminish. When someone is a gossiper and desperately wants to impress a friend with a juicy piece of questionable facts, I believe he too is suffering--it is killing him not to tell what he knows--but in time the ...

Leon's Response

Question #486 - Christian's view of the lottery? 
In light of the fact that the Lottery is coming in October ('09) to Arkansas, how should a Christian view this? Is it a sin to participate or is it another issue of moderation versus excess?

Leon's Response

Question #485 - marriage not recognized due to adultery? 
In question 461, you did not answer the question.  The problem is, my mate was guilty of adultery in his previous marriage, that I was not aware of.  Now as I read God's word, he doesn't have the right to remarry in God's eyes. He is still bound to that marriage as long as she lives. As bad and sad as it may be, God doesn't recognize our marriage.

Leon's Response

Question #484 - concern for the lost 
How to pray for salvation of others it get discouraging some people have not been to worship in years if at all. also at one time I prayed for salvation of a co-worker/ But he never came to church . and he got killed in cross fire in a bar he took a bullet intended for someone he did not know I often think of that. i send out invitations for people to attend worship By the way I am a member of church of Christ for many years but people never come to worship A lot of stores wont let me invite people I have a secret way I do this. I cry hard over lost people who wont respond.

Leon's Response

Question #483 - free will... or not? 
You know that's one thing I always wonder about. Everything that happened was told in advance of it's happening. It was known that Jesus would be betrayed. It was known that He would have to suffer and die like this before hand. Is it known that certain people will become murderers or bad people. Do people really have a choice about their behavior?

Leon's Response

Question #482 - generational curse? 
Question #464 covers generational curse - would this be the same as generational sins? I keep hearing from the same source that as our grandfathers & fathers sinned, we will follow in their footsteps with having the same problems. Let's say there are five kids in the family. Three of them don't drink yet the other two are always becoming drunk. Just because, say, their dad was a drinker, does that mean they fall under the generational sin? I have a hard time buying into that. What about the three that have nothing to do with alcohol?

Leon's Response

Question #481 - what does the Bible say about hair? 
I'm curious to know what your thoughts are of 1 Corinthians 11 in reference to hair. I have always heard that it's shameful for men to have long hair, however, you don't hear much regarding women's hair. The scripture points out that the prostitutes had short hair.

Secondly, was this a isolated incident within the church at Corinth and thus has no bearing on us today? I tend to believe the latter. I've always thought it strange that traditional (at least the conservative CoCs that I have been a part of) churches really brought home the point to the guys, but failed to mention anything regarding hairstyles for the women or the hair coverings. The hair coverings were the only things that were "written off" as specific to the time. Maybe that seemed it would be a little too uncomfortable to put into practice - at least that was my hypothesis. Thanks in advance for your response.

Leon's Response

Question #480 - when did the "Church" begin allowing the "World" to judge it?
I just noticed that Central won the 2008 Best of Little Rock Award in Places to Worship...the explanation states that the US Local Business Association granted the award. My question is when did the "Church" begin allowing the "World" to judge it? I'm very confused because the write up states that the USLBA recognizes "businesses" the USLBA identifies "companies" that have achieved exceptional marketing success and so on. Are we calling ourselves a business? What set Central apart from the other Churches of Christ in the area?

Leon's Response

Question #479 - Women's role in the church
I read in numerous places what you have said about women's place in Church yet you have a woman minister. Are you not speaking out of both sides of your mouth?

Leon's Response

Question #478 - Human clone and a soul?
If we were to clone a human today, would they have a soul?

Leon's Response

Question #477 - Do we have the gift of prophesy today?
My question comes from Roman 12:6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given in us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith."  I would like to know first, what is prophesying and secondly; does God continue to impart the gift of prophesy today?

Leon's Response

Question #476 - must you "attend church" at a church building? 
A friend of mine e-mailed me this [ an article addressing the belief that one must worship God in a physical building called a church ]. He does not attend church. I've been encouraging him to attend church. What do you think? Why Believers should not attend Church.

Leon's Response

Question #475 - instrumental music - a salvation issue? 
This week's lesson was very thought provoking. As the text expressed, the way you have to deal with a lot of these issues is to address them head on. I understand that the church doesn't need to keep stewing on the topic of instrumental music, but I wanted to make a comment and wanted to get your take.

I come from a rural, conservative background. The thought of instruments in the assembly would be damnation to the soul. And I did say the thought of it and not the act :)

Over the past years, I have studied and prayed about the issue a lot to determine what the Bible says on the topic. And I agree, the New Testament does not address the use of instrumental music in worship. I know with 100% assurance that God is pleased with the act of my singing. I do know that historical records show that the instrument is first shown to be found in the Roman Catholic Church many years later after the est. of the church and thus the split.

I understand someone's position that the Bible does not address instruments and thus makes it ok - and I respect that. Can I say that God approves/disapproves that with 100% confidence? I can't. That's not a risk I'm willing to take. Furthermore, it's not a judgment that I'm willing to pass on anyone else.

However, I think we need to be careful to label things "salvation issues" - Do we have the authority to say if it is or not? I am so glad that it's not my call. I hear that statement "That's not a salvation issue" and that really bugs me. I feel that is pompous and a self-righteous statement. We do not have the have the authority to make such a claim. I would liken it to a teacher/student relationship. The student may ask the teacher if a certain question or topic may be on the test. Therefore, the teacher has the authority has to say yes/no to the student because they are the author of the test. We have no ownership.

I know that my God demands not only obedience, but strict obedience. I pray that issues such as these are not salvation issues.

I'm reminded of strict obedience such as - offering a strange fire OR touching the ark of the covenant or Naaman dipping in the river... and wonder sometimes...Are we selling God short sometimes by saying... oh, that's not a salvation issue... once again, I hope not.

In the final analysis of my study, I wanted to err on the side of what I definitely knew God would approve of.

Leon's Response

Question #474 - problems in worship 
1 Corinthian 14:33, what does this verse mean? For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. Also what was wrong with the Corinthian style of worship?

Leon's Response

Question #473 - unwise to cosign? 
I think I heard you say, according to the Bible, co-signing is a sin. I remember when I was a teenager, just graduated from high school, trying to buy my first car, and obviously having no credit history yet, had my parents not co-signed for me, I would have had a rough time. I think about my own kids who will someday likely require me, as their parent, to do the same. Could you please refer me to the scripture and maybe expound a little more on this act being a sin? Thanks.

Leon's Response

Question #472 - how do you know the literal translation? 
I was reading your question and answer page. I have a question about your response to #471. How do you know the "literal translation" of the phrase "husband of one wife"? I think it means what it says and says what it means. Why should you teach otherwise  - you have not the authority. It is true in the Old Testament that there was more than one wife but we are living under the New Testament law and that is where I read the qualifications for Elders and Deacons.

Leon's Response

Question #471 - one wife forever? 
I would like to know if an Elder is considered scriptural if he has had a previous wife prior to becoming an elder, but had scriptural grounds to put her away. Also the 1st wife is also deceased. When the bible speaks of husband of one wife, it is not my understanding that it means one wife ever. Please enlighten me on this matter.

Leon's Response

Question #470 - punishment for actions? 
This was a question from my friend. Have you noticed... when you do something bad... that you get punished from the Lord? Has that happened to you where you noticed it for sure?

Leon's Response

Question #469 - baptism & christening 
On question 468 my friend asked this question Mark 16 verse 16 in my Bible says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." If you read that several times you can't help but wonder why Mark did not say, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned." So, the question remains: Must you believe and be baptized to be saved? Or, must you simply believe? It only says that those that do not believe will be condemned. What about those who believe, but for whatever reason were not baptized? Speaking of baptism, in the Methodist Church you can elected to be immersed if you want when you are baptized. Most do not - they are just anointed with water. I elected to be immersed. I believe my wanting to be immersed came from my Church of Christ background. Also, in the Methodist Church children may be Christened. They are anointed with water, but the parents take the vows for the child until such time as the child is able to make his/her own decisions. I am not an expert on the Methodist Church, but I believe this practice is done so that even small children can be baptized (anointed). Typically when the child reaches an age of understanding and accountability he/she is baptized again.

Leon's Response

Question #468 - baptism really necessary? 
I am studying with a friend who does not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. One point that he brings up is that in Acts 10 Cornelius receives the Holy Spirit before being baptized so he must have been saved without baptism. The other point that he brings up is that in 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul says that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach. Any thoughts?

Leon's Response

Question #467 - slavery today? 
I would like to have a better understanding as to what kind of slave was Onesimus and from a Christian perspective would slavery be wrong today? I know that some slaves in Bible times chose to stay with their masters, thus the "pierce my ear".

Leon's Response

Question #466 - the ultimate sacrifice 
I have been having a conversation with two Christians that at one time they both were elders in the church. Also my sister-in-law has also voiced her opinion about not attending church regular. We are looking at Hebrews 10:25 What can you tell us about this chapter of Hebrews that we may get a better understanding of what is meant?

Leon's Response

Question #465 - the mark of Cain 
I'm studying the "mark of Cain". I know we don't know for sure, but Gen. 4:15 says the mark was there "so that no one who found him would kill him". Since 6:4 says there were giants before and after the flood, it seems logical to me that this giant gene was introduced through Cain. Being a giant would certainly stave off relatives wanting to avenge Abel's blood. If the mark of Cain is not the giant gene, then are there any scriptures that come to mind that helps explain how or why these giants got introduced. Thank you Leon.

Leon's Response

Question #464 - generational curses 
I have heard ministers speak of "generational curses" and how they effect us today. I don't believe in "generational curses" but, I could be wrong. I just don't see anything in the New Testament that would support this idea. Am I wrong? I can see in the Old Testament these "curses reported in the old Testament were directed at the enemies of God.

Leon's Response

Question #463 - fools & weak 
In light of what Paul has previously said (1 Cor. 1:18-2:5), what is significant about his use of the words “fools” and “weak” (v. 10) to describe himself and the other apostles? What contrast does Paul draw between himself and the Corinthians in verses 8-13? What point is he trying to make?

Leon's Response

Question #462 - still in the same place? 
Thank you for your answer to question 461. The thing that really lays on my heart is, yes, I believe that God will forgive me, but I am still in the same place that was sinful in God's eyes before. How does continuing in same situation not continue to be sin? I do not want to always have a doubt that God will say "Why did you stay in the sin you asked forgiveness for?" I want to be sure my soul isn't lost.

Leon's Response

Question #461 - divorce for the wrong reason? 
My question, after divorcing without scriptural grounds and remarrying someone who also has unscriptural divorces (two), what is the condition of our lives? I am now a Christian and he is not. I feel very uneasy about my soul.

Leon's Response

Question #460 - losing the Holy Spirit 
Bro. Leon, if you have sinned in the past so bad that the Lord would remove the Holy Spirit from you and you repent, does the Holy Spirit return?

Leon's Response

Question #459 - worship from home?
I have many friends & people that I really care about. So many of them have no interest in attending a church. They tell me that they do not have to go to a church to be a Christian. Just as long as they love God & believe in Jesus they are okay. I will admit that a number of them are really faithful in reading the bible on a regular base. A few receive their church by way of TV. I just don't have a good answer to them as to why it's important to go to a church. I always think of upon this rock I will build my church, knowing that he built his church for a reason, yet I do not have the wisdom on how to explain there is a reason & a need of why he built his church. Is it wrong for man to set himself apart from the church, is there truth to their words you don't have to go to church to be a Christian.

Leon's Response

Question #458 - what about a burial?
What are the beliefs of iglesia ni cristo when having a burial?

Leon's Response

Question #457 - adultery, divorce & remarriage
About 15 years ago my brother in-law suffered a brain aneurysm. At that time he was not married to my sister in-law whom was married. She divorced her husband to marry husband number 3. As time went by her husband was not able to have sex with her because of the aneurysm. She in turn starts having sex with a fellow worker from the high school where they both were employed. This in turn caused my sister in-law & husband to move to another state. I'm pretty certain that over the years my sister in-law came back to this state & had sex with ex fellow worker. Five years ago, my brother in-law had a stroke in which he was placed in a nursing home. A few years ago my sister in-law thought about having ex fellow worker move in with her to help with rent. Ex worker had prostate cancer so she there would not be any sex because he was unable to have sex. He did not move there. My sister in-law did take care of her husband while he was in nursing home. My brother in-law passed away April 15 of this year. In less than two months my sister in-law is back to seeing ex fellow worker. She claims it is just friendship only that she is seeing him. Yet she really dresses up when she goes to see him. She lives with us, her sister & me. She had by-pass surgery about a year ago. She is 58 years old. I've told her that it's just not right for her to carry on a relation with this person. Her husband that passed away has 6 brothers & two sisters & I'm certain that she would not tell them about the relation that she had while married to their brother. I realize that we are all sinners yet should she still see the ex fellow worker? She claims she just needs someone to talk to now that her husband has passed away. I know plenty of Christian women that would and that could fill these needs. I just don't think a male, and one that she has had sex with while married, is the right person for comfort. On top of this, she has a daughter that is divorced plus two grand daughters that also are aware of their mother & grand mother action. Just does not set good example.

Leon's Response

Question #456 - original sin - part 5
One additional follow up on the sinful nature topic. I do agree that children are not born with sin. I think the scripture you reference makes that clear. My question is: Is it fair to state that we are born with a nature that is bent toward being sinful? Maybe better phrased, because of our human nature we are going to sin because our nature is more apt to be selfish and want our own selfish desires. My reasoning is Adam and Eve had every opportunity to live a perfect life but God knew they would choose to sin b/c he had already set salvation's plan in motion. Does that make any sense and is that consistent with scripture?

Leon's Response

Question #455 - original sin - part 4
As a follow up to the question on the sinful nature. Please explain these references... Eph 2:3 we were by nature objects of wrath. Col 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. Thank you.

Leon's Response

Question #454 - predestination
Romans 9:11,13,16,18,22-23, Eph 1:4-6,9,11, Romans 8:30, 2 Tim 1:9, and 1 Thess. 5:9 all seem to suggest God has already determined who is going to be saved and who is not - He already knows. Other than just saying something like, "it is the plan that is predestined and not the actual person", what other scripture/defenses are there to refute this idea of predestination?

Leon's Response

Question #453 - original sin - part 3
In your answer to #451 you said at the last, "All have sinned. But not all our sins are counted against us. In Romans 4 Paul talked about those to whom the Lord did not impute sin or didn't count the sin against them.

I am assuming you're talking about this passage:

7 "Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Who is David talking about here? Is he not speaking of us - Christians living on this side of the cross who have forgiveness of our sins by the blood of the Lamb? And if so, how does that tie into the discussion of babies/children having sin?

Leon's Response

Question #452 - original sin - part 2
Similar to previous question, I've been having discussions with a friend who basically believes in original sin. He quotes passages such as Romans 3:23 and 5:12 which say that all have sinned. He argues this would include new born babies. When I try to contend that babies do not yet have the knowledge or ability to discern good from evil and are therefore innocent, he counters with the same scripture again with emphasis on "all". I can think of several counterpoints to make from a "common sense" perspective, but can you suggest some scripture, specific passages, that support children being innocent until they come to a knowledge of good and evil and are then accountable for their actions and need the saving grace God offers through His Son?

Leon's Response

Question #451 - are we born with sin?
When a child is born into this world, it's not long before parents have to begin the process of discipline. We discipline because the child is doing wrong. Is this 'wrong' sin? Or is it something else? If it is sin, then how can you argue that children are not born with sin? Or is it that the child is not born with sin, but with an inclination to sin, or a sinful nature?

Leon's Response