Articles

I’ve heard people use Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 to call homosexuality a sin, but don’t these verses only condemn sex among men if done in the worship of idols?

The verses called into question are these: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination,” and “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” It is argued that these verses must be taken out of context in order to condemn homosexuality because the context is about shrine prostitution. According to this argument, homosexuality, as a whole, is not mentioned here as sinful, but rather the use of homosexuality […]

Why does every marriage have to be between a male and a female? Is this because of the example of Adam and Eve in the Bible?

Adam and Eve is a good illustration for the marriage arrangement, but it may not necessarily illustrate that every marriage after Adam and Eve should have the same arrangement; so let’s take a closer look at the scriptures. After God created man (alone and without a companion), God said “I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). Or, as the KJV says, “a help meet for him.” The Hebrew word used here, neged, is defined as: “a front, that is, part opposite; specifically a counterpart.” And thus, the LORD made man’s counterpart, who was female, and not […]

I’ve heard that the Bible talks about an “Unforgivable Sin,” what is this sin and how do I know if I’ve already committed it?

The text in question is this: “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” From an initial reading, it seems that Jesus actually talks about an unforgivable sin; however, we need to understand the context before we draw such a conclusion. […]

I’ve been taught that once you’re truly saved, then your salvation is forever secure. Is that true?

Although this is an extremely popular view today, it is nowhere to be found in the bible, but rather, a reading of the scriptures will prove to us that just the opposite in the truth. Let’s consider some examples. 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” If I told you I departed from Los Angeles, does that statement necessitate that I was in Los Angeles? Of course! But men still refute 1 Timothy 4:1 by suggesting that those referenced in […]

Where do you get the “direct command, approved example, and necessary inference” idea from?

In short, from the bible, from many pages of the bible. Now there is not a verse/sentence that commands these three means of establishing bible authority, but they are the only three that we can see the bible using or referencing time and again. While there is not a “one verse quote” that can be given to show these three things necessary, there is a portion of one chapter that is a good example of how God enabled man with the ability and necessity to understand His will through the means of direct commands, approved examples, and necessary inference. Acts […]

Isn’t calling on the name of the Lord simply saying the Sinner’s Prayer in order to be saved?

The words “calling on the name of the Lord.” are first used a number of times by the Holy Spirit to communicate a certain action, but are now used popularly by denominationalists to communicate an entirely different action. Due to the widespread use in the scriptures of the statement under discussion, we have a great opportunity to come to a biblical understanding. Its first occurrence is in Genesis 4:26, “And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.” Now if “to call” […]

Is there historical evidence that can confirm the life and existence of Jesus?

An excellent question! One that everyone should ask. The answer is yes, absolutely! The life and existence of Jesus in the first century can be confirmed through a number of secular sources. Click on the following links to see specific details about this subject: Historical Evidence of the Gospel Account: Herod and John the Baptist Historical Evidence of the Gospel Account: The Death of Herod Historical Evidence of the Gospel Account: Murder of James, the Brother of Jesus Historical Evidence of the Gospel Account: Josephus speaks of Jesus Historical Evidence of the Gospel Account: Roman Senator Tacitus speaks of Christ […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: The Roman Historian Suetonius

Roman Evidence In the previous article, we considered the testimony of Tacitus, who provided some of the most important testimony from the first century Roman Empire. That leaves us with two other Roman historians who spoke of Christ and/or the early church, they are Suetonius and Pliny the Younger. Suetonius Born in 69 AD, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, was a Roman Aristocrate who is famous for his work “Lives of the Twelve Caesars,” where he provides detailed biographies of the Caesars from Julius to Domitian. While it is an important history book for many reasons, it also serves as a witness […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: Roman Senator speaks of Christ and the Church

As with our previous discussion of Josephus, we turn to other sources of significance. Significant because they were quite contemporary with the events of Christ and the early church, but also that these sources were not apart of believers in Christ. These historians, who were not believers, and therefore had nothing to gain by reporting the life of Christ as fact, serve as important witnesses. After all, some of the most important witnesses (of any situation) are those who have nothing to gain, nor do they side with the individual(s) they are reporting facts about. Tacitus There are three Roman […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: Josephus speaks of Jesus

Josephus speaks of Jesus In the last couple of articles we have considered Josephus’ documentation on John and Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Herod. In this article we will be looking at Josephus’ most important corroboration with the biblical account, his documentation on Jesus. There are two separate occasions when Josephus mentions Jesus, and we will deal with the second time first. In Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews (20.9.1), he speaks of the stoning of James, and identifies him as the brother of Jesus: “and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: Murder of James

The Murder of James The bible is clear that Jesus had plenty of siblings. These would be half-brothers and half-sisters, in that Jesus came from Mary while she was still a virgin, and the rest therefore, came from the loins of Joseph afterward. Matthew 13:55-56 records the views of the Jews toward Jesus, as they said “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So then, of the four brothers […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: Death of Herod

Josephus (Please Refer to the previous article for information on who Josephus was), a non-Christian historian from the first century, unwittingly became a significant source by corroborating with events also found in the biblical account of the beginning days of the gospel. In this article we will examine his account of the death of Herod, and parallel it with what the bible has to say about these events. How God Killed Herod. Acts chapter twelve records a short term persecution when King Herod Agrippa, possibly wanting to gain favor from some influential Jews, “stretched out his hand to harass some […]

Historical Evidences of the Gospel: John the Baptist

Flavius Josephus In the year 37 AD a Jew named Joseph was born. He grew up to become a General in the Jewish forces. During the Jewish-Roman war (66-70 AD), General Joseph and the Jews were defeated by the Romans at Galilee. Joseph then defected to the Romans and remained on their side till his death in 100 AD. He took the name Flavius Josephus, and after the war, he became a historian, recording the events of the war, as well as recording the whole history of the Jewish people. His history of the Jews certainly corroborates all of the […]

Am I wrong to doubt sometimes?

Doubt is a part of human nature, it can often keep us safe and secure, but if we let it have too much control over our actions, then it can also keep us from a lot of good things too. I imagine that the majority of people who become Christians will have doubts at some point and time, but is it wrong, i.e. is it a sin to have doubts? Firstly, doubting is not the same as disbelief; although it could eventually lead to unbelief. Nor is it faithlessness; though it does demonstrate a lack within one’s faith. Doubting refers […]

Does God have a Plan for me?

There are a number of ways to answer this question. First, he absolutely does have a plan for you and everyone else on this earth. A plan for us that is so important that it is the cause for every page of the Bible. God designed a plan for man to live with Him eternally. God first wants man to hear about His plan. This is accomplished through the revelation of His plan documented in the pages of the Bible (Romans 16:25). Then, it is through the spreading of His revelation by His disciples that this is fully accomplished (Matthew […]

Isn’t the church of Christ the group that believes they’re the only ones going to heaven?

This question only comes up when the church is viewed from a denominational standpoint, otherwise the question is invalid. Because, to look at the church in the bible, we can quickly see that the only ones going to heaven are those whom God Himself adds to the church. Consider Acts 2:47, where it is written: “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Becoming a member of any local church does not mean you are saved. And for the sake of the original question, I imagine that there will be some, if not many, in […]