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Q. Every now and then I see a leader of some Christian organization urge people to fast as well as pray for our country and/or other issues. I know fasting…
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Regeneration is not a cooperative effort between God and man. God initiates the new birth by reaching down to us in love, mercy, and grace and lifting us from our…
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Mothers are not generally regarded as warriors. However, the Bible describes some mothers who fought in a hand-to-hand combat for their children.
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The crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem may have been fans of Jesus, but they certainly weren’t followers of Jesus.
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Jesus is serious about His disciples working while He is away. Why do you think that you will be more fervent about serving Him tomorrow if you are unwilling to…
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Because we don’t know when Jesus will return, we must always be ready. To be ready is to be faithfully working for Christ. There is no time for casualness or…
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Have you ever squandered a clear opportunity to testify about Jesus? The fear of man is strong. But we can consider ourselves in light of Who God is and fear…
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Whether spontaneously uttered, purposefully remembered, or extensively prepared, our gratefulness to God for Who He is and what He has done for us should be expressed regularly.
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The past two weeks have seen amazing events taking place in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. These events may well be a precursor to the fulfillment of important prophecies relating…
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What does it mean to be spiritually free? It speaks of a status that is not true of everyone in this world.
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Within quite a few supposedly evangelical churches, we are witnessing the adoption of Catholic and Orthodox aesthetics and liturgical practices even where official allegiance to Catholicism or Orthodoxy is not…
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Church membership actually matters and is not only biblical, but practical and pastoral.
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Any putative gospel that denies justification through faith alone is a false gospel, whatever other elements of truth it may contain.
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What is a healthy church? A healthy church is one that maintains its first love.
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The real meaning of Christmas is a message of hope flooding a darkened world with marvelous light, healing old wounds, reviving broken dreams, and setting the captives free.
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Sometimes the water we are trying to navigate gets a little shallow, doesn’t it? This is the precise time we need to sail into God’s channel of peace.
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The Gospel of Luke gives us a wonderful window into how Jesus changed the world in three short years. Luke shows that prayer played a vital role.
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"I do all things for the sake of the gospel." So said Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:23. I wonder whether this verse can sustain all the freight that has been…
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One of the more frequent retorts that is thrown at Christians is that we are not to judge. Unfortunately, some Christians have picked up on this and are propagating it…
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Every philosophy rests on certain pillars—certain foundation stones. The gospel is Christianity’s foundation.
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Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions that took the followers of Jesus on a wild ride during His last week?
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The death of Christ was not the mere actions of the frenzied mood of misled Jews. Christ’s death was part of God’s purposeful plan.
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Controversy over Islam is increasing both within American religion and among American political candidates. How are Christians, and especially Baptists, supposed to think about Muslims?
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In the debate concerning evolution and the age of the earth, certain arguments I grow tired of hearing. We spend so much time dealing with silly ideas that we cannot…
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An axiom of the Christian life is, Those who are truly saved will suffer. Living in the here and now means some degree of struggle.
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The greatest danger facing the believer is not future persecution but daily love seduction from the world system.
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When reading books or hearing sermons on parables, you may well encounter some interesting commentary. Too often people approach the Bible’s parables as if they were true accounts.
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The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility (or free moral agency) has long been a fixation for me.
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the practice in many churches of dedicating infants and children in a church service ceremony. Is there a Biblical basis for this practice? A. I see…
Read MoreQ. Lately some friends have begun attending a church that doesn’t have membership; a person who simply attends is considered a member. Is this right? A. In the last few…
Read MoreQ. Two verses, 1 Samuel 16:7 and 16:12, seem to contradict each other. Please explain. A. Samuel was to anoint a new king to take the place of wicked King…
Read MoreQ. Occasionally I hear preachers and others telling us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” How can this be right or even possible in our age, with the coming…
Read MoreQ: I have a question about the belief some have that each Christian has a personal guardian angel that watches over and protects us through life. Is this belief true?…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Psalm 2:12, which mentions “kissing the Son.” A. The phrase “kiss the Son” is figurative language, referring to the actual practice in the time of the…
Read MoreQ: Is it wrong to invest time in genealogies, family trees, etc.? I refer to Titus 3:9. A: Titus 3:9 reads, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about…
Read MoreQ: In reading the book of Daniel, I came across something that appears to be contradictory. Daniel 12:11 says 1,290 days, while my understanding from being taught Daniel and Revelation…
Read MoreQ: What does “born of water” in John 3:5 mean? A: Several views exist. Some believe it refers to water baptism, meaning that a person needs to be baptized in…
Read MoreQ: We’re convinced Jesus never married, contrary to what some attention-getting liberals have advanced lately, but what about His disciples? And if any of them were married, how could they…
Read MoreQ. Are churches required to use bread without yeast in observing the Lord’s Table? A. Churches use a variety of elements in Communion bread, but those who insist on unleavened…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Matthew 7:1 in relation to our need to exercise discernment. A. The familiar verse is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” It is often used to…
Read MoreQ. Recently I heard that a certain cult teaches we can become gods, based on Psalm 82:6 and John 10:33 and 34. Please comment. A. The Bible nowhere teaches that…
Read MoreI'm resuming this series after a break. I struggle with breaking this down into "bite-size" chunks. I already looked at how this type of language is prevalent in the NT. …
Read MoreQ. Please explain what two curious statements mean Biblically: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; cf. 20:16); and “Many are called, but few…
Read MoreQ. I have met some believers recently who say that to truly be spiritual, one must know the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew and Greek). Please comment. A. If…
Read MoreQ. I have some questions about Adam and Eve when they sinned. Where was Adam when Eve was tempted? Also, why does Adam apparently get the blame for their sinning,…
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Prior to the 1970s, most Baptists did not observe Lent, a 40-day period of penance, voluntary fasting, and self-denial. Now several Baptist leaders are suggesting this should change.
Read MoreQ. Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? Is it true that Sunday worship originated in Roman Catholicism? A. It may be true that some people trace the…
Read MoreQ. In Genesis 3:22, God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.” Many theologians say “Us” is the Trinity: God the Father,…
Read MoreQ. When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took their herds with them. Why didn’t they eat their flocks instead of complaining and receiving manna? Also, how long did they receive…
Read MoreQ. Recently I was introduced to some literature by a group that says believers should petition angels. The group says that angels are our best friends and want to help…
Read MoreQ. People in our fundamental circles believe that the so-called sign gifts in the early New Testament church, such as speaking in tongues, ceased and are not for today. On…
Read MoreQ. In Acts 23 or 24, Paul talks to his accusers in either Aramaic or Hebrew—it depends on which translation one reads. What is the difference, and why don’t the…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on “unworthy” in 1 Corinthians 11:27. I’ll admit I sometimes am afraid of taking the Lord’s Supper unworthily. A. If you are a believer and are walking…
Read MoreQ. Please comment as to who the “angel” is in Revelation 2:1. A. Revelation 2 and 3 include messages the Lord gave to the seven churches of Asia in existence…
Read MoreQ. Legalizing polygamy has been in the news lately. If it’s wrong, why did so many Old Testament believers practice it? Why did they go unpunished? A. In the Dispensation…
Read MoreAre we commanded to pray for the salvation of the lost? Mathew 9:37, 38 – Pray for laborers Acts 4:29--31 – Pray for boldness Colossians 4:2--4 – Pray for opportunity to…
Read MoreQ. Just when did Satan fall? Why did God allow Satan to fall, and why did God even create Satan in the first place? A.To consider when Satan fell (see…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Exodus 11 and 12, where the “death angel” supposedly killed the firstborn of any families who didn’t have blood sprinkled on their doorposts on the night…
Read MoreQ. After Job’s intense suffering, the Bible says he was given more than he had before his trials began, including seven sons and three daughters. Were these through his first…
Read MoreQ. Recently I came across a person who insists that Baptists are the only true church because only Baptists can trace their heritage to John the Baptist. Is this Scriptural?…
Read MoreBy Daniel Hartwig Are you dealing with someone who insists that the King James Bible is the only valid Bible translation for churches to use today? One of the most powerful…
Read MoreQ. We are currently in Ezekiel in Sunday School, and I am stuck (I teach the adult class). I have a problem knowing which judgments and prophecies in the book…
Read MoreQ. Every now and then in Scripture, I read about God asking people questions. Why would God, Who knows everything, bother to ask people things? A. It is true that…
Read MoreQ. In Exodus 2:18, the priest of Midian and father of Zipporah (wife of Moses) is named Reuel. In Exodus 3:1, the father-in-law of Moses is Jethro. Is this the…
Read MoreQ. Why should we oppose the “prosperity gospel” in the light of 3 John, verse 2? A. The verse reads, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things…
Read MoreThe IARBC meeting has come to a close, but during the meeting there was a Q&A with Kevin Bauder and Paul Hartog. Most of the questions dealt with lessons from history…
Read MoreSeveral months ago John Piper invited Rick Warren to be a part of the national Desiring God conference coming up this fall. This news has been out for a while,…
Read More"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the…
Read MoreAndy and Jennifer Naselli recently reviewed theology books for younger children. Their reviews can be found here. To their list I would add and highly recommend the following set of 4…
Read MoreIt's interesting how certain things intersect. Mark Driscoll on the Resurgence blog has an eight-minute video about "fundamentalists" and their problems: "7 Ways to Know If You Are Becoming a Fundamentalist." Personally,…
Read MoreLike I said, it's funny how some things intersect. After viewing Mark Driscoll's video and reading Faith Pulpit, you have to read Kevin Bauder's latest In the Nick of Time. He nails it on…
Read MoreQ. Do you think the pontiff at Rome could be the Antichrist? A. Some people believe that the pope is indeed the Antichrist, regardless of who is holding that office…
Read MoreQ. Please explain what the apostle Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 5:5. A. The verse reads, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his…
Read MoreMany of you have heard the term "missional" before. It is a buzzword among churches that are seeking to be relevant in their communities in bringing the gospel of Jesus…
Read MoreWe've had a lot of discussion on the Manhattan Declaration. Here's another follow-up with a helpful discussion guide put together by John Greening, who has been mentoring younger pastors. You might want…
Read MoreQ. Is Jericho also known in the Bible as the City of Palms? If so, I thought Jericho was destroyed by Joshua and not rebuilt until the time of Ahab…
Read MoreQ. Is the story told in John 12:1-8 the same as the one in Matthew 26:6-13? I read a study that says so, but the account in Matthew says that…
Read MoreQ. Please explain what Revelation 3:10 means. A. The verse reads, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which…
Read MoreAll right, getting back to looking at "already/not yet." I have been thinking through the best way to break this down, and I'm going to start with a simple look…
Read MoreThere still continues to be plenty of discussion about the Manhattan Declaration. To point out some of the better discussion: David Doran continues to jot down small snippets of thoughts…
Read MoreThe Manhattan Declaration is starting to take the blogosphere (if nowhere else) by storm. Basically it's a statement by a group of more or less ecumenical Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical…
Read MoreHave you ever been discussing theology or reading a book and heard the speaker say something like, "Well, this is a case of the already/not yet. We have something inaugurated…
Read MoreLike many of you, I subscribe to various and sundry blogs in order to keep up on what's out there in theology, church ministry, and Christianity at large. Which blogs…
Read MoreQ. In Luke 9:1--6, Jesus told His followers not to take various necessities with them when they went out to minister. Why did He instruct differently in Luke 22:35--38? A.…
Read MoreQ. In Genesis 44:5, it appears that Joseph practiced divination. I can't imagine Joseph, the godly man he was, being involved with such. Also, I am puzzled by Genesis 6:3,…
Read MoreAn understanding of how the new covenant (Jer. 31:31ff.) integrates into dispensational theology is a much discussed point of theology. Questions like, "How does the new covenant relate to the church?"…
Read MoreA final passage and then Dr. Myron concludes: (6) 2 Corinthians 4:3--6. In these verses there is both a problem and a solution. (a) The problem is that the gospel…
Read MoreDr. Myron Houghton works through more Biblical evidence as he looks at another passage of Scripture. (5) 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Introduction. In the first chapter, Paul tries to restore unity and godliness…
Read MoreThis week we look at a single passage in 1 Corinthians as Dr. Myron Houghton continues to examine the Biblical evidence: (4) 1 Corinthians 1:17-31. Introduction. In this passage Paul…
Read MoreBiblical information In this section of the paper, I want to examine six passages in the New Testament that will help us to develop a proper methodology for defending the…
Read MoreHere we get a summary of the evidentialist and presuppositionalist approaches to methodology. Next week will be the Biblical evidence. A METHODOLOGY FOR APOLOGETICS Evidential methodology In 1950, Edward John…
Read MoreWe have the privilege of having a paper on apologetic methodology by Dr. Myron Houghton at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary that I'm dividing up into several parts. A TRULY BIBLICAL…
Read MoreQ. There's a section of 1 Corinthians 15, verses 39-44, that simply doesn't make sense to me. Please explain. A. Looking at the whole context of 1 Corinthians 15, we…
Read MoreQ. What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples to "fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell," if the soul never dies? Also,…
Read MoreThe surprising science of motivation I ran into the video of this talk on Matt Perman's blog. He said it was definitely worth the 18 minute investment of time. He was right.…
Read MoreAl Mohler spoke about the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. While obviously specific to SBC issues, there is much that someone trying to reach this generation should think through. He…
Read MoreYou know people have been doing those "25 random things about me" notes on Facebook recently . . . Right? . . . Okay, are you in the loop? Anyway, somewhat…
Read MoreWhy is God in control of His universe? As we read through the Bible, we see that God reveals Himself to people in love (Exod. 34:5--7). He also desires us…
Read Moreby Dr. Stallard At this point it is possible to formulate with more precision the essence of dispensationalism in light of the foregoing remarks. First, it may be helpful to…
Read Moreby Dr. Stallard It has been shown that dispensationalists and nondispensationalists approach the harmonizing of the Old and New Testaments in different ways. That is, each has adopted a different…
Read Moreby Dr. Stallard The most basic objection that has been raised against dispensational literal hermeneutics is that the term "literal" does not possess such a simplistic definition as suggested by…
Read MoreQ. Taking the view your group does on dispensationalism, premillennialism, and the pretribulational Rapture, I sense that you don't believe in peacemaking in the world today. This is unfortunate. Don't…
Read MoreQ. First Corinthians 15:51 and 52, apparently referring to the Rapture, link that great event with a sounding of the last trumpet. In Revelation 11:15-19, the last of the seven…
Read MoreQ. Why does Revelation 5:6 speak of seven Spirits, when there is only one Spirit? A. The "seven Spirits" should be regarded as "sevenfold Spirit," rather than seven separate Spirits.…
Read MoreQ. Why did Nicodemus come to talk with Jesus during the night? A. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospels; you are referring to the first time, recorded in John…
Read MoreAs Greg posted in his "Introduction to Christianity and Culture" we're getting started on organizing and publishing this blog. We want you involved! I'm in charge of the theology section…
Read MoreQ. When one searches for information in Scripture on Jesus' childhood, why do we find so little? One would think that more of Jesus' example as a youth would be…
Read MoreQ. Is it right to call Jesus the "Lily of the Valleys" and "Rose of Sharon"? A. Song of Solomon 2:1 presents a conversation between two lovers: the man (most…
Read MoreQ. I've always been under the impression that the Antichrist will be a Jew. Is this correct? A. The belief that the Antichrist will be a Jew comes from several…
Read MoreQ.What is a proper Christian response to people who claim Christmas and other Christian celebrations are pagan? A. First, if we are honest, we are forced to acknowledge that aspects…
Read MoreQ. I can’t understand 2 Corinthians 8:3. It appears that these believers, giving “beyond their ability,” were going into debt, and the Bible forbids indebtedness. A. The verse reads, “For…
Read MoreQ. How does one answer an amillennialist to prove Christ will reign a literal thousand years on earth? Revelation 20 clearly says so, but that is only the beginning of…
Read MoreQ. Why do believers, including Bible characters, have disagreements, when they all are supposedly indwelt by the same Holy Spirit? One would think that all of us would be in…
Read MoreQ. Is marriage a covenant? A. I assume you are not asking about so-called covenant marriage, which has been in the news. In contrast to a “traditional” marriage in which…
Read MoreQ. Which of these two words should we use—“sin” or “sins”? Is there any difference between the two? A. A fine passage to observe is 1 John 1:8 and 9:…
Read MoreQ. How did the word “Easter” get into Scripture? Easter has pagan connotations. A. Acts 12:4 is the single use of the word “Easter” in Scripture (KJV). The Greek pascha…
Read MoreQ. Explain Matthew 22:13 and 25:30, where a person is said to be cast “into outer darkness.” Was the person a Christian? In Heaven, will there be a Hell for…
Read MoreQ. I’m concerned about coming in last, if that is the right way to put it, when it comes to Hebrews 12:1 and 2. It would seem that not all…
Read MoreQ. Biblically, how does one witness to a Jehovah’s Witness? A. Your question reminds me of a story told by a pastor. A church member asked him how to witness…
Read MoreQ. (1) Who was Jesus referring to when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan” in Matthew 16:23? (2) What did Jesus mean when He called Judas a “devil” in John…
Read MoreQ. Did Adam and Eve ever repent after their sinning in the Garden of Eden? A. Initially they didn’t, of course. The Biblical account shows them hiding, covering up, excusing…
Read MoreQ. I recently watched an evangelism training video that uses the Ten Commandments to reach people. One of the trainers says that if the persons being witnessed to have used…
Read MoreQ. With the ugly happening at Virginia Tech recently, I see capital punishment being attacked with new vigor in the newspapers and on TV and by politicians. Please tell me…
Read MoreQ. Is there such a thing today as the gift of discernment? I’ve heard people talk about it, as though only certain believers have that gift. Or does every Christian…
Read MoreQ. I don’t know how prevalent it is in our group, but lately I’ve noticed more evangelical churches using such fund-raising methods as bazaars, bake sales, car washes, door-to-door selling,…
Read MoreQ. What does the phrase “from faith to faith” mean in Romans 1:17? A. Romans 1:17 is the last verse in Paul’s introductory material of his letter to the Roman…
Read MoreQ. Ephesians 4:8 says Christ ascended on high. The next verse, Ephesians 4:9, says He first descended. What does this descending mean? A. First, let’s establish the context, which is…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Matthew 16:27 and 28. It seems that Jesus was talking about the Second Coming. Is this right? If so, how could He accurately say that some standing…
Read MoreQ. In Exodus 1:15–21, was it right that the midwives lied? It seems that God honored what they said. A. The occasion of this passage is the predicament the Children…
Read MoreQ. What does the word “Selah” mean in the book of Psalms? I’ve noticed that in church, during Scripture readings in unison, people don’t know whether to say it or…
Read MoreQ. Every now and then I’ve heard speakers appealing to unbelievers to trust Christ because they’re lonely. Also I can think of a few songs that have that theme. Is…
Read MoreQ. What does one say to a person who doubts that insurance is Biblical, believing it is a sign of distrusting God and also a form of gambling? A. There…
Read MoreQ. In Mark 5:19 Jesus told the demon-possessed man of Gadara to tell his friends what had happened to him, but in Mark 5:43 Jesus told the friends of the…
Read MoreQ. How did animals find their way to the ark before the Flood? How did they survive all that time in the ark? After the Flood, how did these animals…
Read MoreQ. When I was young and before I became a believer in Christ, I took a vow that I would never leave the church I grew up in or its…
Read MoreQ. I heard someone say the wise men were into astrology. I’ve been taught that astrology is sinful. Please comment. A. First we need to make sure we know the…
Read MoreQ. A born-again Christian I visited with the other day believes that we have just one nature, based on Romans 6:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, which say that old things…
Read MoreQ. What about a new movement or thought among Christians known as transformation? Is it Biblical? A. Is it Biblical? should be our constant question today with so many new…
Read MoreQ: I would appreciate your explanation of the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30). It appears that the Lord directed the reapers to gather the tares, or weeds, before they…
Read Moreby Norm Olson Q: What did the Jews and early church offer in training compared with churches today? For example, they obviously didn't have Sunday School. Are there things we…
Read MoreQ: Was Elimelech right or wrong in moving his family to Moab in Ruth 1:1-5? A: Bible scholars hold varying views on this question. Ruth 1:1-5 simply states that during…
Read MoreQ: Why did Christ curse the fig tree in Matthew 21:19? A: This account is also found in Mark 11:11-14 and 19-26. A person is going to have trouble with…
Read MoreQ. What should people like me do who have asked Jesus to be our Savior and yet continue to doubt our salvation? A. You need to go on a purposeful,…
Read MoreQ. In 1 Timothy 2:8 does “men” mean “males” or “mankind” in general? Does “lifting up holy hands” indicate something we should be doing? A. The background of 1 Timothy…
Read Moreby Norm Olson Q: When a Christian dies, does the soul go directly to Heaven (later to be reunited with the resurrected body to appear for judgment/rewards), or does the…
Read MoreQ. Does Colossians 2:10, which says that Christians are complete in Christ, contradict Genesis 2:18, which implies that being married completes a person? A. When a person is regenerated, made…
Read MoreQ. If the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 came from the lineage of Cain when fallen angels supposedly entered their bodies and married the daughters of men, and if…
Read MoreQ. It appears that both Jerusalem and Bethlehem are called “the city of David” in the Bible. Please comment. A. Yes, in 2 Samuel 5:6 and 7 we read, “The…
Read MoreQ. Recently I heard that Christians shouldn’t use the word “Palestine” to describe Israel and the Holy Land. A. The term “Palestine” is a bit like the celebration of Halloween,…
Read MoreQ. Since Jews haven’t accepted Christ as having come and as being their Messiah, why aren’t they still sacrificing animal offerings today? A. There are several factors. First, having been…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on an editorial from a denominational magazine that criticizes what we Regular Baptists hold to eschatologically. The writing by this editor in chief criticizes the popular Left…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on 2 Peter 3:11 and 12. Does the verse mean we can actually cause Christ to come back earlier than otherwise divinely planned? A. The verse reads,…
Read MoreQ. What does 2 Corinthians 6:3 mean when it says we aren’t supposed to give offense in anything? A. First, I’ll mention what the verse doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean…
Read MoreQ. Is there a difference between the words “conversion” and “regeneration”? A. We commonly use “conversion” and “regeneration” to refer to the “new birth,” the moment an individual experiences salvation.…
Read MoreQ. Is it Scriptural for a pastor to lead more than one flock at a time? I’ve known of some smaller (usually rural) churches that share the same pastor. A.…
Read MoreQ. Is corporal punishment (as in spanking) truly Biblical; and if it is, how do we answer all its opposition? A. Corporal punishment is certainly Biblical, and parents are, in…
Read MoreQ. What is the basis for people’s believing in purgatory? A. “Purgatory“ comes from a Latin word that means “to purge.” Roman Catholicism defines it in its catechism: "All who…
Read MoreQ. What stance should we believers take toward the recent tsunami, its toll on lives, and all the suffering? Some people in that part of the world don’t even want…
Read MoreQ. Do pastors and other Christian workers, such as missionaries and teachers, need a definite call from God to go into their fields of ministry? If so, how does one…
Read MoreQ. Please comment about the conscience. I have heard that we should not let it be our guide, as the saying goes; but what is it, and what value does…
Read MoreQ. What does Luke 17:21 mean when it says that the kingdom is within a person? A. Luke 17:20 and 21 read, Now when He was asked by the Pharisees…
Read MoreQ. Why was Sarah not punished for her laughing over the news that she would have a son, while Zacharias was struck dumb for a similar response? A. The accounts…
Read MoreQ. Does the Bible offer any clue as to why so many differences of thinking and religious denominations exist even among true born-again Christians? A. Jesus once said to the…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the seeming difference between the God of the Old Testament and of the New Testament. In the Old Testament He seems foreboding, distant, stern, vengeful, overbearing,…
Read MoreQ. The Ten Commandments and other Bible verses promise long life to people who obey God. Why then do some who have obeyed not get to enjoy this promise? I…
Read MoreQ. Romans 12:20 says that when a believer acts kindly toward an enemy, coals of fire are actually heaped upon the enemy’s head. Please explain. Doesn’t that hurtful result negate…
Read MoreQ. Will people sin during the Millennium? A. You have asked an interesting and important question. The Millennium, which is the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth after the great…
Read MoreQ. Several psalms contain the heading “A song of degrees.” What does that mean? A. You’re referring to Psalms 120—134. Four of these psalms are attributed to David, one is…
Read MoreQ. While I was studying 1 Timothy in Sunday School, the term “elect angels” came up. After searching, I could find no other use of the term in the Bible.…
Read MoreQ. Is the unpardonable sin the same as the “sin unto death”? A. The unpardonable sin and the sin unto death cannot be the same. To answer this question we…
Read MoreQ. In the New Testament it seems the act of water baptism appears rather suddenly. We read about John the Baptist, the disciples, and then the early New Testament church…
Read MoreQ. Romans 16:13 mentions a man named Rufus, and the apostle Paul wrote as though Rufus’s mother was also his own mother. Were the two men related? A. No, Rufus…
Read MoreQ. Why don’t Baptists believe in displaying crucifixes in the home and church? Couldn’t these serve as a good reminder of what Christ did for us on the cross? A.…
Read MoreQ. On the morning Jesus rose from the dead, Mary Magdalene met the Savior in the Garden near the tomb where Jesus had lain. Jesus told her not to touch…
Read MoreQ. Why did Jesus’ disciples go back to Galilee after the Resurrection, when they would be going back to Jerusalem for Pentecost? How did they get up there so quickly?…
Read MoreQ. John 18:40 describes Barabbas as a robber, and Matthew 27:38 calls the two men on the cross on either side of Jesus thieves (KJV). Are these two words, “thieves”…
Read MoreQ. The parable found in Luke 16:1‒9 seems so dishonest. For example, what is so great about what the steward did? Also, what is the “unrighteous mammon” all about? A.…
Read MoreQ. In 2 Kings 25:16 what does the word “Sea” refer to? A. The sad context of this verse is the fall of Jerusalem under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The…
Read MoreQ. How did the wise men know that the star represented the Messiah? Why did they, as pagans, travel all that distance? Where did we get the name “magi” for…
Read MoreQ. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the Son of God as “begotten”? A. This word, combined with the word “only,” indicates “unique” or “one of a…
Read MoreQ. I’m confused about this whole matter of when Christ was born: why do people say Christ was born in 4 B.C. if “B.C.” means “before Christ”? Also, I have…
Read MoreQ. Are the miracles of Satan through his cohorts, as recorded in Revelation 13, real, or are they just sleight-of-hand imitation deceptions of real miracles? A. Revelation 13 deals with…
Read MoreQ. Why did David pick out five stones instead of just one before he met and killed Goliath? Was it a lack of faith on his part? A. The account…
Read MoreQ. John 1:18 says that no one has seen God at any time. I have no problem with that statement, but what do I tell a skeptic who points out…
Read MoreQ. Why did King Solomon have numerous wives, when Deuteronomy 17:17 prohibited kings from having many wives? A. The first part of the verse reads, “Neither shall multiply wives for…
Read MoreQ. How should believers Biblically treat all the public opinion polls we’re being bombarded with these days? A. Polls, while they can be bothersome and skewed, are not necessarily the…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Ecclesiastes 10:19 in the light of other Scripture passages dealing negatively with money. A. You are probably thinking of passages such as Matthew 6:19: “Do not lay…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on so-called generational curses found in the Bible. Are they in force today? Were they fair to those whose parents sinned? A. First let me point out…
Read MoreQ. The Old Testament character Samson appears in Hebrews 11, the great hall of faith chapter. He scarcely seems qualified as a candidate for this honor. Please comment. A. Your…
Read MoreQ. In Ezekiel 36:25 God told Israel He will sprinkle them with water to removed their uncleanness. Since sin can be removed only by blood, to what uncleanness is God…
Read MoreQ. Please explain 2 Corinthians 11:8, where Paul said that he robbed churches. I thought thievery is sin. A. In this portion of his second letter to the Corinthian believers,…
Read MoreQ. I recently read a booklet that said spiritual giants of the past lived an average of only 35 years because they burned out for God. The book promoted burnout…
Read MoreQ. I came across Romans 11:26 the other day. This verse has me stumped. Does it really mean that every last Jew living at the time of Christ’s return is…
Read MoreQ. Luke 5:2 records that the disciples washed their nets. Why were they doing that when their nets would have been in the water all the time anyway? A. The…
Read MoreQ. Is there any truth to the idea that certain numbers are significant in Scripture, such as the number seven’s being the perfect number? A. Certain numbers do have Scriptural…
Read MoreQ. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth. A Christian author I recently read wrote that Jewish circumcision in this case was a “cultural preference,” as was…
Read MoreQ. Is it wrong for Christians to use the word “X-mas”? A. Scripture doesn’t address the specific issue. But shouldn’t we believers use every opportunity to name the name of…
Read MoreQ. How could the Devil take Jesus places during the Temptation? How could they be near the pinnacle of the temple and then later on the mountain, when the Bible…
Read MoreQ. Regarding Hebrews 13:2, is it possible that we could at some time have an angel visiting our house and not know it was an angel? Would an angel ever…
Read MoreQ. I’m enclosing a page I read from a Southern Baptist devotional that makes this statement: “Christians today are the new Israel (Rom. 9:6–8).” Please comment. A. The “amillennial” and…
Read MoreQ. A church without a pastor was given Jeremiah 3:15 not long ago as an encouragement. Was offering this verse legitimate in this context? A. The verse reads, “And I…
Read MoreQ. In the Bible we find words like “sin,” “wickedness,” and “evil.” Are these terms interchangeable, or do their meanings differ? A. First, let me comment on the words “evil”…
Read MoreQ. Should we apply 2 Chronicles 7:14, even though tied with Israel, to America’s spiritual decline as so many do? A. In context, the passage obviously concerns Israel, which had…
Read MoreQ. What are deaconesses? If legitimate, what is their role? Should Regular Baptist churches have them? A. First, the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches has no “official position” on…
Read MoreQ. Colossians 4:10 (KJV) refers to Mark as being Barnabas’s sister’s son, which to me would make him a nephew of Barnabas. But I heard a preacher say he was…
Read MoreQ. Did Jesus ever baptize anyone? My impression was that He didn’t, but I came across John 3:22. A. John 3:22 reads, “After these things Jesus and His disciples came…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Matthew 27:52 and 53, which says that people were coming out of their graves and seeing people upon Jesus’ death. A. Verses 51–53 read, Then, behold,…
Read MoreQ. How could someone tear out a roof, as recorded in Mark 2:1‒12? That seems outlandish. A. Roofs of houses in that time were flat and made of materials that…
Read MoreQ. Did the writers of Scripture know they were being inspired of God as they wrote? I’m not asking if they were inspired; we know they were. Also, please deal…
Read MoreQ. If Lot was vexed by living in Sodom, as the Bible says, why didn’t he get out of there? How could he be considered righteous? A. Writing under inspiration…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the prophetic implications of the recent tragedy in America. A. Many people are asking your question. An item in USA Today on September 24 notes that…
Read MoreQ. How do you reconcile Matthew 16:18b with Revelation 3:16? A. Matthew 16:18b reads, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail…
Read MoreQ. What does Proverbs 11:1 mean? A. The verse reads, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” I have heard people…
Read MoreQ. Why did Jesus not do similar miracles to feeding the 5,000 (see Luke 9:12–17) on occasions when the disciples would have to buy food to eat (John 4:8)? A.…
Read MoreQ. I’m concerned about criticism being made about the doctrine of the coming rapture of believers. The critics call the event “secret.” They also say that it is a new…
Read MoreQ. Could Jesus have sinned? (I’m not asking, Did He sin?) A. Your question could be answered in one simple statement: Jesus is God; therefore, He could not have sinned.…
Read MoreQ. On what basis did Pontius Pilate, from his vantage point as an unbeliever, insist that he found no fault with Jesus? Also, why did Jesus mostly keep silent when…
Read MoreQ. I’m totally serious in asking this question: Can we Christians anticipate having our pets with us in Heaven, since Heaven is a place of total joy and happiness? A.…
Read MoreQ. Please help me with 2 Corinthians 6:14. I know it deals with business partnerships, but how inclusive is this verse? A. The principle of separation on the part of…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Proverbs 30:21–23. I can’t make sense of this passage. A. This passage in the Bible’s book of wisdom reads, “For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes,…
Read MoreQ. As I read 2 Timothy 1:6, I am wondering what Timothy’s gift was that the apostle Paul referred to. A. In the context of his letters, Paul’s spiritual father/son…
Read MoreQ. Someone asked one of the newspaper social columnists if it were all right, on the basis of Matthew 1:25, for couples to live together before or without marriage. In…
Read MoreQ. In recent days I’ve been seeing Malachi 4:5 and 6 cropping up in literature dealing with present-day families and child rearing. Is this a correct use, context-wise? A. The…
Read MoreQ. Why is God never mentioned in the book of Esther? A. The word “God” is not found in the book. Likely it is because the Jewish people living at…
Read MoreQ. Jeremiah 33:20 and following state God’s promise that a descendent of David will reign forever on his throne. Why is this reign not evident? Could it be that England’s…
Read MoreQ. What does John 8:15 mean? I thought Jesus is the coming judge. A. He is. Jesus had just encountered the Pharisees, who had attacked His record. So Jesus pointed…
Read MoreQ. Recently I heard someone speak on Proverbs 1:20‒33, relating verse 28 of the passage to salvation. If that is correct, how can it harmonize with Romans 10:13? If a…
Read MoreQ. What is the difference between cherubim and seraphim? A. Both classes are God’s special angels. Other than to make this distinction, attempts to distinguish them have been rather feeble.…
Read MoreQ. Does the Bible address the issue of cliques, such as in local churches? A. Yes, the apostle Paul, in his first letter to the church in Corinth, mentioned the…
Read MoreQ. I work with a large number of Muslim families. We sometimes engage in religious discussions. Muslims view Jesus as a prophet or messenger from God but not as God…
Read MoreQ. I was reading Matthew 27 in my Bible. Verse 9 mentions Jeremy the prophet, but I noticed that in the center margin there is a reference to Zechariah 11:12,…
Read MoreQ. In Zechariah 1:8, is the man on the red horse Jesus Christ? Also, the first several chapters speak of the Angel of the Lord; do they refer to Jesus…
Read MoreQ. Concerning the Fall (Genesis 3), why would it be the serpent’s fault that Satan entered into it? (The serpent was cursed.) What does the Bible mean when it says…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Psalm 30:5b. I’ve heard various ideas on it, such as weeping over souls in witnessing situations, which will result in people being saved, and in our…
Read MoreQ. When will the earth finally be destroyed—during or after the Tribulation or after the Millennium? A. Second Peter 3:10 reads, “But the day of the Lord will come as…
Read MoreQ. At Christmas, we often think of angels, but with the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer during the Church Age, do believers still need, require, and receive help from angels?…
Read MoreQ. I have a question about 1 Corinthians 5:1. Was this prohibition based on the Old Testament law? If so, I thought we are not under the law’s prohibitions. A.…
Read MoreQ. Did God, or does God, love the Devil, since the latter is a created being and God loved His creation? A. It would appear that the answer to your…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on 1 Corinthians 1:17. Doesn’t it seem that Paul was giving credence to the idea commonly held today that baptism is unimportant? A. In this verse the…
Read MoreQ. What is the meaning and significance of the expression “for obedience” in Romans 1:5 and 1 Peter 1:2? Is it speaking of Christ’s obedience or the apostles’ or ours?…
Read MoreQ. I’m confused about this whole matter of whether some sins are worse than others. Please comment. A. In one sense all sin is equally bad in God’s sight. It…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on John 2:17 as it relates to the Old Testament. How did it come about that the disciples remembered the passage? A. Evidently the Jews knew Psalm…
Read MoreQ. Our GARBC Articles of Faith state under VIII (Salvation) that Christ is now enthroned in Heaven. Is this correct? I thought that Christ will be enthroned after the Tribulation,…
Read MoreQ. Someone told a terminally ill friend of mine, a believer, that she should demand a healing from God to show she meant business and also to demonstrate boldness “before…
Read MoreQ. I came across an incident in Jesus’ suffering that I had overlooked. It is found in Mark 14:51 and 52. Please comment. A. Only Mark’s Gospel includes this incident.…
Read MoreQ. I was under the impression that Solomon wrote Proverbs, but what about the names of Agur and King Lemuel in chapters 30 and 31? A. There are differing views…
Read MoreQ. Does Titus 3:9 teach that it is wrong to pursue and trace our ancestry or family tree? A. Anything is wrong if it becomes an obsession, time waster, or…
Read MoreQ. Please explain 1 Kings 19:20 in the light of passages such as Matthew 3:18‒22; 10:37; and Luke 14:26 and 27. A. The setting of 1 Kings 19:20 is God’s…
Read MoreQ. Does the Bible really allow for a person to give blood or receive blood transfusions? It seems that the Bible is meticulous about putting a high value upon human…
Read MoreQ. Is there Scriptural evidence that Satan can heal today? A. We need to understand a couple of truths about Satan in regard to your question. First, there is only…
Read MoreQ. Why did God send an angel to Mary to tell her that she was going to have a baby? A. In Bible times God often used angels to take…
Read MoreQ. I see nothing in Scripture that commands me to be a member of a church. What is your opinion? A. I point out lovingly that it is not my…
Read MoreQ. Matthew 18:18 has put a question into the minds of our church group. Can you help us understand this verse? A. As with any passage of Scripture, we must…
Read MoreQ. People in the Bible, such as Abraham, had more than one wife. Why did God allow such a thing? When did the practice begin, and when did it end?…
Read MoreQ. Matthew 7:14 and Matthew 11:30 seem to contradict each other. Please explain. A. There is no contradiction. Matthew 7:14 warns that following Christ can be difficult. Matthew 11:30 states,…
Read MoreQ. During the Kingdom Age, will King David literally sit upon the throne as a risen being in Jerusalem assisting Jesus? A. A number of Scripture references speak of David…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Hebrews 10:22. Does it in any way pertain to water baptism? A. No, it does not. But first we must note the context of the verse, which…
Read MoreQ. Please explain the “sop” the writer John mentioned as it related to the Last Supper. Why didn’t the other Gospel writers mention it? A. During His last observance of…
Read MoreQ. In Luke 15, were the ninety-nine sheep lost or saved? A. Some people have acquired the idea that this passage refers to believers who are out of fellowship with…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Paul’s decision in Romans 11 concerning the relationship between the salvation of the Gentiles and Israel’s disobedience. He seemed to say that Gentile Christians owe their…
Read MoreQ. I am baffled by the phrase “because of the angels” in 1 Corinthians 11:10. What does it mean? A. The context of 1 Corinthians 11:10 is God’s divine pattern…
Read MoreQ. Titus 1 mentions some people who were extremely rebellious. Were these people believers or unbelievers? A. Only God knows hearts. I would hate to give a blanket statement and…
Read MoreQ. Why did God tell Joseph and Mary to go to Egypt with Jesus when He could have taken care of His Son in Bethlehem just as easily? In other…
Read MoreQ. It seems that Scripture often uses the phrase “last day(s).” I am wondering what it means in John 6:40. A. You are correct in your observation that Scripture frequently…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the word “vicar.” I have a friend whose church uses it, and I think I have seen the word in the Bible. What does it signify?…
Read MoreQ. I would like to know about the unpardonable sin. A. The unpardonable sin occurred when Jesus Christ was living on earth (Matt. 12:14--37). Israel’s religious leaders were about to…
Read MoreQ. As a retired nurse I am very troubled over Romans 14:12 in relation to individuals with severe learning disabilities, such as Down’s syndrome. Also I speak of those who…
Read MoreQ. According to Numbers 20:22–29 and Deuteronomy 32:50–52, God punished Aaron by not letting him enter the Promised Land. Why did He punish Aaron for the incident at the waters…
Read MoreQ. We appreciated your answers to the questions that were asked in the April 1997 Baptist Bulletin on the book of Job. The question we would ask is, Could it…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on how we should cope with Satan. The Bible in some places tells us to be bold in dealing with him. In other places, such as Jude…
Read MoreQ. I am confused over Revelation 7. Who does the chapter refer to, Jews or Gentiles? Also it sounds as though they are saved during the Great Tribulation. I thought…
Read MoreQ. I have an acquaintance who believes that a speaker (pastor, Sunday School teacher, and so on) is sinning if he doesn’t include the gospel in every message. Does the…
Read MoreQ. If smoking is wrong, why did God create the tobacco plant in the first place? A. Your question is particularly relevant to our times, as smoking is again the…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Isaiah 45:7. It sounds as though God is responsible for evil. Also, I have a question about Acts 27:35 and 36. Was this communion? A. Isaiah 45:7…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Job 1:6 and 7. Where did the event recorded in these verses take place? Does Satan normally associate with the “sons of God”? Does God regularly…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the various kingdoms of the Bible, as they are somewhat confusing. For example, I want to know the difference between the “kingdom of God” and “kingdom…
Read MoreQ. I am confused about Hebrews 9:27. It seems to contradict Christ’s raising of Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus surely must have died twice. A. We must be extremely prudent…
Read MoreQ. Acts 4 (vv. 36, 37) reveals that Barnabas, a Levite, owned land. I thought Levities were forbidden this privilege. A. The Levites, the priestly tribe, were under many restrictions…
Read MoreQ. I was curious as I read the short book of 2 John. Has the “elect lady” mentioned in it ever been identified? A. Interestingly, the “elect lady” of 2…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Luke 2:36–38. Was Anna 84 years old, or had she been a widow for 84 years after 7 years of marriage? A. Verse 37 reads, And…
Read MoreQ. Why are our churches getting away from the beauty of the four Gospels? What are the Gospels for, if pastors neglect this section of the Scriptures? A. I am…
Read MoreQ. In 1 Chronicles 3:6--9, I came upon something I am wondering about. Did David have two sons named Elishama and two sons named Eliphelet? That would seem very strange.…
Read MoreQ. Lately I have come across some Christians who believe our society should grant the death sentence to people who are guilty of various sex crimes, such as adultery and…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Psalm 23:4. Does this verse refer to the time just before our physical death? Also, is it true that God dispenses a special grace upon believers…
Read MoreQ. Why don’t Baptists practice the washing of one another’s feet? John 13:2–17 seems to indicate this was Jesus’ intention for us. A. When we compare the overwhelming support in…
Read MoreQ. Is it Scriptural for a church to hire an unsaved organist if it does not have one in its congregation or to bring in unsaved people to perform musically?…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. If it refers to the second coming of Christ after the Tribulation and not to the rapture…
Read MoreQ. Have I been wrong in assuming that the cock crowed three times, since Peter denied His Lord three times? Mark 14:72 indicates that the cock crowed only two times.…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on just who was responsible for Christ’s death. Were the Jews entirely accountable? A. The idea that one group of people (the Jews) killed Jesus is an…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the two passages, John 4:24 and Ephesians 5:18. Do they refer to the Holy Spirit or to something else? A. John 4:24 reads, “God is a…
Read MoreQ. A sentence that truly puzzles me is found in Luke 17:37, where the King James Version uses the word “eagles,” but other versions use the word “vultures.” Why is…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the Old Testament practice of polygamy, especially since 2 Samuel 12:8 seems to indicate that God gave David even more women than he had previously. Surely…
Read MoreQ. Why did God seemingly wait so long to send Jesus Christ to be born? A. God promised a Savior to Adam and Eve, the first people who lived on…
Read MoreQ. Revelation 3:5 speaks of names being blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life. Please explain how such a thing could happen. Also Revelation 20:12 refers to other books…
Read MoreQ. In Luke 12:4 and 5, the Lord tells us whom to fear and whom not to fear. This teaching also appears in Matthew 10:28 in almost the same words.…
Read MoreQ. In light of the importance of trials taking place across America for a number of serious slayings, is capital punishment Biblically wrong if the person who committed the crime…
Read MoreQ. When we pray, are we to talk only to God the Father, or can we pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit too? Also, what does 1 John 4:1…
Read MoreQ. I am a 16-year-old high school student. My best friend believes that a person must be baptized to be saved. Is baptism necessary for salvation? Is baptism necessary for…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the so-called sinner’s prayer in Luke 18:13. Should we pray this kind of prayer for salvation today? A. The “sinner’s prayer” is part of one of…
Read MoreQ. In 1 Peter 2:12, what does the “day of visitation” refer to? A. First Peter 2:12 states, “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the matter of backsliding. Is this sin not an Old Testament phenomenon? A. The words “backsliding,” “backslider,” and “backslidings” are indeed found only in the Old…
Read MoreQ. Now that coffee is at last listed with the other drugs, I would like to have your thoughts on how Christians handle this categorization. Nearly all the Christians I…
Read MoreQ. Why does Mark 15:32 say what it does? I thought one of the robbers repented. A. The second part of Mark 15:32 reads, “And they that were crucified with…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Matthew 12:40, the part that says Jesus would be three days and three nights in the grave. If this statement is true, and if Jesus rose…
Read MoreQ. In Luke 18, why did Jesus say to the rich young ruler that only the Father in Heaven is good, when He (Jesus) also is God and, therefore, is…
Read MoreQ. Is it Scriptural for us to baptize people who have no intention of joining our local church? Are baptism and church membership prerequisites to taking communion? Can a local…
Read MoreQ. We all know Scripture verses that show the vengeance of God toward unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:7‒10; Rev 16:8‒11; also Old Testament incidents and illustrations). But 1 Thessalonians 4:6 seems…
Read MoreQ. Who are the two witnesses listed in Revelation 11? A. Revelation 11 teaches that God will during the last half of the Tribulation to denounce the sins of the…
Read MoreQ. I’ve been thinking about the story of Jesus’ birth lately. Wasn’t it cruel of God to force Mary to go 90 miles in her advanced pregnancy on a donkey…
Read MoreQ. On the cross Jesus Christ asked the Father why He had forsaken Him. How did the Father do that? Also, why did Christ have to “take on our sins”?…
Read MoreQ. What is “praying in the Spirit” in Jude 1:20? A. First, I should comment on what praying in the Spirit is not. We live in a day when people…
Read MoreQ. Does the Bible set any guidelines regarding the Christian use of computer dating services to find a future spouse? A. The Bible doesn’t mention this modern-day invention, of course,…
Read MoreQ. How did racial groups originate, and why did God divide people into races? A. Genesis 10:1–32 indicates that all nations originate in Noah’s sons. Japheth’s sons have been associated…
Read MoreQ. I am puzzled. First John 3:9 really hit me, and I don’t know how to reconcile this verse with 1 John 1:9. Please help. A. First John 3:9 states,…
Read MoreQ. What does the phrase “Try my reins and my heart” in Psalm 26.2 mean? A. Ancient languages had no vocabulary for certain concepts relating to man’s emotional and soulish…
Read MoreQ. If God didn‘t send His Spirit until Pentecost, what does Haggai 2:5 mean? A. This question gives us an opportunity to review the differences between the Holy Spirit’s work…
Read MoreQ. Please explain why Hebrews 9:22 states that “almost all things are by the law purged with blood.” Why doesn’t it say that all things are purged with blood? A.…
Read MoreQ. As America’s government continues to pursue godless and immoral policies, is there a point where we should abandon involvement in our political system, initiate an alternative, or flee the…
Read MoreQ. Please help me. I’m confused about Genesis chapter 6, which refers to sons of God marrying the daughters of men. Were these sons angels? A. You’re not the only…
Read MoreQ. I have acquaintances who belong to a church that doesn’t require baptism before a believer becomes a member of that church. Is that practice right? A. Some denominations take…
Read MoreNote: About five years ago I dealt with the subject of cremation in this column. Since then I have received numerous requests to run that particular answer again, in addition…
Read MoreQ. What are the Biblical grounds for leaving a church? If a church is doctrinally sound but the leadership is corrupt, and if members took steps to correct the situation…
Read MoreQ. Lately I’ve been listening to a preacher on the radio who claims that eating pork is wrong for Christians. Please comment. A. I will begin by stating that a…
Read MoreQ. I’ve never seen or read the Apocrypha, but does this writing have any value for us today? A. Your question is particularly relevant at this time because a major…
Read MoreQ. To whom was the gift of “tongues” a sign? Has (or is) speaking in tongues been an evangelistic tool, such as bridging a language barrier in preaching the gospel?…
Read MoreQ. Would, or did, the Lord require or accept the sacrifice vowed by Jephthab—his daughter? A. Judges chapter 11 is one of the most debated passages in the Bible. Before…
Read MoreQ. I’m confused by the term “church fathers.” I have wondered about men like Thomas a Kempis. Were these individuals believers? Are they our spiritual fathers in some way? (I…
Read MoreQ. A Christian friend believes in a mid-tribulation Rapture because of 1 Corinthians 15:52. Is this last trump one of the seven judgment trumpets? Also, please comment on Revelation 22.2–5.…
Read MoreQ. To whom does the phrase about teachers who tickle people’s itching ears refer? If it refers to modernists, how can this statement be true? Their churches are practically empty.…
Read MoreQ. Does Proverbs 11:14 mean the more counselors you go to, the better it will be for you? How does this verse harmonize with Scripture passages that teach it is…
Read MoreQ. One of your recent publications stated Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, but the Bible calls Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s son. Which is correct? A. Both are correct, depending on how…
Read MoreQ. Matthew 27.51–53 tells about people who came out of the graves after Christ’s death and witnessed to others. Did this actually happen? Who were these people, and what happened…
Read MoreQ. I know someone who smokes and drinks. He says these habits are all right as long as he does them in moderation. He thinks that the Bible backs him…
Read MoreQ. Is there, or isn’t there, healing in the atonement? Why or why not? A. Your question has been the object of much controversy over the centuries, including the present,…
Read MoreQ. I have several questions about the book of Ezekiel. First, how could Ezekiel 4:14 mention Daniel when Daniel came after Ezekiel? Second, does Ezekiel 38:8 refer to Russia (Gog)?…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Luke 9:27, which says that some will not taste death until they have seen the kingdom of God. Is that those who are destined for Hell? A.…
Read MoreQ. Is the writer being sarcastic when, in Proverbs 18:16, he writes that a bribe does wonders and that it will bring a person before men of importance? A. Whenever…
Read MoreQ. What does Psalm 2.12 mean when it talks about kissing the Son, "lest he be angry"? A. The whole verse reads, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and…
Read MoreQ. Isn’t there a contradiction between Psalm 37:25 and the account of Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31? A. In Psalm 37:25, David observed, “I have been young, and now am old;…
Read MoreQ. Jesus showed His divinity by doing miracles. One miracle was changing water into wine at Cana for a wedding feast. From this act, can we conclude that drinking is…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Psalm 133, where David said that unity is like oil running down the beard of Aaron. That certainly doesn’t seem “pleasant” or “beautiful.” A. Let me…
Read MoreQ. How do you explain King Nebuchadnezzar’s use of the term “the high God” and his freedom in verbally recognizing God’s dominion (Dan. 4.2), when twelve months later he continued…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on anti-Semitism. I know some Christians who believe a Jewish conspiracy will take over the world, and the newspapers seem to show an increase in this type…
Read MoreQ. Every now and then I hear Christians talking about building up God’s kingdom here as we serve the Lord. Please comment, as l have been taught to be cautious…
Read MoreQ. When Jesus told the religious leaders, “he who is without sin cast the first stone,” was He referring to capital punishment? Jesus Himself was a victim of capital punishment.…
Read MoreQ. Why do we as Baptists overlook the Lenten season and yet observe Christmas? A. Let me deal with the first part of your question first, as the answer to…
Read MoreQ. Is it true that not going forward for salvation in a church service invitation indicates pride, and the person is, therefore, not saved? A. We need to remember some…
Read MoreQ. How can we imitate God as Ephesians 5:1 directs? To try to imitate God seems phony. A. Ephesians 5:1 indeed tells us we are to be followers, or imitators,…
Read MoreQ. Recently I came across some material that seems to state that one cannot exercise his or her spiritual gift properly unless he has learned to exercise all seven of…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the Nicolaitans in Revelation. The verse that says God hates them seems like strong language. Is that something like the reference to God’s hating Esau? A.…
Read MoreQ. Could you please explain Romans 12:10: “In honour preferring one another”? A. Having dealt with doctrinal aspects of the gospel in relation to Israel in chapters 9—11 of his…
Read MoreQ. If Satan can be at only one place at a time as I have been told, why do all of us as Christians say constantly that Satan tried to…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Matthew 7:7. If the verse is true, why is it that prayer often doesn’t work out that way? A. Matthew 7:7 reads: Ask, and it shall be…
Read MoreQ. Is it right for a pastor of a local church to call himself “Reverend” or to be called “Reverend”? A. It is true that we must be careful not…
Read MoreQ. Please explain 1 Corinthians 1:29. Surely it doesn’t mean that we can be baptized for someone who has died. A. You’re correct. People often accuse us Bible-believing Baptists of…
Read MoreQ. What does the word “selah” mean? I’m referring to the Psalms. A. The word “selah” is one of several musical terms in psalm superscriptions. These terms designate types of…
Read MoreQ. I don't understand verse 22 of John 20. I thought the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. A. This is one of the most puzzling passages in the Gospels and…
Read MoreQ. Where do we get the idea that the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us right at the moment of salvation? I’d like to see proof of this. So often…
Read MoreQ. Do we have proof that Hell will last forever? If so, how could God do such a thing? A. I firmly believe that Hell will last forever. Although Hell…
Read MoreQ. Can Psalm 73 apply to malicious and nasty believers, as well as to the “wicked”? I have found that some Christians can be just as mean as unbelievers, sometimes…
Read MoreQ. Please explain John 10.10, which says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” I’ve heard all sorts of things about…
Read MoreQ. Isaiah 9:6 refers to Christ as the Prince of Peace, while Hebrews 7:2 refers to Melchisedec as the King of Peace. Since the office of a king is higher…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on Luke 14:12–14. Why do people not do this? Even in our church suppers and banquets we never heed this command. I don‘t ever remember anyone preaching…
Read MoreQ. I’m confused about 2 John 10 and 11. I’ve heard we should never let members of the cults inside our homes, even to witness to them. On the other…
Read MoreQ. Why does Zechariah 4:6 say, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts”? Wouldn’t might and power be the same? A. They…
Read MoreQ. Where does one draw the line between godly discerning as a Christian and the wrong practice of judging? A. Discernment to the Christian is the God-given ability to know…
Read MoreQ. Your November question prompts me to ask another question: How can we justify the belief that the heathen are lost and going to Hell when they have never heard…
Read MoreQ. Is the account of the wise men really a part of the Christmas story? Also, who were they, where did they come from, and is it true that there…
Read MoreQ. Do you feel that Christians will be able to bring about peace on the earth and win everyone in the world to Christ? A. No, I do not. Your…
Read MoreQ. Romans 9 gives examples of God’s sovereign will in making choices. I wonder about God’s selection when neither child had done any good or bad. Also, is this like…
Read MoreQ. Would you explain why in one passage food offered to idols is forbidden, while in another it would appear sanctioned? Have some of the above passages been twisted to…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on life in the Millennium. I have heard bits and pieces but would like to know more. Is it similar to Heaven? A. The Bible has so…
Read MoreQ. Why does James use the word “religion”? I thought religion was works—man doing something in vain to attain salvation or favor with God, and here is the New Testament…
Read MoreQ. Why did David call down the wrath of God upon his enemies when the Bible clearly states in the New Testament that we are to love our enemies, turn…
Read MoreQ. I was asked this question: “Since there is no sin in Heaven, how could Lucifer possibly have sinned?” I didn’t know how to answer it, except to say I…
Read MoreQ. I heard somewhere that the trial of Christ before His death was illegal. Please comment. A. First, we should make the word “trial” plural because He had at least…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on finding God’s will in a particular situation. Is it wrong to “put out the fleece” during these times? I’ve heard it is, but I’ve also heard…
Read MoreQ. I heard a speaker say that God doesn’t love one of His own any more as time passes than He did at his conversion to Him. I don’t understand.…
Read MoreQ. Please explain Colossians 1:4. It seems to imply that the work of Christ was somehow incomplete, although I know this is not the case. A. The verse reads, “Who…
Read MoreQ. I heard a man in full-time Christian work say that he felt he had the gift of discernment. Is there such a thing? A. I do not believe so.…
Read MoreQ. Since there is a Hell, why do people take chances by having children? The Bible mentions many godly men who had ungodly families. In the day we’re living in,…
Read MoreQ. I have a friend who believes that one is saved through baptism, and she uses such passages as 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 2:38 to "prove" her position. These…
Read MoreQ. Please comment on the word “apostasy.” I’m confused over what it really is and what we can do about it, if anything. A. The word “apostasy”—like words such as…
Read MoreQ. Does the Bible teach that it is possible for believers to be ashamed when they stand before our Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ? If so, how do…
Read MoreQ. I would appreciate your comments on Proverbs 22:6. Does this verse mean that if a child does depart, he was not properly trained? As you may guess, I am…
Read MoreQ. Do angels sing? A. You are probably asking this question because we associate the angelic announcement to the shepherds with a heavenly chorus, when Luke 2:13 in contrast reads,…
Read MoreQ. Had Abraham ever been an idolater? Was his offering of Isaac the same as the heathen practice of offering children on an altar? If so, why did God ask…
Read MoreQ. Should we pray the Lord’s Prayer, as believers today? A. The Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9–13. Luke also included a somewhat abbreviated part of it in his…
Read MoreQ. When in God’s prophetic schedule will Russia invade Israel? A. Bible scholars have varying views on what the Bible indicates concerning this. Some have pointed out that this event…
Read MoreQ. What is the significance of the number 40 in the Bible, such as when it rained for 40 days and nights, when Moses was in the mountain with God…
Read MoreQ. What is wrong with tarrying for the Holy Spirit? Doesn’t the Bible tell us to wait upon the Lord, such as in Isaiah 40:31? A. We do need to…
Read MoreQ. Will the Antichrist be a Jew? A. By the “Antichrist,” we, of course, are referring to the key person of the tribulation period, the seven years of unprecedented horror…
Read MoreQ. My question concerns the lottery. If a man has given first to the Lord, met all his monthly financial obligations, taken care of his family, etc., is it okay…
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