Commentary

Q. 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…

Apr 30

The ‘Plain People’

Lancaster County Anabaptists and our Baptist heritage Article is taken from the May 1998 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Written by Paul Hartog The ‘Plain People’ (59 KB)

Apr 23

Let All the Children Come

Christian Education: ministering to children with special needs This article is part 6 of a 6-part series taken from the October 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Written by Mary…

Apr 16

RBP Editors on the Philosophy of Christian Education

Christian Education This article is part 5 of a 6-part series taken from the October 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Written by Valerie Wilson, Mel Walker and David Rockwell…

Apr 02

Be Different…Or They’ll Walk

Christian Education: upclose This article is part 3 of a 6-part series taken from the October 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Written by Daria Greening Be Different…Or They’ll Walk…

Apr 01

Not Taste Death Until…

Q. 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…

Apr 01

Did They Lie, and Was the Lie Justifiable?

Q. 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…

Mar 26

Christian Education

upfront written by David M. Gower frontlines: "The Church as an Educational Institution," written by John Greening These articles are parts 1 and 2 of a 6-part series on church…

Mar 19

Pioneers, Boomers and Missions

rethinking the "American" approach to missions Written by G. Mark Trimble Article is taken from the April 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Pioneers, Boomers, and Missions (1.57 MB)

Mar 12

Missionary Retirement Provisions

Written by Fredrick A. Carlson This article is part 3 of a 3-part series taken from the June 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Missionary Retirement Provisions (888KB)

Mar 07

What Does “Selah” Mean?

Q. 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…

Mar 07

Just Because They’re Lonely?

By Website Administrator Archive, Commentary, Doctrine, GARBC Blog Feed

Q. 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…

Mar 05

Missionary Retirement Solutions

Written by Fredric A. Carlson This article is part 2 of a 3-part series taken from the May 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Missionary Retirement Solutions (240 KB)

Feb 26

Missionary Retirement Dilemmas

Written by Fredric A. Carlson This article is part 1 of a 3-part series taken from the April 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Missionary Retirement Dilemmas (1.12 MB)

Feb 19

An Overlooked Field

reaching people with disabilities Written by Emma Felker Article is taken from the April 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. An Overlooked Field (1.77 MB)

Feb 12

Practical Steps

Church Planting: Working a Plan Written by Roger McNamara This article is part 5 of a 5-part series taken from the March 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Practical Steps (83…

Feb 09

campus church builds model program for reaching international students Written by Elizabeth Gifford Article is taken from the January 2001 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. "Reach Ames...Reach the World" (620 KB)

Feb 05

1st-Century Process–Obsolete?

Church Planting: The Early Church Written by R. Craig Golden This article is part 4 of a five-part series taken from the March 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. 1st-Century…

Feb 01

Is Insurance Biblical?

Q. 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…

Feb 01

Telling, or Not Telling, What Jesus Had Done

Q. 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…

Jan 29

The Benefits of Cohabitation

Three Churches Divided by One Building Equals Great Stewardship Church Planting: Sharing Resources Written by Daria Greening This article is part 3 of a five-part series taken from the March…

Jan 22

A Mother’s Birthing Story

Church Planting: Up Close Written by Daria Greening This article is part 2 of a five-part series taken from the March 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. A Mother's Birthing…

Jan 15

Let’s Have a Baby!

Church Planting: The Great Commission Written by J. Don Jennings This article is part 1 of a five-part series taken from the March 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Let's…

Jan 08

Bi-vocational Ministry Can Work

one youth pastor's experience Written by Robert Bolds Article is taken from the February 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Bi-vocational Ministry Can Work (1.34 MB)

Jan 05

Animals and the Flood

Q. 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…

Jan 01

Can a Vow Ever Be Broken?

Q. 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…

Dec 15

Alone with God

JASON JANZ, Journey Forth (BJU Press), 155 Pages, Paper, $9.95 As a new year approaches, many people would like their devotional life to be better—not another year of broken resolutions,…

Dec 05

Were the Wise Men Astrologists?

Q. 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…

Nov 10

The Journal of Biblical Counseling on CD-ROM

The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation has released version 2.0 of The Journal of Biblical Counseling on CD-ROM. This edition includes all 36 issues of the Journal of Pastoral Practice…

Nov 10

When Trouble Comes

JIM BERG BJU Press, 96 Pages, Hardcover, $10.95 Jim Berg adds an excellent book to the library of Christian books dealing with the topic of suffering. Some books on suffering…

Oct 31

Does a Believer Have One or Two Natures?

Q. 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…

Oct 26

Perplexing Movements vs. Scripture

Q. 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…

Oct 10

Progressive Dispensationalism

RON J. BIGALKE JR., ED., University Press of America, 426 Pages, Paper, $51.00 The subtitle states that Progressive Dispensationalism is "an analysis of the movement and defense of traditional dispensationalism."…

Jul 01

Parable of the Tares

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Q: 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…

Jun 01

Spiritual Education–Then and Now

by 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…

May 01

Moving to Moab-Was Elimelech Wrong?

Q: 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…

Apr 01

Cursing of the Fig Tree

Q: 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…

Mar 01

Doubting Salvation

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Q. 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,…

Mar 01

“Lifting up Holy Hands”

Q. 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…

Feb 01

What Sleeps?

by 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…

Feb 01

Complete in Christ? Or Complete Only When Married?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

“Sons of God” in Job

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Q. 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…

Dec 01

Are Jerusalem and Bethlehem Both “the City of David”?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

“Palestine” vs. “Israel”

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Q. 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,…

Nov 01

Why No Animal Sacrifices Today?

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Q. 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…

Oct 01

Are Premillennial, Pretribulational Views New?

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Can We Cause Christ to Come Back Earlier?

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Q. 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,…

Jul 01

Offending Others

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Q. 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…

Jun 01

Conversion vs. Regeneration

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Q. 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.…

Jun 01

Pastors Leading More than One Church

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Q. 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.…

May 01

Is Spanking Biblical?

Q. 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…

Apr 01

What Is the Basis for People’s Believing in Purgatory?

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Q. 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…

Mar 01

Believers’ Response to Tsunami

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Q. 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…

Feb 01

Do Christian Workers Need a Call from God to Go into Ministry?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

The Value of a Conscience

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

Is the Kingdom within Us?

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Q. 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…

Dec 21

Sunday School…Dead or Alive?

infuse life into your Sunday School Written by Anthony Y. Woolford Article is taken from the December 1998 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Sunday School…Dead or Alive? (1.51 MB)

Dec 01

Sarah’s Laughter: Why Was She Not Punished?

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Q. 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…

Dec 01

Why So Many Religious Denominations?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

God of the Old Testament vs. God of the New Testament

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Q. 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,…

Oct 21

Uneasy around Teens?

seven ways to connect with teenagers in your church Written by Don Martin Article is taken from the October 2001 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Uneasy around Teens? (949…

Oct 01

Dying Young

By Website Administrator Archive, Commentary, Doctrine, GARBC Blog Feed

Q. 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…

Oct 01

Acting Kindly toward an Enemy

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Q. 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…

Jul 18

Faith’s 100

the church’s commitment to raise a generation for full-time ministry Written by Daria Greening Article is taken from the October 2001 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Faith’s 100 (890 KB)

Jul 18

Making Kids’ Choir Work

how to maintain a balance of order and fun while children learn to praise God Written by Barbara J. Mitchell and Cheryl M. Staats Article is taken from the July…

Jul 18

Church Discipline and Restoration

Written by Stephen Davey This article is part 1 of a three-part series taken from the May 2004 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Church Discipline and Restoration (104 KB)

Jul 18

Church Discipline and Restoration

Written by Stephen Davey This article is part 3 of a three-part series taken from the July 2004 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Church Discipline and Restoration 3 (104 KB)

Jul 18

Put Down the Remote and Read This!

Written by Les Newell Article is taken from the July 2001 issues of The Baptist Bulletin. Put Down the Remote and Read This! (278 KB)

Jul 18

Top 10 Reasons You Should Not have Daily Devotions

Written by Tim Rumley Article is taken from the July 2000 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Top 10 Reasons You Should Not have Daily Devotions (798 KB)

Jul 15

Decoding Da Vinci

ten things you should know about this runaway best-seller Written by Kenn Gangel Article is taken from the July 2004 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Decoding Da Vinci (119 KB)

Jul 01

Sin during Millennium?

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

“A Song of Degrees”

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Q. 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…

Jun 15

Church Discipline and Restoration

Written by Stephen Davey This article is part 2 of a three-part series taken from the June 2004 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Church Discipline and Restoration 2 (113 KB)

Jun 01

“Elect Angels”?

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Q. 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.…

Jun 01

Unpardonable Sin?

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Q. 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…

May 01

Origin of Water Baptism

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Q. 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…

May 01

Who Was Rufus?

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Q. 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…

May 01

Baptists Displaying Crucifixes?

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Q. 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.…

Apr 15

Who Made Me a Judge?

answering the pleas to settle conflicts Written by Richard Van Heukelum Article is taken from the April 2001 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Who Made Me a Judge? (1.90 MB)

Apr 14

Small Churches

Are they a disappointment to God? Written by Alan R. Wilson Article is taken from the April 2001 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Small Churches (2.00 MB)

Apr 01

Why Did Jesus Tell Mary Magdalene Not to Touch Him?

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Q. 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…

Apr 01

Why Did Jesus’ Disciples Go Back to Galilee After the Resurrection?

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Q. 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?…

Mar 15

Influencing My World by Handing Out Tracts

Written by Lee Wise Article is taken from the March 1999 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Influencing My World by Handing Out Tracts (361 kB)

Mar 13

Smooth Transition

steer clear of the “pastorless” stage Written by Davina Wallace Allgrim Article is taken from the March 2000 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Smooth Transition (676 KB)

Mar 10

Congratulations! It’s a Baby Christian

Article is taken from the March 1999 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Congratulations! It's a Baby Christian (1.37 MB)

Mar 06

Who Were the Other Two Men on the Cross?

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Q. 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”…

Feb 02

Never Too Old for Sunday School

planning fresh, relevant classes for seniors Adapted from the book Senior Adult Ministry: A How To Guide for the Local Church. Article is taken from the February 1999 issue of…

Feb 01

What Is So Great about What the Steward Did in Luke 16?

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Q. 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.…

Jan 15

Committed to Obedience

Robert Ketcham and the founding of the GARBC Written by Paul Dean Article is Part 2 of a Baptists in History series on Robert Ketcham taken from the January 2002…

Jan 15

Resolving Misconceptions about Prayer

Article is taken from the January 2002 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Resolving Misconceptions about Prayer (680 KB)

Jan 01

What Does “Sea” Refer To?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

Shunning

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Q. While 1 Corinthians 5 tells believers in Christ to disassociate from a sinning brother or sister in the context of church discipline, does this principle also apply to families?…

Dec 21

Stubbornness Pays

Robert Ketcham and the founding of the GARBC Written by Paul Dean Article is Part 1 of a Baptists in History series on Robert Ketcham taken from the December 2001…

Dec 01

Who Were the Magi?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

What Does “Begotten” Mean?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

When Was Christ Born?

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Q. 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…

Oct 21

The Most Overlooked Things Your Church Can Do for Missionaries

a look in the mirror may surprise you Written by Jim Bargfeldt Article is taken from the October 1999 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. The Most Overlooked Things Your…

Oct 01

Antichrist’s Alleged Miraculous Power

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Q. 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…

Sep 01

David’s Five Stones

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Q. 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…

Sep 01

Can We See God?

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Q. 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…

Jul 03

King Solomon’s Wives

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Opinion Polls

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Q. 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…

May 31

Clothing Communicates

Your clothes tell on you! Written by David Warren Article is taken from the May 1999 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Clothing Communicates (726 KB)

May 01

Scripture’s Nagativity toward Money

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Q. 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…

May 01

Generational Curses

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Q. 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…

Apr 15

Retired—and Broke?

practical help for a pastor’s financial future Written by James W. Rickard Article is taken from the April 2000 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Retired—and Broke? (569 KB)

Apr 01

Was Samson Qualified for the “Hall of Faith”?

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Q. 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…

Apr 01

What Uncleanness Is God Referring to in Ezekiel 36:25?

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Q. 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…

Mar 23

Who Does What in World Missions?

fuzzy about who’s in charge—the agency, the missionary, or the church? Written by W. Paul Jackson Article is taken from the March 1998 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Who Does…

Mar 01

Was Paul a Thief?

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Q. 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,…

Mar 01

Ministry Burnout

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Q. 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…

Feb 01

Will Every Last Jew Be Saved?

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Q. 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…

Feb 01

Why Did the Disciples Wash Their Nets?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

Significance of Numbers in Scripture?

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Q. 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…

Dec 01

When Did the Practice of Circumcision End?

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Q. 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…

Dec 01

Is It Wrong for Christians to Use the Word “X-mas”?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

Satan’s Role in Christ’s Temptation

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

Visited by Angels?

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Q. 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…

Oct 01

Are Christians Today the New Israel?

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Selecting a Pastor

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Do “Sin,” “Wickedness,” and “Evil” Differ?

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Q. 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”…

Jun 01

America’s Spiritual Decline

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Q. 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…

May 01

Role of Deaconesses

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Q. 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…

Apr 01

Was Mark a Nephew or Cousin of Barnabas?

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Q. 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…

Apr 01

Did Jesus Ever Baptize Anyone?

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Q. 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…

Mar 01

People Coming out of Their Graves after Jesus’ Death

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Q. 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,…

Feb 01

How Could Someone Tear Out a Roof, as Three Friends Did in Scripture?

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Q. 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…

Feb 01

Did the Writers of Scripture Know They Were Being Inspired?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

Lot Was Considered Righteous?

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Q. 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…

Nov 01

9/11 and Prophecy

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Q. 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…

Oct 01

Matthew 16 vs. Revelation 3

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Proverbs 11:1

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Q. 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…

Jul 01

Why Did Jesus Not Do More Miracles?

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Q. 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.…

Jun 01

Rapture of Believers

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Q. 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…

May 01

Could Jesus Have Sinned?

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Q. 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.…

Apr 01

Pontius Pilate Found No Fault with Jesus?

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Q. 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…

Mar 01

Pets in Heaven?

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Q. 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.…

Feb 01

How Strict Is Separation in 2 Corinthians 6:14?

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Q. 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…

Jan 01

What Does Proverbs 30:21–23 Mean?

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Q. 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,…

Jan 01

What Was Timothy’s Gift?

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Q. 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…

Dec 31

Christian Friction