Just Because They’re Lonely?
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 …
Parable of the Tares
by Norm Olson Q: I would appreciate your explanation of the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30). It appears that the Lord directed the reapers …
Doubting Salvation
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 …
Complete in Christ? Or Complete Only When Married?
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 …
“Sons of God” in Job
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 …
Are Jerusalem and Bethlehem Both “the City of David”?
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 …
“Palestine” vs. “Israel”
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 …
Why No Animal Sacrifices Today?
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 …
Are Premillennial, Pretribulational Views New?
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 …
Can We Cause Christ to Come Back Earlier?
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 …
Offending Others
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 …
Conversion vs. Regeneration
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 …
Pastors Leading More than One Church
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 …
What Is the Basis for People’s Believing in Purgatory?
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 …
Believers’ Response to Tsunami
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 …
Do Christian Workers Need a Call from God to Go into Ministry?
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? …
The Value of a Conscience
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 …
Is the Kingdom within Us?
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 …
Sarah’s Laughter: Why Was She Not Punished?
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 …
Why So Many Religious Denominations?
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. …
God of the Old Testament vs. God of the New Testament
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 …
Dying Young
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 …
Acting Kindly toward an Enemy
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. …
Sin during Millennium?
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 …
“A Song of Degrees”
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 …
“Elect Angels”?
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 …
Unpardonable Sin?
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. …
Origin of Water Baptism
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 …
Who Was Rufus?
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 …
Baptists Displaying Crucifixes?
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 …
Why Did Jesus Tell Mary Magdalene Not to Touch Him?
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 …
Why Did Jesus’ Disciples Go Back to Galilee After the Resurrection?
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 …
Who Were the Other Two Men on the Cross?
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). …
What Is So Great about What the Steward Did in Luke 16?
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 …
What Does “Sea” Refer To?
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 …
Shunning
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 …
Who Were the Magi?
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 …
What Does “Begotten” Mean?
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 …
When Was Christ Born?
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 …
Antichrist’s Alleged Miraculous Power
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? …
David’s Five Stones
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 …
Can We See God?
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 …
King Solomon’s Wives
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, …
Opinion Polls
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 …
Scripture’s Nagativity toward Money
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 …
Generational Curses
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. …
Was Samson Qualified for the “Hall of Faith”?
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 …
What Uncleanness Is God Referring to in Ezekiel 36:25?
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, …
Was Paul a Thief?
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 …
Ministry Burnout
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 …
Will Every Last Jew Be Saved?
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 …
Why Did the Disciples Wash Their Nets?
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 …
Significance of Numbers in Scripture?
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. …
When Did the Practice of Circumcision End?
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 …
Is It Wrong for Christians to Use the Word “X-mas”?
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 …
Satan’s Role in Christ’s Temptation
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 …
Visited by Angels?
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 …
Are Christians Today the New Israel?
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 …
Selecting a Pastor
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. …
Do “Sin,” “Wickedness,” and “Evil” Differ?
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 …
America’s Spiritual Decline
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 …
Role of Deaconesses
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 …
Was Mark a Nephew or Cousin of Barnabas?
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 …
Did Jesus Ever Baptize Anyone?
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 …
People Coming out of Their Graves after Jesus’ Death
Q. Please comment on Matthew 17:52 and 53, which says that people were coming out of their graves and seeing people upon Jesus’ death. A. …
How Could Someone Tear Out a Roof, as Three Friends Did in Scripture?
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 …
Did the Writers of Scripture Know They Were Being Inspired?
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 …
Lot Was Considered Righteous?
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 …
9/11 and Prophecy
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 …
Matthew 16 vs. Revelation 3
Q. How do you reconcile Matthew 16:18b with Revelation 3:16? A. Matthew 16:18b reads, “On this rock [Jesus Christ] I will build My church, and …
Proverbs 11:1
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 …
Why Did Jesus Not Do More Miracles?
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 …
Rapture of Believers
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 …
Could Jesus Have Sinned?
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, …
Pontius Pilate Found No Fault with Jesus?
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 …
Pets in Heaven?
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 …
How Strict Is Separation in 2 Corinthians 6:14?
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 …
What Does Proverbs 30:21–23 Mean?
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 …
What Was Timothy’s Gift?
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 …
Is It Okay for Couples to Live Together Before Marriage?
Q. 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 …
Malachi 4 and Child-Rearing
Q. 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 …
God Not Mentioned in Book of Esther
Q. Why is God never mentioned in the book of Esther? A. The word “God” is not found in the book. Likely it is because …
Throne of England
Q. 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? …
Is Jesus the Coming Judge?
Q. 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 …
Hardening of Hearts
Q. 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 …
Cherubim vs. Seraphim
Q. 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 …
69 Weeks?
Q. Please comment on Daniel 9:25 and 26. Verse 25 states there will be no 69 weeks following the command to rebuild the wall to …
Does Bible Address Issue of Cliques?
Q. Does the Bible address the issue of cliques, such as in local churches? A. Yes, the apostle Paul, in his first letter to the …
Explaining the Gospel to Muslims
Q. I work with a large number of Muslim families. We sometimes engage in religious discussions. Muslims view Jesus as a prophet or messenger from …
Matthew Prophecy from Jeremiah or Zechariah?
Q. I was reading Matthew 27 in my Bible. Verse 9 mentions Jeremy [Jeremiah] the prophet, but I noticed that in the center margin there …
Is the Man on the Red Horse Jesus Christ?
Q. 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; …
Why Was the Fall the Serpent’s Fault?
Q. 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 …
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”
Q. 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 …
When Will the Earth Be Destroyed?
Q. 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 …
Do Believers Need and Receive Help from Angels?
Q. At Christmas, we often think of angels, but with the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer during the Church Age, do believers still need, require, …
Old Testament Law
Q. 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 …
Does God Love the Devil?
Q. Did God, or does God, love the Devil, since the latter is a created being and God loved His creation? A. It would appear …
Importance of Baptism
Q. 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? …
“For Obedience”?
Q. 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 …
Some Sins Worse Others?
Q. 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 …
Q. 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. …
“Enthroned in Heaven”
Q. Our GARBC Articles of Faith state under VIII (Salvation) that Christ is now enthroned in Heaven. Is this correct? I thought that Christ will …
Demanding Things from God?
Q. Someone told a terminally ill friend of mine, a believer, that she should demand a healing from God to show she meant business and …
Why Does Only Mark Tell about an Incident in Jesus’ Suffering?
Q. 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 …
Who Were Agur and King Lemuel?
Q. I was under the impression that Solomon wrote Proverbs, but what about the names of Agur and King Lemuel in chapters 30 and 31? …
Pursuing One’s Ancestry
Q. 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 …
Following the Lord
Q. 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 …
Giving Blood
Q. Does the Bible really allow for a person to give blood or receive blood transfusions? It seems that the Bible is meticulous about putting …
Can Satan Heal?
Q. Is there Scriptural evidence that Satan can heal today? A. We need to understand a couple of truths about Satan in regard to your …
Why Did God Send an Angel to Mary to Tell Her That She Was Going to Have a Baby?
Q. Why did God send an angel to Mary to tell her that she was going to have a baby? A. In Bible times God …
Church Membership
Q. I see nothing in Scripture that commands me to be a member of a church. What is your opinion? A. I point out lovingly …
“Binding” and “Loosing”
Q. 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 …
Why Did God Allow Polygamy?
Q. People in the Bible, such as Abraham, had more than one wife. Why did God allow such a thing? When did the practice begin, …
Contradiction in Matthew?
Q. 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 …
King David in Kingdom Age
Q. During the Kingdom Age, will King David literally sit upon the throne as a risen being in Jerusalem assisting Jesus? A. A number of …
Does Hebrews 10 Refer to Water Baptism?
Q. 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 …
What Was the “Sop” in the Last Supper?
Q. 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. …
The 99 Sheep: Lost or Saved?
Q. 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 …
Israel’s Disobedience and Gentiles’ Salvation
Q. 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 …
“Because of the Angels”
Q. 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 …
Rebels in Titus 1
Q. Titus 1 mentions some people who were extremely rebellious. Were these people believers or unbelievers? A. Only God knows hearts. I would hate to …
Why Did God Tell Joseph and Mary to Go to Egypt with Jesus?
Q. Why did God tell Joseph and Mary to go to Egypt with Jesus when He could have taken care of His Son in Bethlehem …
“Last Days” in John 6
Q. 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 …