Archive

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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.…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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?…

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”…

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.…

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…

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?…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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.…

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…

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.…

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…

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,…

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…

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 before or without marriage. In…

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 correct use, context-wise? A. The…

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 the Jewish people living at…

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? Could it be that England’s…

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 His record. So Jesus pointed…

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 with Romans 10:13? If a…

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 them have been rather feeble.…

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 the coming of the Messiah,…

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 church in Corinth, mentioned the…

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 God but not as God…

Q. 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,…

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; do they refer to Jesus…

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 Bible mean when it says…

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 being saved, and in our…

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 the Lord will come as…

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, and receive help from angels?…

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 under the law’s prohibitions. A.…

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 that the answer to your…

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? A. In this verse the…

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 or the apostles’ or ours?…

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 bad in God’s sight. It…

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. Evidently the Jews knew Psalm…

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 be enthroned after the Tribulation,…

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 also to demonstrate boldness “before…

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 Mark’s Gospel includes this incident.…

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? A. There are differing views…

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 an obsession, time waster, or…

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 1 Kings 19:20 is God’s…

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 a high value upon human…

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 question. First, there is only…

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 often used angels to take…

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 that it is not my…

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 passage of Scripture, we must…

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, and when did it end?…

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 be difficult. Matthew 11:30 states,…

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 Scripture references speak of David…

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 context of the verse, which…

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. During His last observance of…

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 are out of fellowship with…

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 that Gentile Christians owe their…

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 11:10 is God’s divine pattern…

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 give a blanket statement and…

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 just as easily? In other…

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 your observation that Scripture frequently…

Q. 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?…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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?…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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”?…

Q. 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…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Note: 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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?…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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)?…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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;…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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…

Q. 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.…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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,…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…

Q. 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…