QA

Q: Is it wrong to invest time in genealogies, family trees, etc.? I refer to Titus 3:9. A: Titus 3:9 reads, “But avoid foolish disputes, …

Q: In reading the book of Daniel, I came across something that appears to be contradictory. Daniel 12:11 says 1,290 days, while my understanding from …

Q: What does “born of water” in John 3:5 mean? A: Several views exist. Some believe it refers to water baptism, meaning that a person …

Q: We’re convinced Jesus never married, contrary to what some attention-getting liberals have advanced lately, but what about His disciples? And if any of them …

Q. Are churches required to use bread without yeast in observing the Lord’s Table? A. Churches use a variety of elements in Communion bread, but …

Q. Please explain Matthew 7:1 in relation to our need to exercise discernment. A. The familiar verse is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” …

Q. Recently I heard that a certain cult teaches we can become gods, based on Psalm 82:6 and John 10:33 and 34. Please comment. A. …

Q. Please explain what two curious statements mean Biblically: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; cf. 20:16); and …

Q. I have met some believers recently who say that to truly be spiritual, one must know the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew and …

Q. I have some questions about Adam and Eve when they sinned. Where was Adam when Eve was tempted? Also, why does Adam apparently get …

Q. Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? Is it true that Sunday worship originated in Roman Catholicism? A. It may be true …

Q. In Genesis 3:22, God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.” Many theologians say “Us” is …

Q. When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took their herds with them. Why didn’t they eat their flocks instead of complaining and receiving manna? Also, …

Q. Recently I was introduced to some literature by a group that says believers should petition angels. The group says that angels are our best …

Q. People in our fundamental circles believe that the so-called sign gifts in the early New Testament church, such as speaking in tongues, ceased and …

Q. In Acts 23 or 24, Paul talks to his accusers in either Aramaic or Hebrew—it depends on which translation one reads. What is the …

Q. Please comment on “unworthy” in 1 Corinthians 11:27. I’ll admit I sometimes am afraid of taking the Lord’s Supper unworthily. A. If you are …

Q. Please comment as to who the “angel” is in Revelation 2:1. A. Revelation 2 and 3 include messages the Lord gave to the seven …

Q. Legalizing polygamy has been in the news lately. If it’s wrong, why did so many Old Testament believers practice it? Why did they go …

Q. Just when did Satan fall? Why did God allow Satan to fall, and why did God even create Satan in the first place? A.To …

Q. Please comment on Exodus 11 and 12, where the “death angel” supposedly killed the firstborn of any families who didn’t have blood sprinkled on …

Q.  After Job’s intense suffering, the Bible says he was given more than he had before his trials began, including seven sons and three daughters. …

Q. Recently I came across a person who insists that Baptists are the only true church because only Baptists can trace their heritage to John …

Q. We are currently in Ezekiel in Sunday School, and I am stuck (I teach the adult class). I have a problem knowing which judgments …

Q. Every now and then in Scripture, I read about God asking people questions. Why would God, Who knows everything, bother to ask people things? …

Q.  In Exodus 2:18, the priest of Midian and father of Zipporah (wife of Moses) is named Reuel. In Exodus 3:1, the father-in-law of Moses …

Q. Why should we oppose the “prosperity gospel” in the light of 3 John, verse 2? A. The verse reads, “Beloved, I pray that you …

Q. Do you think the pontiff at Rome could be the Antichrist? A. Some people believe that the pope is indeed the Antichrist, regardless of …

Q. Please explain what the apostle Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 5:5. A. The verse reads, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction …

Q. Is Jericho also known in the Bible as the City of Palms? If so, I thought Jericho was destroyed by Joshua and not rebuilt …

Q. Is the story told in John 12:1-8 the same as the one in Matthew 26:6-13? I read a study that says so, but the …

Q. Please explain what Revelation 3:10 means. A. The verse reads, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from …

Q. In Luke 9:1–6, Jesus told His followers not to take various necessities with them when they went out to minister. Why did He instruct …

Q. In Genesis 44:5, it appears that Joseph practiced divination. I can’t imagine Joseph, the godly man he was, being involved with such. Also, I …

Q. There’s a section of 1 Corinthians 15, verses 39-44, that simply doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain. A. Looking at the whole context …

Q. What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples to “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell,” if …

Q. Taking the view your group does on dispensationalism, premillennialism, and the pretribulational Rapture, I sense that you don’t believe in peacemaking in the world …

Q. First Corinthians 15:51 and 52, apparently referring to the Rapture, link that great event with a sounding of the last trumpet.  In Revelation 11:15-19, …

Q. Why does Revelation 5:6 speak of seven Spirits, when there is only one Spirit? A. The “seven Spirits” should be regarded as “sevenfold Spirit,” …

Q. Why did Nicodemus come to talk with Jesus during the night? A. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospels; you are referring to the …

Q. When one searches for information in Scripture on Jesus’ childhood, why do we find so little? One would think that more of Jesus’ example …

Q. Is it right to call Jesus the “Lily of the Valleys” and “Rose of Sharon”? A. Song of Solomon 2:1 presents a conversation between …

Q. I’ve always been under the impression that the Antichrist will be a Jew. Is this correct? A. The belief that the Antichrist will be …

Q.What is a proper Christian response to people who claim Christmas and other Christian celebrations are pagan? A. First, if we are honest, we are …

Q. I can’t understand 2 Corinthians 8:3. It appears that these believers, giving “beyond their ability,” were going into debt, and the Bible forbids indebtedness. …

Q. How does one answer an amillennialist to prove Christ will reign a literal thousand years on earth? Revelation 20 clearly says so, but that …

Q. Why do believers, including Bible characters, have disagreements, when they all are supposedly indwelt by the same Holy Spirit? One would think that all …

Q. Is marriage a covenant? A. I assume you are not asking about so-called covenant marriage, which has been in the news. In contrast to …

Q. Which of these two words should we use—“sin” or “sins”? Is there any difference between the two? A. A fine passage to observe is …

Q. How did the word “Easter” get into Scripture? Easter has pagan connotations. A. Acts 12:4 is the single use of the word “Easter” in …

Q. Explain Matthew 22:13 and 25:30, where a person is said to be cast “into outer darkness.” Was the person a Christian? In Heaven, will …

Q. I’m concerned about coming in last, if that is the right way to put it, when it comes to Hebrews 12:1 and 2. It …

Q. Biblically, how does one witness to a Jehovah’s Witness? A. Your question reminds me of a story told by a pastor. A church member …

Q. (1) Who was Jesus referring to when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan” in Matthew 16:23? (2) What did Jesus mean when He called …

Q. Did Adam and Eve ever repent after their sinning in the Garden of Eden? A. Initially they didn’t, of course. The Biblical account shows …

Q. I recently watched an evangelism training video that uses the Ten Commandments to reach people. One of the trainers says that if the persons …

Q. With the ugly happening at Virginia Tech recently, I see capital punishment being attacked with new vigor in the newspapers and on TV and …

Q. Is there such a thing today as the gift of discernment? I’ve heard people talk about it, as though only certain believers have that …

Q. I don’t know how prevalent it is in our group, but lately I’ve noticed more evangelical churches using such fund-raising methods as bazaars, bake …

Q. What does the phrase “from faith to faith” mean in Romans 1:17? A. Romans 1:17 is the last verse in Paul’s introductory material of …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

by Norm Olson Q. I heard someone say the wise men were into astrology. I’ve been taught that astrology is sinful. Please comment. A. First …

by Norm Olson Q. A born-again Christian I visited with the other day believes that we have just one nature, based on Romans 6:6 and …

by Norm Olson Q. What about a new movement or thought among Christians known as transformation? Is it Biblical? A. Is it Biblical? should be …

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 …

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 …

by Norm Olson Q: Was Elimelech right or wrong in moving his family to Moab in Ruth 1:1-5? A: Bible scholars hold varying views on …

by Norm Olson 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. …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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). …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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; …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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, …

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? …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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” …

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, …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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). …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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” …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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: …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …