Archive for 2006
“God Has Spoken,” But …
by Dan S. Shipley via Plain Talk, Vol. 20, No. 8, Oct 1983 “God hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son…” (Hebrews 1:2). But men have also spoken unto us. With excellency of speech and persuasive words of wisdom, they have troubled us with many variations of a perverted…
Read MoreGod Forbid!
by Benjamin M. Shropshire via Lifeline, 7/15/00 My use of the New King James Version in my preaching and teaching was criticized a few years ago on the basis that the phrase “Certainly not!” is used in place of “God Forbid!” in the old King James Version (see Romans 3:4,6, etc.). It was alleged that…
Read MoreGod and the Nations Today
by Homer Hailey The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 4, February 1952. As a thinking Christian reads his newspaper and magazines he cannot but reflect upon the question, “What part does God have in the nations of today; or, does He have any part?” I believe this question is definitely answered in the Prophets of the…
Read MoreSpirits in Prison
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In a discussion on suffering for righteousness sake, Peter turns to Jesus as an example. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He…
Read MoreWhy do people call Satan a fallen angel?
Question: Where in the Bible does the idea come that Satan is a fallen angel? It cannot be Isaiah 14:12 or Ezekiel 28:13-15; these refer to the kings of Babylon and Tyre. Doesn’t the dragon in Revelation refer to the future? Also what is meant by “spirits in prison?” Answer: The conclusion is based on…
Read MoreWhat constitutes a witness in the Bible?
Question: In Deuteronomy 17:6 and II Corinthians13:1, the passages refer to the “two or three witnesses.” I assume these are eyewitnesses. Does DNA count as an eye witness for justice biblically? So when individuals are convicted on DNA evidence alone for their crimes and incarcerated or put to death, is that biblical or not? Answer:…
Read MoreSince sin comes from our thoughts, does this mean there is no Satan?
Question: Does the following passage mean that there is no Satan or demons that cause men to do evil?: “He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Then the disciples…
Read MoreCan you help me with some questions on Numbers 13 and 14?
Question: I’m stuck with trying to answer the following questions I have been given to answer for a class I’m teaching this evening on Numbers 13 and 14. Can you help me out with the following? Twelve spies were selected, one from each tribe. Each of the men was a “leader” (vs.2). They were “heads…
Read MoreGiving: Some Things God Says
by Harry Pickup, Sr. via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 11, Sept. 1952. Many Christians are still squirmish about sermons on giving, even though the New Testament has more to say about this subject — with warnings against violations of the divine instructions concerning it — than the subject of baptism. The first sin scandal within…
Read MoreGive Thanks!
by Daniel L. Holloway via Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 3, p. 77, February 2, 1984 These days, we hear much about our country’s economic woes. And we do not have to look far to find that society is beset with plenty of other problems. Of course, each individual has his own personal difficulties as well. To…
Read MoreWhere did you learn to give counsel?
Question: Hi. I have written to you before and asked questions. Your responses are very good and biblically related. I just was wondering, though, if you have had any teaching or training as a counselor? I have read many of your responses to others as well. I noticed that some people are asking legitimate questions,…
Read MoreHow do you handle nosy neighbors’ questions about spanking?
Question: I have greatly enjoyed all the information and insights that you share on this page. My husband and I are raising three sons. We use spanking as one of our disciplinary tools with the boys, especially for the 3 Ds – deliberate disobedience, disrespect, and dishonesty. Recently one of my sons was in some…
Read MoreCan my husband ask me not to see one of my friends?
Question: Is it right that my husband asks me not to be friends with one of my girlfriends just because he “believes” she doesn’t like him? I have told him many times she doesn’t even make comments about him. My husband and I have been separated and my friend was there for me. My husband…
Read MoreWhen Jesus died, what spirit returned to God?
Question: When Jesus died on the cross he said: “Father into thy hands I give my spirit”. So what is this spirit which Jesus gave to Father? Surely Jesus body was in the grave. Answer: The verse you quote states the answer. “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Paul indicates that humans…
Read MoreAll These Things Will I Give Thee
by Gary McDade Surely, the Devil thought the temptation a valid one he offered the Lord on that exceeding high mountain when “he showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,” promising them to him if he would “fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9). Many in Bible times fell…
Read MoreFreedom Can Only Be Found in God
by Kent Heaton Thomas Jefferson wrote, “And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure, when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but by his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for…
Read MoreFor the Love of Money
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Paul warned that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (I Timothy 6:10). Because of the desire for wealth, Satan has pulled many Christians away from their service to God. Yet, the desire for easy money has led to the church being the target of many…
Read MoreWhy can’t women lead singing, serve at the Lord’s table, and lead a prayer?
Question: I have been struggling with women in worship. I know that men are to be elders and deacons. I know men are to be preachers. What I’m not sure on is why women cannot lead singing, serve at the table and pray. I have found some Scriptures that give me situations where women are…
Read MoreCan you help me with a report on rape?
Question: Hi! I’m in high school and we have this project that we have to do and the topic choice was up to us and I chose to do mine on rape. I was wondering if you could help me out and send me any kind of information that you have on rape. It could…
Read MoreFoot Washing
by Dudley Ross Spears Question: “What is your understanding of feet washing as it was practiced in the Bible? Some people still practice it in church. What do you think?” Answer: This question deals with foot washing, not merely for sanitary purposes, but as a religious act allegedly done in worship of God. Please read…
Read MoreFive Synonyms: One Office
by Jeff Smith In the New Testament, we find at least five words that describe both the office an elder holds and the work that he does. Elder is from the Greek word, presbuterous. Paul told Titus to “appoint elders in every city” in Titus 1:5. The lexicographer, Thayer, comments that this particular term denotes the dignity…
Read MoreFigurative Speech: “The Kingdom Is Like …”
by Robert Turner Plain Talk, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 4-5–December 1976 Is the church (God’s people) the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:23); or is it like (in some respects) a “body,” and since He is “head over” these people, therefore like the body of Christ? Are we literally His hands, feet, etc? Or are we figuratively…
Read MoreHow do you handle a family in constant financial need?
Question: We have a family who are members here and who have several young children. They have been with us for about six months. He has attended services about five or six times. When he does he participates in class, he seems to know the Scriptures well and could be a real asset to the…
Read MoreDoes your church have a statement of faith?
Question: Does your church have a ‘statement of faith’? Answer: You probably have a copy of our statement of faith in your home; it is usually titled “The Holy Bible.” No, I am not joking with you. Christians are made Christians by following the teachings of Christ. All denominations must add something to it, such…
Read MoreDoes history record Herod killing the children?
Question: Regarding Herod killing the children, are there any other documents from other sources such as Roman or other ancient cultures documenting this event? Answer: “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were…
Read MoreDo we inherit sin, but do not inherit the punishment?
Question: In light of Ezekiel 18:20, do you feel we are products of our fathers? Can the sin nature be passed down from our fathers to us? I realize there is no punishment from the sin nature of our fathers to us, but the possibility is always there, is it not? Also genetically we are…
Read MoreFamily Time Together Is Essential
by W. Frank Walton in Biblical Insights, Vol. 5, No. 8, August 2005 Time together is the bonding mortar that binds family members together before God in love Giving Thanks Psalm 107 “Hear, my son, and accept My sayings and the years of your life will be many. I have directed you in the way of…
Read MoreThe Fall of Calvinism
by Gene Taylor The five tenets of Calvinism are so tightly and logically knit together that if you accept one, you must accept them all. Conversely, if you deny one, you must deny them all. The child of God can fall from grace (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6; Acts 8:9-24). The Perseverance of the Saints is…
Read MoreFaith Healers or ‘Fake’ Healers?
by Greg Gwin So-called “faith healers” continue to claim great abilities for healing various ailments of the physical body. While we steadfastly believe in all the miracles of the Bible, including the many instances of miraculous divine healing, we are equally as strong in our denial that these modern “healers” have any God-given power in…
Read MoreThe Evolutionist’s Creation Story, Inspired by Naturalism
by Abraham Smith Naturalism: A theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance. Once upon a time billions of years ago, everything that has ever been came from a little ball called the cosmic egg. At that time it was heated to trillions of degrees. It was so hot that not even elements…
Read MoreThe Character of the Bible’s Witnesses
by Jerry Blount “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no…
Read MoreI attempted to spank my stepson, but I think I mishandled it. What should I have done?
Question: I am so glad I found this website. Please let me introduce myself. I am the stepmother of a teenage boy. I take Christianity and the teachings of Jesus very seriously. I recently married my long-time partner, Jim (the boy’s father), and am now officially his stepmother. A few days ago I walked into my…
Read MoreWas the tree of life different from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Question: Please bear with me. I am just recently in the last year come back to studying the Bible, and there is so much I don’t understand. I am what many refer to as ‘backslider’, but am attempting to rectify that. However, there is no one around me to talk to about this and those…
Read MoreAre Christians considered to be Israelites?
Question: Are those who are now under the new covenant, Christians, considered to be Israelites now? Are we the part of the nation of Israel? Figuratively speaking, of course. Answer: Christians are not physically Israelites, but we are the spiritual equivalent. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that…
Read MoreWhat is Nehushtan?
Question: What is ‘Nehushtan’? Is that some sort of ancient idea of a god or deity worshiped at that time? I have read about the ‘bronze serpent’ but don’t understand what this means. Why did Moses make it? What did it signify? Answer: “He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut…
Read MoreWere most of the Psalms written during the time of II Samuel?
Question: Recently, I heard a preacher say that “most of the Psalms were written during the time of II Samuel”. If so, what verification do we have of that? Answer: Most of the Psalms were written by David, whose life is covered in II Samuel. Another author, Asaph, who wrote twelve of the Psalms, was…
Read MoreAren’t you misinterpreting the Scriptures unless you teach faith alone?
Question: I agree with you on many points however I believe that you make many hasty judgments and contradict yourself many times over. Whether you are Nazarene, Pentecostal, Baptist Church of Christ, etc. it truly does not matter because salvation is not found in your denomination rather in Christ Jesus. Nazarenes do not believe that…
Read MoreDon’t Blame the Monkeys!
by Jerry Blount Don’t blame the apes when men act like animals! For several generations now, our society has gone to great lengths to teach our children that they were born in the image of an ape, i.e. descended from an ape. After indoctrinating folks carefully that they are animals, why are we surprised when those…
Read MoreWomen in the Church
I. Through the ages, it has always been the men who lead the worship of God A. In the patriarchal age, it was the fathers (hence patriarch) who performed the sacrifices to God. B. Under the Old Law, the priests were restricted to males from the tribe of Levi. C. The question is what role can women participate in…
Read MoreWhat happened to the Ark of the Covenant?
Question: My question concerns the Ark of the Covenant. I once read and now finally have found a Bible chapter that says that the Ark of the Covenant was seen in the temple of God, in Heaven. This verse is Revelation 11:19. Many, many people are still searching for the ark, such as archaeologists. Why…
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