How can I help a brother become a better teacher and preacher?
Question: One brother here that is dependable when it comes to helping me with preaching and teaching. He has very little experience but will do his best at anything I ask him to do, really a prince of a man. A few of the members have come to me complaining about his teaching methods. Although they all agree…
Read MorePractical Advice on Prayer
by Andree Seu I picked up a little pamphlet from the rack in the foyer of a church I was visiting titled “Squeezing Prayer into a Busy Life.” I could imagine various possible directions for the six pages that would follow. The writer could tell us that if we really loved God we would find…
Read MoreWhy are animals put to death when it is the person who sins?
Question: God condemns bestiality in Leviticus 18:23, but why does He command that the animal be put to death in Exodus 22:19. Answer: Unlike animals, man is given a spirit in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). In part, this gives man the ability to operate contrary to instinct. We have the ability to choose…
Read MoreShouldn’t we follow the Old Testament and the New Testament?
Question: Shouldn’t we follow God’s rules in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament? (I’m reading the Bible currently, and I’m only in Joshua right now.) I mean, well, some of the rules would be considered kind of illegal, such as sacrificing your first born child. I could not do that even if…
Read MoreMy non-Christian wife led me to stop attending worship, but I’m trying to come back. Do you have any advice?
Question: Hi! I am a strong Christian husband married to a non-Christian wife. I realize I can’t change her or make her do anything. Only God can change her. I do have to admit that it really hurts me because before we got married she went to church with me. After we got married, she…
Read MoreDoes Christ’s law about divorce and remarriage apply to non-Christians?
Question: I met a lady who is not a Christian (or proclaims to be a denominational Christian) and she has been divorced for a while (not by the approved way of Christ). If she became a true Christian and remarried, would she still be guilty of living in sin or does the Bible refer to…
Read MoreI think I have a child with a girl, but she doesn’t want me in her life. What do I do?
Question: I am single and I had a relationship for a year with a girl who lives with her boyfriend. I knew from the beginning that I was doing wrong. She is an atheist, but I believed in God. I always felt guilty. Many times I wanted to stop, but I continued thinking that she…
Read MoreThe Plan of Salvation in One Passage
by Dan Gatlin “Wouldn’t it be nice if the New Testament were laid out like a book of theology? In just a chapter or two God could have explained the work, worship, and organization of the church. He could have stated in clear, unambiguous language all of the doctrines we are to believe and teach. …
Read MoreWhat do you think about adding a verse finder to your web site?
Question: Thanks again, man, for being a million candle power flashlight to us sinners. I wish I knew the Bible in and out like you do and am interested in knowing how you came to know the Bible so well. What would you suggest as a good way to learn Scripture, memorize it, and comprehend it?…
Read MoreA Perversion of Biblical Faith
by Wayne Jackson One of the great tragedies of ecclesiastical history is the fact that so many have failed to find a balanced view of human redemption as this concept is set forth in the biblical record. On the one hand, there is Roman Catholicism, arrogantly contending that salvation is conferred upon the basis of…
Read MoreI love “Raising Godly Children in a Wicked World”
Question: I love this series: Raising Godly Children in a Wicked World. Keep up the good work! Answer: Thank you for your kind words.
Read MoreWhy don’t Protestants say the Rosary?
Question: I’m a Catholic, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a question about the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why is it that Protestants don’t honor Mary as Catholics do? The rosary, for example, is very biblical, yet most Protestants don’t pray it. Why is this? Answer: The answer is not difficult, but…
Read MoreShould anti-depressants be used to help come off of drugs?
Question: Please, can you advise whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to take anti-depressants for a year or two after extensive abuse of drugs such as dagga, ecstasy, and cocaine; or, is it best to allow the brain to heal itself? Answer: I listed out the effects of the three drugs…
Read MoreThe Pearl of Great Price
by Richard Thetford In Matthew 13:45-46 Jesus is trying to emphasize to us how precious the kingdom of heaven is. He says “the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”…
Read MoreWhy did God put the tree in the garden if He knew man would sin?
Question: “Why Does God Allow Evil?” was a great explanation about why sin exists in the world, I enjoyed reading it and it has been a helpful tool when people ask me about sin and why God allows it to happen. I would like to ask you a question about the tree of knowledge that…
Read MoreWho cares if the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible? It is still a term used to describe a real event
Question: I read your article on the Rapture. It was interesting but not convincing to me. Who cares if some people use the word ‘Rapture’ – it is only a term used to describe a real event. The word ‘trinity’ isn’t in the Bible either but most Christians use the term freely to describe the…
Read MoreTo whom should we pray?
Question: To whom should we pray? To the Father, or to the Son, or to the Holy Spirit, or to any of the three? Can we say “you died for us” during prayer? Answer: The majority of the prayers are directed to God in general or to God, the Father, specifically. “In this manner, therefore,…
Read MoreDid I commit a deadly sin by having sex with my girlfriend, even though I know I’m going to marry her?
Question: Please help. I am a Christian and I have been in a celibate relationship with the person I love for 3-1/2 months now. We have told each other many times that we love each other and would do anything for each other many times. We have also said that we want to marry and…
Read MoreIf other sins in the Old Testament are no longer sins, then isn’t homosexuality also not a sin?
Question: The Bible is the Word of God, but Leviticus, in which Moses wrote about homosexuality, also lists other sins that are on the very same level of homosexuality (because God says that every sin is as bad as every other sin). Leviticus 19:19 says, “Do not wear clothing of different kinds of material.” But…
Read MoreDoesn’t John 20:23 say that priests can forgive sins?
Question: You commented on priests not being able to forgive sins. What about John 20:21-23? Answer: After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the apostles. “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and…
Read MoreMy husband supposedly stopped viewing pornography, but he has stopped sleeping with me. How can I trust him?
Question: My husband used porn. He says he quit over a year ago but still can’t, or won’t, have sex with me or even try. We averaged sex two or three times a month for the first couple of years of marriage; then it dwindled to once or twice a year. We’ll be celebrating our…
Read MoreIs kissing and fondling my boyfriend fornication?
Question: My boyfriend and I indulge in kissing and fondling only. Could this be fornication? Answer: The Bible states that sexual touching is not right prior to marriage. “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman” (I Corinthians 7:1). The reason is…
Read MorePat Robertson’s Failed Predictions
by Heath Rogers You may remember that in January of last year, we ran an article citing some predictions that Pat Robertson had made for 2007. The following is an excerpt from a news story by Steven G. Vegh, published January 3, 2007: Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson cited communication with God in predicting Tuesday that horrific…
Read MoreMy wife divorced me after getting involved in a charismatic group. What do I do now?
Question: I’m not sure really how to express all that I’m feeling or even the doubts that I do have. First, I would like to ask a question: I’ve seen your essays on the “modern” tongues, and, to be honest, I agree completely with you. I’m divorced, now for 2 1/2 years. It all came…
Read MoreParents: Consistency is a Key!
by Greg Gwin All godly parents are concerned about bringing up their children to be good, God-fearing people. In fact, we are commanded to do so (Ephesians 6:4). There are lots of negative influences in the world that make this an increasingly difficult job. We worry about the impact of the schools, peer pressure, wickedness…
Read MoreWhat will heaven be like?
Question: Hi! I am wondering what Heaven is going to be according to the Bible. Is it just worshiping God for eternity as Revelations 4 talks about? What about John 14, and the rooms, dwellings, or mansions that Jesus talks about? What else does the Bible say? Answer: When we trying to explain something to…
Read MoreIs living together, but not sleeping together, a sin?
Question: I’ve just got back from my youth group after having a discussion about living together before getting married. I’ve searched your articles and I don’t think they quite answer the question “Is living together before marriage a sin?” We actually want to know is living together, but not sleeping together, before getting married a…
Read MoreMy marriage is not what it should be and I fear I’m losing my husband. What should I do?
Question: I have been reading your responses to the questions of others and appreciate the biblical approach you have taken, such that I feel comfortable in consulting you myself. From the outset, I will say that I’ve learned of your web site because my husband has sought your guidance about our marriage in times past. …
Read MoreIs the church the building or its members?
Question: is the church the building or is the church made up of its members? Answer: In English, the word “church” can refer to either the building or the people worshiping God in a local. For example, one set of definitions is: one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of…
Read MoreWhat is a “love feast?”
Question: What is an Agape Love Feast? Is it where food was served? Answer: The phrase “love feast” only appears once in the Scriptures. “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “inherit the kingdom of God?”
Question: What is your position on Galatians 5:2? Is “inherit the Kingdom of God” compared to salvation or is it dealing with rewards? Answer: The Christian’s relationship to God is described by several metaphors in the Bible. One is seeing a Christian as a child of God. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit…
Read MoreWhat happened to Jesus’ soul between the time of his death and his resurrection?
Question: What happened to Jesus’ soul between the time of death and the time he arose? Did it stay with him and if so is there a period of time that our soul will stay with us before leaving our body? Answer: The concept of death is the time when the spirit of man leaves his earthly…
Read MoreHow do we undo the bad parenting we did in the past?
Question: My 10-year-old son has had a hard past. We, his parents, fought the first seven years of marriage; however, now we are in the process of planting new godly seeds into him. But now we are having to deal with the seeds of disobedience, disrespect, and complaining. We want to uproot the bad seeds…
Read MoreWas eating blood only wrong because it was associated with idolatry?
Question: I have been here a week and a half in Chile but having a discussion already with people. What is your opinion of eating or drinking the blood of an animal? Here they have a thing where they kill a lamb and then cook its blood in some spices and eat it as jello,…
Read MoreOne Sinner Destroys Much Good
by Ron Daly Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiates 9:18 The title of this article comes from a statement of the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes in chapter 9, verse 18. It conveys a thought that each of us must consider. It tells us that a…
Read MorePaul was filled with the Spirit before he was baptized, so wasn’t he saved before baptism?
Question: I figured I would just point out two significant points in the Bible. Acts 10:43-48 clearly illustrates that one can have the Holy Spirit before baptism. The passage also says “whoever believes in shall have remission of sins.” Once you have the Holy Spirit in your life you are saved. Also, you mentioned when Paul was saved.…
Read MoreCould you tell me more about the day of Pentecost?
Question: I have been studying some on Pentecost. I think I finally understand some of it, but could you please expound on this some more? My most recent studies have been in the Old Testament, on feast days and ceremonial days, such as Passover, Purim, etc. Pentecost was explained some in this study. What I…
Read MoreNo Room for Compromise
by Glen Young There are things happening in the world today that are alarming. Not the least of these is the increase in Moslem jihad. With the ability to obtain powerful weaponry, the proponents of a ‘holy war’ believe their goal is attainable. The attitude behind jihad is a real and present danger to the…
Read MoreNo Christian Was Ever Saved by Faith Alone
by Kent Heaton The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a popular means by which many in the religious world have been deceived into believing they have obeyed the will of God and live under the presumption they are disciples of Christ. While the doctrine has been around for many years, Billy Graham did…
Read MoreI’m learning so much
Question: I called you this past week simply to thank you for your online ministry and website. I find myself again saying thanks! Such great content and all direct the reader back to the Word. I am learning so much. May God richly bless you and your family. Answer: Thank you for your kind words.…
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