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What did Jesus mean by “green wood” and “dry wood?”
Question: I don’t believe I understand Luke 23:27-31 at all. It seems this conversation took place while Jesus was actually on His way to the cross. Would you please explain this further? What is the meaning of the ‘green wood’ and ‘dry wood’? Answer: “A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who…
Read MoreWhy was Jesus offered vinegar on the cross?
Question: Why did the soldiers offer Jesus ‘vinegar’? Was vinegar used as a medicine then? It has many uses today, maybe it did then too? Answer: Vinegar, or soured wine, is cheap wine that has gone bad. It appears from the other accounts that it was mixed with gall and myrrh (Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23).…
Read MoreDoes God exist outside of time and sees all of time at once?
Question: First, I wanted to thank you for the web site. I come here often whenever I find that I have a problem that needs addressing. Anyway, on to my question. Lately, I’ve been wondering about something after something my preacher told me. He once told me that God is not confined to time as we…
Read MoreWho were the scribes?
Question: Why would the scribes be involved with seeking the death of Jesus? I thought scribes did the writings, copying of the manuscripts, etc. Did they have authority as well as the Pharisees? What part did they play in the temple activities then? Answer: One of the duties of the Levites was to make copies…
Read MoreIs the oil to be bought in Matthew 25:1-13 the truth mentioned in Proverbs 23:23?
Question: Do Matthew 25:1-13 and Proverbs 23:23 correlate? Is the oil we are supposed to buy truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding? Answer: When dealing with parables, you need to be careful to use the imagery in the parable consistent with the point being made. It is possible to stretch a parable beyond its intended meaning.…
Read MoreAre we judged based on justification or based on sanctification?
Question: Are we judged based on justification or based on sanctification? The reason I ask is because of Hebrews 10:26-31. It appears these people have already been justified, but are merely trampling on grace. I wanted an expert’s opinion. Answer: It appears you are making a distinction not found in the Scriptures. Your question makes…
Read MoreWouldn’t a New Testament church realize that we are our brothers’ keepers?
Question: On the home page, it says that you really don’t participate in community activities, fundraisers, home missions, or anything like that, in the way I interpreted it anyway. Wouldn’t a New Testament church realize that we are our brothers’ keepers? And that James said faith without works is dead? I understand totally that God’s house…
Read MoreDidn’t Paul say he could speak in the language of angels?
Question: In reading the answer to the Azusa Street revival I was confused by your stance on that revival. A lot of the people quoted kept saying the “tongues were in gibberish” not another language like they thought it would be. But plainly in I Corinthians 13 it plainly says I will speak in tongues in…
Read MoreWhy are there so many translations?
Question: Why are there the KJV, NKJV, ASB, and NASB versions of God’s Word? Other than the language changing, I don’t get the idea for the different translations. Answer: The primary reason given for doing a new translation is to update the language to match modern terminology. While language shifts, it doesn’t shift so dramatically…
Read MoreWho can give communion?
Question: We have a doubt about administering communion; that is, who can give communion? We are seven who as started a church and now it has grown to 30 people. We have one leader but none of us is ordained. Now, who can give communion? Or should we find an ordained preacher to give communion?…
Read MoreWhy would you think that God would not forsake His own Son?
Question: I just have one thing to say. Why then does God say that He cannot face sin? Do you then deny that Jesus Christ died for our sins because you said it makes you uncomfortable to think that God would forsake His own Son? What about the fact that Jesus said that “Not one…
Read MoreI don’t think God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors
Question: If your church has no kitchen etc, then how do you share communion together? Do you take everything home to wash? Did not Jesus share communion with the apostles? I do not think that God is against a fellowship that can supply nutrition to visitors. I find it strange indeed. Answer: Communion, also known…
Read MoreDoes the Bible teach that you don’t have to congregate to go to heaven?
Question: A good friend and fellow sister in Christ called last night to tell me about a conversation she’d had with a few co-workers. One guy said that, although he didn’t know where, he knew the Bible said you ‘don’t have to congregate to go to heaven.’ A woman said someone had once told her…
Read MoreCan a Christian be involved in distributing contraceptives if it will reduce the number of abortions?
Question: I am a hardcore Christian and live my life for God. I try to do the right thing even if that means suffering for it. I ended up getting a job where I am the “Health and Wellness Coordinator” at a college. I felt at peace and that God provided it for. It has…
Read MoreMy husband left his third wife for reasons other than fornication. What do I do?
Question: My husband has been divorced. I read some of the topics about divorce and it really scares me. My husband was divorced three times. The first two divorces were filed because his ex-wives were cheating on him. But the third divorced is different. It was filed because it wasn’t working between his ex-third wife…
Read MoreWhat do you think God is telling me?
Question: Due to family problems, my preacher recently prayed for me and God spoke through him and let me know that I am an honest person and that if I were to die right now I would stand before the Throne of Jesus because I chose Jesus and that I am a Cedar and Fragrance…
Read MoreDo you have other material on an elder’s children being faithful?
Question: I just read your article on faithful children per Titus 1:6 and I must say I appreciate the way you handled it. I am in my first full-time work after graduating from preaching school and this question has come up. As if by providence we began our study of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus…
Read MoreDo brain region sizes or pheromones prove homosexuality is genetic?
Question: In college, I’ve been taking a non-verbal communication class which teaches us about different aspects of what some people refer to as “body language”. Throughout the class, the instructor had made claims that homosexuality has a genetic basis and that there’s evidence that may lead us to believe that people are born that way.…
Read MoreHow do I find someone to marry?
Question: I read your on-line article on Christian marriage and it really inspired me. I realize now that I want to return to my roots and find a Christian lady to marry, with whom I can worship God. Help me find someone. Answer: Since there are several articles on marriage on this site, I’m not…
Read MoreBut you did nothing to refute Catholic claims
Question: I read your response to “Why did Catholicism start and when did it happen?” But you did nothing to refute Catholic claims. You just repeated them. The question also makes no sense. “Why did Catholicism start?” – because it is the teaching of the apostles. “When did it happen?” It happened as soon as…
Read MoreHow do I know if I’m doing what God wants me to do?
Question: How do I know if what I am doing is what God wants me to do? I don’t know if I should do what I want to do or what others want me to do. Above all, I don’t know if what I am doing is right or wrong. How do I find out?…
Read MoreDo we have to do penance?
Question: Do we have to do penance? If we sin and we ask for forgiveness is it enough or do we need someone to give us a penance? Answer: Penance is a Roman Catholic concept which is not found in the Bible. If we stayed with the actual definition of the word, it means “repentance…
Read MoreHow do you know if someone likes you?
Question: I am a senior in college. There is a girl that I like who just started attending school here whom I am trying to get to know. It seemed she liked me in the beginning, but it seems she doesn’t really like me as much now. It seems she is trying to avoid me now. I’ve…
Read MoreWhat is the significance of the veil being torn at Jesus’ death?
Question: Just after Jesus died on the cross in Matthew 27:51 it says “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;…” What is the significance of the temple being torn in two from the top to the…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that God’s word is a two-edged sword?
Question: What does the Scripture mean in Hebrews 4:12 relating to a two-edged sword? Answer: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the…
Read MoreMy parents are too overbearing. Do I have to obey them even though I’m 18?
Question: My parents are too overbearing. They are allowing me to live home, but when I am out with friends and a particular girl I like, I miss curfew and my dad told me the next time I was home late, he would punish me. I work a part-time job and they are paying half…
Read MoreSince I Corinthians 16:1-2 was only about one need, then isn’t this just an example of how a collection might be taken and not a command for us today?
Question: I have been reading your web page and find it interesting. I came to the one on contribution and have some problems with it. Maybe you can correct my understanding. “Lay by in store so that there is no gathering when I come.” This is a command or request by Paul for the churches…
Read MoreMy boyfriend doesn’t want to get married yet because he’ll be dropped from his dad’s insurance. What should I do?
Question: Ok, my fiance and I have been living together for almost six months now. We are not married. For a while I let myself get away from God and I didn’t care if we were living together unmarried. I’m trying to get closer to God and receive forgiveness for my sins. I know the…
Read MoreShould I get in better shape before preaching?
Question: I would like to have earrings, maybe be tan, and be in better shape, plus I would like to whiten my teeth. It sounds ludicrous, but are these things wrong according to God if I want them? If I were to do these things, I feel like they would be holding me back for…
Read MoreWho was the first negro convert?
Question: Who was the first negro convert? Answer: “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace…
Read MoreWhere do you draw the line between helping and enabling?
Question: I’m almost embarrassed to ask this one, but I would like an objective point of view and refuse to bring it up to anyone at my congregation. We recently moved and placed membership at a local congregation of the Lord’s church. Since I become a Christian in December, I have really been looking forward…
Read MoreDoes God send us signs?
Question: I am curious to know whether God sends signs to us. For example, a man has an interest in a woman he has never met but seen at school or someplace. He tries to look for signs to see if she has any interest. He later finds out that she’s a Christian, and finds…
Read MoreI was healed but I never benefited from it because my daughter abuses me
Question: I took seriously ill six and more years ago and found the sickness and its diagnosis a mystery. The doctor I attended is a Christian and as such up until I got this sick was guilty of having prescribed to me not once but twice the wrong medication, the result of which was horrific,…
Read MoreDid you ever study the life of Christ? Then you would not that it’s impossible for God to kill
Question: Why is it you claim to be Christian? You, no doubt, don’t even come close to knowing the truth about God. Did you ever study the life of Christ? Did He ever kill anyone? Yet Jesus said, “you have seen me you have seen the Father”. If you knew God you would know that…
Read MoreI really appreciate the way you explain your reasoning
Question: I recently found your web site. I really appreciate the way you explained your reasons for worshiping the way you do. It is quite to the point. I am a member of the church of Christ and agree with your reasons for worshipping in such a way, but reading how you wrote it made it…
Read MoreWhy do you say Judges 11:31 is better translated as “whoever” instead of “that which?”
Question: I don’t know where you have received the understanding about Judges 11:31 because it is not coming from the text. Verse 31 uses the relative and all-purpose preposition ‘asher. Strictly translated, it means in this case “that which”. “And it will be that which is going up from the doors of my house…” Translations of “whoever”…
Read MoreHow tight of a reign should elders have over a preacher?
Question: I am a minister in the Lord’s church and want to get your understanding of what authority elders have over the minister. I guess I am interested in how detailed can they be in managing the preacher? I am told I must do a weekly report and email it to the elders and I…
Read MoreWhen are we judged, at death or on the Judgment Day?
Question: Here is something that I am confused about. In I Thessalonians 4:17 Paul told the Thessalonians “then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and shall we ever be with the Lord.” Now in II Corinthians 5:10, Paul…
Read MoreAre the gospels more important than the rest of the New Testament?
Question: I recently heard a preacher from a non-denominational church. He touched on a point I totally disagreed with, but it will take me some time to research as I read through the gospels and mark out verses. But in the meantime, I was wondering about your opinion. He made a statement that what is…
Read MoreWould I still have the right to remarry if I slept with another man before my divorce was final?
Question: Hi! I have a serious question: My husband walked out on me after 20 years of marriage. He has had numerous affairs. He has been gone for 2 years. I finally filed our divorce five months ago and it may be over within the month. For the past year, he has been living with…
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