***NEW: Bible Basics 6B: Ecclesiology: the Church now available (1/4/20)
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[posted 2/15/20]
Question #1:
[text omitted]
Response #1:
You're always most welcome, my friend.
The evil one puts all manner of traps into our path. It's the rare
individual who can sniff them all out and so avoid them all and I have
yet to meet that person (or to read about him in the Bible Daniel,
maybe . . .). I'm sorry about the loss. One thing I can certainly
identify with is that it is very common for us to be emotionally rocked
by something or other and to then let that dis-ease which results color
everything else. In fact it's typical human behavior. But we believers
understand that none of this peripheral stuff down here really makes any
eternal difference. Only what we are doing for the Lord in growing,
progressing and producing is of any lasting consequence. The rest of
life is laughably insignificant.
That, of course, is not how it FEELS down here on planet earth. But our
departed loved ones and other believers watching from above are
certainly rooting for us to realize that truth more and more. The Lord
has it all planned out, including making up for all losses, including
recovery from all stumbles, including abundant joy and peace right here
at hand, if only we are willing to pick it up when things go sour in the
world. And that is what we need to do. Pick it up. No failure or
disaster or loss has any real weight compared to the least reward we
will be receiving for the least thing we have done in this life in
response to our Lord. It's not even close. And nothing that happens on
this earth can take away from us that least reward or anything we've
earned by faithful service to the Lord. As long was we make it to the
other side, all the treasures in our heavenly treasure chest are safe
and sound, and will delight us for all eternity. Even if we failed
today. Even if we suffered loss or disaster today. Even if it really was
ALL our fault. The only thing letting ourselves get upset about these
things which genuinely are upsetting, especially to those who have no
hope, can do is to keep us from adding more treasure to the chest until
we get around to picking back up the peace that is our heritage as those
who belong to Christ, rekindling the joy that all He has done for us and
all that is to come demands, and refocusing on the hope of resurrection
and reward that is the point of this race we are running.
Keeping you in my prayers always, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior who is our peace, our joy,
and entire hope.
Bob L.
Question #2:
[text omitted]
Response #2:
I'm very sorry to see that this is eating at you so ferociously, my friend. I read back over your initial email on this, and for the life of me I can't see that you've done anything wrong. You made what was in retrospect a bad decision. We all make mistakes. As I often tell my students, "Even I occasionally make a mistake. There was that one time back in 1967 . . ."
You didn't murder anyone. You didn't commit adultery. David comes to mind there. You didn't put yourself in terrible physical jeopardy even though the Spirit told you in no uncertain terms not to do so on many occasions. Paul comes to mind there. You didn't violate a direct order from the Lord in front of the entire nation of Israel because you were angry. Moses comes to mind there. You didn't turn tail and run, giving the worst possible witness of lack of courage in the face of the devil's threats. Elijah comes to mind there. What did you do? You made a bad decision which cost you a lot of money.
Let me ask you something. What if this bad decision had cost you only a fraction of what it actually did. Would you feel as bad as you do now? Would you be upbraiding yourself like you are now? Would you still be so upset with yourself? Would that be a reason to throw in the towel? If it had only cost you pennies?
If this is about the amount, I think you need to reconsider your reaction. Sure, it's a lot of money, but the Lord could give you a thousand times as much tomorrow without lifting a finger. There are reasons why we who have chosen to follow Him are not generally allowed to get too well off. Some we can see; others not; but we trust the Lord even so. I have to tell you without going into detail that, given your reaction to this setback, you would probably drop dead if I told you how far in debt I am. And I have suffered some terrible financial setbacks in my life which, not to brag, put yours in the shade. I'm not saying I'm innocent but most of them were really in my humble opinion not things I could have warded off (not without doing things I was unwilling to do or failing to do things I felt I had to do). Now if none of this had happened to me, I probably could have retired already so as to have my time completely liberated. As it is, it's out of the question for, well, probably for more time than is left to us. But I don't regret the decisions I've made, given all that's happened. And I can witness to the mercy and the grace of our Lord that He has NEVER left me in the lurch. I've never gone hungry, never had to go about without clothing, never even lacked a roof over my head. Things have been so tight from time to time that it was impossible not to contemplate complete disaster, but I did trust Him and He has always been 100% faithful.
Let me reiterate something something you know: the Lord could dump a billion dollars on your head this instant without batting an eye. Why doesn't He? You are a wonderful believer and your ministry is already bearing terrific fruit. Think how much more you could do if only you had that billion dollars! In fact, of course, I know for certain that with that much money, I'd only get into trouble and probably do even less than I'm doing now. I could already be doing more than I am, easily, even with the constraints I'm under. Why would I assume that I'd do more if I didn't have to work any longer?
The Lord knows just how to employ us. He knows how much load we can take. Sometimes it is a matter of testing us to see how we'll react to setbacks and increase in load. We have to trust Him that if what we are laboring under really is not sustainable that He will come to our rescue before we reach the breaking point. That is my testimony. He always has done just this for me. When I look back, I can see stepping stone after stepping stone He placed in front of me to cross the creek, the lack of any one of which would have meant catastrophe and total ruin. But I never hit that missing stone. It was always there. When at times I had to stretch my foot out not seeing the stone, it was always there by the time my foot came down. Wouldn't it be nice to have a wonderful bridge to waltz over instead? Yes, but not as good a test of faith.
The Lord knows what is best for us, doesn't He? If this has happened, then it has to be for good. Because He is working it all out for us for the good. We don't have to FEEL good right off the bat when something like this happens, but we do need to accept that there is a good reason for it, that our Lord loves and cares for us, and that He may just be training us for a harder future test, or He may be saving us from something we otherwise would have fallen into absent what seems to us like a terrible setback. I have had many times in my life when looking back on some such "disaster" it was plain to see that both things were true: I was being given a lesson in His faithfulness and at the same time being protected from some terrible trap.
We really are walking blind through this world in many ways, because we can't see the future and we certainly can't see the invisible warfare swirling around us. So we have to trust the Lord that He is leading us in the right direction. Like little children holding the hand of our loving Father or big brother and Master Jesus Christ, we have to trust that even though we're walking through the dark or the rain or something else that upsets or frightens us, they know what they are doing we have experience of their strength, their goodness and their love. They've never let us down before and they never ever will. Our job is to trust.
Remember, my friend. None of this is about us. It's all about Jesus Christ. If He wants us to be rich, we'll prosper. If He wants us poor as Paul was poor though he was one of the greatest of the great then that is what we shall be. But we don't have to worry about any of that. All resources in this life are only good in this life. And they are only meaningful at all to the extent that they are used for the good. If we had more, perhaps we would do more, but perhaps not and we are responsible for what we are given, not for what we never get (even if it looked like we might get it).
As my maternal grandmother is reputed to have oft said, "blessed be nothin!", meaning, there are blessings that come to those who have no great excess of resources: simplicity of life lived that way by necessity, and an absence of the tricks and traps and troubles that come to those who have "more than nothin'".
I know you are trying to fight a good fight on this front as well as all
the others, my friend. But we can't control everything, and sometimes we
get counter-attacked. The Lord lets these things come for reasons
discussed above. We have to roll with the punches and not let these
sorts of attacks throw us off the mark too far for too long. We may
never get to the point of seeing these things for what they are
immediately, but we need to be quick to recover our balance. Remember:
no one ever fought a perfect fight. If we get the feeling that this is
indeed what we are doing, we are really only setting ourselves up for a
fall.
I've noticed this phenomenon in sports: a pitcher, e.g., who's pitching
a perfect game into the sixth inning, and then the other team hits a
home run off of him. OK. One mistake. But that is often the beginning of
the end as the fellow's control and poise now completely collapse and he
has to be yanked from the game. But if he'd given up a hit or two
earlier, he might have lasted the distance. This is not to make a virtue
out of smaller failures, but it is to say that if doing really well
makes us vulnerable to larger ones, then we are not looking at all this
in the right way.
I write all this to you in the knowledge that you know it all very well
yourself, and are probably already regaining spiritual altitude as I
type. We are here to encourage each other, however, so I've taken the
liberty.
You are a good man, . And a wonderful believer in Jesus Christ. Keep
doing what you do. There are people depending on you (me, for one).
Money comes and goes (in my experience), often without there being much
we can do about it. But time is a far more valuable commodity. Keep
redeeming it for Jesus Christ. That is what helps all your brothers and
sisters and therein lies great reward.
Your friend forever in our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #3:
[text omitted]
Response #3:
Thanks for the background.
Well, I still don't see how a bad business decision is the end of all
things, but that is between you and the Lord, my friend.
I probably shared with you already how that when I was interviewing for
jobs near the end of my Ph.D. I had an interview with the university of
Michigan. This was a dream job. A first class department in a state I
love and a town I love, close to family and good paying too. Well, even
though I knew the interview was coming (along with a lot of others at
that convention), I did almost nothing to prepare. It didn't really even
occur to me that I ought to prepare (even though now from this vantage
point that seems outrageously stupid which it was). Any way, I gave
what was possibly the WORST interview in world history. Needless to say,
I didn't get the job (didn't even get a campus visit to be in the
running). Looking back on things, I say with confidence that if I had
gotten that position, I might would have been much wealthier (or rather,
wealthy, or rather, not completely broke), had a prestige career with an
international reputation, and been a successful Classicist in research
and all things. But there probably NEVER would have been an Ichthys . .
. because I would have been spending almost all of my time and energy on
that job.
So the Lord delivered me from a big mistake which I probably had no
chance at the time of seeing as a big mistake since this sort of job
is what all Ph.D. candidates aspire to (and at that point there wasn't
even an internet). Now it would have been nice if the deliverance had
resulted from me seeing that I didn't want that level of job pressure
since the Lord was my life, not Classics or an academic reputation and
career. Instead, He used my own stupidity to deliver me. But no matter
how it happened, I am deeply grateful that it happened, and I laugh
about it today rather than regretting it one little bit (except for the
lingering embarrassment of being so stupid).
The lost opportunity sounds as if it would have been wonderful. But on
the other hand, perhaps it would have involved you in a level of
commitment to the job / career that would have taken a toll on your
ministry efforts. That's just one possible explanation for why the Lord
closed the door. And, after all, it was Him who closed the door. He
could easily have worked things out so that what you had originally
hoped for did indeed come to pass. And He could have held it open so
that the small solution worked too. If you are "out of it", it might to
be good to consider that the Lord knows more about all this than either
of us do . . . and that perhaps you are well to be out of it because
if He had wanted you in it, you would be in it.
It doesn't mean you didn't do something stupid you regret. But praise be
to the Lord who delivers us one way or the other! As we grow, we get
better at allowing ourselves to be delivered "the one way" rather than
"the other".
Keeping you in my prayers at all times, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #4:
[text omitted]
Response #4:
It's wonderful to see you rallying spiritually like this, my friend!
I couldn't have written anything any better to you than this. I was
saved at a very early age, as no doubt I have shared. I think it was a
result of fear of dying, darkness and the grave, brought on by the death
of my beloved grandfather when I was only four years old or so. Great to
be saved so young. But I didn't really have the impetus to grow, and
then I hit adolescence. Certain testing came into my life and I didn't
handle it well, but reacted to it. And there followed about a decade of
prodigal son wandering in a far country before the Lord got my
attention in a very dramatic way and brought me back. And I'd like to
say that after that I was laser-focused on the goal and never made any
major mistakes thereafter. But it did take time for all the kinks to be
worked out. No doubt my life would be quite different and the ministry
quite different if I had been perfect from the start, or from the
"re-start", but I've done what I've done and failed to do what I've
failed to do in the past. And, like you, I can only do now what I'm
supposed to do today. Nothing can change yesterday.
I suppose I should feel worse about the past than I do. But I'm just
very grateful that the Lord has made some small use of me anyway, and
happy to be where I am and who I am and doing what I'm doing. David was
joyous throughout his years of discipline. The Lord used Paul's mistake
resulting in imprisonment to have him produce some of the most wonderful
epistles. Elijah had a wonderful conclusion to his ministry even though
his error led to Elisha taking over, and Moses was not done writing the
Pentateuch after his great failure. And in the case of these last two,
their work (and reward earned thereby) is not over yet. So the Lord
clearly doesn't look at these things quite the way we are inclined to
look at them. Feeling that because of failure you will not have the
ministry that you should have had is thus the wrong way to look at this
entirely. This is what the devil tells us. But what would the Lord say?
More likely that He still has a use for us, and that nothing is
impossible for Him, and that, regardless of what happened yesterday, He
can still take us just as far as we are willing to go with Him . . . if
we are just willing to be taken there TODAY.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend and very pleased to have you as
my brother in Jesus Christ.
In Him,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Good morning Dr. Luginbill:
We hope and pray that you are doing well and that you had rest over the
Christmas break.
I wanted to reach out and see if you have been able to send and receive
emails from our friend? We have not yet heard from him. Understandably,
there can be disruptions with the Internet and obstacles with overseas
communications, but now it is we who are concerned about him. Highly
unusual.
Just wanted to give you this heads-up in the event that your email
correspondence with him has not been disrupted, and perhaps that you
would pass along that ours may be experiencing a glitch.
Thank you so much, Dr. Luginbill.
BTW: I am enjoying SR series all over again. So many insights and new
knowledge with each pass. Thank you! I also pray fervently for family
and friends who still swallow the sugar pills when it comes to the Word
and their overall weakness in faith. It is so hard to crack open their
shells to even consider that they have bought into false teachings - and
do not even chicken scratch the surface in studying God's Word.
I don't think I ever told you, but my mom and uncle both encouraged me
to study at Ichthys years ago. I dipped in here and there, but about 5
years ago I started crying out to God regarding Truth. It was through
asking myself and then the Holy Spirit the question, "Have I ever been
deceived by false teachings?" (surely not, right?!) - that led me to
voraciously dig into the studies and email threads that you provide.
Thank the Lord! Boy, did He ever answer my question. So much to learn -
and prepare for.
Thank you for your ministry and the guidance, teachings, and help that
you gift us, Dr. Luginbill. I am truly grateful.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,
Response #5:
Always great to hear from you and thanks so much for your kind and
encouraging words, my friend!
I think there are some issues with our friend's email. I have just heard
from him, but a little while ago he sent me something which I only
accidentally caught only by looking on the server for it.
I think a lot of server regimes / email systems flag things out of his
country and maybe to it as well. I would suggest that you send him a new
email not a response to an old one (the chains seem to be part of the
problem), and without any attachments or HTML (i.e., don't include your
business card on the bottom as you have in this email to me). In my
experience, these sorts of things can cause email failure or
sequestration, especially overseas.
Thanks again for your good offices to our friend. I know he really
appreciates what you are doing for him, and is a bit "driven" to try and
live up to your expectations.
Do let me know if this communications problem persists. As I say, I've
just received email from him and it does seem that my emails get
through.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Dear Brother Robert,
Thank you for your response and for the love you've shown towards my
development over the few weeks you've known me.
Since I got better knowledge, I've always had a urge for ministry and
since more than 80% of the best organisations here are run by members of
my church (yes, that's how much the grip of the church is on the town,
we are mostly not known outside but our grip of this town is mind
blowing) so I know that I will normally not thrive here, I plan to leave
this little town after my Postgraduate education (after three years
essentially) and move to the nearest city both to work and to start
"God's work".
Finally, what's the purpose of fasting? I've been fasting and praying
since the start of this year (morning to late afternoon tho) for the
spirit of wisdom (Eph 1:17) and I plan to do it till January 31. This is
probably the unmotivated inner me asking but- Am I doing it right? Is it
compulsory to fast when praying? What's the difference between fasting
and praying and just praying?
I've been praying for you too. I'm reading your post/article on
Hamartiology at the moment.
Your friend in Christ,
Response #6:
I've been having trouble with receiving and sending email from / to you
and also our friend. Don't know what the issue is, but it is an issue. I
just saw your message on my server when I checked it, but it won't send
it to my client. So please do let me know if you receive this.
Thanks for the update on you plan. It sounds to me as if the Lord is
helping you work through this. One thing I know: if you continue to
pursue the truth, it will change you for the good in all manner of ways.
We don't know exactly where this journey will lead us in terms of the
twists and turns but we do know that it ends at the judgment seat of
Christ with a good reward and a "well done" from the One we love more
than life.
So do keep up the good fight in learning and living the truth, my
friend. That is what is most needful at the present moment. The Lord is
working this out for you one day at a time and that is how you have to
fight the fight.
On fasting, here are some links to what I have written about this at
Ichthys:
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Dear Brother Robert,
Its been too long, I always think to text you daily but I've not really
had time till tonight, forgive me please.
I got complacent around late January and I concentrated on many things
(work, relationship and so on) at the expense of studying the Bible and
praying.
Thank God though as recently, I kicked myself back to my "truth-seeking
sanity" as I organised a 21-day online Bible study group among 11 of my
friends that started February 1 and I've been going strong, it proved to
be enough motivation to get me back on track and I am back on track now.
Surprisingly too, I've found myself teaching people of my age group the
truth that I know when they have problems and they always admitted that
I blessed them anytime they did.
And about my church situation and family. In church, I still hear the
same old doctrine based on how hard I must work to secure my salvation
by myself through going to church regularly and so many other things.
On my education, I will, by God's grace start studying to bag my
Master's degree next month in English language and at the same time
kickstart my plan to leave home and relocate somewhere I will get a job
and have the freedom to start planning for ministry.
I hope you still pray for me.
Thanks.
In Christ,
Response #7:
Great to hear from you, my friend! Indeed, I'm praying for you daily.
Thanks for this wonderful update. I'm very pleased to hear of your plans
and your spiritual efforts proceeding apace.
I pray for the Lord to bring you safely through this wilderness to land
of promise beyond.
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr L,
I am sorry I am bothering you again so soon. I had a dream the beast was
here. And I kept praying in my dream because I was anxious about messing
up (by dishonoring God). I was waiting for it to come to me, for them to
turn their attention to me and then I would be hounded on doing what the
beast wanted. I was so anxious waiting, I just wanted the moment to get
here and get it over. I am afraid that if I were to live through that I
would not do well because I am sure the fear would show on my face and
they could pressure in the right way. Even if not to get me to verbally
mess up (I actually feel a bit confident that if it were just a matter
of verbal I could do it), for my body language to say it (the wrong
thing). I don't know. It makes me a bit angry because much of the
anxiety and physical response if from childhood shellshock and it
doesn't seem fair to have to carry that into such a thing. I am
responding all wrong, but I feel so emotional about it. Of course I
can't say that about the Lord because I am confident He would get
through with any hardship thrust on Him. It is bad thinking right? And
then I get upset about that. I wish I could just make the anxiety and
physical overreaction go away.
I don't suppose you don't know some secret way to do that?
Response #8:
I wouldn't feel bad about "feeling bad". We are all occasionally knocked
off our feet emotionally or physically (and very often a combination of
both) on account of events (dreams too can affect us). The key is where
we are spiritually and how we respond to the pressure. The bottom line I
get from you is that you WOULD stand strong for the Lord no matter what.
That is the right answer and the right response. Doesn't mean we will
"feel good" about being persecuted, when and if that comes. But whatever
discomfort and annoyance we have to put up with, and no matter how bad
all that will make us "feel", we can still have peace in Jesus Christ in
the midst of the storm, because we know for certain that nothing but
blessing awaits blessing beyond anything we can presently imagine.
So you are on the right track, and I take the fact that you had victory
in your dream as a sign that you are moving in the right direction while
awake. One thing all mature Christians learn is that our emotions a very
uncertain guide to the true spiritual status quo. We learn to "go with
what we know" by faith, rather than to "reel with what we feel" on
account of circumstances. There's no "secret" we just focus on things
we know are true and reject in our hearts things we know are false. And
that of course depends on continuing spiritual growth.
So keep fighting the good fight! That is where the crowns of victory
come from.
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob,
We had some sad news last week. A friend of ours known since school had
a heart attack and died last Tuesday. It was very sudden and unexpected
and he was only 48 years old. He was a really nice bloke. He didn't
really look after himself very well (smoked and liked a drink) and I
think maybe it caught up with him in the end. ___ took it pretty badly
although he's a bit better this week. He was quiet last week and shed a
few tears so I've been there for him giving him lots of support.
Reassuring him that how he's feeling is natural - he's grieving for the
loss of a good friend. I've told him not to bottle it all up (like you
fellas tend to do!) but to talk to me about it whenever he wants to.
As well as that, six months ago another man he went to school with died
of cancer (48 years old again). We were talking about it with ___ last
week and at one point he said it makes you wonder what life is all about
- why are we here? I've shared the gospel with them before and they
still say they don't believe but I was able to say that because of my
faith in the Lord I know exactly what this life is all about and why I'm
here and that my eyes and my hope are fixed on the Lord and on a life to
come with Him that is SO much better than this one. I never force it, I
just take my opportunities when they come and know how much to say and
when to stop.
I never really understand how unbelievers can so easily accept that
their friends and relatives have died and that's it - they're just gone
now. I can't ever remember thinking that way. Even when I was a child I
always thought there must be a God. But it doesn't matter what I'm
seeing or what I'm hearing them say about their unbelief because I have
faith in my God. I know I can never make that decision for them because
the Lord has given us all free will but I also know He is full of grace
and mercy. As long as I'm living my life for the Lord I know He hears my
prayers for their salvation and I know I'm praying in His will. I'm
praying with faith every day for them and I'm confident in my God and
have peace inside. I believe He works through everything that happens
good and bad for His own purposes and I know He is in full control of
everything. My faith is growing stronger - I really mean that.
Also the Spirit reminded me of 1 Peter 3:1-4 - Likewise, wives, be
subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word,
they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they
see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be
external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or
the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of
the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which in God's sight is very precious.
I've always loved that last part. I'll keep drawing closer to the Lord
day by day and learning more and more about Him. I want them to see
Jesus - not me.
Also, my __ has cancer and found out last Saturday that there's nothing
more the doctors can do for him. So despite me still feeling wary with
___, I've been there comforting her while she's been crying too. What a
cheery old email this is for you! But I feel strong in the Lord. I've
got lots of people who need lots of love and support at the moment.
My friend sent me a text a couple of weeks ago inviting me to go along
to a Christian women's conference near us. She did say she had never
been to it before and not to worry if it wasn't my 'cup of tea'. So
before I answered I had a look at what it was all about. I always do
that because I don't trust anything out there now. It turns out that
they teach word of faith and other iffy stuff. And the two women
'preach' to men as well. Sometimes I find it hard to say no to people
because I don't want to let them down or hurt their feelings. But for me
this was a choice between being faithful to the Lord and the truth or
pleasing my friend by saying yes to it. I couldn't say yes to it. If I
went I would feel like I was agreeing with their false teaching and I
won't do that. Even if it wasn't a case of being faithful to the Lord I
just couldn't sit through it anyway. It would drive me nuts! I watched a
bit of last year's conference and I couldn't even understand what they
were going on about half the time. It's so foreign to me now because I'm
being fed extremely well with the Word and your teaching (and
Curtis) since I came back to the Lord. So I replied to my friend's
text and thanked her very much for the invitation, it was a lovely
thought but it isn't quite my 'cup of tea' but I'm still looking forward
to meeting up with her soon. She didn't reply and I haven't heard
anything yet.
I'm trying to be gentle and use discernment in what I say to her about
the concerns I have for her but I won't compromise my own belief in the
truth just to please my friend. I want to please the Lord. I would never
ever attempt to tell anyone what to do but I won't be silent about the
truth I believe. This is where it's difficult when we're not quite in
the same place, but like I always say I'll be patient and be guided by
the Lord. It's just one step at a time following His guidance and
trusting Him. I have to trust Him because I wouldn't have a clue where
to start on my own. It's funny how people can talk all day to you about
their beliefs and how enthusiastic they are about things that have
nothing to do with the Lord but when you mention a tiny bit about your
own beliefs it suddenly all goes quiet! But there you go - never mind.
There's some sad stuff in this email but I'm feeling anything but
gloomy! I'm really sad about the loss of our friend and the situation
with my uncle but I see lots of precious opportunities to do the very
best I can for the Lord and to learn and grow myself. I'm doing ok but I
need to do a whole lot better.
Your friend in Jesus
Response #9:
You really HAVE had a lot in a short time. Quite a number of fatalities
among the near and dear (along with current troubles), and quite young
too.
I applaud you for using the opportunity to remind your loved ones of the
gospel. Like you, I could not endure a situation where death and
darkness and the grave was the only alternative and of course it's
actually MUCH worse than that. In fact, in looking back, I'm convinced
that such was the prod that led me to Christ as a very young lad,
namely, the death of my beloved grandfather when I was only four years
old or so.
How do unbelievers do it? They have to harden their hearts against the
possibility that it could ever actually happen to them personally. This
is of course crazy, but then that is the whole thing about
heart-hardening. It allows a person to ignore the truth. Otherwise,
Satan could never have dreamed of taking on God nor would anyone have
followed him. It is more than a little ironic that unbelievers who tend
in our modern west to be materialists can somehow so schizophrenically
recognize the universality of death and yet still manage to imagine
themselves not subject to it in effect. That it to say, they would
answer correctly on a multiple choice test, but internally they are
refusing to actually face the possibility of their own demise. That they
be allowed to engage this heart-hardening mechanism is important,
otherwise free will could not operate fairly in this world. But of
course God does let the truth seep through here and there, even into the
hardest hearts, so that in a perfect way they are reminded of the truth
often enough, yet not to the point of breaking up the hardness . . .
unless they change their thinking and repent of their bad choice through
their own free will choice.
Deaths near and dear offer just such "moments of clarity", and it is a
blessing whenever such individuals are given the gospel at such times,
so bully for you that you have done the right and the courageous thing!
This is one reason why I detest funerals where I or someone I know is
not going to be speaking, because most miss the opportunity entirely,
eulogizing the dead but not pointing out that the solution to death is
the resurrection which comes through Jesus Christ alone.
For the same reason, like you, I long ago lost my ability to stomach
false teaching. And, if anything, I think it is harder for me to listen
to diluted or polluted "teaching". Church services (where the point is
not to explain and glory in the truth of the Word) literally make me
nauseous. So I can also agree with your wise decision to stay away from
that conference. I am praying for your friend. This sort of "seeking"
where one is consistently looking in the wrong places for the wrong
reasons never produces satisfaction. Like an alcoholic looking for
comfort in a bottle, it's always short-lived and worse in the end than
in the beginning. Where there is a spark of respect for the truth, God
is able to turn it all around, even if it may take a minute for stubborn
individuals (like myself). So we continue to wait patiently for Him to
work, continue to pray, and continue to make proper use of genuine
opportunities to stand up for the truth when that is appropriate.
Thanks for the update and the background. You are indeed a good witness
for Christ, both in your life and through your words. That is the most
any of us can aspire to in our dealings with the unbelieving world.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Yes, they're all dropping like flies around me at the moment!
I totally get what you mean about the hardened hearts. ___'s heart is as
hard as anything concerning the gospel. He always jokes that he's never
going to die - that he will live forever. Whenever he says it I always
think that's just denial. He doesn't want to allow himself to think that
one day he IS going to die and it might actually be real - there might
really be a heaven and a hell. The whole family are just as hard. I've
been to so many of their family funerals and the tears flow for a while
and then that's it - it's all forgotten about and life goes on as normal
(which of course it has to) but no questions are ever asked. One of them
when they found out I believed said there's no God that it's "just a
load of rubbish". I know there are definitely some in the family where I
need to keep 'pearls before swine' in mind. My __ says he's an atheist
and yet I can tell by little things he has said over the years that he's
scared stiff of dying. It's really weird.
At one point I started to feel bad because I didn't think I cared enough
that my family didn't believe (as in not feeling it emotionally), but
then I think deep down I could see how hard their hearts were towards
the truth and they had made their decision. It's not that I don't
believe the Lord can turn anything around, but I also know when I'm
wasting my breath. Maybe I just don't allow myself to think about it too
much because it's too painful to think about. I'll never stop praying
for them though. I'll do anything the Lord commands me to do no matter
how hopeless it looks to me - you just never know.
Sometimes I think I try too hard for some people. But I know I can never
try too hard for the Lord. At least He sees our heart and our efforts
for Him. At least He cares about it and it means something to Him. I
love Him with all my heart.
It's a VERY good thing that false, diluted and polluted "teaching" makes
you feel nauseous and drives me nuts. If we felt at home and comfortable
with it then we'd be in serious trouble.
Thank you so much for your time. I always appreciate it and it's a
privilege to be able to pray for you, your family and your friend and
his family too. It doesn't matter if I don't know a brother or sister or
they live the other side of the world, I still feel a connection and a
bond with them thanks to our Lord Jesus. I'll get back to Joshua now -
Achan and his gang have just been stoned and burned with fire - only got
himself to blame!
Your friend in Jesus
Response #10:
I appreciate your wonderful spiritual perspective, my friend. I think
you are handling all this exactly right. You are leaving in the Lord's
hands, trusting Him that He knows how to handle things in precisely the
best way, making use of opportunities offered but not going past the
point of reasonableness in doing so.
He knows your heart. He knows these people are important to you. It can
be amazing how people change in the right circumstances, that is, when
things get catastrophic enough. There's an old saying, "there are no
atheists in foxholes". Meaning the gut-wrenching experience of an
artillery barrage with the enemy about to charge when it lifts is enough
to make even the most hardened heart "consider options". There are
"interesting times" ahead. For all my unbelieving, lapsed and lukewarm
Christian friends, acquaintances and family, I certainly hope it doesn't
have to come that but better to be saved through a horrific experience
than to die happily in bed at a 100 and go to hell.
Keep fighting the good fight, my friend!
The smallest part of our eternal rewards will make all of this put
together seem as nothing (which in fact is what it is).
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Dear Teacher
Your email was a huge joy to me yesterday. It was not a bad day but it certainly
did not feel particularly celebratory. But your email actually made me tear up a
little. It means a lot to me that you sent it and so much more that you did even
in such a state. I hope very much that I will be able to do as well as you soon.
I certainly don't have 30 years to get there.
I have been blessed tremendously with a teacher like yourself, my fiancιe,
faithful friends like ___ and the ____'s and fellow warriors like my brothers
and sisters in Ichthys who continue to pray for me and bless me with their
correspondence with you. If I get nothing more in life, I have already been
blessed beyond words. I am only struggling to be worthy of these blessings. I am
grateful every time I write and see that people can actually be blessed by
reading what I have written but the road ahead is so long yet.
I have prayed for your health, Sir, and will continue to try to do so until the
Lord heals you.
Again, thank you very much, Sir. Thank you for sharing that day with me. It was
those who did that made it a joy and you doubly so.
Your student in our precious Lord Jesus Christ
Response #11:
It's my pleasure, my friend.
It's always wonderful to see a believer who is grateful and appreciative
of all the good things that the Lord has done for us. Heaven knows we
all have pressures and troubles and challenges, and it's very easy like
the Israelites to whine about the Egyptian army and the lack of water
etc., and not appreciate the deliverance from slavery and the total and
complete provision of the Lord through each and every looming disaster.
Of course we wish there was never a disaster looming. But where then
would be the opportunity to trust Him? We trust that He will get us
through, and, like you, we are grateful for all He has given us and
gotten us through already.
Thanks for your prayers, my friend. I did stay home from work today,
only the third day I've missed in 28 years for health concerns so I
need to be grateful about that. And I am! Meanwhile, I am feeling a bit
better tonight and have hopes of meeting my classes on Friday (no
classes tomorrow).
Thanks also for getting back to me. I know phone usage and charging is
an issue there at the moment.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Doc,
Well, things have exploded once again. ___ is with a barely saved,
overbearing woman now (so we dont do business anymore), our home has
black mold growing out of the floor in the kids room so we had to move
again last minute, only now my costs are sky high and I cant foresee
how to earn enough to make it.
[omitted]
Why do I have a family? Why am I alive? I must be the easiest target for
Satan because Im so screwed up, and I CANT lie or manipulate, cheat,
steal my way out of things because of The Lord, so I constantly pay and
cant be a normal part of society, like at all.
I cant afford my family anymore, I barely could before and now my bills
are almost 3x higher than before! My car is almost dead and ___ is all
Ive been able to do, which wont last if I cant drive, but then I
cant pay for anything.
This feels like a sick joke. I barely got into koine pronouns and
everything falls apart again. I have no use because I offend everyone.
Response #12:
I wish there was something I could say to cheer you up.
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like
arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in ones youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to
shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 127:3-5 NIV
So yes, your family is a true blessing in every way and they can help
you too, even if it is not obvious at the moment how. But they also need
you because you are a definite blessing to them. NEVER doubt that.
They need you and you need them. Times like this force families together
in marvelous and wondrous ways, even if at the start the opposite may
seem to be the case.
I am a very stubborn person, so I know what I'm talking about in this
regard. Sometimes the Lord is trying to lead us in an obvious direction,
but we just refuse to see what it is. If things rolled on fine and He
didn't intervene, then we stubborn ones would just keep on truckin' . .
. in the wrong direction. My scoutmaster used to tell this joke. It
wasn't funny, but it had a point. A man had a mule and it wouldn't
budge, no matter what he did. Another fellow came up, picked up a
two-by-four, and smacked the mule as hard as he could right between the
eyes. The mule started moving, if a little groggy. "First", the second
fellow said, "you have to get their undivided attention". Reminds me of
Psalm 32:9. Wish I could say that I didn't need this treatment often.
But the Lord has been patient with me and given me what I needed, even
if it was the two-by-four treatment to get me moving . . . in the right
direction . . . finally.
Point being, when we find ourselves in a place where there is no way
out, our job is to trust the Lord. The fact is, there IS a way out, but
it's His way, and not our way. He can make a path for us, even if He has
to part the Red Sea to do it. Our job is to trust Him that this is so
and resist getting so self-focused that we fail to see the opening when
He provides it.
I know that the Lord has plans for you. He has blessed you with a
wonderful family and He has blessed them with you. He is going to get
you through this, even if right now, tonight, the way through hasn't
materialized. There will be a stepping stone there when you put your
foot down. He will bring you across, even if you never see any of the
stepping stones until just before you land on them. That is my
testimony. That is how He has blessed me in my life. How I have not been
destroyed is a wonder and a miracle. But here I am. And that is God's
grace. And you know what? There you are. And you have not been destroyed
either. The fact that it looks inevitable doesn't count. If it didn't
look inevitable, there wouldn't be any test of faith. Be pleased to
trust in Him, my friend. He can do it. And He WILL do it. Our part is
merely to trust Him that He indeed will, even when we can't see how from
where we stand at present.
Sorry also to be getting to this only now. I came down with a nasty flu
Monday afternoon, and I'm still spending most of the day in bed
(cancelled classes today for only the third time in 28 years over a
health problem). Hopefully I'll be back in action Friday.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #13:
[omitted]
Response #13:
It's always hard to advocate on a brother or sister's behalf when they
seem intent on condemning themselves.
Here is one thing I want you to hear and to hold onto and not let go.
The Father loves you.
How much?
So much that He condemned His one and only Son on your behalf, pouring
all of your sins out on Him as He rose in the flames to take them all
away.
Know this. Jesus' dying for you least sin is worth more than the entire
world put together.
Know this also: Being saved would be worth all you've suffered and
presently are suffering magnified a million-fold.
And you ARE saved. That is what counts.
Why all this is happening to you I cannot begin to pretend to
understand. But that is frequently the case when we are under severe
pressure. Job had no idea. Had he been privy to the heavenly conference
where Satan asked for permission to test him, he might have handled it
better. Likewise, we cannot see what is going on in the combat raging
beyond human vision. But we do have the book of Job.
We don't know "why?"
But our job is to TRUST the Lord that He is working all things out for
the good for us who love Him, even when everything we see and hear and
feel says differently . . . not matter what, and no matter "why?".
I'm doing battle for you in my prayers, my friend. Be pleased to embrace
the love Jesus has for you He died for everything you have done (and
everything I have done). He wouldn't have done that unless His love for
you exceeds anything you can imagine.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
[omitted]
I understand everything youre saying, I would rather do anything than
quit. Im just the easiest target there is I guess and thats after so
much learning and growth. I just want to please Him, I cant seem to do
anything else.
I know of no one else that could begin to understand whats going on
than you. It feels like the walls are burning down around me most days,
or melting and I have an idea you know something about that. I just have
no friends and my wife is so tired from kids I dont want to overburden
her and sometimes I feel Ill explode if I dont tell someone.
Please forgive me
Response #14:
There's nothing to forgive, my friend at least not as far as I'm
concerned.
I know you are not a quitter, and that's why I know I can be frank with
you.
We all have burdens to bear, and you CERTAINLY have your share no
doubt about that at all. I wish I could tell you why yours are so heavy,
especially in relation to other people I see. I don't know. But I do
know that the Lord is fair, that He loves you, that He is working it all
out for the good, and that if you couldn't take it, you wouldn't be
getting it. Which is proof to me that you are indeed a Christian warrior
par excellence.
This life, the Christian life, is a one way trip up a very steep and
very narrow road. There is no other way to go but forward no other
good way. The fight continues to go on, whether we like it or not. So
there is no other choice but to keep on fighting or quit. And we've
already established that this is not an option for you or any dedicated
believer who really is putting Jesus first in his life.
Lazarus had nothing put pain and trouble while the rich man had nothing
but ease and luxury but in a very short time things were completely
reversed. We're only here for the blink of an eye. What we will enjoy in
the presence of the Lord for five seconds will put a lifetime of trouble
in the shade and we will be with Him forever.
I am certainly praying for your relief, my friend. The Lord knows your
heart. He hears your cry for help. Trust Him. He will do it.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #15:
[omitted]
Response #15:
It's my pleasure. If I've been of some help to you in illuminating godly
perspectives, I'm thrilled about that.
Great news on the family / friend / teacher front! It's always nice to
see the Lord bring things around after we've been praying and praying
for so long about something. Nothing is impossible for Him. Our part is
to trust and wait.
On jobs, my main advice would be not to worry or fret too much about all
this or to spend too much time and mental energy on it. The main bit of
life experience I can share on all this (which in my opinion lines up
perfectly with scripture and the Spirit) is that things tend not to turn
out as we except or to go according to plan (often dramatically the
opposite). This is not so say that we ought to make a habit of "winging
it" and you are right to be trying on the different options but it
is to say that we need to be very careful not to wed ourselves to one
particular, highly detailed "option" as if this were all under our
control. It's not . . . and in my experience that is a decidedly GOOD
thing.
I've seen some things about the freelancing trend (happy young people in
coffee shops banging away on laptops). I have my doubts. It's doubtless
not for everyone. One thing I can tell you with near certainty is that
it will NOT be for you if your wife has anything to say about it. And
it's not really fair to marry someone with the idea that they'll come
second in all things. If you feel that way, it's really better not to
get married, because you're likely to mess up your marriage and your
ministry at the same time.
Living in a van? Pass. Maybe during the Tribulation if you are on the
run from the beast-Gestapo.
Off the grid? It has its appealing side but those I've seen go this
route have to spend a lot more time and effort (and sometimes money)
making it work than if they just went with the flow. And it's not as if
the beast-Gestapo will have any trouble finding you.
I'm not saying it's unavoidable or absolutely the only possible
alternative, but if you want marriage and children, doing things the
"regular way", namely, working a full-time job, is the only thing likely
to work. How in the world will you find time and energy to do a ministry
then? For one thing, it would take an understanding wife who cares more
about helping you accomplish your purpose for the Lord than taking the
kids to Disneyland. It still won't be easy. Nothing in life is (not even
living in a van or off the grid). It's not easy to be consistent
devoting time to study and teaching even if you have a great deal of
time or if you have very little or if you are somewhere in the middle.
It will always be a difficult challenge and a blessing. We fight the
fight. That is what we do. If you stayed single you would have other
challenges. It would still be difficult to engage consistently. You'd be
fighting loneliness, for one thing.
If God gives you the right woman, marry her. If the two of
you want kids, have kids. Serving Jesus Christ will be a day by day
struggle and labor of love, one day at a time, just like it is right
now.
On money management, you really need to listen to that guy you quoted. I
agree 100% (absent the typos).
If you get married, what you do with any excess money (color me rolling
on the floor with laughter) will be a joint decision in any case. As
long as you are contributing to your 401K in something conservative so
as not to pass up the free money the company is handing out, you're
doing your job. Look at it every now and then when they send you
statements and forget about it. Odds are we're going to lose all that
anyway, one way or another.
Your wife will want a house. Period. Even when you're courting, don't
even think about uttering the word "van".
Health insurance through your employer is a blessing that only a young
person on their parent's insurance might fail to appreciate. Sure,
everyone is yapping about how they're going to "fix it". But the
national debate topic for college debate tournaments when I was a
sophomore was "National Health Insurance" and the system is still the
same complicated, expensive mess today it was back in the early 70's.
I'm telling you this as someone who avoids medicos as much as possible.
Even those of us who are way out of sorts about the whole idea of
doctors find ourselves in the emergency room (or the equivalent) from
time to time. If that happens and you don't have good insurance, you are
sunk. The bills can be astronomical, they are only tax-deductible in a
very small and almost insignificant part, and you can't even get out of
them via bankruptcy. If your newborn needs an operation or you wife gets
terribly sick, you're going to do what you have to do (even if you would
stint on yourself to the point of lack of wisdom). So that's another
argument for doing things "the regular way".
You make a good point about "exempt" positions. In the university and in
the government, this more often than not results in such persons NOT
putting in 40 hours; but in the private sector of course it usually
means living at the job. That would be the type of job I would avoid, if
I were you. The Lord knows what you need. He honors the godly thinking
of your heart. He is more than able to find you just the right thing.
Our job is to use a little spiritual common sense and not waste our time
pursuing options and strategies that really are not going to work for us
on the one hand, and avoiding the temptation of "opportunities" which
are likely to kill us, our marriages and our ministries on the other.
I'm confident that you'll easily be able to figure out the right path,
based upon what the Lord does provide (as opposed to a theoretical list
of endless alternative possibilities).
Enjoy your interview. The ___ seems to be, from the little I've seen of
it and heard from some who've been in, a fairly "civilized" service. You
could probably do worse, but the military isn't for everyone (and it can
be hard on marriages).
Government jobs are hard to get but filled with benefits. University
jobs are also not the easiest to come by, but even here in a state that
doesn't honor higher education and with all our problems at my
university, I can't see how I'd have managed this ministry as it is
without the relatively reasonable work regime I've been laboring under
all these years.
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Dear Professor
Thank you for your wonderful work. I have just started using
Bible
Academy online as well (due to your recommendation of Curtis
Ministry), particularly at the moment, as a source of learning for our
youngest son. I am thinking of using his site for newer believers as
well.
I am copping a bit of flak lately, mostly close to home - some directly
related to the gospel. As we make small progress in our faith, it has
stirred up feelings and resentment Some challenges and listening and
explaining have ensued. Another issue is that I bring up religion at
parties/social gatherings. (This arises from ordinary conversation) We
are still invited this Saturday night, due to my wife, (our otherwise
Bible fellowship night), to a social event, as also is our Filipino
Bible teacher. At social events, he is almost always asked to offer a
prayer on the food and gathering-this part is acceptable to most.
I do admit to sometimes looking for opportunities to share the Truth
with people (at other times I deem it appropriate to just enjoy without
any reference to the gospel - and at other times just concede that it
would also be a waste of energy). I am praying for the appropriate
conduct and wisdom in this matter.
I am having a few difficulties at work - with one person in particular.
__ said the Franklin Graham event saw 2000 people come to Christ. Yet
at our chat, he talked about going a certain distance in the gospel and
then tripping up and repeating the cycle. He said we need to change our
attitude in regards to the gospel. I recalled something from the Bible
and your teachings about the need to renew our thinking or/and our
minds. (Another topic I need to look up again)
He liked that and jotted it down for his lessons.
I am thinking of printing out some of your emails on tithing, one or two
at a time, to give to him. (He is the one who quoted Malachi to me-and
handles his churchs tithes). Until we all come to the knowledge of the
truth.
Sometimes I feel a bit lonely on the road, not by the sense that I am
any better than anyone - I am not (and there is only One who we should
strive to emulate), but it is difficult to find regular fellowship with
Christians who believe closely to what you teach. At close quarters, I
am told that people believe in God differently to me, and perhaps I
should let them believe their way - not try to persuade them to look
more closely at their Bibles, and on.
I am grateful to our Lord for the believers I can fellowship with at
times.
I am grateful for your Ministry. Gradually, some of your teachings are
making an impact on those I associate and am friends with.
I remember someone saying, Paul, I think - if possible, live peaceably
with all men. And he tried to be all things to all people, in order to
bring them to Christ. Yet, I also note, that his endeavours for our Lord
also resulted in him being imprisoned and in chains. I sometimes think
of his admonition in an effort to guide me also to if possible, live
peaceably with all men; and not give offense.
There is no need to respond to these things - I realise Christians
everywhere are beset by trials, and even actively persecuted even now.
This is just a small update. I do imagine you to be extremely busy and
so I do not need a reply - only let me know if I got the part about the
chart.
I pray for you and your ministry daily.
In our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Your student
Response #16:
I'm very happy to hear that you are getting help from Curt's
Bible Academy ministry
too. Reading is not everyone's cup of tea. And while there are MP3 files
now for most of the major studies (thanks to Chris B.'s fine work), it's
not the same as what Curt is doing. More exposure to the truth is
always a positive.
Good point about Paul. Doing what the Lord wants us to do will always
bring opposition from the evil one. The degree to which we persevere in
pushing through the flak gives some indication of the love we have for
the Lord.
So thanks for the update and the perspective, my friend. I always
benefit spiritual from your fine emails. Apologies for the short
response. Just as I've gotten over flu and cold, I seem to have gotten
some food poisoning or something. Anyway, doing a bit better with that
tonight so I think I'll be able to get through my classes tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your prayers, my friend! I keep you and yours in mine
daily.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,
So glad you replied. Was worried that I had harangued you one time too
often! I was indeed rattled from my association with GFA but have
recovered now. One thing that has rattled me as a baby Christian is that
there is a huckster and snake oil salesmen of every hue and colour
within Christianity itself! So many wolves in sheep's clothing! That
wounded my heart a bit, I was naive to think that there couldn't be
charlatans posing as Christians but the bible does clearly say it is so
and will be so.
As a baby Christian I do stumble quite a bit. There's been so many traps
to sidestep; the Hebrew roots cult, the sacred name cult, the Gnostics
and the Judaisers. Then there's the prosperity gospels and new age
philosophies creeping in. Despite all this, I do feel I am growing in my
faith and in spiritual instruction. I guess I need to be focusing on the
milk before I move on to the hard food.
I do have a few stumbling blocks still that you might be able to help me
with..
1) I know that Jesus is our sabbath rest and we are to walk in the
spirit. I understand that this is the new covenant and that the mosaic
law is nailed to the cross. I also know that Jesus healed on the sabbath
and that sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath. However,
I do trip up over two verses.
"If you love me you will keep my commandments"
And also
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
I know in my heart that the law was fulfilled by Jesus and when Jesus
says "It is finished" I believe him. I do get tripped up by people
saying that to no longer keep a sabbath either Friday night to Saturday
night or on Sunday is disobedience and breaking a commandment. When I
tell people that these were the shadow for things to come, they say "Is
it okay to murder then or commit adultery"?
I do think about Paul saying that the Law is written on our hearts and
that our hearts are circumcised but then it trips me up to hear that
Paul and the early Christians kept the sabbath.
I know it must be very frustrating to hear me stumble over something so
obvious but I'm very new to this and I do stumble when people give me
information that seems contradictory.
I should stick to your website and the other links you put up for bible
study. Alas there is not bible study in the churches around me. I
realise that I am a real child in faith and it makes me vulnerable to
false teaching or confused doctrine.
2) I know that this is just me being neurotic (I do come from a family
or worriers) but I do get tied up in a knot over the mark of the beast.
There are so many theories going around that confuse me. My passport has
expired and I know that the new ones are biometric and that scares me.
My family have bought a holiday voucher for me and are on at me to renew
my passport. The logic part of my brain tells me that the antichrist
hasn't even been revealed yet and so the mark can't be the biometric
passport. People can buy and sell without passports and it isn't a mark
in/on the hand or head. I can't help but feel that biometrics are one
step further towards it. It makes sense to me that the mark is about
worship and allegiance to the beast. Would you say it's safe to get a
biometric passport?
I know that I am being silly Bob, tripping up over obvious stumbling
blocks but I guess I am still in infancy when it comes to spiritual
wisdom. I don't mind admitting that and I am putting a weekly and daily
structure of reading and study in place to amend that.
I also wanted to ask 3) I was baptised as a child (sprinkling) will I
need to be baptised (immersion) now? I know that this is just an outward
side and not a question of salvation but some people go on a lot about
baptism and this is a stumbling block too. Not many churches around me
do adult baptisms and the ones that do teach false doctrines (such a
minefield!) There is a baptist church not far away. Was thinking of
going there mainly to be around other Christians but also I could ask
about adult immersion baptism if that is something I should now pursue.
Thanks again Bob for your time and patience with me. Thanks again for
all your support, kindnesses and wisdom. I really would feel lost and
vulnerable without it.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Response #17:
No worries, my friend! It's always a pleasure to hear from you.
1) We are to engage in a moment by moment Sabbath rest with the Lord now
that the Spirit has come, trusting and resting in Him at all times. This
is why the fourth commandment is the only one not repeated in the New
Testament, why our Lord made a point of doing God's work on the Sabbath
in opposition to what everyone else thought was right, and why Hebrews
specifically tells us that our rest is a day by day one (see
the link). Each day is our Sabbath; each day we are taking a short
and enjoyable "Sabbath day journey" hand in hand with Jesus Christ or
should be despite the shot and shell buzzing around us. So you may
tell your friends that you ARE keeping the Sabbath by walking in peace
and trust with Jesus Christ "right now". But are they?
2) The mark of the beast will be a tattoo that an individual has make a
formal application to have put permanently on their body. It will never
be accidentally accepted since the whole point is to get people to
willfully (even though there will be pressure it will not be absolute)
accept the devil's son and reject Jesus Christ (see
the link). And it will be clear that this is not just some
incidental mark but a "pledge of allegiance" to antichrist (and a
deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ).
3) Water baptism is John's baptism and was designed to prepare the
Jewish people for the Messiah. Since the generation of the apostles
passed, it's not even appropriate for believers to engage in it at all (see
the link). That is like saying that the Messiah still hasn't come.
The baptism for the Church Age is the baptism of the Spirit as both
John and Jesus affirmed:
"I baptize you with water (i.e., physically) for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
Matthew 3:11 NIV
(4) And gathering them together [Jesus] commanded [the disciples] not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father (i.e., the Holy Spirit) "which you heard about from Me. (5) For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Spirit not many days from now".
Acts 1:4-5
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth".
Acts 1:8
You are getting past all of these stumbling blocks while most Christians
in our Laodicean era are content to embrace them. So good for you! Keep
on running a good race, my friend and feel free to write me any time.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Thanks Bob!
You are so kind and gracious! It makes me cry that you are willing to
help me out with my stumbling blocks. Sometimes I feel so vulnerable but
God has made it clear to me that I belong to Him, that gives me so much
hope and strength.
I am starting my bible studies in earnest now. All earthly things can
wait until I have organised a reading and study plan because I know that
this is the most important preparation for the future that I can make
now.
Going forward I will build my house on firm foundation, on rock not on
sand.
Thanks again for your patience and gentle kindness to a fellow believer
who has struggled at times.
In Him,
Response #18:
You're so very welcome.
It's a pleasure to correspond with a believer who really is serious
about following Jesus Christ.
Do feel free to write me anytime, my friend.
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hello brother
Hope things are well. I was curious do you have any studies on why
infants meaning young believers and children being young to let astray
so easy they start out good eventually they are led astray by others
believers claiming to be christians but you can see by the way they live
and speak and try to hide their own sins. I'm making plans to make a
trip to Red Dog California maybe next month to see someone that was led
astray hopefully if possible to discuss with the person with leaders of
the church there the person have a change of mind and turn back to
follow Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks
Response #19:
I'll give you some links below. In a nutshell, those without a firm
grounding in the truth, depth of doctrine understood and believed, are
easily "tossed to and fro" by false teaching (Eph.4:14). One obvious
reason for that is that if a believer has been "in the Lord" for many
years but is still immature, he/she has compromised the Lord's purpose
for their lives after salvation which is growth, progress in applying
the truth and passing tests, and ministry to help others do likewise. So
if a person is really not interested in the truth, inevitably lies of
one kind or another will slip in to fill the vacuum.
Here are those links:
The process of apostasy (in BB 3B)
Best wishes for your ministering for our Lord!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Dear Bob,
Thank you being a blessing to many. I just read your response to some's
question and I had interest to contact, perhaps I will get help.
I stopped attending my local church over two months ago becomes of some
of the reasons you explained in your article:
"Red
Hot or Lukewarm?''. I was not receiving true teachings of Christ and
the practice contradict a lot of truth in the bible. But since I left, I
have being alone with just my family in the house, though we often have
good time with God. I have attempted to go elsewhere, but still, I have
not found where the truth is preached and practiced around me.
Question 1? Is it proper to still stay like that, me and my family?
Question 2? I have gotten enough witness and proof of being called to
teach the word of God. At the moment, I want to start bible study
groups. Can I get assistance from you?
Question 3: Please on the issue of hell and hell fire, will there be
physical fire burning people, or is it going to be fire of the word of
God?
Question 4: I believe that everybody will be saved at last. What do you
think?
Best regards!
Response #20:
Good to make your acquaintance, and thanks so much for your kind words.
Ideally we would all like to walk across the street (or a few blocks)
and have fellowship with a group of other Christians who are dedicated
to learning the truth from the Bible, a place where the Bible is taught
in an orthodox way, and in sufficient depth to grow up spiritually, a
place where the truth and its dissemination constitute the reason for
the fellowship existing. But in my country I know of only a handful of
men who are teaching the truth the right way and doing so in enough
volume to bring a believer to spiritual maturity. And one of the reasons
for that is that not very many Christians here care enough about the
truth to seek out such ministries. So the few who are interested
generally have to make do with what they can find in non-traditional
ways. I have had contact with a great many believers who feel
(understandably) exactly as you do, but unfortunately no two of them
live in the same geographic place so that fellowship can only happen
"online". It is regrettable, but praise be to the Lord who has given us
a way to get together and learn the truth so as to grow, so as to
progress, so as to learn how to apply the truth and pass the tests that
come, and so as to help others do the same! And there is mutual
encouragement from this source too. Your country is a large and diverse
one, but you are not at all the first brother I've had contact with from
there. I'm taking the liberty of CC-ing a good friend of mine who is in
the process of preparing for ministry. He can help answer a lot of your
questions about preparing for ministry (I'm happy to do so as well).
As to whether what we are doing is "right", well, what are our options?
Should we neglect learning and teaching and encouraging one another with
the actual truth? Far from it. Should we settle instead for some
traditional place where what is taught is not true at all or where there
is so little of the truth being taught so as to make the exercise
pointless (or at the very least very spiritually dangerous)? Just so we
can shake hands with someone on Sunday morning? I don't think so. When
and if the Lord opens up a "face to face" opportunity that meets our
standards or, rather, that meets HIS standards - - by all means we
will go there with enthusiasm. But settling for a "mess of pottage" in
the meantime is a poor bargain. [Much about this now at
BB 6B:
Ecclesiology]
As to your other questions:
1) Please read this link where I detail all that may be known from the
Bible on the
"Lake of Fire".
2) Only believers are saved (Jn.3:18). Christ died for the sins of all,
but life is all about using our free will "image of God" to choose for
the Lord . . . or not. Only those who want to be in eternity with
Him as Lord will be; those who reject Him are not saved. Please
see the links:
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment II
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment
Against Universalism III: Unbelievers in the Plan of God.
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Hello Dr Bob L,
Thank you for your last conversation. You said this "I'm taking the liberty of
CC-ing a good friend of mine who is in the process of preparing for ministry. He
can help answer a lot of your questions about preparing for ministry (I'm happy
to do so as well)."
Question: My challenge now is how to invite or gather people. How do I overcome
this?
Thank You.
Response #21:
That's a question of personality and personal preference. But I think the more important question is "invite or gather" to what? There are plenty of churches out there in the world. In my country there is one on pretty much every street corner. But almost none of them are teaching the Word of God, and most of them have serious problems in regard to doing and believing things that are contrary to the Word of God.
(24) And let us give careful attention to one another['s ministries] as motivation for [our own] love and good works, (25) not abandoning your mutual assembling as some have made it their practice to do [and which makes this impossible], but rather encouraging each other [to persevere in this work of the Lord], and doing so to an ever greater degree to the extent that you see the day [of the Lord] drawing [ever] closer.
Hebrews 10:24-25
The purpose of Christian assembly is mutual encouragement . . . through
the truth. The main way that this is accomplished is through the
exercise of spiritual gifts, the most important of which (in this
context) is the gift of pastor-teacher who teaches the Bible and its
truths to his group.
So without a pastor-teacher who is prepared to teach the actual truth in
great detail, there isn't going to be much purpose for seeking to
establish a formal assembly. Not a truly godly purpose, in any case.
I understood from one of your emails that you felt you might have this
gift. Many Christian men do. But, sadly, very few ever commit themselves
to the long and sacrificial course of preparation necessary to use it
well.
If a man is gifted and prepared, the Lord will provide those willing to
listen. Or, better put, where there is a group of believers genuinely
desirous of being taught the truth, the Lord provides a man to teach
them. In our Laodicean era, both this "need" part (willing believers)
and the "supply" part (prepared teachers) are few and far between. There
are few men teaching the truth because so few are interested in
receiving it. But if a man ever does prepare himself correctly, the Lord
will most surely make use of Him. The plan of God is perfect.
So I would answer your question this way. Even though there are many
Christian institutions which devote great effort and resources to the
"problem" of church-planting and development, few of these groups and
efforts ever produce a church of the sort you are looking for and
interested in. So instead of worrying about how to build a group, a man
who is convinced he has the gift should be giving his attention and
energies to becoming prepared. When he truly is, God will provide. But
if he manages to assemble a group before he's really ready to lead it
forward spiritually, no good is likely to come of that.
If you wish to prepare yourself to teach, our friend (copied here too)
can give you some insight on that, and I'm happy to do so as well.
Indeed, there is a goodly amount about that on Ichthys as you've already
discovered for yourself. Knowing the truth in detail, knowing the Bible
well, and possessing at least some rudimentary facility in the essential
tools of studying to be able to teach (language skills, familiarity with
church history and ancient history, and some knowledge of traditional
theology) are not things that can be accomplished overnight, but they
can be done, even more or less on one's own. But however it's done,
preparation needs to precede organization. God will take care of the
latter for all who honor His desires in the former.
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #22:
Hello, Dr Bob,
Thank you for the quick and enlightened response. ..."If you wish to
prepare yourself to teach, our friend (copied here too) can give you
some insight on that, and I'm happy to do so as well"....
I wish to prepare myself afresh to teach.
Response #22:
Excellent!
This is a reliable saying: "If anyone desires the office of overseer (i.e., pastor-teacher), he is seeking [to do] an honorable work".
1st Timothy 3:1
Here are some links that will give you an idea of the things to be thinking about:
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry I
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry II
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry III
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry IV
Feel free to write any time, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
P.S.: If you haven't noticed or already done so, please check out the list of wonderful ministry offerings on the Special Topics page, including postings by Bartek Sylwestrzak (*series on Mary now complete!), Christian Vassallo, John Jackson, "Bible Readings by Emma", Bible Reading Log by Christian Vassallo (helps for reading through the English Bible), The Holocaust: A Biblical and Historical Examination (Future Implications) by Fred London, the Expanded Index to Old Testment translations at Ichthys, Foundational Principles, by Odii Ariwodo, and, most recently, "The Peter series" translated into Kiswahili by Resi Kilambo.
A special word of thanks to all who have been praying for this ministry. The Lord has brought about a great deliverance for me and mine. I am forever grateful to Him, and also to all of you who have been faithfully interceding for me and for this ministry.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2
Addendum: 12/24/16: I also want to thank everyone who has been praying for my family and especially for my mother. She passed away yesterday morning at the age of ninety-six. Considering the sad shape she was in, it was a blessing that the Lord took her when He did. She died "full of years" in the company of those who loved her, and now she is with the Lord and nothing is better than that (Phil.1:23; Rev.7:17; 21:4).
Update on Urgent Prayer Request For Vau (5/29/19):
Hello Brother Bob, Vau passed this morning. He is now with our Lord. Please continue to lift our family up in prayer.
Sister Shevetta Washington
More Prayer Requests:
More E-mails: Complete archive of previous emails: Ichthys' Emails
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation V
Old Testament Interpretation XV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry IX
The 'Rapture' and other Eschatological Issues
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VIII
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief VI
New Testament Interpretation VIII
Old Testament Interpretation XIV
Politics versus Spiritual Growth IV
Old Testament Interpretation XIII
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief V
Politics versus Spiritual Growth III
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation IV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VII
Legalism, Past, Present and Future IV
New Testament Interpretation VII
Eschatology Issues XXIV: the 'Rapture' et al.
Believers in the World VIII: Coping with Family
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief IV
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations XI
Spiritual Gifts and False Teaching
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers VI
New Testament Interpretation VI
Old Testament Interpretation XII
Apologetics, Ministry and False Teaching
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VI
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality II
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief III
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions VI
Interpretation, Application, Exegesis and Ministry
Baptism: Water and Spirit VIII
New Testament Interpretation V
Apathy, Atheism, Cults and False Teaching
The Battlefield Within II: Combating anger, fear, blaming God, blaming others
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation III
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry V
Paul the Apostle: Aspects of his Life and Ministry II
Old Testament Interpretation XI
Mutual Encouragement in Christ VII
The Transitional Era of the Book of Acts and its Unique Spiritual Gifts
Old Testament Interpretation X
The pre-Trib 'Rapture': so called 'imminence' and other false proofs refuted
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth III
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations X
Legalism, Past and Present III: Sabbath observance, tithing, dietary regulations and other issues
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief II
Old Testament Interpretation IX
Christology Questions IX: Christ and His Church
Mutual Encouragement in Christ VI: Perseverance
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation II
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry IV
Fighting the Fight V: Dispatches from the Laodicean 'Front' II
Old Testament Interpretation VIII
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry III
New Testament Interpretation IV
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations IX
Peace, Reconciliation and Salvation
Mutual Encouragement in Christ V: Soldiers of the Cross
Old Testament Interpretation VII
Dangers of the Pre-Trib Rapture False Teaching
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VIII
The Infinity, Magnitude, Glory, Providence and Plan of God
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God IV
Nephilim, Antichrist, the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast
The Trinity and Messianic Legalism II
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment II
Politics versus Spiritual Growth II
Culture and Christianity XVII: Humor, Self-Defense, Pacifism and War
Culture and Christianity XVI: Alcohol, Money and Dietary Issues
Dreams, Visions, Miracles, Exorcism, Tongues, and False Prophets
Calvinism, Catholicism and Ichthys
Apologetics, Legalism, Cults and Philosophy
Mutual Encouragement in Christ IV
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers V
Faith and Free Will in Trial and Testing
Free Will and God's WILL in Salvation
Jobs, Money, Finances and Giving: What does the Bible say?
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry II
Mutual Encouragement in Christ III
It is Better on the Other Side
Christology Questions VIII: The Deity, Humanity and Life of Christ
The Lives of the Apostles and the Writing of the New Testament II
Biblical People and Places: Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Hagar, Esau, Joseph and more
Biblical Anthropology V: Body, Spirit and 'Soul', Present and Future
Satan, Antichrist, the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions V
Prophets, Prophecy, and False Prophets
Christology Questions VII: The Life and Spiritual Death of Christ and Holy Communion
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God III
Culture and Christianity XV: The Bible vs. some Sensitive Social and Political Issues
Christology Questions VI: Christophany, Deity and the Spiritual Death of Christ
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth II
Fighting the Fight IV: Dispatches from the Laodicean 'Front'
The Resurrection Body and our Eternal Future II
Blindness, Disease and Healing
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VII
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth
Judaism and Legalism in the church-visible
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching III
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions IV
Old Testament Interpretation VI
More Questions on the Book of Hebrews: Melchizedek, Esau, and the 'Impossibility' of Being Restored
Believers in the World IV: Making Godly Choices vs. Following Man-Made Rules
Guilt, Sin and Victory through Spiritual Growth
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching II
Politics versus Spiritual Growth
Christian Struggle, Perseverance and Deliverance
The Bible and the Natural World
An Extended Conversation on the 'Unpardonable' Sin
Eternal Realities: Real Heaven, Real Hell
Eschatology Issues XII: Babylon, Armageddon, Israel, 2026
Ministers, Ministry, and Preparation for Ministry
Evangelism in Principle and Practice II
Gospel Questions X: Glory, John the baptist, the hidden talent, the Kingdom of God
Matthew Questions, verse by verse
Politics and Political Action on the Eve of the Tribulation
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading IV
Mutual Encouragement in Christ II
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers IV
Culture and Christianity XIII: College, Dating, Marriage and Friendship
Eschatology Issues XI: Trumpets, the Millennium, the Time of the Tribulation and the Resurrection.
Sin according to the Bible: Hamartiology II
Angelic Issues VI: Cherubs, Guardians, Elders and 'gods'
Sin according to the Bible: Hamartiology I
Bible Chronology, Aramaic and Interpretation
The Trinity and Messianic Legalism
Anger, Anthropopathism, Eternity and Divine Motives
Unbelievers, Free Will, and the Plan of God II
Christology Questions V: the Baptism, Temptation and Spiritual Death of Christ
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God II
Believers in the World III: Prosperity Gospel, Tithing, Cults and Legalism
Faith, Hope and Love: Virtue in Spiritual Warfare
Finding a Church or Something Better? II
New Testament Interpretation III
Faith vs. History, Archaeology, Philosophy
Believers in the World II: Confronting False Groups and False Teaching
The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses of the Tribulation
Predestination, Free Will and False Teaching
Love, Marriage, and Divorce: Marriage and the Bible III
Interpreting Dreams and Analyzing Prophetic Claims
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading III
Eschatology Issues IX: Amillennialism, Trumpets, and the Seven Days
Spiritual Warfare IV: Demons, Demonic Influences and Satanic Methodology
Atheism and Gnosticism: Denying the Truth about God
Sin, Salvation and Forgiveness: Claiming the Mental and Spiritual High-Ground
Struggling with Salvation . . . and Relatives
Ministry and the Ichthys Ministry II
All about Ichthys II: Mutual Encouragement in the Lord
The Book of Job and Christian Suffering
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers III: Creationism, Neanderthals, Fossil Record
Christology Questions IV: Jesus' Birth, Baptism, Early Life, and Kenosis
Third Party Testimony III: Near Death Experiences, Revelations and Tongues
Third Party Testimony II: Charismatic Claims of Visions, Dreams and Prophecy
Third Party Testimony I: We Believe God and His Word Not People
God Heals - in His way (not our way)
Sanctification, Separation and Restraint
Finding a Church or Something Better?
Culture and Christianity X: Military Service, College, Politics, and Race Relations
Contemporary Churches and Women Preachers
Culture and Christianity IX: Politics, Tithing, Music, Crucifixes, Alcohol, and Gambling
Biblical Anthropology III: Soul versus Spirit, "Soul Sleep", and the Interim Body
New Testament Interpretation II: Who is equal? Grace in vain. Unequally yoked.
Aspects of the Crucifixion II: Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
Aspects of the Crucifixion I: Carrying the cross, trials and rooster crow.
The Canon: Content, Chronology, and Criticism
Spiritual Warfare III: Peter's 'Angel', Saul's Death, and Strange Events
Old Testament Interpretation IV: Gehazi's Leprosy, Tyre's Destruction, and Immanuel
Nephilim, Fallen Angels, and Genesis 6
Sin, Atonement and Forgiveness II
Sin, Atonement and Forgiveness I
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment
Noah, the Flood, and the Nature of Animals
The Tribulation: Timing of, Preparation for, and Conditions in
Eschatology Issues VIII: Revelation, Tribulation and Judgment
Antichrist: the Mark, the Number, and the Identification of the Beast
Satan's Revolt and the Tribulation to Come
Old Testament Interpretation III: The Name 'Jacob', the Mark of Cain, Jeshrun.
Old Testament Interpretation II: Urim and Thummim, the Bronze Serpent, the Ark.
Being Saved: Security, Apostasy, and the Sin unto Death
Fighting the Fight III: False Teaching, Local Churches, and the Truth
Fighting the Fight II: Struggling with Sin, Doubt, and Severe Testing
Fighting the Fight I: Accountability, Faith, Sin, Forgiveness, and Reward
Dispensations, Covenants, Israel and the Church II
Dispensations, Covenants, Israel and the Church I
Witnessing: Cults and Christianity II
Witnessing: Cults and Christianity I
Ministry and the Ichthys Ministry
Spiritual Growth, Church-Searching and "Discipling"
Unbelievers, Free Will, and the Plan of God
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VI
Paganism, Idolatry, Mythology and the Occult
The Lives of the Apostles and the Writing of the New Testament
The Essence of God and Deity of Christ
Parables and their Interpretation
The Meaning and Purpose of True Christian Assembly
1st John: Text and Interpretation
Perseverance in the latter days of Laodicea
Prayer: the Persistence, Purpose and Power of.
Paul the Apostle: Aspects of his Life and Ministry
Gospel Questions VII: The Wedding at Cana et al.
Israel, 'Lost Tribes' and the Star of David
Israel and Antichrist
in Eschatology
Explaining and Defending the
Trinity and the Person of Christ II
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions III
The Geography of Heaven, Hades and 'Hell'.
The Resurrection Body and our Eternal Future.
Christ the First-Born, High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek.
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading II
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading
Hermeneutics, Typology, Christophany, Theophany and Anthropopathism.
No, Hebrews does not teach that you lost your salvation.
Gospel Questions VI: the Long Ending of Mark et al.
Judas and the Betrayal of Christ
Doubting Salvation and Questions of Sin
The 144,000: God's Seal vs. the Mark of the Beast
Atheism: Putting Truth to Death
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions II
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions I
The Law, Love, Faith-Rest and Messianism
Sin and Salvation, Confession and Forgiveness
Have I Lost My Salvation? (III)
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle.
Putting Christ in Christmas: Loving Jesus, the Star and the Magi, Wonderful Counselor.
Healing, Miracles, and Dreams: Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff by biblical Means
153 Fish: Explaining some Difficult New Testament Passages
Kenosis: Our Lord's Self-Limitation during the 1st Advent
Biblical Anthropology II: 'Soul sleep', & dichotomy vs. trichotomy
Biblical Anthropology I: The Nature of Human Beings and Human Life according to the Bible.
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers II.
Culture and Christianity VII: Jury Duty, Witnessing, Biometry, Military Service et al.
Culture and Christianity VI: Halloween, Holidays, Aliens, and Christian Applications.
Angelic Issues V: Michael, the Angel of the Lord, Christophany, demons, cherubs, and Satan's revolt.
Angelic Issues IV: Satan's Revolt in the Plan of God.
All about Ichthys: Mutual Encouragement in the Lord.
Fallen Angels, Demons, Nephilim, and the Devil's Methodology.
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief.
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God.
Communion and the Spiritual Death of Christ.
Israelology, Anti-Semitism, the Remnant, Gentiles, Lost Tribes, Jewish Myths.
"Soul Sleep" versus our true Heavenly State.
Christology Questions III: The Angel of the Lord, the Lamb Slain, monogenes.
Angelic Issues III: Demons, Satan, Elders, Female Angels and Guardians.
Against Universalism III: Unbelievers in the Plan of God.
Waters Above, the Firmament, and the Genesis Gap.
In Need of Guidance and Encouragement.
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations V.
Servants, Slaves, Disciples, and Ministers.
Evangelism in Principle and Practice.
Scripture versus Personal Experience.
Calvinism, Covenants and Catholicism.
Culture and Christianity V: Temporal Authority vs. Biblical Application.
False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security III.
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism IV: Unclean and Impure?
Things to Come III: The Wrath of God and the Fate of the Beast's Army.
God Works All Things Together for Good.
The 7 Trumpets, the 7 Kings, Nephilim, Antichrist and Revived Rome.
The Coming Tribulation and the Kingdom of God.
Sin, Confession and Forgiveness.
Mutual Encouragement in Christ.
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations IV.
Eschatology Issues V: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons".
Ichthys and Contemporary Christianity.
Gospel Questions V: Help my Unbelief, Respecting our Enemies, etc.
The Two Witnesses of the Tribulation: Moses and Elijah.
The Apostles, the Jerusalem Council, and Legalism then and now.
Aspects of the Christian Walk: Gambling, Lying, Christmas, Judging, Worrying, et al.
Believers in the World: Using our Free Will to Respond to the Lord
John's Water-Baptism versus the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The City of David, the Star of David, Solomon's Wisdom, and the Song of Solomon.
The Israelites at Kadesh and 'not entering the Land of Promise'.
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers.
Sin and Spiritual Transformation.
One Baptism: the True Meaning of Peter's Words at Acts 2:38.
Apostasy and the Sin unto Death, the Conscience and Sanctification.
The Plan of God and Individual Salvation (excerpt from BB 4B)
In Your Anger, do not Sin: Ephesians 4:26 and the Sin Nature
On the Firing Line: Encouragement in Christian Trials
Eschatology and the Old Testament
Prayer and our Walk with Jesus.
Issues of Canonicity II: Aramaic, Enoch, KJV, and the Pastorals
Bible Vocabulary and Bible Word Studies
Satan, his Demons, and the Gnostics
Antichrist: Alive and Well and Living on Planet Earth?
Our Eternal Future: Life after Death for Believers in Jesus Christ
Giants and Nephilim, Sumerian Myths, and Sea Monsters
Free-Will Faith and the Will of God
The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy: explaining James 4:5.
Free-Will Faith in the Plan of God.
Putting the Word of God First.
The False Doctrine of "Soul Sleep" II.
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security II.
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism III
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism II
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism.
Mega-Churches, Emergent Christianity, Spirituality and Materialism.
Epignosis, Christian Epistemology, and Spiritual Growth.
Jephthah's Daughter, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.
Christian Unity and Divisiveness.
Death, Martyrdom and Resurrection.
Blessing, Cursing, and Prayer.
Fighting the Good Fight of Faith.
Only-Begotten, Mother-of-God, On-this-Rock: English-only Interpretation is Dangerous.
The Greek Text of the New Testament and some Issues of Textual Criticism.
What does the name 'Christian' mean?
Christians Beware: Internet Frauds and the Need for Spiritual Discernment (part 2).
Christians Beware: Internet Frauds and the Need for Spiritual Discernment.
Spring Special: The Millennial Regathering and Purging of Israel.
Last Things and Last Judgments
The Local Church and Personal Ministry IV
The Local Church and Personal Ministry III
The Local Church and Personal Ministry II
The Local Church and Personal Ministry I
Aspects of the False Doctrine of Institutional Security
Chronological Order of the Books of the Bible II
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations III
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations II
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations I
Satan and the Existence of Evil.
The Holy Spirit: Blasphemy against,
Restraining Ministry, and Gender.
Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Growth
Christian Love, the Golden Rule, Christian Military Service and Self-Defense.
Issues of Canonicity: Apocrypha, Enoch, and Inspiration.
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality.
Numbers, Letters, and the Mark of the Beast.
Gospel Questions I: Jesus' Life, the Gospels and Cherubs, and who Wrote Matthew.
Naaman, Nero, Nineveh, and Senacharib.
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security.
Choosing Hell: Questions about Salvation and the Love of God.
The Route of the Israelites in Crossing
the Red Sea.
Some Issues of Transmission,
Translation, and Transliteration: The Camel and the Needle, etc.
Aspects of the Life of Christ:
Jesus' siblings, the man born blind, et al.
Redemption, the Blood of Christ, Christ our Passover, and The Passion of the Christ.
Eschatology Issues II: Angelic bodies, heaven and hell, Satan and the Nephilim, etc.
The Book of Job and Biblical Interpretation.
Some Questions about Eternity.
Who Controls our Thoughts and Emotions?
Sleep as a Euphemism for Death.
Literal Hell.
The Timing of the Resurrection.
Dispensations, the Church, the Rapture, and the Destruction of the Universe.
Christianity versus Contemporary Kitsch.
Purpose Driven Life, Oprah's New Age Religion, et al.
Lot, Esau, and Cain: Learning through
Negative Examples.
Against Universalism II: Only
Believers are Saved.
Against Universalism I: Free Will and the
Image of God.
The Seven Edens and the Eden of Adam and Eve.
Opposition to the Genesis Gap from the Creation Research Institute et al.
The Beast: Some Questions about Antichrist.
The Book of Revelation: Some Questions.
Red Hot or Lukewarm? Bible Teaching versus Sermonizing.
The Last Judgment and the Great White Throne.
Christology: Some Questions on the Life of Christ.
Train up a Child in the Way he should Go.
Unbelief and its Consequences.
Explaining and Defending the Trinity and the Person of Christ.
Free Will and Faith under Pressure.
Bible Interpretation I: Academics, Versions et al.
Faith in the Word of God: the Basis of all True Worship.
Aspects of the Resurrection II.
Faith and Encouragement in the midst of Fiery Trials.
Jethro, Amenhotep, Iraq, the Catacombs, and the KJV.
Eschatology Issues: The Fig Tree, Ezekiel 38, Joel 3, and the Trumpets.
Christ the Rock, the Rooster's Crow, and the Cross.
Applying Faith II: Production, Forgiveness, Circumcision, Truth over People.
Applying Faith: Eating, Drinking, and Vacation.
The Tree of Life, Communion, and the Virgin Birth.
Can Prayer Be Offered From Heaven? & Some Genesis Questions.
Walking the Path of Faith through the Light of the Word of God.
Salvation on the battlefield, truth revealed to infants, and damnation.
Preparing for
Tribulation.
Divine
Sovereignty and Divine Judgment.
Should Christians wear Jewelry?
The Events Surrounding the Birth of Christ.
Zechariah,
Demon Possession, Marriage,
Spiritual Experiences,
and Bible Prophecy.
No Grounds for Divorce?
The Shape of the Universe, Hominids, and the Genesis Gap.
Taking Personal Responsibility: Interest, Bankruptcy, Gambling, and Employment.
The Seven Churches, the Judgment Seat of Christ, and other issues in Eschatology.
The Canonicity of the book of Hebrews.
Great White Throne, the Last Judgment, and the Outer Darkness.
Political Action versus Biblical Christianity.
Study Tools and Methodologies.
The Gospel and the Kingdom of God.
Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with Jesus and Christian Epistemology.
The Origin and the Danger of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture Theory.
The Divinity of the Spirit and the Percentage of those who are Saved.
Should Christians ever consider getting a lawyer?
Pastoral Authority, Popes, Pat Robertson, and Pelagianism.
Some Questions on Church Polity.
Luther, Arminius, Calvin, Kant, Ironside, Tutu and Thieme.
Transmutation, Resuscitation, and Resurrection.
More on the Documentary Hypothesis and More on the Rapture.
Enoch's Walk with God and Some Questions in the Gospels.
The Influence of the Renaissance and Rationalism on the Church and Cutting off Arms in Malachi 2:3.
Eschatology
Questions.
Baptism and Following
Jesus.
The Cross, Sin, and the Devil in God's Plan.
More on: Spiritual Gifts; Hats & Hair; the Age of Accountability.
Who will populate earth during the Millennium? and Asking for Wisdom: James 1:5.
Was Judas Saved?, The Gospel of Judas, and Issues of Canonicity.
Is 'My Son' Israel or Jesus in Hosea 11:1? & How do you Prove Sin to Someone?
Did Matthew Write his Gospel in Hebrew?
Christian Crowns, Pagan Names, and the Time of the Cock-Crow.
Child-like Faith, Mark vs. Matthew, the Mahdi, and 'Who was with God in the Beginning?
True Orthodoxy and False Creeds.
Foot-washing, Bitter Herbs, Baptism, and Borrowed Faith.
Friday versus Thursday Crucifixion.
Jesus' Cursing of the Fig Tree, Apostasy, and 'Feng Shui'.
The Genesis Serpent, Using "it" to refer to the baby Jesus, and more on Tattoos.
Why did Jesus choose John over James to take care of His mother Mary?
Antichrist's 'desire of women' in Daniel 11:37 et al.
Do recent catastrophes have a divine origin?
Does God really want us to be sick and poor? Revisiting the prosperity gospel.
Why did our Lord Jesus arise from the tribe of Judah?
What will our relationship be in heaven with children who died young?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit as distinct from speaking in tongues.
The Grammar behind the Genesis Gap.
The Great White Throne Judgment.
Does God's choice of us eliminate our free will?
Why does God allow bad things to happen?
The Bible as "divine", roof prayer, and tattoos.
Character in Hebrews 1:3, et al.
"Are the children of unbelievers lost if they die before receiving Christ?"
"Is baptism necessary for salvation?"
"The nature of life after death."
"The personality of the Holy Spirit."
"The dragon of Revelation 12 and the talking idol of Revelation 13."
"Infirmities and Diseases in Matthew 8:17"
"The Leftover Baskets of Bread and Fish in John 6."
"Waiting for the Ascension" and "Amos 4:11".
Should Christians have a competitive attitude?
John "leapt for joy" in the womb - or did he?
Satanic Influence in Video Games and Television.
Moving Mountains: Matthew 21:21
Not a hair shall be lost? Luke 21:16 versus Luke 21:18.
The reign of antichrist: 7 years or 3 and 1/2 years?
"Doubts about the Nephilim in Genesis 6" and "Ezekiel 9:4 and the Mark of the Beast"
"Word Counts in the Bible", "Him whom they Pierced (Rev.1:7)", and "Necromancy".
"Waiting for a Savior" and "The Direction East in the Bible"
Is there a purgatory according to the Bible?
Your desire shall be for your husband: Genesis 3:16.
Have I committed the unforgivable sin?
Is the local church meant to be a patriarchy?
Why doesn't the Bible mention all of the prophets of the children of Israel?
Tohu in Genesis 1:2 and the Cause of the Darkness.
Why Doesn't God Prevent All Children from Dying?
Why were Christians being regarded as "evil-doers" in 1st Peter 2:12?
Phylacteries and the Mark of the Beast, and "What about Joseph?"
Assembly of the local church, and Jesus' use of "I AM" from Exodus 3:14 in John 8:58
The "burden of the Lord" in Jeremiah 23:32-40, and judgment for idle words in Matthew 12:36-37.
The importance of spiritual resiliency.
Does God use disease to discipline us?
Recovering from Cult Exposure.
Variability in Christian Testing and Personal Tribulation.
Is there any value to the Apocrypha?
The Communion
Ceremony outside of the
local church.
The Christian Walk, the End, and Tattoos.
Should Christians honor Sunday as the new Sabbath?
Chronological order of the books of the Bible.
Doubt, light, missed opportunities et al.
Corporate prayer in Matthew 18:19: "when two agree on earth".
What does the Bible say about humor?
The value of cumulative prayer.
Our Heavenly, Pre-Resurrection, Interim State.
How could a loving God order the destruction of the Canaanites?
Should Christians observe the Torah?
Church Polity and three other passages.
Tongues: does 'no man' understand?
The few saved, the door in heaven, visions of heavenly realities, and Christmas.
Christian suffering and spiritual maturity.
Aliens, antichrist, and eschatology.
Does exceptionally sinful behavior indicate that a Christian has lost salvation?
Should Christians celebrate Jewish festivals?
The Deaths of the 12 Disciples / Apostles of Christ.
Categories of Sin in Psalm 19.
Some brief answers on a variety of topics.
Pastoral Support, Pastoral Preparation, and the Purpose of Assembly.
Encouragement, Isaiah 6:11-13, and the Hope of Repentance.
Dinosaurs, the Nephilim, Noah, et al.
How much should we pay our pastor?
Is it wrong for me to celebrate Easter?
The Sealing of the Holy Spirit.
Visions of Angels: Colossians 2:18.
Waiting on God's timing: patience in testing.
"Your Throne, O God": Psalm 45:6.
What is meant by the phrase "the Lord's footstool"?
A conversation about divorce and remarriage.
Faith in the midst of the fiery trial.
Hebrews 10:26 again, and two other notes on Arthur Pink and the Greek word diakonos.
What is the correct translation of Isaiah 59:19?
Is the star of Acts 7:43 the star of David?
Some questions about Nimrod and Christmas trees, Tongues, and Healing
Is Jesus the only One ever to restore sight?
What happens to people who were born and died prior to the birth of Christ?
Which is better, the King James Version or the New King James Version?
What is the minimum necessary to be saved?
How can we know whose interpretation of the Bible is right (Part 2)?
How can we know whose interpretation of the Bible is right (Part 1)?
Psalm 22:1, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
The "Mind of Christ" in 1st Corinthians 2:16
Simeon and Simon, and the two crows of the rooster
Ichthys, saints, and the Last Adam
Does Hebrews 10:26 teach loss of salvation?
Eternal security: where does one draw the line?
Who are Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39?
How did John the baptist come to doubt Jesus?
Is Jesus literally seated on the throne at God's right hand?
Are the Celts the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel?
Whatever happened to the "Genesis Gap"?
"The baptism which now saves you": 1st Peter 3:21.
What type of healing is being discussed in Isaiah 53:5?
The Origin of the Four Seasons
2nd Peter 3:5: Doubting the Tribulation
A Question about Ichthys books
Biblical Metaphors and Symbolism
Faith and the Pre-Tribulational "Rapture".
Bible translation and John 8:58.
Melchizedek and the high priesthood of Christ: two questions et alia.
The centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman.
What is "heaven" like according to Christian teachings?
1st Corinthians 11: Hats or Hair?
Confession of Sin, Fellowship, and the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
A Miscellany of Questions and Answers (Nineveh, the beast, tongues, demons, Sadam, etc.)
Some Greek Questions in the Gospels (John 1:3; 2:19; 8:58; Luke 23:43)
Is Man trichotomous, and does that mean that salvation is three-tiered?
Christ knocking at the door in Revelation 3:20
The futility of memory without God and eternal life.
The meaning of Jesus' words, "I am" in John 8:58
What does the Bible say about Heaven and Hell?
Peace in 1st Corinthians 14:33
Salvation and Church Affiliation.
Several questions on the book of Hebrews.
Does the Bible prohibit women from preaching or teaching in the Church?
Should Christian leaders refrain from drinking in public?
How to use the Bible translations at Ichthys.
The Worship of Jesus: a proof of His divinity?
An Extended Conversation about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Is water baptism required for Christians today?
Are health and wealth a part of the gospel?
Will those in Hades be able to see Christ's return?
Feelings of Guilt about Remarriage.
Who are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel?
What does "the Word was with God" mean in John 1:1-2?
Three questions on three verses in Isaiah (Is.21:4; 28:10, & 66:24).
How important is education for a pastor?
Availability and use of Ichthys materials: several questions.
Is there any difference between demons and fallen angels?
Two questions about Judas Iscariot.
Three Questions about Tattoos and Salvation.
The Hebrew word for 'one' (`echadh) and the uniqueness of God.
Did the witch of Endor really conjure up the spirit of Samuel?
A Question about the "Waters Above".
Why did God the Father wait so long to send Jesus into the world?
How does being "slain in the Spirit" relate to being baptized in the Spirit?
How do you prove the existence of God?
Where does the Bible teach that Jesus is God?
Is it ever Justifiable to Tell a Lie (part 2)?
Is the Westminster Catechism a Good Reference Tool?
What does it mean "the spirit returns to God" in Ecclesiastes 12:7?
Is there any Connection between biblical Gemstones and Moral Characteristics?
Are Miraculous Gifts Operational Today?
Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (Christophany: Gen.3:8).
Can those in organizations which teach "salvation by works" be saved?
Is "helpmeet" a wrong translation in Genesis 2:20?
Cast thy Bread upon the Waters: What do the seven and eight portions in Ecclesiastes 11:2 mean?
Was Cain Satan's literal "seed"?
The Demon Possessed Girl in Acts 16:16.
The "Sin unto Death" in 1st John 5:16.
Is death just a natural part of human life?
Communion and the Blood of Christ.
What does it mean in 1st Corinthians 7:14, "the unbelieving husband is sanctified"?
The Re-institution of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennium.
Secular Documentation for the Exodus.
The false doctrine of "soul sleep".
The Author of Hebrews and Jesus' Perfect Completion of His Mission.
The Trinity in Isaiah 63:10-15.
How old was Jesus at the time of His crucifixion and resurrection?
Five Smooth Stones: 1st Samuel 17:40
How can we know the Bible is true?
Habakkuk's Prosperity Prayer: Habakkuk 3:17-19.
Jeremiah 31:22: "A Woman shall Compass a Man".
The New International Version of the Bible and some issues in Bible translation.
Is "the Prophet" of Deuteronomy 18:18 Muhammad?
The One True God and the Trinity in the Old Testament.
Are those in Hebrews 6:4 who "crucify the Son of God afresh" lost?
Are New Bible Translations Part of a Conspiracy?
What exactly is the "red heifer prophecy", and how does it relate to the events of the end times?
Where did the waters of Genesis 1 go?
Sin, Baptism, and the Book of
Revelation
Tithing
and the Book of
Life
The Dangers of the Prosperity Gospel.
English and the Tower of Babel.
The "Seven Thunders" of Revelation 10:3-4
The fate of the unrighteous dead in Isaiah 66:24
Who are the "sons of the kingdom" in Matthew 18:11-12?
Why does Judah get greater honor than Jerusalem in Zechariah 12:7?
How is the date of Easter computed?
What is the meaning of the 1290 days versus the 1335 days in Daniel 12?
What Church era are we now in?
Can you explain "help my unbelief!" in Mark 9:24?
What does it mean to "overcome" in Revelation chapters 2 and 3?
Are women required to wear veils or hats in
church?
Is the world
about to come to an end?
Does the Bible ever describe the earth as being round?
Pre-, mid-, or post-Tribulation rapture?
The origin and fate of the "giants" in Genesis chapter six.
Christian suffering - Christian encouragement.
Is speaking in tongues biblical?
Can you recommend a good commentary on the book of Romans?
The recipients of Peter's epistles.
Pre- or Post-Tribulation "rapture"?
Animal sacrifice in the millennium.
Is it ever justifiable to lie?
Who
wrote the King James version?
The meaning of the
divine name יהוה.
The so-called "documentary hypothesis".
The relationship between the books of Kings and Chronicles.
David's disastrous census of Israel.
Aspects of the Unseen Angelic Warfare and 666, the Mark of the Beast.
The 200 million strong demon army of Revelation 9:13.
Deliverance through Childbearing in 1st Timothy 2:15?
Some questions about the Tribulation.
More on divorce and remarriage.
What does it mean to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy"?
The manner of the apostle Peter's death.
Wasn't Matthias the thirteenth apostle?
Forward progress necessary for salvation and spiritual growth.
The "seven days" of human history.
1st John 1:9 and
confessing sin.
ICHTHYS and the role of traditional Christianity.
Can you recommend a good survey for the Old and New Testaments?
Where can I find more information on the "Genesis gap"?
Is Church membership an issue in salvation?
Are these materials available for purchase as books?
What is your opinion of the Abingdon one-volume Bible Commentary?
What is the significance of the number "20" in the Bible?
The 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14.
What is your view on predestination?
The chronology of the date 2026.
Does baptism play a role in being born again?
Why does the devil have access to God while man cannot stand in His presence?
The structure of the book of Revelation.
What is your view of the rapture?
What is meant by the "10 days" of Revelation
2:10?
Dragons in the Bible?
Are there apostles in the
Church today?
What is the meaning of the
word "chosen" in
the Bible.
The Passover.
What are the most common Bible
names?
What is the biblical significance
of the number forty?
What does the Bible have
to say about witchcraft?
How can I protect myself from false teaching?
Didn't the devil know he couldn't defeat God?
Are the Masons wrong according to the Bible?
Six Questions.
Can the faith of
"backsliders" be
restored?
Are there biblical origins to
mythology?
What does the phrase "sides of the pit" mean in Isaiah 14:15?
Can prayer be offered in the name of the Son?
Is it valid to celebrate Christmas?
Can you give me some information on divine names in the Bible?
What is the significance of name changes in the Bible?
Is there a "gospel of Thomas"?
Is the nature of Man
dichotomous or trichotomous?
Will the temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem?
Does the Bible teach a literal Millennium?
What does the word "good" mean in Genesis?
Who are "the dead" who "rise first" in 1st Thessalonians 4?
Are the Greek tenses in John 7:34 correctly translated?
Is the devil "mad" to oppose God?
Does the Bible require supporting
the pastor
financially?
How
can Jesus be a man
and God at the same time?
How did people
atone for intentional sin
in Old Testament times?
What is the symbolism of the
Lamb of God in Revelation?
Can you recommend some word study tools for Bible study?
Can people who commit suicide be saved?
What is the difference between wisdom and discernment?
Marriage of Believers and Unbelievers.
Is hearing believing in John 6:35?
Is Paul describing himself in Romans chapter seven?
Is tithing required for salvation?
What is the evidence for the "rapture"?
Is there any validity to the "prosperity gospel"?
Who are the "Nephilim" in Genesis chapter six?
What does the Bible have to say about reincarnation?
Believing the Bible for Spiritual Growth.
Why was the New Testament written in Greek?
What about those who have never heard of Christ?
What about elders and deacons?
Eternal Security and "sinless perfection".
Eternal Security and "salvation by works".
Does the Bible teach ex nihilo
creation?
When did Jesus first know He
was God's Son?
Are there prophets today?
How could Christ have been three days and
nights in
the grave?
Do Muslims worship the One true
God?
What can I do about spiritual fainting?
