Value of Customary Church Membership
Q. Lately some friends have begun attending a church that doesn’t have membership; a person who simply attends is considered a member. Is this right?
God Was Looking at the Heart
Q. Two verses, 1 Samuel 16:7 and 16:12, seem to contradict each other. Please explain.
Baby/Child Dedications Biblical?
Q. Please comment on the practice in many churches of dedicating infants and children in a church service ceremony. Is there a Biblical basis for …
Why Pray for Jerusalem’s Peace?
Q. Occasionally I hear preachers and others telling us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” How can this be right or even possible in …
A Personal Guardian Angel?
Q: I have a question about the belief some have that each Christian has a personal guardian angel that watches over and protects us through …
Kissing the Son
Q. Please comment on Psalm 2:12, which mentions “kissing the Son.” A. The phrase “kiss the Son” is figurative language, referring to the actual practice …
Interest in Ancestry, Genealogy Wrong?
Q: Is it wrong to invest time in genealogies, family trees, etc.? I refer to Titus 3:9. A: Titus 3:9 reads, “But avoid foolish disputes, …
Puzzled by 1,260 vs. 1,290 in Daniel
Q: In reading the book of Daniel, I came across something that appears to be contradictory. Daniel 12:11 says 1,290 days, while my understanding from …
Born of Water
Q: What does “born of water” in John 3:5 mean? A: Several views exist. Some believe it refers to water baptism, meaning that a person …
Jesus’ Disciples—Married?
Q: We’re convinced Jesus never married, contrary to what some attention-getting liberals have advanced lately, but what about His disciples? And if any of them …
Unleavened Bread Required for Communion?
Q. Are churches required to use bread without yeast in observing the Lord’s Table? A. Churches use a variety of elements in Communion bread, but …
Judging vs. Discerning?
Q. Please explain Matthew 7:1 in relation to our need to exercise discernment. A. The familiar verse is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” …
Can Humans Attain Godhood?
Q. Recently I heard that a certain cult teaches we can become gods, based on Psalm 82:6 and John 10:33 and 34. Please comment. A. …
Why “666”?
Q. Why is the number “666” used to designate the Antichrist, and not some other numerals or letters? A. Again we have a question in …
What Did Jesus Write?
Q. John 8:1–11 tells about the accused woman who was dragged to Jesus because she had committed adultery. Jesus then wrote something on the ground. …
Last First and First Last; Many Called, Few Chosen
Q. Please explain what two curious statements mean Biblically: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; cf. 20:16); and …
Hebrew and Greek Required for Spirituality?
Q. I have met some believers recently who say that to truly be spiritual, one must know the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew and …
Issues Surrounding Mankind’s Fall
Q. I have some questions about Adam and Eve when they sinned. Where was Adam when Eve was tempted? Also, why does Adam apparently get …
Why Worship on Sunday?
Q. Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? Is it true that Sunday worship originated in Roman Catholicism? A. It may be true …
What Was Bad About the Knowledge of Good and Evil?
Q. In Genesis 3:22, God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.” Many theologians say “Us” is …
Why Did They Need Manna?
Q. When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took their herds with them. Why didn’t they eat their flocks instead of complaining and receiving manna? Also, …
Should We Pray to Angels?
Q. Recently I was introduced to some literature by a group that says believers should petition angels. The group says that angels are our best …
Sign Gifts: What We Believe
Q. People in our fundamental circles believe that the so-called sign gifts in the early New Testament church, such as speaking in tongues, ceased and …
Why Aramaic?
Q. In Acts 23 or 24, Paul talks to his accusers in either Aramaic or Hebrew—it depends on which translation one reads. What is the …
Taking Communion Unworthily?
Q. Please comment on “unworthy” in 1 Corinthians 11:27. I’ll admit I sometimes am afraid of taking the Lord’s Supper unworthily. A. If you are …
“Angel” in Revelation 2:1
Q. Please comment as to who the “angel” is in Revelation 2:1. A. Revelation 2 and 3 include messages the Lord gave to the seven …
What about Polygamy?
Q. Legalizing polygamy has been in the news lately. If it’s wrong, why did so many Old Testament believers practice it? Why did they go …
When Did Lucifer Fall?
Q. Just when did Satan fall? Why did God allow Satan to fall, and why did God even create Satan in the first place? A.To …
The Death Angel in Exodus
Q. Please comment on Exodus 11 and 12, where the “death angel” supposedly killed the firstborn of any families who didn’t have blood sprinkled on …
New Wife for Job?
Q. After Job’s intense suffering, the Bible says he was given more than he had before his trials began, including seven sons and three daughters. …
John the Baptist, Landmarkers, and the Bride of Christ
Q. Recently I came across a person who insists that Baptists are the only true church because only Baptists can trace their heritage to John …
Unsure of Ezekiel
Q. We are currently in Ezekiel in Sunday School, and I am stuck (I teach the adult class). I have a problem knowing which judgments …
God Asks Questions?
Q. Every now and then in Scripture, I read about God asking people questions. Why would God, Who knows everything, bother to ask people things? …
Questions in Exodus
Q. In Exodus 2:18, the priest of Midian and father of Zipporah (wife of Moses) is named Reuel. In Exodus 3:1, the father-in-law of Moses …
Passage Teaches “Prosperity Gospel”?
Q. Why should we oppose the “prosperity gospel” in the light of 3 John, verse 2? A. The verse reads, “Beloved, I pray that you …
Pope the Antichrist?
Q. Do you think the pontiff at Rome could be the Antichrist? A. Some people believe that the pope is indeed the Antichrist, regardless of …
Delivering a Person unto Satan
Q. Please explain what the apostle Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 5:5. A. The verse reads, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction …
City of Palms
Q. Is Jericho also known in the Bible as the City of Palms? If so, I thought Jericho was destroyed by Joshua and not rebuilt …
Reconciling People and Places
Q. Is the story told in John 12:1-8 the same as the one in Matthew 26:6-13? I read a study that says so, but the …
Kept from the Tribulation
Q. Please explain what Revelation 3:10 means. A. The verse reads, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from …
Did Jesus Change the Rules?
Q. In Luke 9:1–6, Jesus told His followers not to take various necessities with them when they went out to minister. Why did He instruct …
Joseph Practiced Divination?
Q. In Genesis 44:5, it appears that Joseph practiced divination. I can’t imagine Joseph, the godly man he was, being involved with such. Also, I …
Resurrection Questions
Q. There’s a section of 1 Corinthians 15, verses 39-44, that simply doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain. A. Looking at the whole context …
“Destroy Both Body and Soul”
Q. What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples to “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell,” if …
Is World Peace Our Objective?
Q. Taking the view your group does on dispensationalism, premillennialism, and the pretribulational Rapture, I sense that you don’t believe in peacemaking in the world …
Last Trumpets Not the Same
Q. First Corinthians 15:51 and 52, apparently referring to the Rapture, link that great event with a sounding of the last trumpet. In Revelation 11:15-19, …
Seven instead of One?
Q. Why does Revelation 5:6 speak of seven Spirits, when there is only one Spirit? A. The “seven Spirits” should be regarded as “sevenfold Spirit,” …
Why at Night?
Q. Why did Nicodemus come to talk with Jesus during the night? A. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospels; you are referring to the …
Why So Little on Jesus’ Childhood?
Q. When one searches for information in Scripture on Jesus’ childhood, why do we find so little? One would think that more of Jesus’ example …
“Lily of the Valleys” and “Rose of Sharon”
Q. Is it right to call Jesus the “Lily of the Valleys” and “Rose of Sharon”? A. Song of Solomon 2:1 presents a conversation between …
Must Antichrist Be a Jew?
Q. I’ve always been under the impression that the Antichrist will be a Jew. Is this correct? A. The belief that the Antichrist will be …
When People Say Christmas Is Pagan
Q.What is a proper Christian response to people who claim Christmas and other Christian celebrations are pagan? A. First, if we are honest, we are …
Did They Go into Debt?
Q. I can’t understand 2 Corinthians 8:3. It appears that these believers, giving “beyond their ability,” were going into debt, and the Bible forbids indebtedness. …
Amillennialism: More Problems Than You Think
Q. How does one answer an amillennialist to prove Christ will reign a literal thousand years on earth? Revelation 20 clearly says so, but that …
Why Do Spirit-indwelt Christians Disagree?
Q. Why do believers, including Bible characters, have disagreements, when they all are supposedly indwelt by the same Holy Spirit? One would think that all …
Is Marriage a Covenant?
Q. Is marriage a covenant? A. I assume you are not asking about so-called covenant marriage, which has been in the news. In contrast to …
“Sin” or “Sins”?
Q. Which of these two words should we use—“sin” or “sins”? Is there any difference between the two? A. A fine passage to observe is …
Why the Word “Easter”?
Q. How did the word “Easter” get into Scripture? Easter has pagan connotations. A. Acts 12:4 is the single use of the word “Easter” in …
Into Outer Darkness
Q. Explain Matthew 22:13 and 25:30, where a person is said to be cast “into outer darkness.” Was the person a Christian? In Heaven, will …
Just Run and Finish the Race
Q. I’m concerned about coming in last, if that is the right way to put it, when it comes to Hebrews 12:1 and 2. It …
Witnessing to J.W.s—and Anyone
Q. Biblically, how does one witness to a Jehovah’s Witness? A. Your question reminds me of a story told by a pastor. A church member …
Does the Devil Make Us Do It?
Q. (1) Who was Jesus referring to when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan” in Matthew 16:23? (2) What did Jesus mean when He called …
Adam and Eve—Did They Repent?
Q. Did Adam and Eve ever repent after their sinning in the Garden of Eden? A. Initially they didn’t, of course. The Biblical account shows …
Blasphemy and the Unpardonable Sin
Q. I recently watched an evangelism training video that uses the Ten Commandments to reach people. One of the trainers says that if the persons …
Questions about the Death Penalty
Q. With the ugly happening at Virginia Tech recently, I see capital punishment being attacked with new vigor in the newspapers and on TV and …
Discernment a Gift for Just Some?
Q. Is there such a thing today as the gift of discernment? I’ve heard people talk about it, as though only certain believers have that …
Scriptural Principles for Fund-Raising
Q. I don’t know how prevalent it is in our group, but lately I’ve noticed more evangelical churches using such fund-raising methods as bazaars, bake …
From Faith to Faith
Q. What does the phrase “from faith to faith” mean in Romans 1:17? A. Romans 1:17 is the last verse in Paul’s introductory material of …
Descending and Ascending
Q. Ephesians 4:8 says Christ ascended on high. The next verse, Ephesians 4:9, says He first descended. What does this descending mean? A. First, let’s …
Not Taste Death Until…
Q. Please explain Matthew 16:27 and 28. It seems that Jesus was talking about the Second Coming. Is this right? If so, how could He …
Did They Lie, and Was the Lie Justifiable?
Q. In Exodus 1:15–21, was it right that the midwives lied? It seems that God honored what they said. A. The occasion of this passage …
What Does “Selah” Mean?
Q. What does the word “Selah” mean in the book of Psalms? I’ve noticed that in church, during Scripture readings in unison, people don’t know …
Just Because They’re Lonely?
Q. Every now and then I’ve heard speakers appealing to unbelievers to trust Christ because they’re lonely. Also I can think of a few songs …
Is Insurance Biblical?
Q. What does one say to a person who doubts that insurance is Biblical, believing it is a sign of distrusting God and also a …
Telling, or Not Telling, What Jesus Had Done
Q. In Mark 5:19 Jesus told the demon-possessed man of Gadara to tell his friends what had happened to him, but in Mark 5:43 Jesus …
Animals and the Flood
Q. How did animals find their way to the ark before the Flood? How did they survive all that time in the ark? After the …
Can a Vow Ever Be Broken?
Q. When I was young and before I became a believer in Christ, I took a vow that I would never leave the church I …
Were the Wise Men Astrologists?
by Norm Olson Q. I heard someone say the wise men were into astrology. I’ve been taught that astrology is sinful. Please comment. A. First …
Does a Believer Have One or Two Natures?
by Norm Olson Q. A born-again Christian I visited with the other day believes that we have just one nature, based on Romans 6:6 and …
Perplexing Movements vs. Scripture
by Norm Olson Q. What about a new movement or thought among Christians known as transformation? Is it Biblical? A. Is it Biblical? should be …
Spiritual Education–Then and Now
by Norm Olson Q: What did the Jews and early church offer in training compared with churches today? For example, they obviously didn’t have Sunday …
Moving to Moab-Was Elimelech Wrong?
by Norm Olson Q: Was Elimelech right or wrong in moving his family to Moab in Ruth 1:1-5? A: Bible scholars hold varying views on …
Cursing of the Fig Tree
by Norm Olson Q: Why did Christ curse the fig tree in Matthew 21:19? A: This account is also found in Mark 11:11-14 and 19-26. …
“Lifting up Holy Hands”
Q. In 1 Timothy 2:8 does “men” mean “males” or “mankind” in general? Does “lifting up holy hands” indicate something we should be doing? A. …
What Sleeps?
by Norm Olson Q: When a Christian dies, does the soul go directly to Heaven (later to be reunited with the resurrected body to appear …
Is Spanking Biblical?
Q. Is corporal punishment (as in spanking) truly Biblical; and if it is, how do we answer all its opposition? A. Corporal punishment is certainly …