Question 1 — The Seven Spirits of God

Where can I find more information about the “seven spirits of God” mentioned in Revelation 4:5 and 5:6? I’ve heard the Book of Enoch may talk about this—does it? Is there more information elsewhere in the Bible, and is the Book of Enoch the best resource for understanding this?

Question 2 — Moses Seeing God / Christ in the Old Testament

If passages like 1 Timothy 6:16, John 1:18, John 6:46, and others say no one has ever seen God, but Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke to the Lord “face to face,” does this mean Moses was speaking to Jesus in the Old Testament? If not, how do we reconcile these verses? And if Jesus says in John 5:46 that Moses wrote about Him, where else in the Old Testament can I look to find Jesus spoken of by Moses?

Question 3 — Four Gospel Accounts

If the Gospels are biographies of Jesus, why did God want us to have four different accounts instead of just one?

1. I’ve heard people use 2 Corinthians 8, specifically verse 8, to say that tithing to the church is voluntary, and not a requirement for believers. How do we biblically support the belief that tithing is a necessary part of a Christian’s life?

2. How did we get our 66 canonized books of the Bible? Other religions, like Catholics, have 74 I think. What criteria, method, and who determined the 66?

3. If the Bible alone is the word of God, why is it ok or even encouraged to read other books or learn from other sources?

Exodus 34 is cruising along, talking about the attributes of God—how He is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love… and then BAM!!! All of a sudden it’s “…visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:7 ESV. Seems contradictory.  How do we connect those dots?

What does Numbers 21:14 mean when it says “the Book of the Wars of the LORD”?

I think the Lord may want me to meet with a couple of other guys weekly to do some discipling. What should I be thinking about, and how should I get started? 

1. How do these parables about prayer relate to parenting?) Luke 18:1-7 (Parable of the Unjust Judge) and 11:5-8 (Parable of the Midnight Friend) seem like Jesus is teaching that we should always pray and not give up. Am I correct in believing that both of these stories are teaching us not to give up on asking God for something until we get it? And if that is the case, how does this fit with our human parenting when there are times we need to tell our kids “Don’t ask again. I already told you no.” Should we tell our kids “Keep asking, but don’t hold your breath”?

2.How do I know if my anger is sinful or righteous?  

3.Is it lazy to make good sleep a priority?

Did Old Testament believers get baptized?) A person asked if baptism is part of salvation?? His stance was the thief on the cross was still under the old covenant because Christ had not yet died for our sins. This got me to wandering did the followers of Christ in the Old Testament get baptized? If so why don’t we see any record on this in the Old Testament? The first time we see a baptism before Christ death on the cross was, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  

What is the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention, and how does it work?  

I wanted to get some clarification on 1 Tim. 6:17-19. From what I've read in the Bible so far, it sounds like Jesus and God have some Communist tendencies without the bad stuff… is that accurate, or am I reading it wrong? 

I hear people use the word revival in a spiritual sense. What does that word mean? What is a spiritual revival?  

As a new Christian, I’m looking for concrete instructions for Christian living. Where in the Bible should I be reading?  

What is some good advice about building friendships both inside the church and out in the world?

Why does it matter if I attend church services? Isn’t the main thing that I’m a believer in Jesus?  

Why is it important whether or not I’m in a Sunday School Group?  

How do I know where and how to serve the church? I know I’m supposed to be part of building up the local church.

www.myshbc.com

Why is suicide wrong if it is what the person wants, and it wouldn’t hurt anyone else?  

My teenager is self-absorbed—mostly thinking of themselves and not the good of others most of the time. Is this just a phase or something I should be concerned about?  

What are some of your preferred ways to remain a lifelong learner? 

2 Corinthians 8:21 says we should try to have an honorable reputation in the sight of man. But Jesus said that we should expect to be slandered as we follow him as Lord and Savior. So how do I know if it’s a situation where I should or shouldn’t care what people will think of me?  

How do I lead my kids toward the Lord without cramming it down their throats and causing them to resent the faith?  

As a married couple how can we resolve conflicts in a healthy way? What are some principles we should keep in mind?

1. Why doesn’t God show his glory by healing my chronic pain? I’m a believer and I have prayed about it so much?  

2. How do I forgive someone when I know the pattern of their life is the pattern of a liar?  

3. As a sports fan, I’m wondering can a Christian compete in sports, hoping to win and opponents to lose? If so, how should a Christian approach and participate in competition?