"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly," Psalm 1:1.

Welcome to our study of the living messages of the book of Psalms. The Psalms are designed as songs of praise or adoration to bring honor and glory to God, and along the way we find such practical messages throughout these books and throughout each chapter in the Psalms.

In our second lesson on the Psalms, along with making practical application from the Psalms, we want to notice some Psalms about Christ specifically and then maybe give a little more background detail as well to the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the book of Psalms and in the Bible in general. In that chapter, which we'll notice a little later, the psalmist exalts the Word of God in Hebrew prose in a very beautiful way, showing its power, adoration, and the beauty of God's Word. The shortest chapter is Psalm 117. Right in the middle of that, the key verse Psalm 118:8 and I want you to notice this- not only is it right in between Psalm 117 and Psalm 119, but if you were to take all the verses of the Bible and divide them right in half, what would be the middle verse of the Bible? Listen to Psalm 118:8. This is the middle verse of the Bible. The Scripture says, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in the man." Isn't it interesting that the Bible says it's better to put trust in the Lord than confidence in man?

Now, as we think about some more introductory material to the Psalms, as we mentioned, the Psalms were originally written, many by Solomon or David, as songs of praise. Some of these are even prayers showing love and adoration for God. Many of these were used in Hebrew worship during the days of the kings and so forth. The Psalms also cover many centuries of Israel's history. Some will take us all the way back to the flood, going through the wilderness wanderings at Sinai, and even during the time of the captivity. You find Psalms that virtually cover almost every aspect of Israel's history.

Then as we think about the Psalms, let's realize that David was one of the primary human scribes or authors of the Psalms, although there are others as well who contributed to this. Nonetheless, we recognize that the Holy Spirit, He is the one who authored the Bible. John 16:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "And the words recorded herein are words of the Holy Spirit as praise and adoration to the Almighty."

Then as we think further about the Psalms, let's realize that these were originally divided into five books. Psalm one through 41 would be included in the first book. Chapters 42 through 72 would be included in that second book. The third book is chapters 73 through 89. The fourth book is chapters 90 through 106. Then that fifth and final book or division would be Psalm 107 through Psalm 150.

When we think about the Psalms, there's also a key word that you'll often see or a recurring term that you'll often see, that if you're not familiar with may be a little confusing. Maybe you've seen the word selah. That is S-E-L-A-H. What does that mean? Why is that in the Bible? I don't have a vocabulary for that, per se. When you see that, what was that originally intended for? The word selah is literally a term that was interjected right after a powerful thought, an encouraging verse, or something that the writer felt strongly about, interjected to cause the reader or the listener to stop and meditate on what was just said. Anytime I see that, I want to stop and I want to think about -what's so significant here? What's the lesson that's being drawn out? It's like that strong point that's being made directly before it. That's a key idea as well to the Psalms.

Now, another thing that we want to mention about the Psalms is they have a very close connection to the New Testament. Let me illustrate it this way. Of the 283 citations from the Old Testament in the New, 116 are from the Psalms. Not quite half, but a lot of the quotes, especially Jesus will make many citations in His teaching and preaching that came directly from the Psalms. They're an integral part of what God planned and promised and what came to fruition in the New Testament. In fact, Psalm 110:1, "Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool," is quoted some seven times in the New Testament, showing David's prophecy, the majesty of what's going on, and all the great things that the New Testament had promised that are coming to fruition today.

As we think about what we might say as the authority and power of the Psalms for today, let's realize Jesus Christ referred to the Psalms as laws. He quotes Psalm 82:6 and then in John 10:34 He says, "The law says," or "Does it not say in the law?" And so when Jesus, not only were these words of praise or adoration, but Jesus recognized they were a part of God's law, and thus binding on the people just as well as being intended for worship. We know that Christ Himself fulfilled all that was written in the Psalms about Himself. Luke 24:44, the law, the prophets, and the Psalms- Jesus said He fulfilled every bit of that. When I read about the Christ, when I read about the Messiah, when I read Matthew 27 or Matthew 26 or when I read about the resurrection in Acts 2- I see the complete fulfillment of God's plan unfolded in Jesus Christ, prophesied centuries before it actually occurred.

Now let’s mention some of the Psalms that address and are referring to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Psalm 2, we often refer to this as a coronation or a crowning Psalm. Jesus is ruling the nations with a rod of iron. That's quoted in Revelation chapter 2 and 3 as pertaining to Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of lords, reigning over the eternal and final kingdom, Revelation 11:14-15, as Lord of lords and King of kings, Revelation 19:16, and of course Jesus is still King, reigning at the right hand of God.

Then of course we have Psalm 16, a great resurrection Psalm that Jesus would not be left in the grave, that His body would not suffer decay

and destruction, but He arose out of that and is now reigning at the right hand of God. Again, mentioned in Acts 2, mentioned as we think about the resurrection of Jesus, and of course our Lord and Savior fulfilling that in every detail. And how could we forget Psalm 22? A great crucifixion Psalm. ‘His hands and His feet were pierced. The dogs were surrounded around Him.’ He became, everything, just almost every detail that you see in Matthew 26 and 27 is mentioned in Psalm 22- and many references go right back to it.

Now, here's something I want you to think about. If Psalm 22 prophesied in detail about the crucifixion of Jesus, say 1,000 years before, in detail, how did the psalmist know that? Well, he couldn't have known it based on speculation or best guess. The only way possible with that much detail is God told Him, and thus a powerful proof of the inspiration of Scripture and the fact that the God of the Bible is the author of Psalms and the whole Bible.

Then we mentioned Psalms 72 and Psalm 110. Both of these are often referred to as kingly psalms. "Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool." Showing the power of Jesus as the great King of kings and Lord of lords, and that He is reigning over the church today, Ephesians 1:22-23, and that God still rules in the kingdoms of men, Daniel 4:24-25, and mentioned again in Daniel chapter five. It's the Lord's kingdom that will ultimately rule and reign. Then a final mention of Jesus in the Psalms is in Psalm 110:4 quoted multiple times in the book of Hebrews, says of Jesus, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Not only does this stress the priestly nature of Jesus, but His priestly nature is unending, unlike the Levitical priesthood who had a certain beginning and ending age. Aren't you thankful Jesus is still priest? He is reigning at the right hand of God. He is there to intercede. He made one sacrifice forever for sin, Hebrews 10:12.

The book of Psalms is chock-full of prophecies about Christ that remind us of what He did His glory and of His ever-reigning nature today.

Now let's turn our attention for just a moment to some practical aspects of the book of Psalms and how those apply to us today. What we learn first as God's children is that in the book of Psalms, I learn I don't have to fear if I'm a child of God. Look in Psalm 3:6. The psalmist says, "I will not be afraid of 10 thousands of people who have themselves against me all around. The Lord is our strength and refuge. We will not fear." Psalm 46:1 reminds me a lot of the words of Hebrews 13: 5-6.The Bible says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness, for the Lord himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So that you may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" As God's people, this is one of the great benefits we have as a Christian. I don't have to fear. You don't have to fear what the world's going to do to you. God is going to take care of us. Now, I know here will be difficulties. I know persecution may come. I don't have to fear, because this is not the end. This is just the small part of time. There's another part that we're longing for, that we're looking for. Were it the case that someone took my life, it wouldn't be the worst thing for a child of God. I don't have to fear. All is taken care of. All is well. Our names are registered in Heaven's book, Revelation 3:5. If we live faithful unto death, we'll have the crown of life, Revelation 2:10. As Christians, fear should not encompass our lives and should not bring us to a state of terror.

As God's people, we also learn from the book of Psalms that it is God who brings peace and safety to our lives. I want you to notice Psalm 4:8. Look at the beautiful words of the psalmist here. The psalmist says, "I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." When I think about God's peace that He brings into our life, the Bible says we can have the peace of God if we have the God of peace in our lives, Philippians 4:6-9. It's that peace that the angels sang about when Jesus came into the world. "Peace on earth and goodwill toward men," Luke 2:14-15. When we think about the peace of God, let's realize that's possible because of what Jesus did for each and every one of us.

Now to complement the idea of Psalm 4:8, I want you to notice what Psalm 94:17 also says. The Scripture records, "Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence." I would have had no

one to cry to, no one to go to in time of trouble- there would've been nowhere to look. It is the case that the Lord is our help, and thus we don't remain silent. We speak out. We stand up. We approach the throne of God for help, Hebrews 4:16. As Christians, we're not the kind of people who cower in silence. Rather, we stand up and speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15.

Then another powerful lesson from the book of Psalms is our God who actually enables us to do the things that we do. I want you to notice Psalm chapter 18, and I want you to hear the words of the psalmist as he talks about God enabling him to be what he is and to do what he did. Listen to Psalm 18:28-29. The Bible says, "For you will light my lamp. The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness, for by you I can run against a troop. For by my God I can leap over a wall." Now, again, these are figures to show what he could do through God, but the good news is God is still that light. He's still that lamp. He's still the source through which we can do great things. Isn't that what Paul was saying in Philippians 4:13? Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." With God nothing is impossible. Luke chapter one clearly teaches that idea. As a Christian, as a child of God, I've been enabled by God, by the blood of Jesus, by the promised blessings to stand up and be what I am and do what I do through the power of Christ. With God all things are indeed possible. Christians must realize the strength that they have.

Then we want to notice this as well. From the Psalms, let's realize that in our lives, we've got to realize and let God be in complete control. Notice Psalm 29:10. Look at the control God has. The Scripture says, "The Lord sat enthroned at the flood." And notice this, "The Lord sits as King forever." Along with Psalm 29:10, listen to Psalm 22:28. The Bible says, "For the kingdom is the Lord's, and he rules over all the nations." God's not dead. He's still in control. He's still reigning from Heaven itself. Just as God sat in power at that great cataclysmic event of the flood, God's still seated on the throne. He's still in complete control.

I've got to let Him have control over my life, and you've got to let Him have control over your life. God's in control. Are we in control? Or are our

lives out of control because we've really not put our trust and hope in the Almighty? Let's then learn another practical lesson from the Psalms, and it's simply this: our God, he sees and he knows all things. There are two passages that we want to mention. The first is found in Psalm 33:10-12. The Scripture says, "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all nations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance." Now, combine that idea with Psalm 34:15-16. The Bible says, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." In the nations and in our life, God's still alive.

I sometimes wonder, as I'm sure you do, when you hear about atrocities, when we hear about crimes against humanity, when we hear about ungodly things happening around the world, we wonder to ourselves- "Why?"

Then I'm reminded, God still rules in the nations. He is still alive. All is well. Although I may not be able to see the forest for the trees, I know that God sees all, and His plan is in place. Because of His character, because of the way He has always dealt with mankind- I'm at ease by knowing God is going to take care of things. His eyes are open, and His ears are open. He sees, He hears, and He knows when his Christians are in need.

Another practical lesson that we learn from the book of Psalms is that our God does hear the prayer of His children. Listen to Psalm 55:22. The Bible says, "Cast your burden on the Lord. He shall sustain you." Notice this, "He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Here's the encouragement-when we've got burdens, when we've got anxieties, when we're struggling and we don't know how to deal with it- what do we do with it? We take it and we cast it to the Lord. I know that the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible. How close are the words of 1 Peter 5:7 for the New Testament today? The Bible says, "Cast all your burdens, or cares, upon the Lord. He cares for you." What's the good news for Christians today? The line of communication for help is still available. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Therefore we

must come boldly to the throne of grace that we might find grace and mercy to help in time of need." We can look up to Heaven and say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven," Matthew 6:9. The prayer of a righteous man still overcomes much, James 5:16. Jesus said ‘men ought to pray always and never lose heart,’ Luke 18:1. "Pray without ceasing," 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Then as we think about the book of Psalms, let's realize as children of God, there are wonderful benefits and blessings to being a child of the King. Listen to Psalm 68:19-20. The Bible says, "Blessed be the Lord." Notice this, "Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation.” Our God is the God of salvation. And to God the Lord belongs the escape from death." Not only does He load us with benefits, not only do we escape from death, but listen to what Psalm 103:2 says as well. The Bible says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Not only are those benefits available, I have more than, usually more than I need every day, and I need never to forget those. We need to be thankful to the Lord, Colossians 3:16-17. "Give thanks in everything. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What a great privilege it is to be a child of God, a Christian, and to have the hope of eternal life.

Now, we want to close on this idea. As we think about the Psalms, there's another beautiful message that we find in the Psalms. Our God is always ready to forgive. Sometimes I think people have the wrong image of God. Don't misunderstand. God will punish ungodly people in eternal destruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. There is a place called hell, and the ungodly will go there and be separated forever, Luke 16:19-31. Friend, that's not what God wants. God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 2:4. I want you to notice what Psalm 86:5 says. The Scripture records, "For you, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you." How does God view the sin problem? He hates sin and what it does to man, Isaiah 59:1-2. He hates it so much that He gave the great remedy of his Son, 2 Corinthians 8:9. God stands ready to forgive.

Now, are there things that a person must do to be forgiven? Sure. You must recognize that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Buddhism,

Gandhi, and Muhammad- all those can't forgive. Jesus can. John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me." Do you remember what Peter said in Acts 4:12? "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there's no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved." When we think about God, let's see Him as a God who really does want all men to be saved, who's gone the greatest length possible to make that salvation available for all mankind, Matthew 28:18-20. God wants the gospel taken to all, and whoever so will, let Him come and let and drink of the water of life, the Bible says in Revelation 22:16 following.

Although God wants all men to be saved, and is ready to forgive, God's not going to forgive those who don't meet His requirements. There are things a person must do to be saved, to be forgiven of sin. You've got to listen to the message of this book, the Bible. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:17. Having heard that message, you've got to believe in Jesus, John 8:24. Having recognized him as the sole Savior and Son of God, you must repent of sin. Acts 3:19, "Repent and turn again that your sins may be blotted out." Having repented, you've got to make that good confession and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins, Romans 10:10. As Peter said on the very first gospel sermon, "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins."

What's the message of the book of Psalms? Praise be to God who deserves all honor and glory for the great salvation He's brought me and you.

Don't let that pass you by. Obey the gospel before it's too late.

Study Questions for:

“Living Messages of the Old Testament: Lesson 20”

1. According to Psalm 1:1, who is blessed?

2. According to Psalm 118:8, what is it better to do?

3. What does Psalm 22 prophecy about?

4. According to Psalm 3:6, why should we have no fear?

5. According to Psalm 46:1, what is God for us?

6. According to Revelation 3:5, where are Christian’s names written?

7. According to Revelation 2:10 if we are faithful unto death, what will we receive?

8. According to Psalm 4:8, who brings us peace and safety?

9. According to Ephesians 4:15, how should we speak the truth?

10. According to Psalm 34:15-16, where are the eyes and ears of the Lord?

In Jeremiah 37:17 the question was asked, “Is there any word from the Lord?”

We welcome you today to our new series of lessons entitled ‘Bible Questions and Answers.’

Occasionally people submit questions for us through our website or email, and we want to answer those questions. Many of these are very good questions, questions that I suspect many of us have wondered about in the past. We hope you'll stay tuned as we're going to look to the Bible for the answer to these wonderful questions today.

Our first question is asked in this way, ‘Is it scriptural for a woman to pray in worship when men are present?’

Friend, that's a very good question. From the outset we want people to realize that the woman has a valuable role in the church. God has given her specific duties. God has given her specific things that she excels at that men can't do as well. Friend let's also realize that there are boundaries and guidelines and limitations as it relates to public prayer where both men and women are present.

I remember recently someone telling me that they had gone to a denominational service and during the service while they were men present

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a woman just got up and began to pray, and it made them feel uncomfortable. They didn't know exactly how the Scripture felt about that.

How does God define this in prayer? Is it scriptural when men and women are gathered together for a woman to stand up and lead prayer?

The answer is no from the Scripture. In 1 Timothy 2:11-12 the apostle Paul says these words, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission, and I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man but to be in silence.” In the worship assembly when we are gathered together, a woman is to be silent. She is to learn in submission, and she is not to take a leadership role in which she has authority over a man. Being in the place where one stands up and leads prayer publicly would be a leadership and authority position, and thus women are not authorized to do that in the presence of men. In fact 1 Timothy 2:8 the apostle Paul will say, “I desire therefore that men,” that's the Greek word for males, “I desire therefore that men pray everywhere.” God has designated that as part of the leadership, responsibility given to men in the church. That doesn't mean a woman can't say a prayer, a good prayer even, in front of other women. Doesn't mean that she doesn't know how to pray or isn't important, but this is the guideline and the setting which God has put forth for prayer in the public worship assembly.

Now another passage also addresses the role of women in the worship assembly is found in 1 Corinthians 14:34. The apostle Paul says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches for they are not permitted to speak, but they're to be submissive as the law all also says.” What about a woman preaching or a woman standing up to lead prayer in a mixed assembly or something like that? The Bible says they're to remain silent. The Bible says they're to be submissive. The Bible says that men are to pray everywhere.

Again we're not saying women aren't important. Thank God for every faithful woman in the Lord's church who fulfills her role, which does her part to help the church, who is faithful in serving God in every way that is outlined. We want to be clear that the Bible does not say that women should take a leadership role in preaching or praying and things like that that God has specifically addressed for men. This will be one of the identifying characteristics of the role of men versus the role of women. Are

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we going to go by what the Bible says and do these things?

Now I know as well as you do that there are a lot of denominational organizations where women will stand up and preach or women will stand up and lead a mixed assembly in prayer. If we're going to go by what the Bible says, if we're going to take God at His word and follow His teaching, we need to realize there is a designated and specific role given to men and there is a designated and specific role given to women and each have unique responsibilities inside the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not acceptable, according to the Scripture, for a woman to preach or a woman to lead prayer in a mixed assembly. That would be a clear violation of these passages.

Let's then turn our attention to our second question that's been submitted.

The question is asked in this way, ‘I recently heard someone say or teach that Mary was a perpetual virgin. Does the Scripture teach that Mary remained a virgin all her life?’

Now this is one of the predominant doctrines of Catholicism, and Catholicism will teach its adherence from a very young age that Mary was a virgin and that she was a perpetual virgin all of her life- that she remained a virgin until death. What exactly does the Bible say on this idea?

There are three passages which clearly and explicitly refute the idea of Mary remaining a perpetual virgin forever. That's just not taught. In fact it is clearly taught that she was not a virgin all of her life in Scripture.

What passages are they? Would you look in your Bible with me in Matthew the first chapter? Matthew chapter 1 we learn clearly that Mary was not to remain a virgin all of her life. In fact we see that from the language of Matthew 1:24-25. Notice these words with me the Bible says, “Then Joseph being aroused from sleep did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And he called his name Jesus.” Here it is clearly implied that while Christ was in the womb, while she was pregnant with Christ, Joseph did not know her ‘until’ there's the adverb of time indicating there was a point in time when she was no longer remaining in

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that virgin state. He did not know her until she brought forth a son. Now we learn from this that they did have relations together, that she did not always remain a virgin, and that the natural relationship between Joseph and Mary is something that is sanctioned by Scripture. Do you remember Hebrews 13:4? “Marriage is honorable among all the bed undefiled, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Just like any other married couple, Joseph and Mary had the right to participate in the relations God has designed between a man and woman. There's nothing in the Scripture that indicates that she remained a perpetual virgin all of her life. In fact, the next two passages we're going to look at clearly teach that Mary had other sons and daughters besides Jesus.

Now I want to direct your attention to the 13th chapter of the gospel of Matthew. I want you to notice these words with me as we think about this question. In Matthew 13:53 the Bible says, “Now it came to pass when Jesus had finished these parables that He departed from there. When He came to his own country He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said ‘where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son is not his mother called Mary?’” Now watch this, ‘and his brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas? And his sisters are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ Here we learn that Jesus had both brothers and sisters, and it goes on to mention those Simon, Joses, Judas, others. He had a family, and thus if Jesus had- listen carefully now- if Jesus had brothers and sisters, then friend that requires that Mary was not a perpetual virgin. It goes on to say that He had brothers and sisters and it actually names Jesus brothers in this context.

I know the argument is this some will say ‘Well that's just using the term brother as we might use it in a spiritual sense talking about more of a spiritual family than is a physical family.’ That cannot be the case when you read Mark chapter 3. In Mark 3 we learned that Jesus' family, who was calling to Him, was His physical family and Jesus clearly contrasted that with His spiritual family. Look in your Bible in Mark chapter 3. I want you to see what they say to Jesus and His response about His physical family calling to Him. Mark 3:31 the Bible says, “Then His,” that is Jesus', “then Jesus' brothers and His mother came and standing outside they sent to Him calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him and they said to Him,” watch this now, ‘Look your mother and your brothers are outside

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seeking you.’ “But He answered them saying, ‘Who is My mother or My brothers?’ He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him and said ‘Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and My mother.’”

Now this is a clear contrast between physical family and spiritual family. Jesus' physical family, His mother and His brothers, they came looking for Him, and they begin to call to Him. And the people said ‘hey your mother and your brothers are here.’ Jesus looked around and He said ‘wait a minute these people right here, spiritually, you're My mother, My brother, My sister.’ He clearly contrasted spiritual family from His mother and His brothers, physical family, that was calling to Him. What does the evidence of Scripture teach us? When you combine Matthew 1:24-25 that Joseph did not know Mary until Jesus was born with Matthew 13 and Mark chapter 3- it's clear Mary was not a perpetual virgin. Where did those ideas come from? They came from the doctrines and teachings of men- not from Scripture.

I hope you'll listen real carefully to this- this is a major doctrine of Catholicism that we have just seen from the Scripture is not true. If Catholics are teaching error on that what else are they teaching error on? Friend that's something you want to examine carefully, that you want to make sure that a person follows the Bible on these teachings, and not the word and the will of men.

A third question, and as we present this series of lessons we want to remind you that if you we want to let you know that if you'd like to submit a question you can do that through our website just visit us at thegospelofchrist.com/questions. You can fill out a form and send us questions or you can email them at this address: [email protected]. If you've got a Bible question you'd like for us to address, we will try to do that. Just send those into us through our website or the email address given and we can surely do our best to answer those from the Scripture as well.

Third question for our consideration today is this someone writes in and asks, ‘Is sprinkling an acceptable mode of baptism?’

By this when we think about that baptism, if you look at Webster's

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dictionary today under the word baptism, it might say immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. A dictionary definition sets up the idea that could be any one of those three.

Friend what about a Bible definition? Is sprinkling an acceptable mode of baptism found in the Scripture? Friend you don't find, when talking about the mode of baptism, you don't find sprinkling as an acceptable mode. And so, no- it is not an acceptable mode and here's the reason why. In the Greek language there are two different words for sprinkling and baptism. The word rhantitso is the word for sprinkling, and it is used in the New Testament for the sprinkling of blood and other items like unto that. God had a word for sprinkling in the Greek language rhantitso and that's not the word He used. He used the word baptitso which if one studies the Greek language it is used of submerging, immersing, or plunging in the water. The words themselves are unique and the Bible uses the word for immersion or plunging. But then we can also know from Scripture several examples which we see clearly show us that the mode of baptism is only in the Bible used as immersion.

Now let me mention those passages to you. Mark 1:9-11 it is said at the baptism of Jesus, “And coming up out of the water the spirit descended upon Him like a dove.” Now you know a lot of people are asking the good question ‘What would Jesus do?’ Friend what would Jesus do concerning the mode of baptism? Listen now, “Coming up out of the water,” that doesn't sound like sprinkling. That doesn't sound like pouring. To come up out of water, you first have to go down into it. In fact the little Greek word there is the word 'ek' meaning out from within is the idea. Jesus came up out of the water that's a clear picture of immersion.

Here are three other passages that also teach us about the mode of baptism. John 3:23 “John was baptizing the region of Aenon near Salim,” the Bible says, “because there was much water there.” Much water- how much water does it take to sprinkle? Not much- handful, spoonful, little bit. How much water does it take to pour a little on somebody? A glass maybe. How much water does it take to immerse, get a full grown adult all the way under the water? Much water.

Then two other passages Acts 8:36-40 we have the example of the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip has been teaching him about baptism. “Here's

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water what doth hinder me from being baptized? ‘If you believe with all your heart you may.’” He stopped the chariot. Both Philip and the eunuch got down out of the chariot. They went down into the water. He baptized him, and they came up out of the water. Why’d they have to both get out of the chariot? One of them could have gone and got some water if sprinkling or pouring were okay. Why did they have to both get in the water? Why’d they both come up? There's the idea again that you find from the examples in the New Testament that baptism is immersion. But the fourth example is really one of the clearest pictures. Romans 6:1-4 baptism is likened unto a burial. Paul said, “We're buried with Christ in baptism.” Now Paul would not use an illustration, or the Holy Spirit would not use an illustration, that contradicts the mode of baptism. Think about baptism in the terms of a burial. When a body is buried, what happened? It's completely encased in something. For example our culture today you dig a hole in the ground, there's dirt on the bottom, dirt on every side, and then they lay the body on top, and sprinkle a little dirt on it. Right? No. Pour a little dirt? No. They put that body in the grave, and they completely immerse it covered in the ground. A burial by its very definition is an immersing and encasing in something, and thus when we think about baptism in the New Testament it clearly is immersion.

Now I understand a lot of people have trouble with that idea as it relates to babies, as it relates to Original Sin, we've got questions in the future that we're going to answer about that. Friend we do not find in the Bible sprinkling as a mode of baptism in any of the examples that we see.

Let's then turn our attention to a fourth question that has been submitted. Someone writes, ‘I once heard someone say that to be saved we need to say the sinner's prayer. I've been looking into that idea some, where is the sinner's prayer found at in the Bible?’

That's a very good question. In fact I have heard it mentioned a lot myself so much so, that you would think it's got to be in the Bible somewhere. The prayer will usually go something like this, ‘Dear Lord Jesus I recognize you as Lord and Savior. I ask you now to come into my heart, my life, and save me in Jesus name Amen.’ Now where is that or some variation of it found in the Bible? We hear preachers all the time who will say to be saved just say the sinner's prayer, and they'll repeat those words. Where is that at in Scripture? Where did it where was anybody told

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to say a sinner's prayer? Where is that model for the sinner's prayer found at in Scripture?

Here's what's astounding, you can read your Bible from the very first verse of Genesis 1 to the very last verse of Revelation 22 and you won't find the sinner's prayer mentioned one time! What? Isn't that amazing? People are going around telling others to be saved you need to say the sinner's prayer. Here's an example of that sinner’s prayer, here's what you need to do, and millions of people have bought into that idea and now think they're saved. You don't ever find that even one time in the Bible. That's exactly right you don't even find it one time in the Scripture. I preached a meeting one time in a congregation where I had mentioned as talking about the plan of salvation that you can read your Bible from Genesis 1:1 all the way through Revelation chapter 22 and you will not find the sinner’s prayer as men are told to pray today. Afterward a lady came up to me and she said she said, ‘Preacher I heard what you said about the sinner’s prayer. It kind of troubles me a little bit.’ She said, ‘I'm going to go home and ask my pastor if that's in the Bible.’ I said, ‘Well I hope you do and whatever Bible verses he gives you, I want you to bring those back and show me.’ We started the meeting up the second night. She came up to me as the meeting before the meeting began and she said, ‘Preacher,’ she said, ‘I went home and I asked my pastor about the sinner’s prayer being in the Bible if it was in the Bible and he said you was right. I told him he was a liar.’ Friend I want you to think about that. That man had total multitude of people probably maybe even that lady herself that to be saved she probably needed to come forward have some kind of altar call, kneel down, say the sinner’s prayer, receive Jesus in your heart, and you will be saved. When she questioned him about that he said, ‘Well it's just not in the Bible. There isn't one.’ Isn't that amazing? Where's the sinner’s prayer found in the Bible? It's just not there friend.

What does the Bible teach on the subject of salvation? If people are not taught to pray the sinner’s prayer in the Bible, what are they taught to do to be saved?

As we look to the Scripture, we find questions about salvation being asked. Acts 2:37 on the day of Pentecost they cried out, “Men and brethren what shall we do? What can we do now that we realize we've killed our own Messiah and we want to be forgiven?” Acts 16:30-31 the jailer said,

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“Sir what must I do to be saved?” There is a clarion answer in every example that we find of what month one must do to be saved, and it's not the sinner’s prayer.

You first have to hear the word of Almighty God. For Peter to preach about for those people to hear about salvation in Jesus, they had to hear the message of Christ first. The Bible clearly teaches faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17. Once a person has heard the message, looked at the message, examined the evidence, and checked it from the Scripture to see if it's true, once he determines that it is- he must believe Jesus is the Savior of the world. Without believing in Jesus there'll be no salvation. Jesus said in John 8:24 “Unless you believe that I'm He, you'll surely die in your sin.” Then a person must be willing to repent that is you've got to turn from a life of sin and selfishness to God's way of thinking. It's a changed way of thinking that leads to a changed way of acting. In Luke 13:3-5 Jesus said ‘Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Peter preached in Acts 3:19 ‘Repent and turn again that your sins may be blotted out that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Once then a person has repented, he must confess Jesus as the Savior of the world. Romans 10:10 says “For with the heart the mind one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Like the Ethiopian eunuch, men and women must say ‘I believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God,’ Acts 8:36-37.

The Bible does teach, and we hope you'll listen real carefully, the Bible does teach that to be saved you must be baptized. 1 Peter 3:21 says those exact words, “Baptism,” listen this is what the Bible says now, “Baptism does now also save us.” Is that hard to understand? “Baptism does now also save us.” If the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:21 ‘baptism does now also save us,’ why would we dare say anything different?

Jesus said in Mark 16:16 “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. Unless a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

More than anything, each of us needs to have the zeal and the desire in that if God says it- no matter how hard, how difficult-our life is going to line up with the will of God, so that ultimately we can go to heaven one day.

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Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 1”

1. According to 1 Timothy 2:11-12, how should women learn?

2. What does 1 Timothy 2:11-12 say of a woman teaching when a man is present?

3. What does 1 Timothy 2:11-12 say about women in a leadership role?

4. According to 1 Timothy 2:8, who is to pray in a worship assembly?

5. What does 1 Corinthians 14:34 say about women in a worship service?

6. According to Matthew 1:24, when did Joseph “know” Mary?

7. Did Jesus have brothers and sisters according to Matthew 13:53?

8. According to Mark 1:9-11, was Jesus baptized by immersion?

9. According to John 3:23, why was John baptized there?

10. According to Romans 6:1-4 why was there baptizing there compared to the other place?

We welcome you today to our Bible question and answer series. This is our third installment in this series of Bible questions and answers, and we have some really good questions that we're excited about looking to the word of God for the answer. I bet that you’ve had some of these questions even in your own mind. We're going to let God's word answer these questions.

The first question in our Bible questions and answers lesson today is, ‘Is hell a real place of eternal torment?’ There are a host of people who teach that hell is really not real. It's just a figure God used to describe separation or destruction, and that it's not real that we don't have, that if people die they're just going to be annihilated and cease to exist.

As always we want to let God's word give the answer on this. Here's the double-edged sword, if I say heaven is real and heaven is eternal in the same breath in the same verse, I must say hell is real and hell is eternal. What verse are we talking about?

Look in your Bible in Matthew 25:46. The same word is used to describe heaven and its eternal nature is also used to describe hell and its eternal nature. Listen to Matthew 25:46. Jesus said, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” That same word everlasting and eternal same word is used there, and they both describe the same idea. If I'm going to say heaven is beautiful, wonderful,

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real, and is going to last forever- in the same breath, I must realize hell is real. Hell is a horrible, and hell's going to last forever.

Jesus tied the two together uniquely in Matthew 25:46. The Bible clearly teaches. You read the example of Luke 16:19-31 ‘a lot of people say well that's a parable or a story I don't know.’ Friend listen carefully that's not the point. Jesus never told a lie when he used a parable, did He? I believe that's a true story, and I believe the context and some of the indicators will reveal that. Someone says ‘well that's a parable.’ So what? Did Jesus lie in His parables and use things that didn't represent reality? Well of course not! When Jesus spoke about the rich man and Lazarus torment unending, can't go back, got to listen to the gospel- all those things represent reality as it's going to be on the other side.

Mark 9:44 Jesus said, “Hell is a place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Revelation 14:11 “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever.” How do we deal with those ideas if we're going to write hell out of the Bible? To do so, we've got to write heaven out as well because the same language is used to describe each. And so is hell a real place of eternal torment. Yes, the Bible teaches it and heaven are both real places that are eternal in their longevity. That's a good question that has been submitted for us today.

As always if you've got a Bible question, we'd love for you to submit those questions. You can email us at [email protected] or you can log on to our website thegospelofChrist.com/questions, and you can fill out a form and have those questions sent to us as well. We'll do our best to give a Bible answer to those questions.

All right let's then move onto the next question that has been submitted. Someone writes this, ‘I recently heard of someone being voted into a certain denomination to receive membership. Is this scriptural? How did people become members of the church in the Bible?’

Well I, like the one who wrote this, I've also talked to and I've heard of people who had to bring a letter with them, who had then go before a board of people, had to review their character, and things like and then vote them- whether they want to let them become members of the church or not. Is that scriptural? Where do we find in the Bible that anyone is voted into the

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church?

We just don't find someone being voted into the church in the Bible. The idea of men coming together infallible, un-perfect men coming together and trying to decide whether somebody can be a member- even if that's just the local congregations of that- friend that's not found in the Bible.

In fact here's what we do find, and this is the answer to the rest of the question. In Acts chapter 2 we find how people were added to the church. Peter stood up with the 11, and he preached the gospel. He preached that Jesus was the Son of God, that He was the Savior of the world, that the God confirmed that with miracles, and that everything David said about the Messiah Jesus fulfilled. He said, ‘you with lawless hands have killed.’ He closed by saying, ‘therefore let all house of Israel know assuredly God's made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ’ Bible says they realized that. They're cut to the heart. They cried out ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’ Peter said, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’

Read that little further in that text. Acts 2:43 following, ‘Those who gladly received his word were baptized,’ notice Acts 2:47,’ having favor with God and all the people and the Lord added to the church daily those who were saved.’ Here's a stark contrast between what you find in religion of men and what you find in the church of the Bible. Men want to sometimes vote you in, say whether or not you can be in. Not the way it worked in the Bible. When you obey the gospel, when you did what God said, God in heaven added you to His church- not men. Isn't that a wonderful idea? If I obey the gospel, God adds me to His church and wherever I go in the world I'm a member of the Lord's church. I want to be identified. I want to meet with other Christians. I want to be identified with them. I want to let them know I'm going to work with and worship with the local church and that congregation. But I'm a member of the church because I've obeyed the gospel. Nobody can vote me in or out if God has added me to the church- because God adds men to the church, not men. That is a very good question and it shows the stark contrast between the religion of men and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's then consider another question that is asked by someone who

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has viewed our program. He writes, ‘I have friends who take of the Lord's Supper once a month at their church. How often did Christians partake of the Lord's supper in the Bible?’

Well like the one who viewed our program, I also have seen places where some might take the Lord's Supper monthly. Others I've seen who would do it quarterly. A big number of people will take it on Easter and Christmas. How often? This is the real question. How often did Christians in the Bible partake of the Lord's Supper?

Let's turn first of all to the words of Jesus to help us understand a little bit. Matthew chapter 26 Jesus here tells us about the Lord's Supper that's going to be in the kingdom. Jesus said Matthew 26:26 as they were eating Jesus took bread blessed it and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat this is My body.’ Then He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from it all of you for this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins, but I say to you I will not drink of this for the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.’ This was something that was going to be in the kingdom, something for the church that Jesus instituted. How often did Christians do that? We know they came together to worship God to praise Him.

Let's turn our attention then to a passage that does tell us. Look in your Bible in Acts chapter 20, and I want you to see the example of Christians in the first century. Acts chapter 20 I'd like for you look in verse number 7. The Bible says, “Now on the first day the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul ready to depart the next day spoke to them and continued his message until midnight the disciples came together to break bread representative of what Jesus said and representative of the Lord's supper.” When did they do that? ‘On the first day of the week they came together for the purpose of breaking bread.’ How many weeks have a first day? Well every week. Did God mean for it to be every first day of the week? We open to 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Paul gave orders the churches of Galatia that they should give every ‘kata’. The Greek word ‘kata’ there every first day of the week. They were coming together every first day of the week for in Acts 20:7 the purpose for that was to break bread, as well as to give of their means to God. Here's what we find in the New Testament, Jesus commanded to do 1 Corinthians 11

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there was an oftenness to it. ‘As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death,’ 1 Corinthians 11:25 following. The oftenness is they came together every first day of the week to break bread, to give, and to worship God.

When we look at the example of the New Testament church, they met on the first day of every week to break bread. Where then do we find in Scripture that we're to meet monthly? We don't find that. Where do we find in Scripture to meet quarterly? We don't find that either. Where on Christmas? We don't find that. What we do find is Acts 20:7 the disciples came together on the first day of the week to break bread. If that was good enough for the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shouldn't it be good enough for us? Don't we want to follow the pattern that they set forth for us? The Holy Spirit revealed this in the Bible, and we want to follow that pattern that the New Testament church followed as well. When we think about worship and we think about doing things the way God wants us to, let's make sure that we're staying true to the pattern of the New Testament in that we're not departing from the right hand or from the left.

Alright another question that's been submitted for our consideration today, and this will be in conjunction some ways with our former question, ‘The Bible says one writes remember the Sabbath keep it holy- Why do you teach that we should not keep the Sabbath today?’

Well friend the Bible no doubt under the Old Testament taught as revealed in Exodus chapter 20 in the 10 Commandments, ‘Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy.’ There's no denying that for Israel, for those on Mount Sinai, and for the Jewish nation they were commanded to keep the Sabbath. No doubt certain people in the Bible were commanded to keep that. The real question is -are we commanded to keep the Old Testament law today? That's the real question.

We don't find command in the New Testament teaching us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. That's not there. In fact what we find is, worship God on the first day the week. Jesus rose on the first day of the week. We find unique things tied to that in the New Testament over and over again to the first day of the week- not the Sabbath day. Here's what we know- The Bible teaches that the Old Testament, including the 10 Commandments, was the old law written to Israel not for us today. It has

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been nailed to the cross, and I'm not living under the Old Testament. Where do we find that at?

Notice a couple of passages in your Bible with me. Look in Ephesians chapter 2, and I want you to notice what the Scripture says beginning in Ephesians chapter 2. Look with me in verse number 14. The Bible says of Jesus, “He Himself is our peace who's made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation having abolished in His flesh the enmity that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” This passage clearly teaches that in Jesus' body when He died on the cross, Colossians 2:14-15, when Jesus in His body suffered and died He abolished. What's that mean? Took out of the way, did away with. Listen to the language, the law of commandments contained in ordinances. Hebrews 8:12-13 puts us that puts it this way in that God said, “A new covenant.” He's made the first obsolete. What is growing obsolete? Paul said or the Hebrew writer said it is ready to vanish away. Is the Old Testament the law that I'm under today? No, we're under the New Testament that started after the death of Christ and will go to the end of time, Hebrews 9:15-17. And so why is it we don't keep the Sabbath day? The Sabbath was under the old law. It was given to the Israelites. It was part of the 10 Commandments, and it is that which Jesus abolished in His flesh.

Are we saying the old law was a bad law? That's not what we're saying. Are we saying it isn't the word of God? Of course we're not saying that. We are saying that's the old law. We're living under the new law today. Are there lessons I learn about God about life from examples in the Old Testament? Sure, but I'm not going to be judged by the words of Moses or the old law. How do I know that?

Listen to John 12:48 Jesus said this, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My words has that which judges him.” What's it going to be Lord? “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Not the words of Moses, not the words of the major prophets, not the words of David or Saul or Solomon, or anyone like that. I'm going to be judged by the law of Christ, and that's clearly taught throughout the Scripture. Do we deny that the Sabbath was a part of the law at one time? No, we clearly understand that. But friend that's the old law.

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I'm living under the new law today. That's why we don't keep the Sabbath. That's why we don't make animal sacrifices today. That's why we don't tithe. That's why we don't offer incense. That's why during the month of October I don't live in a booth build a booth and live in it. Why? That's why we don't go to Jerusalem twice a year. Why? Because that's the old law. It's been nailed to the cross. It was taken out of the way, and I'm going to be judged by the new covenant the words and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Here's our next question. ‘I've heard people say that the birth in water Jesus spoke about is what happens when you are born physically into this world. Would you please explain the teaching of Jesus in John 3:3-5?’

Let's turn our attention there first of all, and let's read these verses together. John 3:3 Jesus said Jesus answered and said to him Nicodemus, “Most assuredly I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he's old?” Watch this, “Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The person who asked the question is writing saying they've heard people say that this new birth of John 3:5 is actually when you pass through the amniotic fluid when you're born out of the womb, and when that water passes over your body and that's the new birth that's being spoken of.

I've heard a lot of people myself even tried to use that as an objection to John 3:5. But friend we can know that's not true based on what Nicodemus said in verse 4. Nicodemus said, ‘Lord I'm a little confused. Here you just said a man has got to be born again. How is he going to be born again when he's old? You want me to enter into a second time into my mother's womb and be born is that what you're saying?’ He says, ‘I know I was born once. You want me to be go back inside the mother's belly and be born again?’ Jesus said, ‘I'll tell you. Here's what I'm telling you, unless you're born of water, the spirit, you cannot be baptized.’ Nicodemus was confused on that. He thought somehow it was related to physical birth, and Jesus tied it to spiritual birth, how to be born into the kingdom. What is John 3:5 all about? Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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Let's first emphasize this idea, unless one meets these guidelines he cannot be a part of God's kingdom- which is ultimately going to heaven. Whatever these things are, wouldn't you agree they're essential to salvation?

Jesus said, “Unless,” if and only if. You can't get in the kingdom if you don't do these things. So what does it mean to be born of water? We know that there is a birth in water that occurs. A death, a birth, a resurrection, and a rising or a birth out of that that occurs in the Bible and it's found in Romans chapter 6. Listen to Romans chapter 6. Here's the birth, the new birth that Jesus is talking about. There is a death to sin. There is a burial spiritually, dying to sin, and there is a resurrection or a new birth out of water. Listen to Romans 6:3. Paul says, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” You've got death to sin, you've got burial in baptism with Christ, and then you've got that rising out of it that resurrection that new birth coming up out of the waters of baptism.

Here's how Peter says it in 1 Peter 1:23-25, “We are born again by the word of God which lives and abides forever.” And so being born of water means we got to be baptized. Jesus said that, right? Mark 16:16 “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” 1 Peter 3:21 “Baptism does now also save us.” According to Romans 6:2-4, ‘We rise out of that grave. We're born again into Christ through the new birth in baptism.’ We're born by the spirit because it is the word of God. The spirit's inspired word which brings new life in its 1 Peter 1:23-25.

And so, I know a lot of people have objections to baptism. Sometimes people, you know because of denominational teaching, believe that baptism is not essential to salvation. I hope you listen real carefully to what the Bible actually says. I'm not talking about what some book says or what some preacher somewhere says or what your parents maybe taught you. I just challenge you to think about with me for just a moment what the word of God actually says. Notice these passages. Mark 16:16 Jesus said this “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned.” Did Jesus say in that passage that you got to believe and be baptized to be saved? Friend if He did, baptism's essential to

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salvation.

But then you move on down just a little bit to the passage we're studying now, John 3:5, “unless a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Must you be born of water? Must you be baptized to enter the kingdom of God? We come then down to the first gospel sermon Acts 2:38. Peter preached to those who wanted to know how to get out of sin. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin.”

Friend if the Bible says baptism is for the remission of sins, it's where we die to sin and we are spiritually born again. We come out of that watery grave clean and pure. We need to realize baptism's essential to salvation. Then you have the example of Saul of Tarsus. Acts chapter 9 Saul was told by the Lord ‘You go into the city, it'll be told you what you must do.’ Ananias comes to him in Acts 22:16 he says, ‘Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized. Wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord.’

At whatever point in time my sins and yours are washed away, sin that separates us from God Isaiah 59:22, at whatever point in time my sins are washed away- that's when I can know that I've become a new creation. That I am pure and clean in the sight of God and the Bible says in these examples baptism is that point in time.

Now the clearest language of all, 1 Peter 3:21 Peter said it this way, “Baptism doth now also save us.” Now think about that again. The Bible says “Baptism does now also save us.” If God wanted to say baptism saves, how could He say it any clearer? He'd have to say something like ‘baptism does now also save us.’ Friend if the Bible says, listen real carefully, if the Bible says baptism saves us- why would anybody dare say baptism is not essential to salvation? You have completely contradicted and are diametrically opposed to what the Bible explicitly says when you say that.

And so friend, we don't say that be unkind but because we love people because we want men women to go to heaven and because there is a mass amount of error being taught on passages like unto these.

And so if you're not a child of God, if you've never really obeyed the

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gospel, we're encouraging you to do that today.

Do you believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world, John 8:24? Would you be willing to turn from a life of sin and repent, Acts 3:19? Would you confess with your mouth the name of Jesus, Acts 8:36-38? Would you do what they did in the New Testament to have their sins washed away? Would you arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord?

If you've never obeyed the gospel, friend we're begging you today please, please become a child of God before it's eternally too late.

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Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 3”

1. According to Matthew 25:46, are heaven and hell both eternal and everlasting?

2. What does Jesus say of hell in Mark 9:44?

3. How long will hell last according to Revelation 14:11?

4. How are we added to the church according to Acts 2:47?

5. According to Acts 2:47, who adds us to the church?

6. According to Acts 20:7, when did they take the Lord’s Supper?

7. When did they meet to give of their means according to 1 Corinthians 16:1-2?

8. How often did they come together according to 1 Corinthians 11:25?

9. Why do we not keep the Sabbath holy today?

10. According to John 12:48, what will judge us?

We welcome you today to our Bible questions and answers series.

We have some really good questions that we're going to look to the word of

God for answer to. I suspect that maybe even you have thought about

some of these questions and are wondering- what does the Bible say on

this subject?

Our first question that's been submitted today is this, ‘Should we fear

the Lord today or should we just respect Him? What does the Bible say

about Christians fearing the Lord?’

There's no doubt from the Scripture that Christians ought to have a

healthy fear for the Lord- not just respect only. Don't get me wrong, we

ought to respect God but what about passages like Matthew 10:28 “Fear

Him who cannot only destroy body but fear Him who can destroy both body

and soul in hell fire”? God is to be feared by His people because He has

that ultimate control and power.

Now does that mean that I'm living in terror or trepidation or that I'm

having a panic attack every time I think about God? Well no. The Bible

says in 1 John 4:16-18 that love cast out that kind of terror fear. I don't live

in terror of God if I'm living right. I do live with a healthy fear of who God is,

and the God of heaven is to be feared. Listen to Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let's

hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God and keep His

commandments this is the whole duty of man.” There's no doubt that for

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someone who's living as they ought to live, trying to fear God, trying to live according to His will- we can live in harmony with God and not have to live in trepidation of who God is. Let's also be honest about it. For someone who is not living right and for someone who is not a Christian, they very well ought to be afraid of Almighty God. Listen to 2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” Hebrews 10:29 and chapter Hebrews 10:29 and 12:31 says it is a ‘Fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God because our God is a consuming fire.’

We want have up a healthy fear of God that is we know who God is. We know what His laws are. We're trying to live in harmony with those, and we utilize God and His power and His word in our life. Not living as though we're going to have a panic attack every day, that's not the idea. With that healthy dose of fear, it's such a good thing for the child of God to have knowledge of and to live every day in view of that. Yes, a Christian should not just respect the Lord, but should also fear Him.

Let's then turn to another question that a lot of religious people have today. It's a very good question.

If you'd like to submit a question for our consideration, you can email that question to us at [email protected] through our email address or you can visit our website thegospelofChrist.com/questions fill out a form and those'll be sent to us as well.

Here's the next question. The writer says, ‘Sometimes I see people who sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and have things like a birthday cake and a party for Jesus on December 25. Does the Bible say December 25 is the birthday of Jesus and should we be celebrating His birthday?’

Before we go any further let's say this, thank God that Jesus was born into this world. Thank God that He lived a perfect life that He and His life was in harmony with the will of God, that as He died as an ultimate sacrifice and that He is currently reining at the right hand of God. Every person is thankful who believes in Christ for that. Now consider the question- is December 25 given in the Bible as the birthday of Jesus?

Friend the answer is no. The Bible doesn't tell us when Jesus was born. I don't know if it was June 12, October 3, or December 25, or

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February eighth. We just don't know. We're just not told the exact day Jesus was born. If we're not told when Jesus is born, how did December 25 come about? Well men throughout time has attached that day to the birth of Jesus; although, there are several things in the Scripture which lead us to believe it was probably not that time of year in that part of the world. They're too many things that seem to indicate was not that time, but we don't know. Should we celebrate December 25th as the birth of Jesus? Well if we don't know that's the day, how could we? If you were born on March 12 and I celebrate your birthday on September 13, how would you feel? Well you probably wouldn't like that it's not your birthday. I don't know when Jesus was born.

Now let's ask maybe even more relevant question, does the Bible teach we should celebrate the birth of Jesus? We find nowhere in Scripture where Christians are commanded to celebrate the birth of Christ. We just don't. We're not told to do that. People were excited when He came to the world. They glorified God. It was a wonderful event. As far as Christians in the New Testament church go, we don't find authority for doing that. Someone says ‘well it won't matter.’ We're not to go beyond what's written. Right? 1 Corinthians 4:6. We're not to add to or take away, Revelation 22:18-19. If we're to follow the Bible as our guide, and we are, then the Bible doesn't tell us to do that. Someone says ‘well the Bible doesn't say not to’ that's not the way we operate. The Bible also says don't inject heroin into your vein. Are you going to go do it because of that? We operate based off what the Bible does tell us to do- what the Bible warns us against and things that are mentioned specifically in Scripture.

Now is there something that Christians are told to remember about Christ? Absolutely! It's not His birth. Please don't misunderstand me. Thank God Jesus was born into the world. Thank God for His stellar life, His sacrifice, and things like unto that. It's not His birth, it's His death that Christians are commanded to remember and to honor Him through. We do that when we partake of the Lord's supper every first day of the week. Jesus said at Matthew 26:26-28 as He took that bread and as He took that fruit of the vine, Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of me.” We honor Christ as we partake of the Lord's supper. We honor His life and His death every first day of the week, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. I know there are a lot of people who, you know want to have this idea of having a birthday party for Jesus and have a cake and celebrate His birthday on

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December 25th.

The Bible doesn't tell us when His birthday is, and the Bible tells us we honor Christ by remembering His death through the Lord's supper every first day of the week. Is it wrong for person to be thankful for Jesus was born? Could you be thankful for that any day? Absolutely!

Now friend as far as celebrating His birthday and having a cake and doing all that, we just don't find any of that. That's American more American culture than anything, and we don't find things find things like that anywhere in the Scripture.

Alright let's then turn our attention to another question that has been submitted by a viewer of our program. This person asked, ‘What is the rock that the church is built on that is mentioned in Matthew 16:18-19? Is that rock Peter?’

Let's turn our attention to the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 16, and I want you to look at what He asked His disciples, the context of what He asked His disciples. Beginning in verse number 13 the Bible says, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi He asked His disciples saying, ‘Who do men say that I the Son of Man am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you’re Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’”

We consider the question from the context of these verses, what is the rock that Jesus built the church on? What is the rock the church is built upon? Is it Peter?

Consider if it is Peter that it is not a very firm stable foundation to build the church on. Consider that with me for just a moment- in Luke chapter 23, in John chapter 18 and in the gospel of Matthew chapter 27 as well, Jesus promised to Peter ‘before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.’ Peter wept bitterly when he heard that rooster crow. ‘You also

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were one of them.’ ‘Oh no, not me.’ ‘Your speech betrays you!’ ‘I wasn't one.’ The text tells us he began to curse and swear, ‘I don't even know the man.’ Can we say that's the rock the church was built on? Not a very firm foundation.

Turn then to Galatians chapter 2 and we consider Peter's character after that point in time when certain Jews came around. Peter didn't want to have anything doing Gentiles, but when they weren’t around he would associate with the Gentiles. The Bible says the apostle Paul rebuked him to his face because he was to be blamed. Peter played the hypocrite with the Jews there he played one person. With the Gentiles there, he was another person. Is that the rock the church is built on? Again, not a very firm foundation. But what according to the context do we know? Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” He said, “I say to you that you're Peter,” ‘petros’ that word means a small stone or a pebble. He said, “I say to you that you're ‘a small stone or a pebble’ but upon this ‘petros’ this boulder this foundation rock, I will build my church.” Peter's a small stone or a pebble. What's this foundation?

Well back up a little in context. “Who do men say that I am?” “Some Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets.” “Who do you say I am?” Peter spoke up and he said, ‘You're the Christ. You're the Messiah. You're the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “And I say to you that you’re Peter and on this rock,” on the fact that you have recognized I am the Messiah the Son of God, “I will build my church.” Church is not built on Peter. It's built on that foundational statement -Jesus is the Messiah. He's the Son of God.

Friend, that's a stable foundation. Jesus cannot lie. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8. He has not committed any type of sin nor was guile or deceit found in His mouth, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:21-22, and He's that foundation. Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “No other foundation can any man lay,” listen now, “except that which is laid.” What is it Paul? “Jesus Christ.” Paul confirmed what Jesus said in Matthew 16:13-18. He's the foundation. Christ is that that foundational interlocking stone according to Acts 4:10-12. Peter is not what the church is built on. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is built on the fact He's the Messiah. He's the Son of Almighty God.

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Now we turn our attention to another question for our consideration today that has been submitted.

Now here's the question that's been asked, ‘I know some congregations that do not have or are not trying to have elders today. Should the Lord's church have elders today?’

Well friend the Bible definitively says the Lord's church, the Lord's church, should have elders today. If they don't, it ought to be something they're working toward. If they're not working toward that something is definitely awry in that congregation.

Let me illustrate. Titus 1:5 will be the first verse that we'll direct your attention to. Paul sent Titus to the island of Crete to work with the Lord's church, and he was given a specific purpose for going there. Notice what is said in Titus 1:5. Paul said to Titus, “For this reason I left you in Crete that you should set in order things are lacking,” watch this now, “and appoint elders,” plurality, “in every city as I commanded you.” Congregation would be in the city, and so you've got elders in every congregation is the idea. Is it the case that every congregation ought to have elders? You bet! “Appoint elders in every city,” that's the idea. Congregation ought to have elders.

Listen to what Paul said in Acts 14:17. Here we learn more about the appointing of elders in the congregations that Paul had worked with on his missionary journeys. The Bible says in Acts chapter 14 as they're going around, as they're strengthening the churches, Acts 14:23 “so when they had appointed elders,” listen now, “in every church prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had believed this reason I left you in Crete appoint elders in every city.” They appointed elders in every church, kind of that same idea there. Is it the case that in every congregation of the Lord's people, the ideal pattern is for every congregation to have qualified elders? There’s no doubt about that as you read in the Scripture.

Now let's say a congregation doesn't have those. Maybe as a young congregation, maybe it's a congregation that was set up an area where Christian to be converted, and they're novices but some of them are growing well and they're working toward that goal- that's good if they're working toward that goal. If that's what they're trying to obtain and attain to

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friend, that's following the pattern.

But then let's look at the different side of that coin. Let's say that congregation's been in existence for 30, 40, 50 maybe even 100 years and it's never had elders. We've got a big problem. It needs to be striving to appoint elders. God's church is set up in every congregation to be led by elders. If people are working toward that goal, then that's good. If we're not working toward it, I will guarantee you something is lacking. Something's not in order like God wants it to and eventually problems are going to rise because there are no elders in that congregation to help with spiritual matters. It is something that God wants in every church, and if it's not being worked toward and that goal is not divine goal people are working toward then we need to rethink things in that congregation area. That'd be the answer we would give from Scripture related to that idea.

Another question's been submitted and this is such a good one that I know a lot of people have a question about. Listen to the question that this writer asked individual says, ‘It seems like every time I go to church they're asking me for money. I get so tired of this. What does the Bible say about the church asking for money?’

Now I've heard people say things like unto this. For the church is you know ‘haggling me all the time.’ You need to give this amount of money. You need to give more money. You need to need to sign out intent letter saying you're going to give this much every year in the church. Wait a minute now! What really we're considering today is what's the Christian, the individual Christian, and his responsibility to give?

My giving and the Christian's giving is a matter between him and God. Should the church preach what the Bible says about giving? No doubt it should. Should elders in a congregation encourage people to give as God teaches in the Bible? Absolutely! But friend that's a matter between the individual and God. Are there guidelines for that? Sure there are, and let's share some of those today.

1 Corinthians chapter 16 does set a standard that it is every Christian's responsibility to give to the work of God on the first day of the week. Listen to 1 Corinthians chapter 16. I want you to notice what the Bible says in verses one and two, “Now concerning the collection for the

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saints as I've given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also. On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper that there be no collections when I come.” The apostle Paul said, ‘As we prospered, as God has blessed us beyond measure beyond what we need, on the first day of the week Christians should give to the local work of the church.’ There's no denying that's in the Bible.

Now look in 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and notice what the Scripture says beginning in verse six. God says, “But this I say he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He was sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart not grudgingly or of necessity for God loves a cheerful giver.” I'm to give as I prosper and as I purpose in my heart. That purpose and that prospering, I know and God knows. God knows if I'm giving as I prosper. God knows if I purpose in my heart. Here's what's here's what's unique about the church of Christ, nobody's ever going to come up and beg you for your money. Nobody's ever going to come up and ask you how much you give. Nobody's ever going to come ask you to sign a letter of intent for the year for giving. Giving is an individual matter between the individual and God. We preach on it. We encourage people to give as the Bible says. There are various works and opportunities that are made available if people so wish to give to, but we realize that's the individual's choice. That's the individual's matter.

Friend here's something I ask you to consider, if a place is all about how much you can give, how much money you've got, if that place is always begging you for money- I'd have to wonder about the intent of that. Are they concerned about souls? Are they concerned about the lost? Are they concerned about following the pattern of giving that we've just read in the New Testament? Or are they more concerned about what's in your wallet than what's in your heart?

We want to help people to align their wallet with their heart to the teaching of the Bible, but nobody's ever going to beg you or you know ask you ‘how much are you giving?’ or you need to give more you're not given to. No, that's an individual matter between the Christian and God. Somewhere that is always haggling or trying to get people in is not what we find through the language of the New Testament. We want to be very

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careful about things like unto that.

Alright here's another question for our consideration today. Someone writes, ‘I recently heard someone say that the apostle Peter was also the first pope. Is this true and what evidence is there of this in Scripture?’

Friend no, it is not true, and no we do not find in the Bible that Peter was the first pope or a pope at all. What do we find about Peter? We find Peter was an elder among the plurality of elders. 1 Peter 5:1-5 Peter served as an elder as we've seen in Acts 14:17 and Titus 1:5, there was always a plurality of those in the congregation of God's people.

What about Peter being the first pope? Friend if Peter's the first pope, he did it a whole lot different that it's being done today. What do I mean by that? Look in Acts chapter 10 if you would. Peter didn't want people worshiping him. He didn't want people bowing down to him. He didn't want people kissing his ring or his finger or anything like that.

Notice what you find in Acts 10:25. As Peter was coming in the Bible says Cornelius met him fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up saying “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” Again we don't find anywhere Peter was the Pope. That's contrary to what you find in the Bible. We know he was an elder among a plurality of elders in the Lord's church, 1 Peter 5, Acts 14:23. But friend think about Peter here, you contrast this to what you see today. Okay here's another unique identifying mark, Cornelius was so impressed when Peter, a Jew, came to preach him the gospel that he fell down and attempted to worship him.

What did Peter do? Did he say ‘Like my ring and my funny hat? Want to kiss it?’ No. Peter said “Stand up. I myself am also a man.” Now contrast that with today where millions of people and you see on TV go to Rome, and they kiss the Pope's hand. They bow down before him, and he just accepts all that. Wait a minute! Peter said ‘don't do it.’ The Pope accepts that today.

Who's right? ’Let God be true and every man a liar.’ Nowhere in the Bible is Peter mentioned as the first pope. You don't find that. Peter was married according 1 Peter 5 and 1 Timothy 3:1 that's a qualification of an elder. He was an elder. He was married. He was an apostle of the Lord. He

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was a great servant of God, but we never find anywhere, you've got to go beyond the Bible, which we're told not to do not add to the word of Revelation 22:18-19, you've got go beyond the Bible to come up with those ideas.

We hope today that these questions have encouraged each of us to get out our Bible to study for ourselves to see if what we're being taught and what we believe is true to the Scripture. And if it's not, then friend the burden is upon us to make changes in our lives where necessary so that we can be in line and in harmony with the will of God.

More than anything today, we want you to know that the God of heaven loves you deeply. He loves you so much He sent His own Son to die for you, John 3:16. He wants you to live in heaven with Him and to be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4.

Would you do what they did on Pentecost to be saved when they heard the message and believed in Jesus? Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins,” Acts 2:38.

If you've never done that, if you'd like to study more, please let us know! We'd be glad to help you!

May God bless each of us as we strive to study His word and live in harmony with His will.

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Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 4”

1. According to Matthew 10:28, why should we fear God?

2. According to 1 John 4:16-18, what cast out “terror” type fear?

3. What is the duty of man according to Ecclesiastes 12:13?

4. Does the Bible give us the date of birth for Jesus?

5. What does Revelation 22:18-19 tell us about adding to or taking away from the Bible?

6. According to Matthew 26:26-28, how to we honor Jesus’ life and death?

7. What is the rock/foundation in Matthew 16:13-18?

8. Why did Paul go to the island of Crete in Titus 1:5?

9. According to Acts14:23, should every church have elders?

10. What does 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 tell us about giving?

The Bible says “I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation,” Romans 1:16.

We welcome you today to our study of the word of God. In today's lesson, we're thinking about Bible questions and answers. We're continuing with our Bible question and answer series.

If you've got a question you'd like to submit for this series, you can send those questions to us by email, [email protected], or you can visit our website, thegospelofchrist.com/questions and submit those. We will answer them by the word of God.

We now begin with our first question that has been submitted by one of our viewers. The question is asked: Dear sirs, do you believe that God heals people today?

Indeed, what a good question that is! It's one that all of us have thought about from time to time for the reason being, we all suffer and have sickness from time to time. There isn't a person alive who doesn't face some type of suffering, sickness, disease, or illness. We're looking for help, help beyond maybe even what the medical field can give us. We long for and we desire the divine help of God.

Does the Bible teach that God heals people today? He absolutely does. The scripture affirms that God does that through the power of prayer today.

I want to direct your attention to James 5:13 and following. The Bible says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing songs. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders in the church. Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effect of fervent prayer of a righteous man overcomes much."

From this verse, we hear God say, ‘is anybody suffering?’ What's the answer so that? Pray. ‘Is anybody cheerful?’ Let him sing songs. ‘Is anyone sick?’ Let him call for the elders of the church to let them pray over him,-and the prayer of faith, there's the idea- the prayer of faith will save him.

Does God still heal people today? He absolutely does, through the power of prayer. We have the privilege to approach the throne of God, the throne of grace, and find help. Hebrews 4:16 says it this way. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we might find grace and mercy to help in time of need." In the New Testament, we definitely know that God still heals people today.

In fact, you find that principle even under the Old Testament. Here's a beautiful passage that illustrates God's power to heal from the Old Testament. 2 Kings chapter 20, look what God says to King Hezekiah in verse number five. "God said to His prophet, return and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘thus says the LORD, the God of David, your father.’" Now, listen to this. "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Surely I will heal you." Hezekiah became sick, and so in his sickness and distress, he turned to God in prayer and made his request known to God. God said, ‘I've heard your prayer. I've seen your tears. I will heal you.’

Friend, the simple fact is that God does still heal people today, but maybe even more of an important question we might want to ask is- how is God healing people today? Is God healing people today maybe the way Jesus or the apostles did in the first century? For example, is somebody going to go around today by the power of miracles and heal someone

who's got a withered arm? Is somebody going to go to the cemetery and raise somebody who's dead like Jesus did Lazarus? Are we living in the age where men and women can miraculously do that today?

No, that's not the way God's healing. I Corinthians 13:8-10 teach us that the age of the miraculous, the ability to understand that miracle and the miraculous, the ability to pass that gift on, has come to an end. God still heals through the power of prayer. If I want to receive God's healing, and if it's according to God's will, then friend, I pray to God. I ask for God's help. The Bible says, ‘if anyone's suffering, he can pray.’ He can call for the elders of the church, and they'll pray over him. It is the prayer of faith that will save that individual.

So to answer the question, yes, God still heals today. He does that through the power and the avenue of prayer, which is a wonderful Christian privilege.

We now move to our second question that's been submitted. The question is: How do I get God's guidance today, and where do I go in life from here? Basically, the individual's asking, how do I get God's direction? Where can I go learn what God wants me to do in this life and in my life right now? Where do I go from here? How do I live a life that's pleasing to God?

Friend, what a great question that indeed is. Where do we get God's guidance today? Well, friend, God's guidance is found in his word. God gives us direction through his word. The Bible says in Jeremiah 10:23, “Oh Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself. It's not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” How do I get God's guidance? Not in men. Not in men's ideas and ways. Isaiah 55:7-11 God says, “My ways are not your ways. My thoughts are not your thoughts.”

God's guidance is found in His word. The Bible is the inspired word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible- God's word- God's breathed out word, has everything we need for life in godliness. 2 Peter 1:3, “It is all truth.” John 17:17, if I will live by it and follow it, friend, I will assure you, if you want God's guidance, turn no further than the word of God.

Let's be careful in this area, because sometimes people want to turn to men for God's guidance. They want other people to tell them what to do and make a study for them and tell them what God wants them to do. Friend, I need to be sure to study the Bible for myself. 2 Timothy 2:15 and Acts 17:11, we need to search the scriptures daily. We need to realize God's ways may be different than what someone else is telling you. They may not be telling you what God says- if you don't check it for yourself.

Do you remember Proverbs chapter 16 and Proverbs 14? The Bible tells us ‘there's a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.’ Let's realize we want to put God's ways first. When we think about where we go from here, when I start studying my Bible, friend, I want to know what God wants me to do. I want to start with the attitude of, ‘Lord, what would you have me to do?’ Acts 9:4-6 Saul asks that great question. From the point I start studying, I want to go forward. I want to go forward in learning God's will. I want to take steps forward in following the example of Christ, I Peter 2:21. I want to move onward in having the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5, and in transforming my life into the image of almighty God, Romans 12:1-2.

And so, a great question being asked. God's guidance is found in His divine word, which has everything we need to make us complete, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. When a person commits himself to studying the Bible, friend, we want to go forward, press toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:12-16.

We now direct our attention to a third question that has been submitted by one of our viewers. The question is: The Roman Catholic Church is trying to stop cremation for funerals. They only want to do full burials. They claim this way, the full body and soul reach the heavenly Father complete. I am for burial. What does the church, in essence, what does the Bible teach on this subject?

Well, friend, as we think about the subject of cremation versus burial, we need to first put our focus on what man needs to be worried about, as it pertains to his nature. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 and He taught us where

the real emphasis should be. Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, "Do not fear him who can destroy body only, but fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hellfire." I'm not afraid of what somebody might do to my body, how somebody might persecute us, or hurt the body. We're not worried about those kinds of things in this life as our emphasis. The emphasis for the Christian is upon fearing Him who can destroy both body and soul in hellfire. The real emphasis needs to be upon God. What does God want us to do? Not what can men do to the body, but what does God want us to do in this life, and how does God want us to live in such a way that'll please Him?

There are some passages in the Bible which clearly teach that burial is an accepted way. Jesus himself was buried in the tomb. We learn. Lazarus was buried in John chapter 11. We also need to realize that during the Hebrew time, there were some passages that taught that cremation was a standard that was being used during the time of the Israelites. For example, listen to Amos 6:10 where we learn that this was a common practice during the time of the Israelites to, at least on some occasions, cremate certain people. Amos 6:10 the Bible reports these words for us, "And when a relative of the dead with one who will burn the bodies picks up the bodies to take them out of the house, he will say to one inside the house, ‘are there any more with you?’ Then someone will say ‘none,’ and he will say, ‘hold your tongue for we dare not mention the name of the Lord.’" Here you've got an example under the Old Testament where God's people were, as a practice at least for some people in that day, were using cremation.

Cremation was something they used then as well as burial. You'll find other examples: Saul and his son. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the fire. Although he did not go through with that, the process naturally would have burned his body. We find other examples as well where certain men's bones are burned, and there are times where that is done as a curse, and there are times when it's not done that way. Sometimes it's done for the preventing of disease. Sometimes it's done for custom's sake under the Old Testament. Then forget not the words of I Corinthians 13. I want you to listen to what verse number 3 says to the

Christian. It asks this question. Paul, as he's speaking about love and sacrifice and making sure that the motive is really what it ought to be, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:3, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love it profits me nothing." Friend, is Paul talking about a practice here which would have been contrary to the will of God? I understand he's talking about persecution. I understand that some may do that to dishonor them, but would that cost Paul or any other Christian their soul? If cremation is wrong, then we have to consider these things.

And so, what does the scripture teach on this subject? Friend, we have examples in the Bible of burial. We have the examples in the Bible of cremation. The Bible doesn't condemn any of those types of practices, and so either would be approved or acceptable for the child of God. There's no scripture preventing either one of those from being contrary to the will of God.

Passages that people often cite to prove cremation is wrong were under the Old Testament where people were using that sometimes with idolatry, sometimes to maybe put a curse on other people, but God never places that in the Bible on other people. The Bible doesn't say either way as to one of those being better than the other. A Christian could participate in either one of those and not live and be in accord, not live contrary, to the will of God. Now, are there personal preferences? Well, sure there are. As the reader, as our viewer notes, his personal preference would be burial. That would be my personal preference as well, but friend, we're talking about personal preference. We're not talking about what does the word of God say. God does not condemn either practice, and thus a Christian could not come down hard and fast and say someone who is cremated is going to hell.

The Bible's going to turn to dust either way. The emphasis in scripture is not what happens to the body after this life. The emphasis in scripture is- was my soul prepared to meet my God? That's Matthew 10:28. ‘Don't fear him who can destroy the body.’ That's not the emphasis. The emphasis is not on the body, what happens to it. ‘Fear Him who can

destroy both body and soul in hellfire.’ And so, many people do opt for cremation today. A common burial cost today would be somewhere between $8,000 and $12,000. You can look at the numbers today, and a common cremation cost is about a third of that- $2,000. You can see why some people might opt for that, and again, the Bible doesn't condemn either one of these practices as being sinful. And so this is an optional matter that a Christian may choose upon himself, and the word of God does not condemn as wrong or right as wrong because God does not say that is the case.

We now move to another question concerning these items of our Bible questions and answers. One of our viewers writes: Concerning 2 Corinthians 6:17 and I Thessalonians 5:22, the individual says, please explain these verses. Here's the background of that question: I have heard one say to not go around people who are not or have not obeyed the gospel. If I go somewhere, to a family member's house, or something like that, and they are drinking or doing something wrong, I would no doubt leave. But just to visit somebody who's not a Christian is that wrong?

Well, in both contexts and understanding these scriptures’ context would be key. 2 Corinthians chapter six, the context begins in verse number 14 where we are told to have no fellowship with immoral practices and that which is contrary to the will of God. We're not to have fellowship with Baal, the false gods. We're not to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, Ephesians 5:11. I'm not to be in a joint venture and have in common with these types of immoral practices. Then of course, I Thessalonians 5:22, "Abstain from every appearance of evil." When God says ‘come out from among them and be separate,’ 2 Corinthians 6:17, He's talking about people no longer living a joint, common practice like that, people leaving that lifestyle. I'm no longer going to be attached to people who live immorally to false gods and idolatry. I'm not going to be equally yoked together with unbelievers is the context of 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

When I obey the gospel, I leave that lifestyle and those relationships and those immoral practices behind. Now, does that then mean that I can never be around someone who is not a Christian? Well, friend, if that's the

case, how would you ever teach them the gospel? If that's the case, how would you go anywhere in the world? How would you go grocery shopping? How would you walk down the street? There's going to be people of the world everywhere. What we find in the Bible is this type of ideology. Christians are not to be of the world. We're in the world, but we're not of the world. That's the idea of 2 Corinthians 6:17. If I go over to someone's house or a friend's house or a family member's house who is not a member of the Lord's church, and we're visiting, I can take opportunities to encourage them. I can let my light shine as a Christian, and there's nothing immoral or ungodly going on. Have I committed some sin by doing that? Well, of course not.

Jesus, where did He go? He went to the sinners. He went to the tax collectors. He spoke at the well with the woman who was in sin, and He often would go to those who needed Him the most. Was it sinful for Jesus to do that? Well, of course not. Now, if then practices began to occur that are immoral and that can affect my reputation that can tempt me to sin, well no doubt, I'd want to depart from that. If someone begins to do drugs, if somebody begins to be involved in alcohol, or somebody begins to be involved in some immoral practices, there's something being shown on the TV that's ungodly- I want to depart from that. I want to remove myself from that temptation. I don't want to be in fellowship with that. But to say that you can't even visit with people who are not Christians, that's not the context of 2 Corinthians 6:17. The same would be true with I Thessalonians 5:22.

Although we are to abstain from every appearance of evil, that would include impacting my influence, I'm not going to be seen going into a place where immorality is rampant. I'm going to remove myself from that so it doesn't affect my reputation and influence. Jesus taught that Christians are to be in the world but not attached to the world. We’re not to have those things in common with the world is the idea. We must be very careful that we walk the way God wants us to walk, walk in the light, and follow the example of Jesus.

I have to live in this world. If I'm going to teach others the gospel, how will I ever evangelize if I'm never around people who are lost in sin? It

would be impossible to. I've got to go places where they are. Not participate in what they do, but I've got to go down maybe to where people are dealing with problems, maybe where people are involved in things that are immoral. Again, not to associate with that, but with the clear intent of teaching the gospel. If that begins to be something they don't care to hear or listen to, I'm going to depart from that because I don't want to be in fellowship with immorality and ungodliness.

I hope that answers the question as we think about our fellowship and our participation with those who maybe are not members of the church, and hopefully all of that is done with an eye toward and with the mindset of teaching them the gospel and being a faithful child of God.

Another viewer has submitted this question, such a good question for us to conclude our lesson on today, and the question is: Please explain why Christians no longer have to adhere to the Law of Moses. There is a growing movement today that claims both faith in Christ and binding of the Law of Moses.

And so we think about today, can a person have faith in Christ, be a Christian, and then demand that we also keep the Law of Moses? Now, let's direct our attention to several scriptures that teach that we cannot bind the Law of Moses today, nor would we want to. Hebrews10:9, speaking of Christ and His willingness to come as a sacrifice the Bible says, "Then he said, behold, I have come to do your will, oh God." Now, don't miss this, "He that is Christ takes away the first, that He may establish the second."

What is Christ taking away? What is Christ establishing? What He's taking away? The first covenant. Hebrews 10:3-4, ‘the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin.’ Ephesians 2:14-15 and Colossians 2:14-15, Jesus nailed the commandments, the old law, to the cross. He tore it down, breaking down that middle wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Christ in His death, in His sacrifice, took away the first. It is no more. If it's taken away, it's no longer man's obligation to follow that. He may establish the second. The second covenant, the law and the covenant of Christ.

Now, here's something interesting to consider. James 2: 10 says this, ‘He who stumbles in... He who keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one part,’ James says, ‘you've stumbled in all of it.’ What's James correlating there? That the whole law must be kept. You can't take bits and pieces and parts and say, ‘well, I like this in the old law, but we don't need this anymore. I like this, but we don't need that anymore.’

Friend, here's the idea. If Christ is our sacrifice today-Hebrews 10:12 says He clearly is- “This man having offered one sacrifice for sin forever, sat down at the right hand of God,” then if I'm going to say that's true. What about all those Old Testament sacrifices? If I don't keep those, then I'm stumbling in all of the law. What about building a booth in the month of October and living in those booths? What about the Feast of Tabernacles? What about Passover and all those various ideas, burning of incense? What about the priestly order of Aaron? During the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, all those genealogical records were lost. How can anybody be an Aaronic priest today, a Levitical priest today, if all that's been lost?

We've got Christ. Exactly the point. If Christ is the new priest, if He brought in the new law, if He is the sacrifice, then friend, it's impossible for me to keep the old law. The old law itself says if you stumble in one point, you've stumbled in it all. I'm going to say old law, friend, it's all of nothing. Now, we can't keep it all today. Even Peter said that. Acts 15:7-10 Peter said, ‘neither we nor our fathers could keep it perfectly.’ Listen to the words of Hebrews 8:13 in that, God says a ‘new covenant.’ He's made the first obsolete. What is becoming obsolete and growing old, the Hebrews writer said, is ready to ‘vanish away.’ The old law according to the New Testament is obsolete. Like a horse and buggy transportation, like a rotary phone, like washing clothes on a washboard- the old law is obsolete. It's no good. It's not for Christians to follow, and we're not commanded to keep that.

And so, should we keep the old law today? That's not the law I'm going to be judged by. I'm going to be judged by the words of Christ.

And friend, if you've never obeyed the gospel, more than anything, we encourage you to submit to the teaching of Christ.

Have you heard the message about Jesus? Do you believe he's the Son of God? Would you be willing to repent and change your ways and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38?

If you've never done that, today, we're encouraging you to obey the gospel before it's too late.

Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 5”

1. According to Romans 1:16, what is the power of God?

2. What should we do if we are suffering according to James 5:13?

3. What overcomes much according to James 5?

4. According to Hebrews 4:16, what will we find in time of need when we pray?

5. According to 2 Kings 20:5, how did Hezekiah let God know he was hurting and sick?

6. According to Jeremiah 10:23, can man know in himself what is the right way to live?

7. What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 say of all scripture?

8. What is scripture useful for according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

9. According to Matthew 10:28, who and what should we be focused and concerned?

10. According to Hebrews 10:9, what did Christ take away?

A great question is asked in Jeremiah 37:17, "Is there any word from the Lord?"

We welcome you today to our study of Bible questions and answers. In this series of lessons we're answering questions that have been submitted by you our viewers either through our email address, questions at TheGospelOfChrist.com, or through our website. As always, we want to take these questions and look to the word of God.

Now let's direct our attention to the first question that has been submitted by one of our viewers. The question is: Is listening to music like rock or pop or even country music a sin? For example he says, ‘I listen to pop and rock songs and it sometimes refers to sex, drugs, alcohol, or things that are immoral.

It is basically a two-fold question. Is it wrong to listen to music like country or rock or whatever it may be-pop-whatever it may be? Well friend music is something that God Himself has created. We find that throughout the Bible. We find great men of God involved in music and the ability to sing and to play music. It's something that God Himself has given man the ability to do. Music in of itself is not wrong. We find several instances in the in the Old Testament where people use music.

For example we find that King Saul used music and even certain instruments to calm himself at times when he was distressed and things

like that. David used to come in and play and that would at times calm him. We find nothing in the scripture to teach that music in of itself is sinful. In fact music, singing, is a part of worship to God. It's commanded by God in Galatians 3:17 and Ephesians 5:19. Music is not inherently sinful. The Bible does not at all teach that. We find examples where it does have good qualities.

Now maybe to the second part of the question even more- Is it sinful to listen to some rock and roll song or some pop music or even some country song today that talks about sex or drugs or immorality? Well friends a Christian sure wants to make sure that what he brings into his mind and into his heart is wholesome and right in the sight of God. To listen to songs that are going to promote sex, violence, immorality, drinking, and things like is not something that a Christian wants to participate in.

Let me give you an example, listen to Philippians chapter four. What kind of things ought I be putting in my mind and filling my heart with? Philippians 4:8, "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there's any virtue, if there's anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things, the things which you learned to receive and heard and saw in me. These do and the God of peace will be with you."

Those things which are right and good and things that will help us to live the Christian life, those are things that a Christian ought to be thinking upon. If I'm bringing words and thoughts and images into my mind that deal with sex, alcohol, adultery, immorality and violence- friends those are things that are going to be in my heart and on my mind. A Christian wants to think about things that are right.

So should a Christian listen to that type of music? No, a Christian shouldn't listen to music that is going to promote or is going to advance immoral things. Think about this. If I'm around somebody that cusses, or I'm around immorality, or I see things that are not like they should be, things that are sinful and wrong- those images, words, and ideas kind of

stick in my mind. You've heard it said, 'I've got a song stuck in my mind.' Well what if that song and those words are immoral and ungodly things? What if you've got bad words to a song lyric stuck in your mind and that promotes evil images or ideas? Are those things that ought to be on a Christian’s heart and mind? Absolutely not! The Bible teaches we're to be pure. We're to be holy. "Be holy as He who called you as holy", 1 Peter 1:15. We're to think on things that are good. ‘We're to have the mind of Christ,’ Philippians 2:5. Whether it's some rock song that's promoting sex and drugs, whether it's some pop song that's promoting some immorality, and some of the worst today are the country songs that are promoting drinking and immorality and carousing and adultery, who lost who and who got drunk -all these songs that are just promoting things that are not right.

A Christian ought to do his best to avoid bringing those thoughts and those words into his mind. The Bible says "I am to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." There's so much music that is good and wholesome. There are TV shows that are good and wholesome. There is other entertainment that is not immoral and ungodly. One can find alternatives. But even if you couldn't, you still shouldn't strive to listen to or try to listen to things that one knows are going to promote immorality and ungodliness. That would be contrary to the will of God.

Let's now turn our attention to another question that has been submitted. What a wonderful question indeed this is. The question is asked: We recently had friends who took their baby to church to have it sprinkled. My wife and I have been discussing this. Is sprinkling of babies found in the Bible? Really this is a two-fold question.

The first question would be: Is sprinkling found in the Bible itself? Friend you don't find sprinkling, as an authorized means of baptism. What do we find? "John was baptizing in Aenon where there was much water", John 3:23. We find that at Jesus' baptism, "coming up out of the water the spirit descended upon him like a dove", Mark 1:9-10. We find that "baptism is a burial", Romans 6:1-4. Both Philip and the eunuch got down out of the chariot went down the water. He baptized him, and they came up out of the water. And so what we first asked is sprinkling found in the Bible? Friend

you do not find sprinkling in the Bible. That is not an authorized mode of baptism that we find in scripture. Here's what's interesting. There are two unique words for sprinkling and baptism and both of them occur in the Bible. For example, in Hebrews 9, we find the mention of the word sprinkling used for the sprinkling under the Old Testament of the blood of bulls and goats. It is the word ‘rhantizo’ and it literally means sprinkling. Then you find the word ‘baptizo’ used multiple times and it means emersion. And so, there was a Greek word for sprinkling. Baptism in the original language means emersion, and God chose to describe the process of going down into the water with baptism, to be a child of God one must be immersed, not sprinkled.

Now what about the second part of that question? For there are a lot of good parents who really want the best for their children, and who want the best for their children spiritually. And so we hear somebody had their baby sprinkled and we think ‘hey, we want to make sure that our baby's where he needs to be spiritually.’ Do we need to take them down and have them sprinkled as well? Friend, the idea of sprinkling babies goes back to the idea of babies being born in sin. Why do people sprinkle babies? Because they believe that babies are born in sin and that if a baby is not baptized that baby if he dies is going to die in sin.

Since "baptism is for the remission of sins", Acts 2:38, people conclude therefore if babies have sin, if they're born in sin, they must be baptized or that baby's going to die and go to hell. Well friend, here we have a false understanding of sin. The Bible teaches according to Matthew 18, Jesus said "do not forbid the little children, let them come to me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven," Matthew 18:1-13. Jesus recognized that little children were pure, innocent, and were not stained with sin. Isaiah 7:12-16 teaches "there is a time before the child knows to refuse the evil and choose the good." We sometimes refer to that time period that the Bible mentions there as the age of accountability. When a child doesn't know to refuse evil, he doesn't know to choose the good. When you say no cookies until supper and a 2 year old child goes over there and gets a cookie before supper- why did they do that? Are they defiant and rebellious? Well no, they don't know yet. They are in that process where

they are learning. And friend to help us understand that children are not born in sin; I want to direct your attention to an Old Testament passage in the book of Ezekiel. Look at Ezekiel chapter 18. I want you to see that babies being born in sin that's not something that we find taught throughout the scripture. In fact we're told in scripture that "one does not inherit or is not born with the sins of others," Ezekiel chapter 18. I want you to notice what happens or what is said in verse number 20. The word of God says, "The soul who sins shall die," listen to this now, "the son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." There was a proverb going around you learn about it in Ezekiel one and two in Israel. The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge. Basically it said the father ate something sour and the son can taste it in his mouth. He didn't eat it, but because he's kin to the father he can taste it. God said ‘do not use that proverb in Israel anymore.’ Why? "Because the son shall not bear the guilt of the father. The father shall not bear the guilt of the son." The soul who sins shall surely die," Ezekiel 18:4.

This idea that babies are born in sin is the very reason that people want to sprinkle them. That idea is false. You just don't find that taught in scripture. Remember Jesus said, ‘let the little children come to me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.’ And so, does the Bible teach that young parents today who are concerned about their children's spiritual welfare need to run down and have them sprinkled? That's not what you find in the Bible. You find in the Bible that young parents today who are concerned about their children's spiritual welfare will "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", Ephesians 6:1-4. Parents should teach them about God, teach them the scriptures, show them the right way to live by their example, and do everything possible that when they reach that age of accountability the know right from wrong and understand sin. They will be ready to make a decision for themselves and obey the gospel of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

We now direct our attention to another question that has been submitted by one of our viewers and the question is asked like this: Please

explain the history of instrumental music in the church. Is instrumental music something that has always existed and should we use them today? That's a good question. When did mechanical instruments of music actually become common practice among some denominations? Here's what history reveals for us. The Catholic Encyclopedia records in the 1913 edition that according to plating, that Pope Vitalian introduced the organ into the church service around the year 666. This however, some would say is very doubtful. At all events a strong objection to the organ at church service remained pretty general up to the 12th century, which may be accounted for partly by the imperfection of the tone. They didn't sound right. Organs didn't sound good at that time. But from the 12th century on, the organ became the chosen instrument in some denominations.

Now some will say it was around the year 666 when Pope Vitalian brought that in others will say that didn't really become a common practice until the 12th century.

Here's what we know for sure. It didn't happen at least until 600 years after the New Testament.

Now you think about that. Where in the New Testament do we find Christians using a harp or an organ or a guitar or a banjo or a piano or any of those type of instrumental music? We just don't find that. Friend it's not part of the worship of the early church. Now remember, I am to do what God commands me to do. "If you love me", Jesus said, "keep my commandments," John 14:15. "I am to worship God in spirit, the whole heart, soul, mind, and being, and in truth," John 4:24. "If I'm to worship God in truth and God's word," the New Testament is our guide today," John 12:48. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All authority has been given to me." Then friend, I want to worship God the way the New Testament teaches.

Now listen very carefully. You can read your New Testament, which is the Christian's guide today, especially on how to worship God and Christ. You can read from Matthew to the end of Revelation and everything that God says about worship on this earth and about music in the Lord's church today- there is the absence of mechanical instruments and music. What

does God say? 1 Corinthians 14:15 the Bible says "I'll sing with the spirit, "I'll sing with the understanding." What? “I'll sing,” there's the idea. Ephesians 5:19 and Galatians 3:16, "we're to sing to one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing and making melody." Where? "In your heart to the Lord." I'm to sing. I'm to teach. I'm to encourage. I'm to make melody in the heart. Everything we find in the New Testament is about singing. "Is anyone happy? Let him sing psalms," James 5:13-15.

So history clearly records it wasn't at least until 650 years maybe after the New Testament church was built and maybe 1200 before instrumental music, mechanical instruments of music became a common practice. We know that it wasn't a common practice in the New Testament. The very absence of it and when God commands us to sing, God tells us what he wants- friend that should suffice. Whatever God wants us to do that's what we should do. If God doesn't command it, then friend we should not add to the word of God," Revelation 22:18-19.

Another question that has been asked by one of our viewers: We live in a state where there are a lot of casinos and most people in our state gamble- Is it scriptural? Is it okay for a Christian to participate in gambling?

Now friend as we think about the subject of gambling, please realize what a huge problem gambling is today. Just like with any other type of addiction, alcohol, drugs, sex-whatever it may be- if one gets caught up in gambling it is indeed an addiction. It’s an addiction that takes away your interests, time, energy, and money eventually. A Christian doesn't want to be given over to anything or be addicted to anything except Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul said "I will not be brought under the power of any." Is gambling controlling a person's life? If you're living from paycheck to paycheck, if you're spending all your money on gambling, if you're at the casino instead of being with family and friends and things liken to that- it's just become an addiction. Friend, it has power over you. It has control over you. It's dictating how you live your life. Paul said, "I'll not be brought under the power of any."

Then consider these principles as it relates to gambling. The golden rule is what we often refer to it as. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Think about this with me for a moment. The money that somebody may win in gambling, where does that money come from? Are they just printing it and giving it away left and right? No, that money you win comes out of somebody else's pocket. That money that you won comes out of somebody else's losses. Would you want somebody to take that from you? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Would you want somebody to take your kid's food money, take your money for your electric bill, to steal the money for your car payment or to take the money for your car payment? Of course not, I wouldn't want somebody to do that to me. Why would you take somebody else’s? People may be willingly involved in that, but that doesn't mean that you're not taking what they shouldn't have given to begin with. They were addicted to it. It was a problem, and as a result they lost things in that. A Christian wouldn't want to participate in that because I'm not really following the golden rule. I'm taking what somebody else really didn't have or shouldn't have given and that would be contrary to the will of God.

Then think about it this way. Galatians 3:17: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the father through or by Him." If what I do in my life, if everything that I do rather in word or deed is to have the approval of God then friend, where in the Bible does God sanction, where does God approve, where does God say it's okay to gamble? Sometimes we approach the Bible and we say ‘Well, God doesn't say not to.’

Wait a minute now! That's not how a Christian is told to operate. I'm not to operate based off of God didn't say. Let me illustrate. Where's the passage in the Bible that says thou shalt not inject heroin into your veins? It's not there. Where do you find that? You don't find that. Does that mean it's okay for a Christian to do that? Well of course not. The Christian is not told to operate off of the basis of thou shalt not, but rather what shall we do? "Whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of, by the approval of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ."

And so let's ask this question again, where's the Lord's approval? Where does God say it's okay to gamble? You don't find authority for that in scripture. There is no biblical authority anywhere in the scripture for a Christian to gamble. It's not authorized. It's not sanctioned. Often gambling is associated with evil things, immorality, immodest dress, drinking, alcohol, sometimes drugs, and things like unto that are definitely associated with gambling. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 "abstain from every appearance of evil." If those things are naturally tied to that, if that crowed runs with that, if it's not something that's going to promote right and good, rather it's going to promote wrong and evil- should I abstain from that? The Bible says I should, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. So should a Christian participate in gambling? Friend you can find no authority for that in the Bible. God doesn't sanction that, and I'm taking what somebody else lost. I'm participating in their addiction and their problem and that in of itself is something that a Christian should not participate in.

Now our final question. The writer says: I hear some people talk about the kingdom of Christ. I'm confused about what the kingdom of Christ is. What is the kingdom of Christ?

Well friend there's no doubt a lot of confusion today about Christ's kingdom. The Bible is very clear on that subject. There are those who would say the kingdom isn't here yet, the kingdom's a future deal, going to be a 1,000 year reign then the kingdom will be set up. But what does the Bible say about the kingdom?

Friend, Jesus with great clarity promised He would build His kingdom. Mark 9:1, Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly I say to you, there are some standing here today who will not taste death until;” there's the adverb of time, "until they see the kingdom present with power." To Jesus' audience in that generation, He said some of you aren't going to die until you see the kingdom here. That's a clear promise that it would come in the first century. Jesus taught us more about the kingdom in John 18:36 when Pilate questioned Jesus. Jesus said "My kingdom's not of this world. If it were my servants would fight." It's not a geographical location. The kingdom is the domain of the king and Christ's kingdom is a spiritual rule

and rein of Christ the king himself. Is the kingdom here today in that spiritual rule and reign? You bet it is. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18-19, "I will build my church." Then he turned and said to Peter, "I'm going to give you the keys of the kingdom." The church and the kingdom are used synonymously. "Christ is reigning as king, as head of the church," Ephesians 1:22-23. It is the spiritual rule and reign of Christ today, the Lord's church.

And so when you hear the kingdom, that's used synonymously in the Bible with the church. The church and the kingdom definitely are here. Listen to Galatians 1:13. Paul said during the first century to Christians in the first century that "God had translated some out of darkness and had put them into the kingdom of His dear son." There's the picture of someone coming out of sin, obeying the gospel, and becoming Christian. When they do that they're put in the kingdom. Let's think of that in view of Acts chapter two. These people in Acts 2 were pricked in their heart. They heard the message about Jesus. They realized they had killed their own messiah. They cried "out men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter responded by saying, “Repent, be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins." Acts 2:42-43 tells us that "those who gladly received his word were baptized," and listen to Acts 2:47, "and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

The kingdom is the church. When men and women obey the gospel, they're added to the church. They're added to the kingdom.

Friend we ask you today, are you a member of the Lord's church? Have you obeyed that same gospel, that good news, that message just like they did in Acts chapter two?

If not, we're encouraging you today, won't you become a Christian? Won't you obey the gospel?

Make sure your life is right with God while we have time and opportunity.

Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 6”

1. In Galatians 3:17 and Ephesians 5:19, what does God command?

2. According to Philippians 4:8, what kinds of things should we put in our mind?

3. According to 1 Peter 1:15, how are we to be?

4. According to Philippians 2:5, whose mindset should we have?

5. According to John 3:23, why was John baptizing in Aenon?

6. In Romans 6:1-4, what is baptism compared to?

7. What does Jesus say about children in Matthew 18:1-13?

8. According to Ezekiel 18:20 do children inherit sin?

9. According to Ephesians 6:1-4, what should parents do out of love and concern for their children?

10. According to John 14:15, what does Jesus tell us to do if we love Him?

In Romans 4:3 the Apostle Paul asks the question, "What does the Scripture say?"

We welcome you today to our study of Bible Questions and Answers. In this series of lessons we're taking questions that had been submitted by our viewers, and we're looking to the Word of God for answer to those wonderful questions.

If you would like to submit a question you can do that through email at [email protected] or you can visit our website, thegospelofchrist.com/questions and fill out a form and that question will be submitted to us and we'll do our best to answer that from the Word of God.

Let's now direct our attention to the first question that our viewer has submitted today. The viewer writes: I am dating a man who has been married and divorced several times. Is it okay to date him, and what does the Bible say about marrying someone who is divorced?

The Bible teaches all the way back to Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." God's original plan and pattern for marriage is one man and one woman entering into the union of marriage and having that family and that lasting for life. That's God's original plan. Sometimes sin enters in, and as a result people find themselves in situations where they may have to divorce someone for fornication and immorality.

To answer the basic question: God's plan is one man, one woman for life. Now what about someone who is dating a person who's been married and divorced several times? Well friend, you sure want to be clear, and you sure want to find out about that situation. Not every person who has been married and divorced is a candidate to be married again.

Here's what we mean by that. Listen to the words of Jesus, beginning in Matthew 19:3, "The Pharisees came to Jesus, testing him and saying to him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So then they're no longer two, but one flesh.’ Therefore what God has joined together let not man separate." They said to Jesus, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce and put her away?" He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your heart, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so." Now notice verse number nine, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife except for fornication, sexual immorality and marries another- commits adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

What's the Lord's teaching about divorce and remarriage? Jesus said that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except fornication and then goes out and marries another, or marries her who is divorced unscripturally, commits adultery. What did Jesus teach on this subject? The only scriptural reason for divorce is fornication. That Greek word fornication, ‘pornea,’ means illicit sexual activity. Unless someone has been involved in sexual activity with another, fornication, adultery, whatever word we may want to use to describe that, that's the only reason that God gives in the Bible for divorce- then only then, is the innocent party free to remarry according to Matthew 19:9.

How do we answer today's question? If you're dating someone that has been married and divorced several times, friend, you want to look into that. Your soul depends upon it. Your relationship with God depends upon

it. If that person has been divorced several times and one or any of those reasons for getting divorced is not scriptural, then friend, that person is not somebody who is a candidate to marry. Why would you date someone then who you're not going to marry?

Then if somebody's been married and divorced several times, you want to look at what might be the cause of that person being married and divorced several times. Do they have an anger issue? Do they have some type of sin that keeps getting in the way of being a godly marriage? Are there problems that need to be addressed on the individual level before that person is ready to commit? You want to think clearly about this. As your soul and your relationship with God depends upon it. If you're dating somebody who is divorced and it's not for a scriptural reason, friend, we kindly say that that person, they're not a candidate to marry.

Why would you date somebody who you're not going to marry? If they do have a scriptural reason, then you would have a right to date that person, but still, just like in any other relationship, you want to make that's somebody who's putting God first. You want to make sure that that person's going to help you get to heaven, and you want to make sure that the kingdom and the church are coming first in every way.

Now we move to a second question in our series today. An individual writes this question to us: What do we do when the law of the land says one thing and the law of God says something contradictory or totally different? Who should we obey? And so basically if God's law says one thing, and the law of the land says something different or opposite of what God's law says- who are we to obey?

Well friend, let's clearly understand that God's law commands us as best as possible to obey the laws of the land. Romans 13:1 following says that if we don't obey the law of the land, we don't obey God. For they've been set in place, the governments have been set in place by God, and they are His ministers to set forth in His will in certain ways. Obeying the law of the land, as far as it's in line with the law of God, that's clearly something God wants us to do.

What about when the laws of a certain country, let's just say the laws in the United States of America, what about when those laws are in violation or teach something different than what the laws of God teach? For example Proverbs 6:16-19, ‘We're not to shed innocent blood.’ What about when the laws in the United States of America say that it is legal to kill unborn babies? The law of God says don't shed innocent blood. The law of the land says abortion is acceptable. There you've got two laws that are diametrically opposed. What should a Christian do when God's law and man's law are opposed to each other? Who should we obey?

Well, let's turn our attention to the Scripture and notice what the Bible says in Acts 5:29. Listen to the words of Peter in this verse, "But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’" Now what's going on in the context of Acts chapter five? Well, you've got the law of God that's in place. "Go into all the world and teach the gospel unto every creature," Mark 16:15. Jesus said "Go preach and teach the good news." There's the law of God. Now you have got a law that the Jewish leaders are imposing upon Peter and John. God's law said 'go preach,' now these Jewish leaders are going to say, ‘Don't preach about Jesus anymore.’ You've got two competing laws. What do we do when those two conflict?

Acts 5:29 tells us we obey God rather than men. Peter goes on to say in Acts 5:30, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. God has exalted Him." He goes on to say, ‘we’re going to preach about Jesus whether you like it or not.’ They go on to beaten for that, but they counted themselves worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ.

When we think about the fundamental question, as long as God's laws and man's laws are in harmony, then we obey both. If there comes a point in time when they are diametrically opposed to each other, God's law always trumps man's law. For example, as we mentioned earlier, if the law of the land says it's okay to kill babies and the law of God says it's a sin, then I say to the United States of America, ‘I've got a higher judge and a higher government I must submit to. I submit to God before I submit to

men.’ If the law of the United States of America says that it is legal for men to marry men and women to marry women and to be involved in homosexual relationships, and the law of God says, Romans 1:26-29, that's it's not, that that's not scriptural, that's not something that God authorizes- then friend, we obey God. We say from out of love and kindness that that's not according to the teaching of God, and I cannot go along with and submit to that law. That law is contrary to the will of Almighty God.

God's law must always trump man's law when the two are not in harmony, and we ought to obey God rather than men.

We now move to another question that has been submitted. The question is asked: Why do some religious groups refer to their religious leader as father and others refer to them as reverend or pastor. Are those titles that men or women should wear today?

Well friend, what a good question that is, and we hear it real regularly today. We hear people say, "Father so and so down here did this," or “the reverend, and somebody's name attached to it, or Pastor so and so over at this community church,” or something like unto that- are those titles that the Bible says men should wear today?

Let's kind of address each of these individually. The title father, which is often associated with Catholic or Episcopal, sometimes Methodist, or something like unto that- is that title a title that men should wear? Well friend, the Bible says it absolutely is not. The Bible explicitly says men should not wear those titles.

Now why do we say that? Look in your own Bible in Matthew 23:9. Jesus clearly addressed this, and in the context He's talking about religious titles, teacher things like unto that. What about those titles? Jesus said in Matthew 23:9 "Do not call any on earth your father, for one is your father who is in heaven." King James says, "Call no man father." That's in the religious sense. I'm not going to address another man with the title of father as it relates to a religious title. That title is reserved only for God. Is it right to call somebody Father so and so in a religious sense? Jesus said in that

sense ‘Call no man father. One is your father, spiritually speaking, God in heaven.’

Well, what about the title reverend? I often hear people refer to others as, "This is our reverend," or, "Reverend so and so gave a good lesson today." Well, what about that title? I want to address your attention or direct your attention to Psalm 111:9 teaches us who the title of reverend is actually to be given to. The Bible says in verse number nine of Psalm 111, "He has sent redemption to His people. He has commanded His covenant forever holy and reverend is His name." Who deserves the name or the title reverend? Somebody is going through some theological school? Somebody who's supposedly the preacher down somewhere? No. Holy and reverend is God's name. Father, in the spiritual sense, is reserved for God. Reverend, which means magnificent, awesome, holy, to be revered. That's a name that belongs to God in the Bible.

The first two titles, we sure don't find authority for men to wear in the Scripture. Now, what about the title or the words pastor? There's a lot of confusion today on the office of a pastor. What is a pastor in the New Testament? We find many times today that a pastor is referred to as the preacher or the one man down at some denominational group. Is that the way the Bible uses the word pastor?

Friend, you will find the word pastor equated in the New Testament with the office of elders in the New Testament. Now let me share that with you. Look in your Bible in 1 Peter 5:1-2. Notice what Peter says about the office of an elder and how it is also that of the work of being a pastor. Peter says, "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the suffering of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed." Now watch this, "Shepherd", there's that word for pastor, "pastor or shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers." Now here you've got elder, you have got pastor, and you have got overseer, the words that are used to describe the office of overseers or bishops or elders in the New Testament. Acts 20:28, Paul encouraged the elders in Ephesus to pastor, to shepherd the flock of God which is among you. When we think about the idea of a pastor, in the Bible there is never a

one man pastor system like you find today, there is always a plurality of elders- Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-2. "I am a fellow elder." Implying that there are more as well. Then elders are often referred to as bishops or overseers, elders or older ones, or pastors or shepherds in the Bible. Those titles are used to describe the work and office of an elder. A one man preacher system, pastor system's not what you find. There are pastors in the Bible, and in the New Testament those are also called elders or overseers in the Scripture. While we find two of the titles definitively are used for God, the word pastor is used in the Bible for the office and work of an elder, a shepherd, or an overseer.

Another question that we want to address today that has been submitted is such a good question today because it's a real problem that is being exposed, that a lot of people have to deal with today. Here's is the question: I've always struggled with pornography. Is pornography sinful? And if so, how do I overcome this in my life?

Friend, studies are revealing that this has become an addiction for so many people today. With the internet being so widespread, with having phones and tablets and computers and the host of digital media that is available today, pornography is becoming so much more of a problem. It used to be the case that it was available mainly in magazines that nobody really had or wanted to talk about, that were hard to get. Now it's so readily available and so easy for especially kids to see today, that it is a very real problem we have to deal with.

Let's address the first idea. Is pornography sinful? And friends, the Bible clearly teaches that the viewing of lustful, immoral, ungodly images is indeed sinful. Jesus addressed it in Matthew 5:28. Jesus said, "But I say to you, whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." As it relates to sex and the relationship that God has created between a man and a woman, there is one authorized place for that to occur. “Marriage is honorable. The bed", describing the sexual relation, "the bed undefiled, but whore mongers and adulterers God will judge."

The only place where sex and the sexual relations are right and good and holy is inside the marriage relationship- between one man and one woman. When you go to looking at images of other people, when you go to thinking thoughts about other people that is not inside that realm of marriage, then friend, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, you've already as it were committed adultery in your heart. You began to lust over her in your mind. You began to think thoughts that are not right. You began to feel emotions that are not inside the sanction place, and maybe even act upon those. Friend, that's definitely, pornography is definitely, contrary to the will of God.

Now, let's address the second part of that question. How does one prevent or how does one overcome a pornography problem? Pornography is mainly a problem of the mind. To overcome the problem one has to have self-control and control over what enters into his mind. "As a man think in his heart so is he," the Bible says in Proverbs 23:7. I've got to do my best to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. How do you overcome or prevent a pornography problem? Friend, you've got to start by controlling the mind. Having self-control over what one thinks, what one views, and what one listens to. Imagine it this way; let's say that a person had a problem with cursing. Maybe for a big part of their life they'd curse like a sailor all their life. How do you stop that? Well, you've got to realize it's a problem. You've got to realize it's wrong, and then you've got to work on it. You have got to remind yourself, you've got to say to yourself, when you say that word you've got to say, "That's not right. I can't say that anymore." You've got to be accountable. You've got to be cognizant of the fact that that's wrong. You've got to control what goes on in here and naturally comes out of your mouth. Well, the same is true when it relates to pornography. I've got to learn to control what I think about. I've got to think on things that are ‘good and noble and right and just and holy,’ Philippians 4:8.

You've got to make sure that you're not in situations where it's going to be easily available for you to fall back into the problem. If pornography problem is related to me in a computer, I need to have some way of making sure that doesn't come on that computer. I need to make myself

accountable to somebody. I need to have some kind of, and there are good programs that'll help watch this, get a program on there that will do that. I need to get rid of the computer. I need to get rid of the phone. I need to limit my access to the internet or whatever it may be, so that that temptation-until I'm a little stronger or I have overcome that more- I need to make sure that that is not something that is readily available in my life.

Especially to parents today, you want to make sure with the availability of the internet and media today; you want to make sure to watch and to govern what goes on all your media devices. Whether it be TV, whether it be YouTube, whether it be the internet, whether it be a phone, whether it be a tablet-you want to make sure that you've got some way of controlling, watching, accessing, making sure that that's not becoming a problem and that that's not something that's going on. If it is, you can do your best to prevent that as well.

Pornography is a big problem today mainly because, even more so today, because it's so readily available. You can type word in on the internet today and get thousands of images for free that a person would not naturally want to see. What are we going to do to prevent that? How do we work on it?

It all starts right here (the mind). I want to think about what God wants me to think about. I want to make sure that my mind is holy and pure and right. I want to make myself accountable to others and I want to get rid of any type of device or media that may be a temptation until I am strong enough to overcome those problems and those urges.

Now friend, as we thought today about Bible questions and answers, there's one question especially that we hope you're thinking about, and that is the greatest question of all, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30-31.

Of all the questions that could be asked, there's no greater question than that one.

Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you a child of God? Have you submitted to what the Lord teaches on the subject of salvation? Maybe you're saying to yourself, "Well, I don't know for sure. What does the Bible say I need to do to be saved?"

The Bible teaches you must first hear the Word of God. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God," Romans 10:17. Before I believe, which is the next step in God's plan of salvation; I've got to have faith. I've got to hear the Word of God to have faith. Then once I've heard God's Word, I must believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus himself said, "Unless you believe that I am He, you'll surely die in your sins," John 8:24. Having believed in Jesus, the Lord also teaches one must repent. I must turn from sin and turn to God. Luke 13:3, Jesus said, "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Peter preached in Acts 3:19, "Repent and be converted", or turn again, "that your sins may be blotted out." Then one must also confess Jesus as the Messiah, as the Savior and the Son of God. Romans 10:9-10 the Bible says, "With the heart, with the mind, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Like the Ethiopian eunuch, in Acts 8:36-39, we need to acknowledge, ‘I believe with all of my heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Then friend Jesus clearly taught to be saved, to have one's sins forgiven, one must be baptized, immersed in water for the remission of sins.

Listen to how clear Jesus made it. Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned." Jesus said you've got to believe and be baptized to be saved. Paul was told, "Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord,” Acts 22:16.

Maybe you've never done those things.

Friend, we encourage you to obey the gospel. If we could help you, if you'd like to study more, if you'd like to have a copy of any of our lessons, please call us or write to us.

Our hope and our main desire is ultimately that you'll obey the gospel and become a child of God.

Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 7”

1. According to Genesis 2:24, what is God’s plan for marriage?

2. What does Jesus say in Matthew 19:3 is the only reason for divorce?

3. What does Romans 13:1 tell us about obeying laws?

4. According to Acts 5:29, what must we always do?

5. According to Matthew 23:9, should we call people “father”?

6. Is pornography a sin according to Matthew 5:28?

7. What does Proverbs 23:7 say about the things we think about?

8. How does faith come according to Romans 10:17?

9. What does John 8:24 say we must do?

10. What are we told to do in Acts 22:16?

The apostle Paul encouraged the young man, Timothy, “Study to show yourself approved under God a workman who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15.

We welcome you today to our study of the word of God. In this series of lessons, we've been looking at Bible questions and answers that have been submitted by our viewers. We're going to the word of God with these questions to give a "thus sayeth the Lord”, from the word of God.

If you'd like to submit a question to be answered on our program, you can do that in a couple of ways. You can email us at [email protected], or you can visit our website, TheGospelOfChrist.com/questions.

Let's now direct our attention to the questions that we have remaining to answer today. The first question is: As a very young child, I was baptized into the Lord's Church. The only problem is I don't really know if I understood why and if I was mature enough to be baptized. Should I be re-baptized?

Friend, as we think about this, this is probably a question that a lot of people have thought about- especially as you mature, as you understand things, and as you get a little older. I want to address this from several different avenues.

Number one, the Bible teaches that you do have to know, and understand, to be saved, right? Jesus said in John 8:32, "You shall know

the truth and the truth will make you free." I've got to hear God's word, Romans 10:17, to produce faith, Hebrews 11:6, which is essential. If I'm not sure about what I knew, then we got a big problem right there. If I didn't know that I had to hear the word of God, if I didn't know that I had to repent of sin or didn't really understand that, if I didn't know that I needed to confess Jesus as Savior, or if I didn't know why I was baptized, or for what purpose, I just did it because others were doing it- then friend, you didn't really understand what you were doing. Jesus said ‘you've got to know the truth, for the truth to make you free.’ If one didn't understand what they were doing, and now that person does, you need to obey what you know, because now you understand and you know the Gospel, correctly.

Now what about if a person wasn't mature enough? Sometimes you see especially very young kids, who may not really fully understand what they're doing, the commitment that they're making, and the maturity that it requires. Do I understand that I'm making a lifelong commitment to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Do I really understand that I am committing to follow Christ 100%, every day? Luke 9:23. Do I have the maturity to be in that type of relationship that the Bible likens in Ephesians 5:21-33, as a marriage to the Lord? Am I ready to live up to that bargain? If the maturity wasn't there, you didn't really understand and didn't know what you were committing to- then one does need to be baptized correctly for the remission of sins.

Now the idea of rebaptism, however, is kind of a misnomer. There is no such thing in the Bible as rebaptism. For example if when I was young, I obeyed the Gospel, I understood what I was doing, now someone says, ‘I feel like I've fallen away and I need to be rebaptized.’ Well you don't find that in the Bible. There is one baptism, Ephesians 4:4 following. If a person was baptized correctly, then he doesn't need to be baptized again. If he wasn't baptized correctly, he needs to be baptized for the remission of sins, and submit to that one baptism that is found in Ephesians 4:4 following.

Here's what we've encouraged people to think about: Did I really understand what I was doing? Did I do it because maybe a brother or sister did? Did I do it for reasons other than what the Scripture teaches? Maybe I wanted to be like everybody else. Maybe all I knew was that I might go to Hell if I don't. Did I really understand what I was doing? Did I know why I did it? Did I have a good comprehension of the plan of Salvation, and was I mature enough to follow through with that commitment? Now if you can't

answer any of those in the affirmative- then you think to yourself, and you answer to yourself, is this something I need to re-evaluate, and now that I do know those things, do I need to be baptized correctly for the remission of sins, with the knowledge of knowing full well what I'm doing? That's only something that can only be answered by the individual.

We give these guidelines and principles, which might govern that decision, but only the individual can answer that question, for themselves, based on these principles from Scripture.

We now look at a second question to address today: I often hear people talk about the security of the believer. When asking about this, they would say that a Christian does not have to worry about being lost, because once he's saved, he can never be lost. Is this doctrine true, according to the Scriptures?

Some people would call this the security of the believer, others would call it as once saved, always saved, or you can't fall from grace. Basically, when I become a Christian, some would teach and say, you can never so sin as to be terminally lost.

Friend what we're asking today is- is that doctrine true? Is it the case that when I become a Christian, I can never be lost?

Friend you clearly find in the Bible, listen real carefully now, you clearly and explicitly find in the Bible, that even though I am a Christian, if I live in sin and die in sin, the Bible says I absolutely can and will be lost.

The idea of once saved always saved- that's not part of the Bible. In fact, I'm going to show you from the language that sometimes false teachers use. Look in Galatians 5:4. Sometimes we say you can't fall from grace. Look how God addresses that idea. The Bible says to Christians, the Bible says in Galatians 5:4, "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law," watch this now, "You have fallen from grace." Paul is writing to the church in Galatia, Galatians 1:1-2. He's writing to people who are Christians, and he says to those Christians, "You've become cut off," the idea is severed, "You've become severed from Christ." Why? You attempted to be justified by law. Here's the problem- some of these Christians are now propagating the idea that you've got to be a Christian, and you've got to follow the law of Moses, and so Paul is saying

to those of you who are Christians, and who are attempting to make justified by the law- you have fallen from grace. Now keep in mind this: a Christian can attempt to be justified by the law of God. When a Christian does that, he falls from grace; therefore, a Christian can fall from grace. Now the wording there, ‘fall from grace,’ the literal language of the New Testament there is, "You have fallen 'ek', out of grace." You were in the grace of God, you attempted to go back, are now espousing a false law system and a false doctrine, you're out of God's grace.

Think about this with me. Man says you can't fall from grace. To Christians, God said, you already have fallen from grace. Some of them were so entrenched in sin. They were no longer in the grace of God and they would indeed be lost. Now let me give you another example. In Acts 8, there is a man by the name of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon hears the preaching of the Gospel. Simon obeys that message. He is baptized, and as a result, the Bible says, he obeyed the Gospel, he became a Christian. He's a child of God. The Bible says he was baptized, and he is now walking and worshiping with the saints- but a problem arises. Acts 8:18, Simon who in his former life was a trickster, or a magician. He now sees that through the laying on of the apostles' hands, the gifts of the Spirit can be given. He says, ‘I'll give you money, if you give me that gift also.’

What does Peter say to Simon who is a Christian? Look at Acts Chapter 8:20. Peter said to him, “Your money perish with,” what? “with you because you have thought that the gift of God should be purchased with money.” Peter clearly said to Simon, your money is going to perish with you. What did Peter say? Simon, you're lost. You're going to perish, and your money's going to perish. Why would Peter say that? Your heart's not right in the sight of God. Peter would go on to say, ‘you've got neither part nor portion of this matter, repent and pray to God that the evil thought of your heart may be forgiven you.’ Simon had to repent. He needed to be forgiven of something. That clearly implies sin.

God cannot look upon wickedness, Habakkuk 1:13. Sin separates a man from God; therefore, Simon was in sin. He was separated from God, and he was in a lost or perishing state. The idea that once you become a Christian, you can never so sin as to be lost is false doctrine. That's not true. You find the exact opposite of that being taught in the Bible.

Now, let me share with you one other passage with which great clarity, which shows with great clarity that this idea is not true. 2 Peter 2, Peter is writing to certain Christians who have gone back to the world, who have left Christ. I want you to listen to how he describes their state now. 2 Peter 2:20, Peter says of those who have gone back to the world, “if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that is, they will obey the Gospel, they're Christians, they've now gone back to the sin. If after that, they've escaped, they are again entangled in them and overcome,” now don't miss this, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” What? It would have been better had they not known the way of truth, the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Now here are the questions to consider. How is it the case, that the latter end is worse for them than the beginning? How is it worse now for them, than before they even obeyed the Gospel? Here's how: because they were Christians. They at one time had salvation. They were at one time in Christ. Now, not only are they back lost in sin, now they know what they've lost. Now they know what it means to be saved. Now they have willfully denied the teaching of God and of Christ.

Here's how God describes this picture. What's it like? When a Christian gets caught up in sin and goes back into the world, it's like a dog returning to his own vomit. It's just disgusting. It's like a pig having been washed, returns to the muck and mire. It's dirty. There are a host of passages, not just these three, but there are a host of passages, which clearly teach a child of God can so sin as to be lost and separated from God.

To answer the question, is the security of the believer a Bible teaching? Friend, it absolutely is not.

The Bible teaches I must fight the good fight every day, 1 Timothy 6. The Bible teaches I must be faithful unto death, Revelations 2:10. We must make our calling and election sure, 2 Peter 1:10.

We now turn our attention to another question that has been asked, and this indeed is a very good question, very relevant to a lot of us today as we live in the world and we have to hear stuff of the world. Here's what our viewer writes: I work in a factory, and many of the people I work with claim

to be Christians; however, most of them curse or use bad language. Can you give me some Bible verses that teach about cursing and bad language, and how a Christian should talk?

We absolutely can, because the Bible clearly teaches that foul language is not something a Christian should do. I cannot claim to be a faithful Christian, and bad words be coming out of my mouth left and right- that's not the way a Christian ought to do.

Now how do we know that? What does the Bible teach about cursing and things like unto that? I want you to notice what Colossians 3:8 will say on this subject. The Bible says, “but now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth.” How does a Christian put off filthy language out of your mouth? Listen to Ephesians 4:29. The Bible says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, or let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Colossians 4:6 “let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one.” “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” We will give an account for every idle word we speak, Matthew 12:37 and following. These are Scriptures to think about as it relates to the subject of cursing or filthy language. The Bible says, don't let it come out of your mouth. The Bible says that's not the way a Christian himself ought to talk.

Another question that we want to address today is this. Someone writes: My Mom believes that it does not matter, what you believe or teach, that everyone is going to be saved. What does the Bible say about this?

Well friend, this all-accepting, everybody's-going to-be-saved regardless of how immoral or what you believe ideology, is extremely popular today- but is it Biblical? Does the Bible teach, regardless of what you believe, everybody's going to be okay?

Friend, Jesus did not teach that. Listen to what Jesus said. Jesus said the opposite of that. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “it's not everybody that looks up into Heaven and says ‘Lord, Lord’ that's going there, but he who does the will of my Father in Heaven.” It's not enough to just say you believe in Christ. It's not enough just to acknowledge certain things. To go to Heaven and to be saved, Jesus said you've got to do what He says.

Luke 6:46, Jesus asked this question, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” These people are calling Christ Lord. They recognize His power, and they see his majesty, no doubt some of them have seen the miracles. They say, "Lord, Lord" then they go and do what they want, or what somebody else teaches. Jesus said those two ideas are not compatible.

Jesus said, in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." It's not enough to just believe whatever. Everybody who believes something is not going to be saved. Just because you claim to be a Christian isn't enough. In fact, did you know, that Jesus taught that the majority of people are not going to be saved? Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to eternal destruction, and many there are who go down it, but difficult is the gate, and restricted is the path that leads to eternal life, and few there are who find it."

Our next question: We have friends who are branches off of the Mormon Church, and they believe in polygamy. Is polygamy sinful in the Bible?

Well friend, we know, all the way back to the Old Testament, that it was never God's will for kings to multiply their wives. Deuteronomy 17:17, God said that the kings should not multiply their wives, or horses, or whatever it may be. They weren't to have a number of those- that was never God's divine will. To understand about the subject of polygamy and marriage we need to go back to the original plan and pattern of God in Genesis 2. God created one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve. In Genesis 2:24 says, “for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother, be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” What's God's original pattern? God didn't create Adam and Eve and Barbara. God created Adam and Eve. God said ‘a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife,’ not wives. “The two,” not three- four- five- and six, shall become one flesh. ‘One man, one woman, for life.’ That's God's original plan for marriage. We know that's still in existence today. Matthew 19:1-6, Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 as it relates to divorce, and remarriage. He says, ‘for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother, be joined to his wife, the two shall become one flesh. What God has joined together, let not man separate.’ That original pattern is still in place today-one man, and one woman, for life.

Now, here's a passage for you to consider, as it relates to the singularity, one man and one woman, for marriage. I want to direct your attention to what the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:2. He says, ‘let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.’ So the church in Corinth they write to Paul, and they've got questions related to marriage and sexual relations. Paul says here's God's plan. Each man has his own wife. Let each wife have her own husband. The singularity of marriage- there's one man, one woman for life, that's the plan that you find in the New Testament. God does not condone or authorize, and the Scriptures definitely do not promote- polygamy anywhere in the Bible.

You know sometimes, I've seen when flipping through the channels and I see a reality show where you've got some man, Mormon background and he's got all these wives. You know why those shows are popular? Because of all the drama! Somebody's fighting. Somebody's upset because they didn't get enough of his attention. Who got to sleep with him last night? Who's the favorite wife? You've got four or five women, one man, that's just not going to work very well. It doesn't take a whole lot of common sense to realize. Those kinds of relationships are not going to end well, and more importantly, the Scripture teaches that's not according to the will of God. When God set the pattern, one man and one woman for life that was the final pattern that God himself had set.

Another question we want to answer today: I often see the Ten Commandments at public buildings, and I have friends who believe that we should keep the Ten Commandments today. Are the Ten Commandments binding today on Christians?

Now friend, when you go back to Exodus 20, and you read those ten commandments, Jesus did mention many of those under the new law, but is the ten commandments of Moses, is the Old Testament, is the Sabbath Day, binding on Christians today?

I want you to listen to the words of Ephesians 2:14-15 as we address this question. The Bible says, of Christ, “He, Himself, is our peace, who is made both one, Jew and Gentile, has broken down the middle wall of separation,” now watch this, “having abolished in His flesh, the enmity that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making one man, one new body,

as it were.” When we think about the Ten Commandments, Jesus on the cross abolished that- Hebrews 8:13. He says a new covenant has made the first obsolete. Ten Commandments are part of the old covenant and part of the first covenant. That's not something that Christian is going to be judged by today. When I stand before God, am I going to be judged by the Ten Commandments and Law of Moses?

Listen to the words of Jesus in John 12:48. Jesus said, “He who rejects me, does not receive my words, has that which judges him.” What is it Lord? “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

While the Ten Commandments was the good law, holy law or right law- it was given specifically to the Israelites. The law of Christ in the new covenant is what we're under today. Nine out of those Ten Commandments have been brought back under, under the teaching of Jesus- but today we don't worship on the Sabbath. We worship on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7.

Our desire and our prayer for every person is that we will turn our attention to the word and will of God with a humble heart. Submit to God's will. Obey the gospel of Christ, and live in such a way, that God receives the honor and the glory from my life, and from yours.

May God bless each of us as we strive to do just that.

Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 8”

1. According to 2 Timothy 2:15, why should we study the Bible?

2. According to John 8:32, what will make us free?

3. In Ephesians 5:21-33, what is our relationship with Christ compared to?

4. According to Ephesians 4:4, how many baptisms?

5. According to Galatians 5:4, can we fall from grace?

6. Can we be estranged from Christ according to Galatians 5:4?

7. What does Habakkuk 1:13 say of God?

8. What does 2 Peter 2:20 tell us about abandoning the word of God?

9. According to Revelation 2:10, how long should we be faithful?

10. According to Colossians 3:8, does it matter how a Christian speaks?

In Romans 4:3 a great question is asked, “What does the Scripture say?”

Welcome to our Bible questions and answers series. This is a second lesson in our Bible questions and answers series, and we're so glad that you've joined us for this exciting study. We've got some really good questions that have been asked by users of our website or those who listen to our program, and we're going to give a Bible answer to those questions today. Some of these questions you've even thought about yourself, and so we hope you'll stay tuned as we're going to look to God's word that has the answer to all questions.

Our first Bible question that's been submitted for our lesson today is this someone writes, ‘I recently heard someone say they needed to have their baby baptized because babies are born in sin. Does the Bible teach babies are born in sin?’

Friend this is a very prevalent doctrine. It's a big part of Calvinism in fact the first doctrine the first and most well-known doctrines in Calvinism are total depravity. That is when we come into this world; we are totally and completely depraved with sin. Sin is somehow built into our DNA, we’re born with it. We’re born sinners, and we’re destined to a sinners’ hell. Is

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that the picture, I know that's very popular, but is the picture the Bible paints a picture that says babies are born in sin?

It absolutely is not! People do not need to baptize babies because babies are innocent and pure. Men and women babies are not born into this world with sin. Now how do we know that? The Bible clearly says there is a time before which a child knows to choose the evil and refuse the good. He doesn't have the ability to sin up to a certain point which we often refer to as ‘the age of accountability.’ Listen to what Isaiah says in Isaiah chapter 7 as he speaks about a child not knowing to choose the right and refuse the good. Isaiah says in Isaiah 7:16 “For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good.” God goes on to prophesy ‘the land that you will dread will be forsaken by their Kings.’ We learn from this there's a point in time which a child doesn't know what's right and wrong, doesn’t have the ability to choose good and evil. To even go back before that, I want you to clearly see that Jesus did not identify children or babies or infants and toddlers as those who were totally depraved but rather as being innocent pure and part of the kingdom of God. Matthew chapter 18 as Jesus has some bring little children to Him. The disciples really don't think Jesus needs to be spending His time addressing little children or their parents, and so they kind of rebuke them. Watch what Jesus says in Matthew 18:3.

Jesus said, “Assuredly I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of God.” What was Jesus teaching there? The kingdom of God is so full of a bunch little depraved sinners running around? Well of course not! Jesus is clearly teaching children are innocent. They're pure. They cannot have that knowledge of good and evil. They come into this world that way, and He's teaching the people who were listening ‘if you're going to be a part of the kingdom you need to be innocent and pure like these little children.’ But friend to go back even further, we want to illustrate from a couple of passages today that a person does not come into the world stained with sin, that you do not inherit sin from your parents, that men and women are born into this world perfect and upright, and it's because of individual choices that we make after the age of accountability that men and women sin.

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Let me give you a couple of examples. Open your Bible if you would to Ezekiel chapter 28. I want to share with you a passage about the king of Tyre of this man was not a godly man, but at one point he could've been right with God because at one point he was pure. Ezekiel 28:12 this is a prophecy to the king of Tyre. God says “Son of man take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre,” and so the region of Tyre in that day had a king. Here's what God's message was to that king in that day. Now I want you to move ahead just a little in that prophecy to Ezekiel 28:15. Listen to what God says to this king. “You were perfect,” don't miss this, “you were perfect in your ways,” watch this, “from the day you were created until iniquity was found in you.” When this man was created, when he came into the world, how did God view that? Perfect-not stained with sin, not having inherited the sin from Adam, that's not the idea. “You were perfect in all your ways.” When God? “From the day you were created,” adverb of time, “until,” there it shows a point in time in his life when he chose to sin. “Until iniquity was found in you.” From this man's example, we see that he was made perfect, upright, and pure, not sin stained as some would have us to believe today. Then there's a second passage in Ezekiel that clearly shows men and women are not born nor do we inherit the sin of our parents. Notice Ezekiel chapter 18, and there was a proverb in that day in the land of Israel. Here's what the proverb was. They said, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge.” Basically you ate some kind of sour candy and your children now taste it in their mouth- implying that people in inherit the sins of their parents was the idea. Listen how strongly God spoke against that in Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” What'd God say? You shall not, the righteous will not, the one who sins- he's going to sin because perish because of his own sin. The father shall not inherit- the son shall not inherit the sin of the father or even his righteousness.

rom this passage, we’re clearly taught ‘I don't inherit somebody else's sin, nor do I inherit the righteousness.’ Those are individual choices that we all make. So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God, Romans 14:12. Not of what Adam did, I give an account for myself. I don't inherit my father's sin or my father's righteousness. I make my own choices. As you think about this question, someone said ‘You know we

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need to get our baby baptized because babies are born in sin.’ Friend that's not the case at all. You don't find anywhere in the Bible where it teaches babies are stained with sin of Adam that they have somehow inherited that sin. In fact the passages we've looked at clearly show that is not the case.

Here's the second question for today. ‘Some people call their church by different names of men or different words or actions in the Bible. Does it matter what name we call the church?’ Basically you find a lot of different names some of them after great men that they think or some after some religious act like baptism or something like unto that. Does it matter today what name we call the church?

We need to realize that the Bible has specifically spoken on this subject, and it does matter to God. “Whatever you do in word or deed,” the Scripture says, “do all do all in the name the Lord Jesus,” Colossians 3:17. The Bible clearly says we're not to go beyond what is written, 1 Corinthians 4:6. The Scripture says we're not to add to or take away from the words written in the book, Revelation 22:18-19. The Bible clearly says whatever we do we need to stay within the boundaries of God's word, and it does name matter to God about names.

Think about this God changed Saul from Saul to Paul. Why did He do that if names don't matter? We understand that names matter. Would you name your son Adolf or Hitler or Jezebel if you had a daughter? Would you name somebody today Judas? Well no. Names carry a connotation, and names are important to God. Now think about it this way. Let's say that on the day that you and your wife were going to get married she said, ‘You know your last name's kind of a funny name, and I don't know if I can spell it. I think I'll take your best man's name.’ How would you feel about that? Wouldn't like that. Why? Because names are important. They're significant. They share a connotation. They show they show connection is the idea. When we think about the names in the Bible, it does matter to God what name the church is called by, because and here's the real reason, because those names either bring honor to men and their ideas or to God and His Son who built the church.

Let me illustrate. Acts 20:28 the Bible says “Jesus purchased the church with His own blood.” Who pray paid the price for the church? Did

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Martin Luther pay the price for the church? Did John? No John Calvin didn't. Martin Luther didn't. John Wesley? No, John Wesley didn't. Some great act in the Bible? No, they didn't. Who paid the price for the church? Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. If Jesus paid the price with His own blood on Calvary, my friend shouldn't the name it wears designate Him as the owner and the one who paid the price for it? Romans 16:16 ‘The churches of Christ greet you.” God established and built the church. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “No other foundation can any man lay except that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.” The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus built and established His church. Jesus said, “I'll build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” It's God's church. It's Christ church and any kind of name or designation that doesn't bring honor to God and to Christ friend that's a name that you don't find in the Bible.

Think about it this way. I often ask people to consider this. Let's say that all we had was the Bible, and we took this Bible and we read it. And we said to ourselves, ‘This is the word of God.’ We believe it. We're going to do what it says. We're going to obey the plan of salvation just as they did in the Bible. If we did that and as Acts 2:47 says “The Lord added us to the church,” and all we had was the Bible- what church would we be at be added to? Friend I thumb through my Bible and I read my Bible, and I don't find Methodists or Baptist or Catholic or Presbyterian or nap. I don't find any of that. If all we're going to do is follow the Bible, you can't have denominational names and titles today. Why? Very simply- they're not in the Bible. You just don't find those in Scripture, and so names do matter to God. Names matter to us. The Bible says we're not to go beyond what's written. Friend let's make sure that the name of the church brings honor and glory to God and is actually found within the pages of the Bible.

Alright a third question for us to consider today is a very popular one that we often hear as it relates to salvation and especially as an objection the baptism. Here's the question that's been submitted, “The thief on the cross,” the writer says, “was saved without baptism. Please explain why you teach baptism is essential to salvation.”

Let's understand very clearly. Luke 23 about verse 43 following Jesus clearly said to the thief on the cross, ‘Today you will be with Me in

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paradise.” There's no denying nobody is going to deny we clearly believe and teach, as the Scripture does, that the thief on the cross was saved. But what about this part- the thief on the cross was saved without baptism?

Now let's explain how this kind of goes no and in the logical form that people put it in. The thief on the cross was never baptized- that'd be the first part of it. The thief on the cross was saved; therefore a person can be saved without baptism. We do not deny, we clearly teach the thief was saved- but what about that very first part of the proposition? The thief on the cross was saved without baptism- if I said to you prove that which you would have to do to reach the logical conclusion therefore men and women don't have to be baptized to be saved- if I said to you prove from the Scripture that the thief was never baptized, could you do that?

You can look through the New Testament completely and you can never find anywhere that said the thief was never baptized. Now someone says ‘Well wait a minute now, you can never find anywhere that says that he was baptized.’ No denying that. But friend listen real carefully this statement, the thief on the cross was never baptized, is an assumption. People surmise that. They have this idea in their head, but you can't know one way or the other. Now think though that for a second. If you can't know one way or the other if the thief was or was not baptized, the whole argument falls. You don't have a leg to stand on in that argument. You cannot use the argument the thief was saved without baptism that we don't have to be baptized today- because you can't prove it's an assumption. You can't prove it one way or the other. Do you want put your faith in an assumption that you cannot prove?

Secondly as you think about the thief on the cross, consider this with me. Did the thief die under the Old Testament age or the New Testament age? Well according to Hebrews 9:15-17 the law of Christ went into effect after His death. We've got the preaching of the gospel occurring in Acts chapter 2 on Pentecost. 50 days after Jesus died, the first time the gospel is ever preached or heard by anybody in a reality sense. The thief died under the Old Testament. He's not an example of New Testament salvation- like unto David like unto Noah like unto Solomon like unto other people you find like unto Naaman-other people you find in the Old Testament. I'm not going to draw all those examples up and say ‘well this is

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how we need to be saved today under the new covenant.’ No. That's not what the Bible says.

The whole argument falls completely on its face because you cannot prove one way or the other if the thief was or was not saved- which is the major beginning of that argument. He was living under a different law system than we are today. I know a lot of people say ‘well the thief on the cross proves baptism is not essential to salvation.’ You cannot prove that from his example. We've clearly shown that's an assumption you can't prove one way or the other. You have to prove the first proposition for that logical argument to be followed through with the conclusion; therefore, baptism is not essential to salvation. You cannot draw a ‘therefore’ if you don't have all that's there. Friend in that argument you surely don't have all the information- you cannot use that as an argument.

Alright let's move to another question. Then another question for us to consider today someone's a writer submits this question, ‘I often hear people say they know when Christ will come. I've been studying my Bible, and I can't find anything on when Christ is specifically going to come. Does the Bible teach when Christ is going to return?’

Now friend there's no denying the Bible teaches Christ will return. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “He'll come with a shout with the voice of an Archangel, and He will claim His own on that day.” Jesus said in John 14:1-4, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again.” There's the definitiveness of this, yes there's no denying Jesus is coming again.

But when is He coming? Well let's listen to the Lord's words on that, and it may surprise you. As often as we hear people try to put a time and date on Christ's return, listen to Matthew chapter 24. I want you to notice what Jesus says in His own words about His return. Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” When’s the when's the world going to end? When's Christ going to come back? We know those two are uniquely tied together based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, and 2 Peter 3:9-12. When is Christ coming back? When's the world going to end? We hear a lot of people say ‘I know when the world's going to end. I know when Christ

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is coming back.’ Here's one thing I can guarantee you, anybody who says ‘I know exactly, June 3, 2025 the world's going to end, or June 5, 2020 Christ is coming back,’ anybody who says they know when the world's going to end or when Christ is going to come back- you can know this for sure- that person is a flat out liar. They have not said what the Bible says because the Bible does not say that. “No one knows the day nor the hour,” Christ said about his the world coming to an end, and the His return we just don't know when that's going to be. When you get these people who make these prophecies, we have you all these ideas- we've been studying the 70 weeks of Daniel, we've been looking around let- wait a minute now! Jesus said, ‘No man knows the day nor the hour.’

Instead of trying to figure out exactly when that date is- which you cannot-why not just be ready always? Isn't that what Jesus taught? Be ready always. Watch and pray. “Pray without ceasing.” Live in such a way that regardless of when Christ comes, I'm ready for that day!

Here's the final question for today. A writer submits or reader of our website submits, ‘Why do Catholic bishops not marry and teach that one must not be married to be a bishop when in 1 Timothy 3:1 following the Bible says they have to be married to be a bishop?’

Well let's turn our attention to that very good question, and let's consider this for a moment. Notice the words of 1 Timothy chapter 3 as Paul speaks about the qualifications of bishops. 1 Timothy 3:1 says this this is a faithful saying, “If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” Here's the qualification, “A bishop then must be blameless,” uh oh, “the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.” The basic question is this- why is it the case that in the Catholic Church today they will say that their bishops and their priests and the men they call ‘Father’ they cannot marry? When you open the Bible in 1 Timothy 3:1-3 the Bible says they must be married to be a bishop.

The reason is this and it's very simple and we don't say this to be unkind, but this is a stark contrast between the church of the Bible and the Catholic Church. Catholic Church says to be a bishop cannot be married and don't need to marry- and we know all the problems that have come

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from that the sexual molestation, and all the things that have come because of that. Catholic Church says bishops, priests, things like that- don't need to married. You open the Bible and it says ‘a bishop then must be the husband of one wife.’ The two don't match up.

Take God and His word. Let God be true and every man a liar. Friend of all the examples we might be able to draw up this is one of the clearest to show the Catholic Church has departed from the teaching of the New Testament. The Catholic Church is not the one church you read about in the Bible. We encourage you to listen very carefully to this, if this is in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches and the Catholic Church is doing the exact opposite of what the Bible actually commands and here's what we ask you to consider today- what else is the Catholic Church doing that is not found in the Bible? There are a whole host of things that are just not right that they do that are not found in the Bible. We don't say that to be mean or unkind. We don't say that to just blast the cut. That's not the idea. We say those things in love. We want men and women to be saved, to become a part of the one church to be right with God, and to live in such a way that one day they can inherit heaven that heaven can be their home. But if the Bible says a bishop then must be the husband of a wife, and the Catholic Church says they can't be married- you've got two that are diametrically opposed. So let God and the Bible be true and every man and his doctrine a liar.

We encourage you to check your Bible make sure and see if the things that you believe are right. And friend if you've never become a Christian, more than anything we'd love to help you with that today. If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, if you're willing to repent of sin in your life, if you would confess the beautiful name of Jesus before men, and be immersed in water you can be saved today.

On that great day of Pentecost Peter preached “Repent and be baptized every one of you for the forgiveness of our sins.” We're glad that you've joined us today for our question-and-answer session, and we hope that you'll join us next time as we're going to look to the word of God for the answer to all questions.

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Study Questions for: “Questions and Answers: Lesson 2”

1. What is asked in Romans 4:3?

2. What does Isaiah 7:16 say of children knowing right and wrong?

3. According to Matthew 18:3, what does Jesus say of children and the Kingdom?

4. According to Ezekiel 28:15, King of Tyre was perfect until what?

5. What does Ezekiel 18:20 say of children and their parent’s sins?

6. According to Ezekiel 18:20, can we inherit our parent’s sins or their righteous?

7. What will we give an account of according to Romans 14:2?

8. how are we to do things according to Colossians 3:17?

9. What does Revelation 22:18-19 tell us never to do?

10. According to Hebrews 9:15-17, when did the law of Christ go into effect?

In the dark days of the Judges, a beautiful love saga by the name of Ruth occurs between Ruth and Boaz in which we can see the power of a godly influence and the power of loyalty.

Welcome to our study of living messages of the Old Testament. The book of Ruth occurs as we said during the dark days of judges when every man wanted to do that which is right in his own eyes. There were still a few who were remaining faithful to God and who wanted to follow the teaching of the Almighty. It didn't mean things always were easy, didn't mean there weren’t challenges, but this small group in the book of Ruth stands out as a testament to those who do live faithful in the midst of sin and wickedness.

Ruth is all about the power of influence and the power of one's loyalty to God and to others. The key word in the book of Ruth is the word redeemer. This word occurs some 13 times in the short four chapter book.

As you think about the idea from Ruth, here we have Ruth and Boaz is going to pay the purchase price going to redeem her. Eventually he will marry her, take care of her, and through that were going to have the line of Christ perpetuated. He served as her Redeemer just as Christ serves as our Redeemer today.

Christians often sing the song ‘I know that my Redeemer lives.’ How true it is the Christ is that Redeemer! To redeem means to buy back. Each of us because of sin, we're ensnared by Satan. We had been trapped by his devices. We had given into the tactics of Satan and sin and thus we

were in a stranglehold you might say. Christ because of His great sacrifice paid the price. He paid the debt. Isaiah 53:4, “By his stripes we are healed.” Christ made the ultimate payment so that we could be redeemed, bought back, to God through His blood.

As you think about Ruth the key verse to the whole book is probably found in Ruth 1:16-17. The Bible says, “But Ruth said,” she’s speaking to Naomi, “treat me not to leave you or to turn back from following you. Wherever you go I will go. Wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Wherever you die I will die and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts you and me.” Here we can see that the great loyalty Ruth has for Naomi. Here you can see Naomi's ability to be a good influence. ‘Your God is going be my God.’ She been such a powerful influence in this young daughter-in-law's life that now she wants to follow her wherever she goes.

The key phrase I think is the phrase ‘And treat me not to leave you.’ Do not beg me to leave you, she’s saying. I want to go with you. I will stay with you. You've been a rock to me. You've been encouragement. It tells us again of the power of the Christian influence.

Ruth is truly a beautiful story of loyalty and love. Of the five women in Christ’s genealogy, Ruth and Rahab were two who were Gentiles and both are in the genealogy of Christ showing how important they were in the working in the weaving of God's scheme of redemption through their lives and by their faithfulness.

Let's think then about some living messages we can gain from the book of Ruth. Number one we see the power of a godly influence. I want you look again at the influence that Naomi has had on Ruth in their time together. Notice Ruth 1:16 again. The Scripture says Ruth speaking to Naomi, ‘And treat me not to leave you or to turn back from following you. Wherever you go I'll go. Wherever you die I will die. Where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’ As I think about Naomi and her example, she made an impact on this woman Ruth who we believe was Gentile as well. Here you've got you've got this Gentile woman who by the influence of a godly mother-in-law has now impressed upon this woman the need to be faithful and the need to be loyal. Ultimately we will see the value of God and His kingdom.

We may never know how much of an impact we have on other people. Did you know you may be the only Bible some people every read? 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul says, “You are our epistle written in red by all men.” If your life was the only example of what the Bible represented, how would your life tell? How would it read? Do we imitate Paul as he also imitated Christ? 1 Corinthian 11:1 Are we walking in the footsteps of Jesus? Peter said, “For this were you called because Christ also suffered died leaving us an example that we should follow in His footsteps.” Do you remember the words of Jesus? Matthew 5:16 expresses so powerfully the good influence we can have for Christ. The Scripture reads, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus gives an illustration. No man takes a lamp and puts a basket over it. That would be silly. Why would you do that? You take a lamp and you put it on a pedestal so that everyone in the room can see. We are that light on the pedestal. We represent Christ wherever we go.

You must absolutely be a good example at work. When people see you on the job, do they see a godly influence in your life? Do you work hard? Do you always do the things you're asked? Are you trustworthy and dependable? Are you the type that might steal if nobody was looking or you might show up late and not punch in that time? Are we really faithful at work? What about around our friends? Do we leave the right kind of influence? Will you encourage our friends to be faithful to God or do we just kind of go along with the crowd?

I can't help but think of the example Acts 4:13. Peter and John have been warned not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore. They then respond by saying ‘We must speak.’ Acts 4:11-12 ‘He is the chief cornerstone nor is there salvation in any other,’ they say. Acts 4:13 says then they realize they were uneducated and untrained men and just fishermen. They realized they'd been with Jesus. What made these men such powerful representatives of Christ? Because they spoke boldly from the word of God. They didn't back down under pressure. They rose up to the challenge, and they were going to do God's will regardless of what it cost. They realized they'd been with Jesus. Can people say that about me and you? Can people look at our lives and see that we're trying to have a powerful effect on others?

Notice Ruth 1:17, and here you can see the precious nature of Ruth and her loyalty to Naomi. The Scripture says Ruth speaking to Naomi, “Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts you and me.” Look at the loyalty Ruth has to Naomi. They've been together and gone through difficult times. They suffer grief and loss together. Naomi has been that rock. She says ‘I'm never going to leave you. Where you die that's where I'm going to be.’ Friends we need that kind of passion and loyalty to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If people had that desire and that passion to be faithful in the God, imagine the good we can do for the cause of Christ! Think about the words of Jesus in Revelation 2:10. The Scripture says Jesus speaking, ‘Do not fear any of those things which are about to suffer indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested and you will have tribulation 10 days be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” Some might even die for the cause of their Lord. Jesus says ‘Here's all I want from you- you be faithful unto death and I'll give you the crown of life.’ God has asked each of us, in view of what we are and view of what God has done for us to be loyal to Him and never ever give up and never ever give in. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says it this way, “The love of Christ compels us because we judge thus that if one died for all then all died, and He died for all that they who live should no longer live for themselves but live for Him who died for them and rose again.” I'm living up a new life. I've been bought with a price therefore I've got to glorify God in my body and my spirit which are His, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Are we really loyal to God? Will we go where He wants us to go? Will we take the gospel where He wants us to go with it? Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature.” Are we willing to die for the cause of Christ? Philippians 1:21 Paul looked at that as a good thing. “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” We must have loyalty for God and His cause.

Now there's another powerful living message from the book of Ruth and it's sometimes bad things happen to good people. Ruth starts out on a sad note. Naomi is married to a man. She has two children and bad things begin to happen. Look at Ruth 1:3-5. The Scripture said, “Naomi's husband died and she was left and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab the name of one was Orpa and the name of the other Ruth. They dwelt there about 10 years. Then both Malon and Chileon also died, so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.” Talk about a sad

scenario! Here it is! Her husband dies, and 10 years later both of her sons died. Three women in a time when it was difficult for women to provide for themselves are now left to fend. Orpa ends up going back to her people, but Ruth stays. She says, ‘You've taken care of me. You've been my rock. I'm going to stay here and take care of you.’ Friends when bad things happen to good people, we need to realize that God will see us through those difficult times. Are we going to face challenges? Absolutely! 2 Timothy 3:12 says ‘all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’ It may be at the hand of others. It may be just the things of life, the incidence of life that happens. Acts 14:22 Paul said ‘we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’ Difficult times are going to come. Bad things may happen, but here's the promise each of us has: God is going to be there during those difficult times. There's always a way out of those difficult times if we trust in God.

Look at the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13. The Scripture says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able. But with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear.” When that temptation, difficulty, and challenges in our life arise you can trust in God. He will be there, and He will not allow you be tempted beyond what you can handle. With the temptation, there's always the way of escape. God makes the way out and that way is Christianity and that way is living faithful to God. Ultimately that way, the only way out, maybe through death. Friend that's the best thing that could happen for a child of God! One of my favorite verses what you hear the words of Hebrews 13:5-6. The Hebrew writer said, “Let your life be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have for the Lord himself has said ‘I will never leave you nor forsake’ you so that you may boldly say ‘the Lord is my helper what shall a man do to me?’” If death occurs, if sickness arises, if a person loses their job, if bad things happen, sometimes they do happen to good people- but remember God will help you through those trials if you remain faithful to Him.

As we look at the book of Ruth, we also learn about Naomi's bitterness. Some of the things that have occurred: the loss of her husband had two sons die, a famine that's now arising in a time when women didn't have much way of making their own means- Naomi becomes a little bit better. Sometimes maybe we become bitter. I want you to see what Naomi says in Ruth 1:20. The Bible says “But she said to them, ‘Do not call me

Naomi call me Mara for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.’” She felt that all these bad things were happening to her at the hand of God. She was bitter. She didn't know why all this was happening. At the end, she is going to rejoice. She's going to see at the end. Sometimes we’re weak when we're in the middle of it. Here's what we can do. Luke 18:1 Jesus tells us when things happen, when discouragement comes, there is help to be offered for the child of God. Jesus spoke a parable to them that ‘men ought always to pray and never lose heart.’

When we get discouraged and life makes us a little bitter, remember we got ourselves to blame many times. We have got sin. The work of Satan is still active, but we do have as well the power of prayer. “Men ought always to pray and never lose heart you.” Do you ever get discouraged? Friend if you want help in overcoming discouragement and dealing with depression and bitterness, utilize the power of prayer. ‘The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man overcomes much,’ James 5:16. ‘We can come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find grace and mercy to help in time of need,’ Hebrews 4:16. We can ‘cast all our cares on Him, on God, He cares for us,’ 1 Peter 5:7. Use the power of prayer and don't become bitter toward God.

Let's talk a little bit about some of the qualities that a person should look for in a godly mate. If Ruth is a beautiful love story, Ruth stands as a great example of a godly woman. The model of a godly woman, look at her character. Ruth 2:11-12 the Scripture says of Ruth, “And Boaz answered and said to her, ‘It has been fully reported to me all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. How you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and how you've come to a people who did not know before. The Lord repay your work and a full reward be given you by the God of Israel under whose wings you'll come for refuge.’” What makes Ruth a good example for someone to look for qualities of a mate? Ruth was definitely not a selfish person. Here she is taking care of her mother in law, and she's not even married to her son anymore. Her son’s passed on. That responsibility really didn't fall to her, and yet she did anyway. She left her parents, and she's following after the God of Israel. She's a godly woman to the core.

When you think of people and qualities they look for, today too many times it's so consumed with the outward. How does she dress? How does she look? We get so consumed with the outward that we really can't see

those godly qualities that a person ought to be looking for. What should young people look for in a mate- especially in a godly Christian woman? Proverbs 31:30 is a jewel of wisdom in searching for a godly mate. God says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord she shall be praised.” Where is the real core of what you're going to put your faith in? It must be in her fear of the Lord and desire to help you get to heaven. Did you realize that's what marriage is about? Genesis 2:18 God said of Adam, ‘I'm going to make you a helper comparable for you.’ He gave him Eve. What was the purpose? To help Adam. Help him what? Help him get to heaven- that's the goal of marriage. You need to look for someone in a mate who will ultimately help you to get to heaven.

Then we see from the book of Ruth that great law of the Redeemer. Leviticus 25:25-34 tells of that law the next of kin had that right- if they chose not to do it, and then it kind of went down the line. Here is another man who was before Boaz and yet Boaz and Ruth are in love. This man gives up that right and Boaz redeems, buys, Ruth back. He pays the price. The money goes to Naomi. Then he's allowed to marry her. What a beautiful story! When I think about the law of the Redeemer, I think of what Jesus went through to redeem us to God. Think about the words of Job 19:25 in the long-ago. Job made a great statement about the Redeemer. He said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at last on the earth.” That Redeemer Job prophesies is one day coming. He's going to be here on the earth. Job has a picture of a Redeemer redeeming them from his troubles, but prophetically wouldn’t that be speaking of the great redemption the Christ makes for us? Galatians 4:4-5 in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under law all that He might redeem those who are under law. Jesus is that Redeemer. He gave His life so that we can be sons and daughters of God. He paid the ultimate price-hung on a cruel cross of Calvary so that we can have the hope of heaven.

Notice the great humility when you think of Ruth. Ruth is a great woman because she's a woman of humility. Look at Ruth 3:5. She said to her mother-in-law, “All that you say to me I will do.” A very simple statement. Her mother always gives her advice. She says, ‘whatever you tell me, I'm going to do.’ You can't have a better attitude than that! Like the words of Jesus mother in John 25. “Whatever he, Jesus, says to you do it.” We need to have an attitude of humility. If God says it that settles it I'm going to do it. Notice the words of James 4:6-10 about our humility. The

Scripture says, “But he gives more grace therefore he says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, therefore submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hand you sinners and purify your hearts you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” If I'll have the humility to submit to God to lower myself and realize God's in control, God can deal with me in the same way that he dealt with Ruth and Naomi. He'll take care of us.

Now like in many of our lessons, we don't want to close the book of Ruth without seeing Christ in this great book. How do we see Christ in a love saga between Ruth and Boaz and the relationship that goes on there? Notice Ruth 4:18- 22. The Bible says toward the close of the book, “Now this is the genealogy of Perez. Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begotten Amminadab. Amminadab begot Nashon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.” Ultimately God used Ruth in the genealogy of Christ.

Now let's get the conclusion of the matter in Matthew 1:1-5. The Bible says, “This is the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham.” Notice in this genealogy we find in verse five, “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab; Boaz begot Obed by Ruth and Obed begot Jesse.” Look at God weaving and working His scheme of redemption and working that seed promise that we find all the way back in Genesis chapter 12 through women like Rahab and Ruth, women who at times were unfaithful to God who lived a life like the Gentiles, and yet change their life and turn to the living God.

What do we learn from this? Friend regardless of what I've done and who I was, if I will turn to Christ and I'll obey the gospel and live faithful to Him- God can do great things with my life and with yours.

Are you at that point friend? Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ?

As we think about this great book of loyalty and the power of godly influence, we see Christ and He is the end result of all the good things that happened here. Don't miss that in your life.

If you're not a child of God, more than anything we want you to have access to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is alive, and He is well.

More than anything He is willing to buy you back from a life of sin, sorrow, and bitterness. Turn your life around to live faithful unto God. Won't you do that friend?

If you know your life's not what it ought to be, more than anything you desperately need to change that. The Bible says anyone in Christ is a ‘new creation’- old things have passed away. ‘Behold all has become new.’

You can get a fresh start. You can start new. The slate can be wiped clean if you'll only be faithful God.

Friend our encouragement to you is have the loyalty and devotion to God that Ruth had Naomi.

May God help each of us to be faithful unto death.

Study Questions for:

“Living Messages of the Old Testament: Lesson 8”

1. According to Isaiah 53:4, how are we healed?

2. According to Matthew 5:16, what kind of influence?

3. What does Acts 4:11-12 say of Jesus?

4. According to Acts 4:13, how did people know they were of God?

5. According to Ruth 1:17, how is Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi shown?

6. How long must we be faithful according to Revelation 2:10?

7. What should compel us according to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15?

8. According to Philippians 1:21, how did Paul view living for Christ?

9. What does 2 Timothy 3:12 say that people will face if they desire to live for Christ?

10. What does 1 Corinthians 10:13 say about God and our temptations?