Miscellaneous Bible Questions – Bible Christian Resources – Audio, Video, Bible Studies, Christian Mobile Applications

Do our dead Ancestors have power to influence and hurt us? I'm being called to become a Sangoma (shaman), but I don't want to because I love Jesus. I'm afraid to stop cultural practices for them. When I was growing up, these ancestors caused strange sicknesses until people obeyed their wills. (South Africa)

Many today believe that the dead are not dead, but are really more alive than ever. They do not realize that they are believing the original lie taught by the Serpent, “that you will not die, but you will be like God” Genesis 3:4-5. Satan uses scriptural parables and dark sayings, taken out of context, [...]

What is the meaning of Pentecost? Not the coming down of the Holy Spirit. (Australia)

The nation of Israel received the Law Covenant fifty days after the Passover in Egypt. Thus, historically, Pentecost (meaning 50) was very important. However, Pentecost in the New Testament is even more significant. At 30 years of age, Jesus became Christ (meaning Anointed) when He was anointed with the holy Spirit at His baptism. [...]

1 Samuel 28 verses 14 -19 records a medium bringing the spirit of the dead prophet Samuel to talk to King Saul. How can this happen? Are dead ancestors alive and watching us? (South Africa)

No. Dead people are really dead. The vision that the woman medium saw and spoke with was not the prophet Samuel. It was a demon pretending to be Samuel. Remember, a few years earlier, Samuel had said to Saul, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to [...]

In the Bible, who are the two people who were born but did not die?

Perhaps you are thinking of Enoch and Elijah. First, consider Enoch. Genesis 5:24 (NIV), “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” And Hebrews 11:5 (NKJV), “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; [...]

Why should Christians stay away from yoga and Eastern religions? (United States)

Yoga exercises stretch and strengthen muscles, increase balance, and may reduce stress. As an exercise, it can be beneficial. However, if a class includes Eastern meditations, those meditations may have a non-Christian, religious dimension. Some meditations simply focus on body awareness. People breathe quietly, and relax muscle groups. The person stops thinking about past and [...]

What does the Bible say about a woman who is saved but her husband is not? (United States)

1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV), “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his (believing) wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her (believing) husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean (sinners under condemnation, unjustified, unrelated to God, aliens from His care and blessing), but now are they holy.” We know the [...]

An employee built a house using his life savings. Some people demanded that the house be donated to the pastor. The person denied it. Does it mean that as a result he will go to hell?

No one may demand a sacrifice or gift from another. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, never asked for, nor demanded, nor owned a house. Luke 9:58, “Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” Perhaps some in your church [...]

Why do we need to go to church when all the people there are hypocrites? (United States)

Many churches seem to focus on tithing, attendance numbers, beautiful buildings. Of course, we all know those things do not bring us closer to God. We need to feed on God’s word and then apply those truths to our lives. In our non-demoninational group, we never tithe nor ask for donations. We don’t own a [...]

Please can you tell me if the Bible says our pets have souls? (Australia)

All animals, including pets, are souls. The Hebrew word for soul is נֶפֶשׁ or “nephesh”. Nephesh is translated in many different ways by most Bible translators. These differences hide the original meaning of the Hebrew text. However, the Rotherham Bible is an especially accurate, word-for-word translation. Consider Rotherham’s translation of Genesis 1:20-25, “And God [...]

What is the true religion? Are the religions of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc. wrong? (Philippines)

The true religion will reflect the true God. What is God like? Consider how God’s natural creation demonstrates His attributes. Romans 1:20 (NIV), “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” Briefly, creation reflects great power and wisdom. [...]