Is the King James Version (KJV) Bible the standard and the perfect word of God?
Although very popular and widely used, the King James Version of the Bible is by no means the "standard and the perfect word of God.” Where the Old Testament is concerned, many translations are comparable in accuracy. The 1611 version of the King James Bible, however, contained the Apocrypha, which are 14 additional books deemed [...]
Jesus said, "do not give your pearls to pigs to be trampled on." What does this mean?
"Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise the swine will trample them under their feet and the dogs turn and maul you." Matthew 7:6 (Weymouth translation). No one would give real pearls to swine, so what pearls is Jesus talking about? He explains the meaning [...]
If a person does not forgive someone, can the unforgiving person be accepted into heaven?
Forgiveness is very important. Jesus said "Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1) We are always to forgive, as Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute [...]
Is the Bible only for spiritual growth – not a guideline for people's welfare?
Spiritual growth and peoples’ welfare are not mutually exclusive issues. When the spiritually strong try to bless others, they themselves are blessed. The Bible is many things: It is a historical record of how the Israelites lived, biographies of various individuals, the laws and admonitions given to Israel from God through their leaders, a record [...]
What is fire baptism and what are its effects on a Christian?
In Matthew 3:11, 12, John the Baptist says, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will [...]
Please explain Ephesians 2:8-10, "by grace are ye saved through faith, not of works, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works."
In reading the context of this passage, we see in the 11th verse, that Paul is speaking to Gentiles who have converted to Christianity. It is by God's gift of grace and not through our personal merit that salvation is offered to us (verse nine). No one will ever be saved except as he accepts [...]