How can a Christian be in the world but not of the world?
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. [...]
Who are the five virgins, who had no oil in their lamps, in Matthew 25:3?
In the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins there are ten virgins. Five were wise and Five were foolish. To identify the two classes of virgins, you have to go to the book of Revelation. Revelation 7:4,9,14-15, “…I heard the number…sealed…144,000…and I saw a great multitude which no man could number…These are they which [...]
Are we destined by God to be what He wanted us to be in this world?
What God wants us to be in this world is loving, merciful, compassionate, obedient, and righteous people (Micah 6:8). He has given us free will to make our choices and that is His design. Genesis 1 & 2 record how God created mankind as well as all life on earth. God told Adam to name [...]
Purgatory proper is not in the Bible, but is the concept?
Since Purgatory is only taught in Roman Catholic doctrine, that will be the source to define the concept. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches “All who die in God's grace, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary [...]
What did Jesus mean when he said that he came to fulfill the law?
“Fulfill” is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance word G4137 and is translated fill, be full, complete, end, accomplish. As it states in Matthew 5:18, not a jot or tittle of the Law could pass until all be fulfilled. What is the Law and how would Jesus be able to fulfill it? There seem to be two parts [...]
Please explain Psalms 132:11 – The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. (NIV)
This is a messianic promise of God to David. God promised that the Messiah, the King of Israel, would be David's descendant. David's son, Solomon, ruled all of Israel. However after the death of Solomon, when the nation divided into the ten and two tribe kingdoms, David’s grandchildren ruled only the kingdom of Judah. Why maintain [...]