Is there such a place as purgatory, and if so, where is it taught in the Scriptures?
The word "purgatory" is from the Latin tongue and signifies primarily a place of purification or making clean. The thought usually involved in the consideration of the term is that an intermediate state of condition exists for those who die and who at the time of death--while professing Christianity-- were not sufficiently cleansed from [...]
Is it proper for Christians to pray for health?
All of our prayers of request should be made in the context of wanting the Lord's will to be done, regardless of the outcome and even if it means our own personal hardship. We trust the Lord will overrule for our highest spiritual welfare. We can pray that we have the strength and peace to [...]
Are we to understand from James 5:14-16, that it is possible for the "Elders of the Church," at the present day, to heal the sick by prayer and anointing with oil?
In the Greek, the word translated as sick is the Greek word "astheneo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines "astheneo" as "to be weak, feeble...to be without strength, powerless..." Therefore, we might paraphrase these verses as follows: "Is any weak among you (weak in the faith, morally and spiritually weak or ailing) let him call for the elders of the church; [...]
In the Parable of the Vine and Branches (John 15:1-8), are we to understand the branches represent the different churches and denominations?
The "branches" do not represent the various different religious denominations of Christendom. At the time the parable was given, there were no denominations, and none were organized until several centuries afterward. Jesus never authorized the formation of these denominational systems, and furthermore, he has never recognized them as his representatives. If anything, they are of the "vine [...]
I am a young married man and my wife and I desire to be good Christian people. We think we ought to go to church and worship God, but as there are ten different churches in our neighborhood, where should we go?
It is true that we can worship the Lord at home, and unless we do worship the Lord at home, our church worship would be of little benefit. Worship is not a mere form but devotion of the heart. However, we are admonished of the Lord to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews [...]
At the transfiguration of Jesus, Matthew 17:3, states that Elias and Moses appeared and talked with him. Will you please explain how it was possible for the apostles to recognize that these two who were with the Lord were Moses and Elias?
The scriptures do not tell us how the apostles recognized the vision of the Patriarchs. However, we would like to suggest two reasonable solutions. In the account it says, "There appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with him." During this conversation it would be natural for the Lord to address them by their names. Then again, [...]