Since the Apostle clearly explains in 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, that the body will not be resurrected, what does he mean when he says: "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption," etc. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) What is meant by the expression, "it"? What is resurrected?
We answer that "it" is the soul that is restored or resuscitated. What was it that died? The Scripture reply is: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The living, intelligent, sentient being is to be raised up [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
In Jude 9, is described a contention and dispute between Michael, the Archangel, and the Devil over the body of Moses. Why this dispute?
We quote from an eminent authority an explanation as to the reason for the contention between Michael and the Devil: "The Lord Himself buried Moses, hiding the place of the sepulchre. The primary reason for [...]
I am sure all Christians want to do the will of God, but how can we determine his will in our affairs?
If we have not wholly become God's people by consecration, His message to us is, "This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (`1 Thess. 4:3`). If we are His people we are to [...]
Does God give orders for the weather every day?
No; nor does He every day order the stars in their courses, nor the earthquakes, famines and pestilences. At the present time, because of sin, the entire course of nature is permitted to be out [...]
The Lord Jesus taught the Christians to pray, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth.” Does that mean that all Christian people should join together and vote for the election of only Christian men to office in order that the will of God might be done on the earth?
The true footstep followers of the Lord Jesus are called to a "heavenly calling" (`Heb. 3:1`), to the "high calling of God" (`Phil. 3:13`.) They are running for the office of joint heirship with Christ [...]
What is the meaning of the expression found in Daniel 12:7–"Time, times and a half?" How long was a "time?"
A year, or "time," according to the Jewish calendar was a year of twelve lunar months of thirty days each, or 360 days. In the symbolic prophecies of the Scriptures, a day stood for a year. (See [...]
What does Matthew 25:29 mean, "From him that hath NOT shall be taken away even that which he hath." (Parable of the Talents)
This verse occurs in the Parable of the Talents, and if we supply the word “increased” after the word “not,” the thought is clear. During the Gospel Age--that period between the going away and the [...]
Who are the "spirits in prison" in 1 Peter 3:19?
1 Peter 3:18-20: (NASB1995) “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but [...]
We read in the Bible that as Lot and his wife were fleeing from Sodom, his wife looked back at the city and was instantly turned into a pillar of salt; can that be literally true?
Salt was invaluable in biblical times due to the hot, dry climate. It was used to preserve both human food as well as animal food, and it was used in sacrifices. Salt symbolized hospitality, durability and purity. [...]
Which day should be observed as the Sabbath Day, the first day or the seventh day of the week?
It would depend upon the religious belief of the person asking the question. To the Jew, the seventh day (Saturday) is the one to be observed. It was commanded in the Law given to the [...]
What about the “River of the Water of Life, clear as crystal?” (`Rev. 22:1,2`) Is it an actual river? If so, how may one get a drink out of it?
If we were disposed to accept this as a literal statement, we might well do as the old Spanish explorer, Ponce De Leon, did--search for the Fountain of Perpetual Youth! And we might have the [...]
Does the religious wave over the country indicate anything, or is it a “flash in the pan?”
We believe that it is indicative of much that is important to the welfare of the entire race of mankind. Not that we anticipate that it will result in converting the race to Christianity, or [...]
Were Adam and Jesus in any sense representatives of the race?
Adam, as the federal head of his family, was its representative in Eden. This is demonstrated by the fact that all of his posterity are involved in everything affecting him. Thus the sentence of death [...]
Please explain the Scripture, “The poor ye have always with you.” (`John 12:8`.) Does this mean that there will always be poor on the earth?
Jesus was addressing His disciples, and through them all consecrated Christians. At Jesus' second coming all of His faithful followers, then remaining on the earth, will be taken away to heavenly conditions, as He stated [...]
Is it proper for a Christian to engage in physical exercises? I know of some people who seemingly think it a sin to devote any thought to the care of the body.
The mind or will is the master of the body. The condition of the mind is largely affected by the condition of the body. A sound mind in a sound body is the ideal condition. To [...]
How shall we understand the scripture: “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (`Isa. 2:4`)
The Prophet Joel foretold just the conditions that we see about us in the world today (see `Joel 3:9-11`). The Lord Jesus also informed His followers that "wars and rumors of wars as well as [...]