An acquaintance believes salvation is through belief in Jesus. But he also thinks a person will have a second opportunity to believe in heaven. He believes God wants to save everyone. I believe people must be saved now in order to go to heaven.
In Matthew 19:17-30, Jesus instructed that to be “saved” we need to give up our earthly possessions and follow him. Following Jesus requires the sacrifice not only of earthly things but of our wills to [...]
Why was Saul jealous of David?
God chose the strong, capable Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul began his reign humbly and reverently. However, over time, King Saul put his desires before God’s will and over Israel’s well-being. Saul’s reverence for God [...]
What is the difference between paying tithes and giving offerings?
In Leviticus 18, God commanded Israel to set aside one tenth of all they had to be offered to Him. When Israel began to inherit the promised land, God designated different geographical locations for each [...]
Knowing that Jesus has made away the law of Moses at the cross, is stealing, murder or killing, fornication or adultery still a sin? If yes, how do you know they are sin without the law?
When God created Adam and Eve, they were created in His image. (Genesis 1:26, 27.) They had God’s perfect laws of love and justice written in their hearts. The Apostle Paul explains that all mankind [...]
What does Nahum 1:7 mean? "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him."
The book of Nahum is a prophecy against the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria (current day Mosul, Iraq). History records that the Assyrians were ruthless and cruel to their captives. Sadly, parts of [...]
How do faith and forgiveness work together?
Summary: Forgiveness is dependent upon our faith in God’s word. A Christian embraces the truths in God’s word. We remember, “without faith it is impossible to please God,” (Hebrews 11:1). Consequently, we study the Bible, [...]
How will people sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom (Matthew 8:11)?
What is the Kingdom in this verse? Jesus referenced the kingdom earlier in Matthew 6:10, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” Jesus was teaching an earthly [...]
What are ancient manuscripts and why are they important?
Ancient manuscripts are texts “written” (Latin: scripta) “by hand” (Latin: manu) that date far back into the past. Where biblical manuscripts are concerned, ancient manuscripts are very important because the older they are, the closer [...]
Please explain Jesus's words in Matthew 10:34-39, "I came not to send peace, but a sword…a man who loses his life shall save it."
If these verses were taken literally and in isolation, it would seem to promote violence. However, Jesus never contradicts Himself. Compare the Matthew passage with His words in John 18:16, “My kingdom is not of [...]
What does the Bible say about procrastination?
Procrastination and laziness can be related. When people procrastinate their responsibilities, there is a tendency to choose pleasure (television, naps, etc.) over work. King Solomon addressed this issue in Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV). “Go to the [...]
When God appeared to Moses, the bush was on fire but was not burnt up. Question: what does that scene stand for?
When the bush was on fire but not consumed, it was an indication that something supernatural was happening. This unnatural occurrence attracted Moses’s attention. Exodus 3:2-6, “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him [...]
Who was Mary Magdalena to Jesus?
Mary Magdalene was a Jewish woman who suffered from demon possession. There are only twelve verses in the Bible, specifically in the Gospels, where Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name. Mark 16:9 (KJV,) "Now when Jesus was risen early the first [...]
If a Christian dies, has the person died because (1) he or she sinned or (2) it's God's will for that one to die?
1. Does a person die for his or her sins? No. 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die…” Christian or not, everyone dies. Christian or not, everyone has sinned. We are all under [...]
What is the meaning of and who wrote Psalm 91?
The traditional Jewish thought is that Moses wrote Psalm 91. Moses wrote this during the 40 years of wilderness wandering. He experienced many dangers while leading over a million people through a hot desert without [...]
What are the real things we can do today to get to paradise? Only according to the Bible.
Three Scriptures use the word paradise. So to determine the way to get there, we need to identify where it is. Luke 23:43, “Verily, I say to you today, you will be with me in [...]
What is the difference between being a Christian and being a Roman Catholic? As a Christian, am I required to read my Bible everyday?
A Christian is a follower of Jesus. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me,’” Matthew 16:24.In order [...]
How can I deal with fear and its torments?
Yes, fear is tormenting. But, dear one, God does not want you to fear. Instead, remember 1 John 4:16 (NIV), “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has [...]
Why did Jesus choose to speak in parables and riddles?
Matthew 13:10-11, 15 (NIV), “The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’ He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been [...]
How are love and forgiveness related?
God is love and forgiveness is a manifestation of love. God’s character and essence is love. His every intention for his creatures is their highest welfare. Even before the earth or man was created, God knew Adam [...]
Would you please explain 2 Corinthians 5:1-8? Are we alive or dead?
The Apostle is writing to the New Creation – not the natural man. He recognizes the new will as the New Creature, and the old body as its tent. Our natural bodies are much better [...]
What is love and who are we to love?
“God is love,” 1 John 4:8. Also, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” (John 3:16). He gave the most precious gift He had, his son. Love has an element [...]
Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." What does this mean?
Beginning with the first verse of Matthew 6, Jesus discusses five areas of important Christian development. Give to the needy. This is a way to ‘practice righteousness’ in verses 1-4. Pray, which allows us to [...]