Q.  How do I know if Jesus is speaking to me? Is it your conscious that Jesus talks to and then you get a feeling of what to do? I just wish I could hear the lord talk to me. I feel so lost

A.  Thank you for the question.  To answer your question briefly.  I would say read and study your New Testament.  Romans 10:17 tells us "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63).  If you want to hear Jesus speaking to you read his words.  You will notice that among his words are these "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16).  That's Jesus speaking to you.  Have you obeyed those words?
 

Q.  I was searching the net and ran across your page. I saw that you taught “Baptismal Regeneration”. I was wandering how the “Church of Christ”,“Church of Jesus Christ LDS”, and “Catholics” view the converts in Acts
10:34-48 and other scriptures such as Acts 11:14-18;Acts 15:7-11.

Facts:
1. We know only those who obey God may receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:32).
2. We know that unsaved people do not have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9;John
14:17).
3. Peter said we are saved just like they were (Acts 15:11).

Conclusion question:
What did the converts in Acts 10:34-48 do to receive the Holy Spirit?

I’d appreciate any feedback you could give me

A.   I do not know how you reached a conclusion that we teach "Baptismal Regeneration".  We teach that people who obey the Lord will be saved (Matthew 7:21).  Jesus taught at Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved".  Did he teach baptismal regeneration?  He said we must be born again of water and the spirit (John 3:5).  We are buried with Christ into his death (Romans 6:4).  It is in his death that his blood was shed and by which we are saved.  When we are baptized into his death we receive the benefits of his death including freedom from sin.  A person is not completely dead to sin till he is separated from it, and that takes place in baptism.  And that is not baptismal regeneration it is salvation by the blood of Christ.

I would have no idea how the religious groups view the converts in Acts 10:34-48 and really of what importance would that be?  Rather we should view them as the Christians of the New Testament did.  Their conclusion was they were saved by the grace of God (Acts 15:11).

In regard to your conclusion question, first please note verse 45 of Acts 10.  Why were the Jews who accompanied Peter amazed?  Because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This was obviously what the apostles on Pentecost received and that prompted amazement because no one but the apostles had received it and this time it was bestowed on Gentiles.  The fact that this gift involved speaking in tongues shows it was different from the gift promised to those who repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38) and that it came directly from Heaven and not by laying on of hands shows it was a special case as well.  It was a special miracle to convince the Jews that Gentiles were to receive the gospel too.  This can easily be seen by reading Acts 10:47 and Acts 11:1-17.

Simply because Cornelius and his household received this miraculous gift does not prove they received remission of sins before water baptism.  Rather it should be noted that an angel of God told Cornelius that Peter would tell him words whereby he would be saved (Acts 11:14) and in all the words spoken by Peter there was but one commandment, that requiring water baptism (Acts 10:48).  The purpose of this miracle was to remove any doubt from Jewish minds about the propriety of baptizing Gentiles.
 

Q.  Where can i find the gospel written by Mary Magdelen? about th Acrophya?

A.  The Apocrypha is a collection of ancient writings that date from 400 BC to the beginning of the Christian era written by Jews of Alexandria.  These books were not included in our Bibles for the following reasons:
1.there are 275 quotations from the Old Testament in the New and not once did they ever quote from the apocryphal books.
2. They were never accorded a place in the Jewish or Hebrew Scriptures.
3. They contain absurdities and conflict with known facts.  They do not claim inspiration.

As to the Gospel of Mary Magdalene we must remember that we are warned not to receive another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).
 

Q.  I am in 6th grade and we are studying how earth came out to be the way it is today.  They are trying to explain to us that we evolved from apes and they are showing us so so so much proof/evidence that this really happened.  I want to believe in this and the bible but I don't know how too.  They are also teaching us in Science that little cells that somehow appeared created the earth and then they got bigger and bigger until earth was created.  What makes everything even worse is that in Ancient Egypt, the Egyptians believed the gods were Ra, Ca, Set, etc. and they believed in an afterlife, they would go up and live with Isis forever, only if there heart tested good when the gods tested it.  If their hearts tested badly, they would go live with Ammit, the devourer of the dead.  It turned out that there was no afterlife after all and there was no Isis.  Now we believe that god (Osiris) will judge us and if we test good we go up to heaven (afterlife) and we will live with god (Isis).  If we test badly, we will go to hell with the devil  (Ammit).  Of coarse they are telling us that history repeats itself.  There is a mystery for me, if you do go up to heaven, what do you do and also if you go to heaven, will you remember what happened to you on earth?  If you don’t, you really are not the same person.  Another mystery I have is that what about babies, they really don’t even know about god, they simply ignore him.  Do babies that die early or right when they are born go up into heaven and live with god.  A part of me, I began to think, what would happen if a million years passed and a god was born, the real god.  They say Jesus was the proof but what if that was completely made up????  Back in Ancient Egypt, they had a bible and they had some proof that the gods were born.  I need help understanding at least to the point where I’m not believing that we evolved from apes or the earth was not created by the 2 cells that combined/joined together.  Do you have any advice for me????  If you could e-mail me with a response, that would be great!!!!
 

A.  Many of your questions have puzzled the very wisest of men.  But I will try and be of some help.

Man did not evolve from apes.  God created him.  If you will just remember and believe the very first verse in the Bible it will help you in answering many of your other questions.  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth".  If you believe this then you will know that man did not evolve but rather he was created after everything else as God's crowning work.  This idea that they are teaching you about little cells appearing and creating the earth makes us ask who made them?  The answer would still be God.  As for these ideas set forth by the Egyptians, again remember the first verse of the Bible and know there is one not many.  Concerning your questions about Heaven there are lots of things we cannot know.  But we can know there is a God in Heaven.  Those who go there will be in a state of joy and happiness.  And no, in ancient Egypt they did not have a bible.  They may have had some writings they considered sacred and holy.  But there is but one God and he is revealed in our Bible.  Hope this helps.
 

Q.  In the Christian Bible, there are two stories of men named Lazarus. What dot hey have in common?

A.   So far as I know they have nothing in common.  Lazarus in Luke chapter 16 deals with one who was a beggar.  The other Lazarus was a friend of Jesus and there is some indication that he and his two sisters may have been affluent people.  It appears that Lazarus may have been a rather common name in those days and that's all I know of that these two share.

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Q.  What verse says    oh yea of such little faith.?

A.  Several verses say this.  Matthew 8:26 is one.
 

Q.  My husband passed away is it wrong for me to remarry?
 

A.  Thanks for your question.  It would not be wrong for you to remarry provided your prospective partner is eligible for marriage.  Romans 7:3 provides for a woman whose husband has died that she may marry again but 1 Corinthians 7:39 while declaring that a widow may marry again stipulates that it be "only in the Lord".  It would not be according to the Lord's teaching to marry someone whose wife had been put away for some cause other than fornication Matthew 19:9.  In summary the Bible teaches you might marry again if your prospective husband has never been married before or if his wife is dead or if she was divorced by him for the cause of fornication.  That's what I mean by being eligible for marriage.

Q.  Several of us are searching for the verse in the Bible that says we will each be held accountable for every word that proceeds from our mouths.  Everyone seems to have heard of it before; but none of us can find it.
 

A.  You may have in mind Matthew 12:37, "For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." or perhaps:  Matthew 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 
 

We also need to know the names of Jacob's 4 wives ?

A.  I have no idea the name of Joseph's brothers in the musical you mention.  But in the Bible his brothers names are, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali.  Jacob's four wives were, Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah.
 

Q.  How wide were the walls of Jericho? and about how far around in circumference?

A.  The Bible does not give the dimensions of the wall.  We do know that they were wide enough for houses to be built upon them for Rahab's house was on the city wall and she dwelt on the wall (Joshua 2:15).   Since these walls were utterly destroyed and a new city was not built there for several hundred years (1 Kings 16:34) there is no way for us to know.  Suffice it that by faith the walls fell and God's people won a great victory.
 

Q. WHAT THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WOMAN PREACHING?
 

A. 1 Timothy 2:11-12, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But, I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
 

Q.   Im praying that the Holy Spirt will direct your answer to me.  I Love the Lord will all my heart and belong to a spirt filled church. But for years I have endured the pain of my mothers favortism shown towards my sister. And the fact that shealways put her needs first, to the exstent that she did not protect me from my fathers sexual abuse.
She told me she had foru other children to think about at the time.  Mean while she was having an adulterous relationship with a married man who is an atheus. She has lied on me an slandered my name to anyone who would listen. I have two points of concern that I want to address with my mother and sister.  First one being that my mother just went back to church a few months ago and she feels she now has a Good relationship with God, even though she has'nt changed any of her behavior.  Shes still seeing this married man but says they are not physical now. Shes been doing all of this for more than 25yrs. But she feels that returning to church has saved her. And she only wants to be fed the word of God that makes her feel better about herself rather than what she needs to hear..  And as for my sister. She just got married after 20yrs of fornicating.  She now beleaves she is saved and right with God because she married. She is also still smoking pot and crack, but she beleaves shes still saved because of her childhood baptism. She feels salvation was restored to her when she married and God will stop her from doing drugs when he gets ready for her to stop, with no effort on her part. I don't beleave any of there beliefs are true. But they have become un-approachable now that that feel they are clean. I Love them both even though there actions and additudes have hurt me deeply.  My mother continues to play favorites and gives money and etc to my sister with no regard to my feelings. I had open heart surgery 3yrs ago and have had on going health problems and have been and am in need of some fianacal help .  But my mother continues to ignore my needs, while feeding my sisters addiction. Please Pray for me and my family. I try very hard to remain forgiving but the continued hurt does effect me. Please direct me in Gods word as to what I might say to my mother and my sister to help correct there thinking because I can't go on just taking all these emotions without addressing the issues with them.
 

A.   Thank you for your letter. I can surely understand how you would have a hard time forgiving.   The Holy Spirit directs me only through the Bible, the word of God.  And from it I will offer you some advice and direction.  It appears that neither your mother or sister have any understanding of repentance.  Repentance is a command of God.  Jesus said if we did not repent we would perish (Luke 13:3).  Without repentance we cannot receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Repentance is a change of heart.  It is a change of direction in our lives prompted by being sorry that we sinned against God.  Merely going to church is not repentance.  Some of the most wicked people I have ever encountered go to church with a degree of regularity.  To use an old phrase "Sitting in a chicken house doesn't make you a chicken and sitting in a church house doesn't make you a Christian."  One has not repented when they continue on in their old wicked and sinful habits.  God will help us in overcoming but there has to be some action on our part as well.  Returning to church does not save anybody.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power to save (Romans 1:16).  In order to be saved one must Hear this gospel (Romans 10:14) believe this gospel (Romans 10:17) Repent of ones sins (Acts 3:19) Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10 and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  When one does this the Lord adds them to the church (Acts 2:41).  Until your mother, sister or anyone else does this they are not saved and right in the sight of God no matter what they feel.    As to directing you as to what you might say to them, if they will not heed the word of God there is not much else you can do.  Now a word to you.  You say you belong to a spirit filled church.  I do not mean to question your sincerity but simply belonging to a group that claims to be spirit filled does not save.  If they are not teaching the way of salvation as we have mentioned then I fear you have been deluded.  Search the Scriptures.  Learn from them and obey them.  When you do what we have mentioned about salvation God will add you to His church.  May God bless you in your efforts to serve him and search for his truth.

Q.  1.  How do you give a spiritual smile to the opposite sex without him thinking that you are attractive to them?

Q.  2.  How do you confront a Christian of the opposite sex that gives you a holy hug that is not holy?

A.  You have asked two questions that I have  never read or heard before.  In regard to the first.  A smile is a smile.  I don't quite understand what you mean by a "spiritual smile".  Now if that smile is in connection with some sort of flirtatious gesture or statement that's another thing.  But to simply smile at someone; if they come up with some other notion I would say they have a problem.

A.  Concerning your second question you might remember that Jesus put the devil to flight by quoting scripture.  You might try quoting an appropriate scripture to one who has made an untoward movement.  There is nothing wrong either with simply telling that person you don't appreciate what they have done.  And sometimes a cold icy stare gets the message across.
 

Q.  Where in the Bible can I find a scripture that actually says Angels sing?  I know they are capable of rejoicing, but one can rejoice without singing.
 

A.  Thank you for the question.  I don't think there is a scripture that actually says angels sing but I think we can come very close and by implication say that they do.  Likely the many songs, poems etc. that mention angels singing are poetic expressions drawn from some of these implications.  For example in Luke 2:13-14 mention is made of the Heavenly Host "praising God".  Singing is surely a form of praise.  At creation  "The morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).  At Hebrews 1:6 angels are commanded to worship Jesus and singing is indeed a part of worship.  Again thank you for the question
 

Q.  hi,my husband and i just started attending Curch of Christ. we are very happy and  we are trying to study and learn. a man at our church is a deacon,now wants to be an elder. he has children that are not faithful.they are out of the house. do you think its appropriate for him to be an elder?our preacher thinks its fine. we think if he cannot guide his children how can he guide the church. please tell me your thoghts. thank you very much.

A,  Thank you for your question and interest.  My thoughts  on this matter would not be a guide to answering your question but I am glad to note for you what the Bible, which is our guide, has to say.  1 Timothy 3:4-5 states that an elder must rule well his own house having his children in subjection and that if one cannot rule his own house how shall he rule the church of God.  If his children are at home under his control and are not faithful then obviously he does not meet this qualification.  If they are not under his control and have established their own homes and are not faithful then the matter of influence must be considered.  A man serving as an elder with unfaithful children, even if they are in their own homes likely could not have the influence nor the example for the congregation that he should have otherwise.  The very fact that you question his qualification would be an indication that there are probably others who do as well.  It would not be wise then for him to serve.  You mention that he has been a deacon.  1 Timothy 3:12 states that one serving as a deacon should also rule their children and their own houses well.  This matter ought to have been considered before he was appointed as a deacon and I believe the principles we have stated would apply.
 

Q.  I have a Bible question that has been bothering me for some time.  The answers I have received from various people do not seem correct.  Could you take a shot at this one?  Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me.

In Matthew 24 :2 (as well as Mark 13 :2 and Luke 21 :6) Jesus said:   As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he told them, "Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!"

My question is, what about the Wailing Wall?  Isn't that a part of the original building?
 

A.  I believe the most reliable information we have about these matters comes from the Jewish historian Josephus.  He says the command was given that the whole city and temple be destroyed except for the three towers (which had nothing to do with the temple) and a part of the western wall (of the city not the temple).  A Jewish rabbi by the name of Maimonides declared that the very foundations of the temple were digged up according to Roman custom.  Mention is made in a book by F.W. Faraar entitled THE LIFE OF CHRIST which declares that if one is looking for relics of the ten time captured city of the days of Christ he would have to look twenty feet beneath the soil and would scarcely find them.  I know of no evidence that the so-called wailing wall is a part of the original structure and even if it is it would in no way resemble the mighty stones about which the disciples marveled in the passages cited.  Indeed not one of them was left upon another.
 
 

Q.  What book in the bible are the keys taken from the devil?

A.  I know of no such book.  The closest reference to something like that would be Revelation 20:1 and in that case the devil does not have the key but an angel and the angel binds the devil.  Thank you for your interest.
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Q.  Hello.  I have a question dealing with death. My father died this year and I am concerned about where we go immediately after death.  Alot of my family members want to believe that we are reunited with our loved ones.  Of course some believe that he is with Jesus in Heaven. What is the truth; what does God say?
 

A.  Thank you for your question.  The Bible does not give us a lot of information about the matters of which you ask but I hope we can be of some help.  There is a realm where disembodied spirits are.  In the Old Testament it is a Hebrew word Sheol.  In the New Testament it is referred to as Hades.  Hades appears to be divided into two compartments.  There is Paradise or Abraham's bosom which is the abode of righteous spirits and Tartarus peopled with evil spirits.  You may recall that in Luke 23:43 Jesus told the thief "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise".  This was not Heaven which will be the ultimate state of the righteous.  We know this because  when Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to various ones he said, "I am not yet ascended to my Father" (John 20:17).  So Jesus did not go to heaven during the interval of his death.  Paradise the present state of the righteous dead is not heaven though one day it will be.  During the period of his death the Lord was in Hades (Acts 2:27,31) but he was in Paradise during this time therefore Paradise is in Hades but though Paradise is in Hades he was not in Heaven therefore, Paradise, in Hades is not heaven.  This Paradise--the realm in Hades where the righteous spirits remain until the resurrection of the body may be identified with the Abraham's bosom where Lazarus went as told in Luke 16.  Ultimately the righteous dead will be raised and those who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Take comfort in that thought.
 
 

Q.  Do young children who have not accepted Jesus as their savior go to heaven when they die?

A.   Thank you for your interest and your question.  I suppose you mean by "young children" you mean infants or those who are not able to discern right from wrong or make a choice such as you suggest in your question.  When the infant son of David died the response of David was, "I shall go to him but he shall not return to me"(2 Samuel 12:23).  Obviously that young child had not accepted Jesus as savior but he was in Heaven for David expected to see and be with him.
 

Q.  Could women attend a business meeting of just the men in a congregation where no elders are present?  (Acts 1, 6, 15)
 

A.  Thank you for the question.  The passages you cited Acts 1, 6 and 15 are not instances of business meetings such as I think you may have in mind.  Acts 1 deals with an assembly of the disciples; Acts 6 seems to have been a called  meeting by the apostles and elders were present in Acts 15.

If there are no elders in a congregation and there is a business meeting of the men why would women want to force their presence on such a group?  If there are elders why would there be a business meeting without their presence?  If there is a matter that women feel is of sufficient importance could they not call that to the attention of some of the men prior to the meeting and ask that it be discussed?  So far as women being physically present in such a meeting as you mention I know of no scripture that would be violated unless it has been announced that it is a meeting of the men.  If that is the case I would ask again why would women want to be present?
 
 

Q.  Could you explain nehemiah chapter 12 for me

A.  Thank you for your interest.  There is really not a lot to explain about Nehemiah chapter 12.  Twenty-six verses are given to the record of the names of priests and Levites.  This shows us the high place the servants of God held in the estimation of the nation.  These lists once so important  reminds us of how all that is external decays and passes away.  We also note that each of those performing their ministry faithfully were acceptable to God.
 

Q.  In 1st Cor. 13 could you explain what the "perfect" is.  Is it the Bible, is it love, or is it heaven?

A.  Thank you for the question.  In understanding the "perfect" of I Cor. 13 one needs to read both chapter 12 and 14 as well.  In chapter 12 we see that the church at Corinth was disturbed over spiritual gifts.  Some 9 gifts are mentioned.  Some evidently posessed some of these while there were others who had none at all.  This seems to have provoked jealousy on the part of some and so from verses 12-28 the apostle Paul shows that all members had a function in the body whether they had a spiritual gift or not.  Then as the chapter closes he explains that if they wanted agift they should desire something that is better than those 9 spiritual gifts.  Love is the more excellent way.

The first 3 verses of I Cor. 13 show the importance of love.  Then in verses 4-7 the characteristics of love are given.  At verses 8-13 the main thought is again noted that  love is absolutely supreme over all the spiritual gifts.  It is in this section that "that which is perfect" is mentioned.  These gifts were temporary till that which is perfect is come.  At Ephesians 4:11-13 the questions of how were spiritual gifts set in the church, why were they there and how long are all answered.  They were given to give the church strenght to produce faith and were to last "till we all come to the unity of the faith" that is until the church matured enough to have power before a faithlrss world.  The church has now done this.  We have the "perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25).  "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).  When the word of God was completed that which was "perfect" came to pass (11 Timothy 3:16-17).  It is perfect converting the soul.  It is the complete will of God written down for every creature to read, study and gain faith by reading and hearing not by miracles and/or miraculous spiritual gifts.  I hope this may be of help to you.
 

Q. Do the churches of Christ believe Biblical doctrine would prohibit a Christian from voluntarily joining a nation’s military where an oath of service would be required and killing others probable? Eph. 6:12, Mt.5:34, IICor. 10:3-4,  & I Peter 5:12
 

A.  Your question is one that has generated many discussions.  First I would mention no one can speak for churches of Christ.  In the broadest sense the church of the New Testament includes all the children of God in the world.  Unfortunately, many of God's children have become involved in things they have no business in.  It is impossible to round up all of God's children and find out how they stand on any question.  Each has to speak for himself and no one is authorized to speak for the whole family of God.

It would seem to me if it is wrong to do what you mention here it would also be wrong to vote for a man for president for he must take an oath to defend and protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies.  Why would we elect a man to do a thing you think would be wrong for you to do?

The passage from 2 Corinthians is simply stating that the weapons we use against idolatry, Judaism and other teachers of error  are not weak, fleshly or carnal but the mighty word of God.  A spiritual conflict is under consideration.  This is also seen in the passage from Ephesians.  The passage from Matthew is simply a statement that A Christians word should be such that it does not have to be reinforced with an oath.  I do not see the connection with the passage given in 1 Peter.
 

Q.  Dear Sir: I have a question that effects my wife's family. She has two nephews that were married previously (both in their middle 20's), divorced, slept around, one has had a baby from another woman, just recently, both have woman living with them, the oldest had a baby from his previous marriage, and they are spiraling downward. My mother-in-law wanted us to come up, a week before Christmas, and my wife's sister and her sons will be there. I told my mother and father-in-law that we would not be there. I don't want my daughter around those that are sinning. My daughter is almost 7 and she is a strong Christian, has lived in church all of her life, and sees and hears things. I don't want her around, girlfriends, live-ins, whatever you call them, and their children that come out of wedlock. They are not Christians, and don't live the life. Their mother, is very liberal in her thinking, associating with her best friend who is a lesbian. I have looked up scripture and it says not to be around those people. To do so is to condone and accept. And that is what my mother-in-law has done. As well as my father-in-law. And their daughter, my wife's sister, is so excited about the news of this baby. Negativity all around. I just don't want to be around that, and I don't want my daughter to be around that. Please give me your opinion.

A.   Thank you for your question.  It deals with problems that have penetrated the greater portion of our society.  I understand your not wanting to be around people who indulge in such sins as you have mentioned I wouldn't either.  But we must remember that Jesus associated with the rankest of sinners.  Yet he did not condone their actions.  I think in a loving and as diplomatic a way as possible you should let these people know that you do not endorse the lifestyles in which they engage and that those who do such things cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.  Having done that seek to point them to the Lord not with a Pharisaical attitude but with a spirit of trying to win the lost.  Something else in your letter troubles me.  You mention your little daughter who is nearly 7 and is a strong Christian.  Please understand I am not trying to question her salvation but there are very few children at that age that are able to be sufficiently accountable to be a Christian.  For example one who becomes a Christian must know that they are sinners lost and without God in the world.  They must then place their faith in Jesus, understanding that he died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  There must be sorrow for sin and a turning away from sin which we call repentance.  There must be a public acknowledgement that one believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and then they must be buried (immersed) in water for the forgiveness of their sins which places us in contact with the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all sin.  Has your daughter done this?  If so indeed she is a Christian.  But as a Christian we must seek like our Lord those who are lost.  To this extent their has to be association with lost people.

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