God is very specific in telling us that obeying Him leads to blessings in our lives and, conversely, disobeying him brings consequences and misery. As per Question 21 & 22, salvation is permanent because each Christian is “born again of incorruptible seed” and is thus “sealed in Christ.” No matter what a Christian does, willfully or carelessly, it cannot affect …
If God is So Good and Loving, Why Does He Allow Evil?
Who says He does? Words have meanings. What does “allow” mean? It means one could stop something from happening but chooses not to. Would you “allow” someone to come into your home and harm your family? Of course not. But GOD would??? Please, that’s an insult to Him. Why did God not stop the last person who went on a killing …
If God Created Only Adam and Eve, How Did All the Different Races of People Get Here?
When God gave Adam His instructions in Genesis 1:28, He told the man to “be fruitful and multiply.” It is clear that Adam and his wife (whom he first called “Isha”= my other self, and after his sin he called “Eve”=in essence, “baby maker”) quickly figured out how to do that. Genesis 4 tells us that they first had Cain and …
Feast of the Old Testament
FAQ: I know people who are teaching that we Christians today are required to observe the feasts and ceremonial holidays that the Jews in the Old Testament observed? Is that true? [To further help you study this subject, we suggest you open up or print off this Administrations in Scripture chart.] Although that idea is not prevalent in what is …
Does the Word Take the Place of the Absent Christ?
Well, is there a Bible verse that says that? Can’t think of one? Me neither. But let’s explore that statement. First, it presumes that Jesus Christ is currently “absent.” Is he? “Lo, I am absent always…” No, that’s not what he said—“…I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20–NASB). Jesus spoke those words to …
Does the Teaching That Jesus is the Son of God, Not God Himself, Demean Him?
FAQ: Doesn’t the teaching that Jesus is not God, but the Son of God, demean him and make him smaller in people’s eyes? Good question. The answer is: “No, it makes him look bigger.” But let’s think about it. First of all, the real issue is not who Jesus is not, but who he is. If I introduce myself to …
Does the Bible Say That Women Cannot Teach or Lead in the Church?
Ha! Ha! Ha! Are you serious? Have you ever tried to keep a woman quiet? Don’t you think God knows that is impossible? OK, ladies, I’m just kidding. The truth is that Jesus Christ was the greatest emancipator of women who has ever lived, and that the apostle Paul followed in his footsteps. Both of them had to buck the …
Does the Bible Say That Smoking Cigarettes Is a Sin?
No. Scripture says nothing about smoking tobacco, so we cannot say it is a sin. The Word does encourage us to take good care of our bodies so that we can live a long life and thus do more for God. Everyone knows that smoking tobacco is harmful to one’s health, and that too much secondhand smoke harms others in …
Does the Bible Say That Gambling Is a Sin?
Let’s first define our terms. Life is all about calculated risk, like when a farmer plants a field of corn seeds or a businessman embarks upon building a new company. Jesus addressed situations like that when he told a parable about “counting the cost” (Luke 14:28). What we are talking about here is trying to get something for nothing by risking …
Does the Bible Say That Drinking Alcohol or Using Drugs Is a Sin?
The Word gives no prohibition in regard to drinking alcoholic beverages but it does say that getting drunk is a sin (1 Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:18). Why? Because life is a spiritual battle, and we have a mortal enemy, Satan, who is crafty, and very good at what he does. Your God-given mental faculties are vital for you to control. 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 6 So then, let …