Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 713

Part 1

OK, since there are different opinions about this topic let's see what the scripture says about it.

Ephesians 4:11

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, PROPHETS; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and TEACHERS;"

So God gave prophets to the church. There is the idea that these prophets were just teachers. Are they? No, because God gave teachers as well, so prophets must be something different.

Acts 21:8-9

"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did PROPHESY."

Where these virgin daughters teachers? Definitely not, women were not allowed to teach in ancient church. They were virgins, that is little girls. So what were they doing? We'll see later.

Acts 21:10-11

"And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain PROPHET, named Agabus.

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles"

Is this a foretelling? It obviously is.

Acts 19: 1-7

It is too long to write it, but read carefully verse 6:"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and PROPHESIED." Prophesied? If it means teaching, then to whom they were teaching? To Paul? To theselves?

Please study 1 Corinthians 14. Pay attention to v 24-25

"But if all PROPHESY, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" Does it seem to you that prophesying here means teaching? Obviously not.

So must there be prophets/foretellers in a church?

Where did the wives come from if not from Adam and Eve for Cain, Enoch, etc?

George,

Although I also believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture, I do not think that Luke 21:36 would show proof of that. Also, I am not too sure about John Chapter 14 giving definitive proof. Are you referring to John 14:3 by chance? Some people think John 14:3 is the rapture of the church, and some people think it is the second coming of Christ. Personally, I believe that it describes the time when we receive Christ. Jesus says He's leaving but He is coming back, that where Jesus is, we will be also. And where is the Lord right now? If we've received Christ, He lives in us. We are that dwelling place. We are that mansion!

Thank you for the reply, that is how I also feel, just wanted to hear other's thought's on it too.

I know plenty of women who can teach me things about the Bible . Should I not let them help me to understand God's word better ? Should I not allow my knowledge and understanding and faith to b increased by a woman ? Just because she is a woman ? Perhaps u could do me the honour of teaching me some thing about the Bible ? Instead of making negative comments could u please enrich my understanding of God's Word ? I would b very happy to learn something from u if u can manage to do that .

Ronnie,

The answer to that is no. They must be removed from fellowship until they fully repent and completely refrain from that type of lifestyle. Homosexuality/Lesbianism is a form of sexual immorality and should never be allowed to enter into or remain in the body of Christ, the church.

Gina,

There are many today who claim to be prophets and that they have "new revelation" from God. The sad part is that they share what God supposedly revealed to them, and they tell their congregation things like "God gave me this new revelation to give to you."

Are there prophets today? I would say no, not like the Old Testament prophets. Now, can a person today still prophesy? I believe the answer to that is yes. Here's why I say this. To prophesy simply means to speak the word of God. The prophets of old were given direct prophecy from God and they foretold the future. They were "foretellers."

Since we have the complete written word of God today, and at the end of Revelation, God said to seal up this book of prophecy and He also warned about adding to or taking away from the book of prophecy, there can be no new prophecy today.



I mentioned that the prophets of old were fore-tellers. They foretold the future before it happened. But there is a different word for one who prophesies today, and that person would be a "forth-teller," meaning they take the already written word of God and forth tell the already complete prophecy contained in God's word.

I would say that a person can still prophesy today (speak the already written word of God), but what they speak and claim to be prophecy has to line up with the completed prophecy we have today. If what they are saying comes from revelation given to them from God, and it cannot be found in God's word, that person must be labeled a false prophet!

does God know when we will die

Gi Gi.. Sorry for your loss...GBU....I remember when my mom died it almost killed me...I wd not go to the funeral home to view her body...It just hurt too much...But you will get over it in time...GBU

I have seen many Christians debate this topic passionately and I personally have never taken part as I haven't formed a solid opinion, knowing that end times isn't a salvation issue and that we're just to be on guard regardless of how the end times plays out. But this one verse seems convincing and I wonder what verse do people cite who believe in post tribulation rapture?

Dear Adam,

I agree with you that not everybody go to heaven. I believe many will end up in Hell. As a matter of fact, the bible says somewhere I think in Matthew that there will be more people end up in Hell than Heaven. I think paradise was that it was a place called Abrahams Bussom. There were two separate sides in Hades, and on one side (Abrahams Bussom) were all the OT believers who had died, and on the other side were people who died as non-believers. When Jesus died, didn't his spirit went into the lower parts of the earth and he released those who were in Abrahams Bussum. Right now, only one of those two places exist and it is full of both OT non-believers, and all those who have rejected Jesus in NT times. As far as judgment goes, when you say that "The Bible says "all will be judged" on a particular day," are you saying that everyone, both believers and non-believers will be judged on the same day, a "particular day?" If that's what you are saying, then that is incorrect. Hopefully that's not what you are saying. You seem to be very smart on the bible and I don't think that's hwat you say. The bible talks about two separate judgments (Bema Seat) for believers, and then another judgement (Great White Throne) for non-believers. The judgment for believers is not to determine heaven or hell, but what their reward/s will be throughout eternity. The GWT judgement happens after the 1,000 year reign of Jesus and only non-believer will stand before God at that judgment. It's good to know that you personally believe in the five verses that you listed. Can you explain what you believe about those verses? Otherwise, how are we to know if what you believe is the correct truth? Thank you ahead of time for explaining. GBU

Dear Ronnie, given that homosexuality is a sin, it should be no surprise that most churches will not allow someone to openly demonstrate their love and allegiance to sin in the church. These two things don't mix. One is saying hey look at me, I'm doing something detestable to God and I want you to be ok with it, and the other is respecting that others are trying to escape the temptations of sin of the world and are trying to be in a sanctuary from that evil. So, one is selfish, the other is respectful of others and to God. Perhaps it would be similar to a man having an affair with a married woman and sitting by her during church holding her hand. Or maybe an alcoholic who brings a liquor bottle and drinks during service, or someone doing drugs during service or cursing, or lying, stealing, or other sins that your support for can be demonstrated during a church service. All of this is evil according to the Bible. Some pretend that sin is 'who they are' and that threaten Christians to accept and tolerate their sin. But the reality is that sin is always a choice, not an identity as some falsely assume. There are a lot of deceptive excuses to sin and very creative and seemingly persuasive ones that we must watch out for and stand against.

Bro Dan Us humanity keeping the law is like putting lipstick on a pig...And then wanting God to marry the Pig...We must be converted i.e. be bornagain...We must birth a new heart and a new spirit...Which is the H.G. our new innerman the H.G. that Child of PROMISE.

...Thats y Jesus is telling us we must be bornagain....of an incorruptible seed etc...making us a new Creature ...Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision but a new Creature is the only thing that pleases God.

....Impling neither Jew nor Gentile but a NEW CREATURE...which is the H.G. that Child of PROMISE...That New COVENANT

.....God so loved the world...Anybody and everybody...By 1 spirit are we all baptised into the body of Christ whither we be Jew or Gentile, Male or Female bond or free...Thats y Jesus is saying unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child impling a New Birth...like that woman in Rev 12 : 5 giving birth to that man child that is gonna rule all nations..ok lemme go

I have a question, Are there Prophets in this day and Time ?

My question is should a gay couple be allow to attend a spirit filled church as a couple? I know they should never hold any position in a church while living this kind of life. I have always wondered about this.

God bless you, David, and Kristie, too. The old hymn, 'Amazing Grace', holds a special place in my heart, because one verse is so true regarding my own life's experience, and I'm sure many believers can say the same:

"Through MANY dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; tis grace that hath brought me safe thus far, and grace shall lead me home'.

Wherever you and Kristie are right now - in dangers, in toils, surrounded by snares - look back and see from where God has brought you both to this point; you have already both, no doubt, been recipients of amazing mercies! God has been good...and shall His goodness cease now? NO. It never will.

His ways are mysterious, but His will to us is good. That fact was the pronouncement of the angels the night of Christ's birth, "..and on earth peace, GOOD WILL to men". I am believing God with and for you both, that His good will be manifested to you both, then in you both, and then through you both.

Sometimes, through challenging circumstances, if we go through them with God, He digs 'channels' in our hearts by those tools, in which He later lets mercy flow out of us to others in similar circumstances.

Don't despair. God really is good - all the time.

Blessings to you and Kristie, David.

Bro. Dan i love ya...But if righteousness came by the law Christ died in vain...And the cross was just foolishness... Gal 3 : 21 kjv

Amen! Just reading these verses tells us about what happened back then in Egypt and about the promise of Salvation to come of the New Covenant...

Exodus 12:13

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."

...when I see the blood, I will pass over you...

Thank God for sending His Son and covering us with His Blood.

Edward,

Please read the word of God and pray to God for understanding through his Holy Spirit. God makes it simple for us to understand. For example, a simple easily understood verse like this:

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

This is Jesus telling us to keep the 10 Commandments. Many people have figured out all kinds of ways to twist this verse to mean the opposite of what it clearly states.

I disagree with you, there is no need to read between the lines. When we make Gods word's more complicated than they should be, we outsmart ourselves.

We should be obedient to God's written word. The bible puts forth a wonderful message of Love, Forgiveness, and Salvation.

Keep it simple! If we walk with Jesus, it is easy to understand.

God Bless.

If we were to go by what people feel or think then Baal might be their God, if it isn't in the word leave it alone.

Not I feel, or I think, but the word that we are given by holy men of God as they were moved on by the Holy Ghost.

I Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Titus (2nd chapter) 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, v5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed

Jesus never "venerated" Mary above what a typical son would respect his mother. Mary "worship" is not biblical and therefore a sin!

Is not Luke 21:36 Proof of a pre-tribulation rapture? Pray you may be found worthy to escape these things. Escape what the Tribulation just described. I believe scripture as a whole makes a pre-tribulation rapture clear. Jesus taught it in John 14!

In exodus 4:21= I will harden=I will embolden; Hebrew idiom active verbs of doing are used of suffering or permitting a thing to be done.

Ro. 9:18 (hardeneth=suffereth to be). eg.

here; Hebr. hazak to brace or tighten up (opposition to relax); This particular use is used 13 times.

GOD didn't do anything that Pharaoh and the leaders were already willing and going to do. GOD allowed him to burden the people just as HE allowed Satan to test Job. Pharaoh considered himself a god and caused the people much hardship with his insatiable appetite for building. Many Israelite's would have died if HE didn't do this. GOD will not turn a person to do evil; it is your choice and free will to do so.

Amen ELB...GBU....I will MULTIPLY thy seed as the stars of Heaven...And that was the only Promise where God swore by himself.

Gen 22 : 16 - 18 kjv...Thus Christ will be multiplied as the stars of heaven...And thats y the sower will go forth to sow his SEED in HUMANITY....Resulting in our heavenly birth...Thus that New COVENANT....

......She brought forth a man Child Rev. 12 : 5 ...The Child is the result of that GOOD SEED which is the H.G. that Child of PROMISE....The multiplication of very GOD IN HUMANITY....That good seed is Spirit the LIVING Word thus the WHEAT IS THE H.G

..That Child of PROMISE....Behold i send the PROMISE of my Father upon you which was the H.G. the multiplication of very GOD IN HUMANITY.....That which is born of the spirit is spirit a baby Christ the H.G...She brought forth a man Child a baby Christ the H.G.....Thanks Bro. Earl...GBU Exceedingly in Jesus NAME

Response to Fred Scanlan.

The modern gospel message to the whole world is "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

Acts 16:30

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Jealynn; You are so right. I book marked this passage way back when people in the name of GOD started beheading Christians because they were Christians. Along with Revelations 20:4. GOD warned us not to seek HIM in churches that don't teach the WORD of GOD but pass a plate around and say a verse and the rest of the hour they tell their congregation of a fishing trip they had Saturday. People who sat in church pews their whole life but never been taught the WORD of GOD will be the first ones taking by the anti-Christ who comes first. They are told you don't have to understand Revelations you will be gone. Anti-Christ will be coming after Christians not the rest of the world, he already has them. Coming after those who claim to be Christian but are not taught the true WORD of GOD. Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are watchful as commanded. You have people who want to run away from the biggest fight of the ages that even the profits wanted to be in these times. The deception will be great for what they were taught. I plead to anyone who reads this to turn away from false doctrine before it's too late for In an instant at the 7th trump you will be so ashamed that you were had, that you want mountains to fall on you but you will not be able to hide your shame from the KING of kings.

Try to imagine, standing eating hard bread, waiting for the angel of death to pass over your house.

You have just sprinkled blood on your door with hyssop, and covered your doorposts with the blood of this same lamb.

God hardened Pharaohs heart! He hardened it to this point, that He would see the death of the children under His kingdom!

This is not a fable, as many would like to believe! This is the revelation of the prophecy that would come in the life of Christ, the savior of the world!

Do not think that God does not have the power to change hearts for the worse! If He can move hearts for the worse, what will be your outcome?

Will you continue to deny Him as Pharaoh? Or perhaps you are like Pharaoh, and think you have all the power!

I remind myself again, that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! There is none righteous ,no not one! That if not for the shed blood of Christ, we too would have the same fate as the little children in Egypt!

Repent and be baptized

I don't know that song, but think its good to be discerning when it comes to singing words written by men. Saying the Bible out loud is safe as it's God's Word, but singing words written by men has the potential to mislead and go astray.

Example: there's a song with lyrics "Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other."

This was confusing to someone I knew who came from another religion and said to me she hated this song, because instead of believing in one God, it suggests we believe in other gods. Secondly, it may come across as immature, cocky or boastful, like "my dad can beat up your dad" or "my God is better than yours". So, I understood that point and cannot sing such a song with a clear conscience.

There are many other songs that are popular in Christian radio that I also don't agree with, so I believe it's good to be discerning and take our words seriously and not fall into false teachings.

Generally I dislike contemporary Christian music as much seems to want to please the culture rather than worship God #1. I miss older music that just praised God with simple, but effective and clear words. Today, I see a lot of emphasis and attention on sound checks, song transitions, guitar solos, name brand speaker systems, stage lighting, and expensive gear designed for performances. But do broken people really need such materialism or level of professionalism? Broken people just need Jesus and want to escape the trivialities of the world and not see the same thing infiltrating in churches. Even some pastors try to dress and style their hair a certain way to try to look cool. I think all this is shallow. Emphasis should be on preaching the gospel, that's it. The more raw and less fancy the better in my opinion.

Other phrases from Christian songs with unclear meaning:

"Iraise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me" - Heaven does?

"these.bones.will.sing" - Bones?

Romans 14:4, John 13:34,35,

Matthew 25:31-46