Was Lazarus a real man or was he just a parable to make a point?
I concur that Lazarus is not a real person but a character type. Lazarus represents all the poor people of our world for time immemorial. Our poor people...
Comment
by James Kraft
, 74 year old retired pipeline worker
What is sola scriptura?
Comment:
John six:47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me HATH EVERLASTING LIFE. Jesus said it, we believe it, and that settles it. God can not...
Answer
by
Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
Will God forgive me if I keep making promises to Him, then break my promise to Him many times?
Why do you keep making promises to God? Should God accept you and forgive you because of your performance? Jesus came to die for our sins because none of us...
Answer
by
Al Mark
Why is giving so emphasized in the Christian faith?
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he expresses several important ideas that we can learn from. In 4:10-23, he expresses his joy in seeing how concerned...
Comment
by Shirley H
, Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!
What is lust? What does the Bible have to say about lust?
Comment:
Well said, Grant! Thank you for your thoughtful answer!
Answer
by
Ricky Lawwill
What does the Bible say about cremation? Should Christians be cremated?
There has been issue for years concerning creation. Even though the Bible is not clear on the subject there is something to examine and consider. The Bible...
Comment
by Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
As a practical example, several years ago i was mentoring a young man who had some struggles with sexual desires and was captivated by pornography. I asked...
Comment
by Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
Jack, Good question. In the verses dealing with this topic (1 John 2:18-27) the apostle John is not issuing a universal principle to all bellievers, such as...
Comment
by Brian Felty
What were the deeds the church in Ephesus had done at first, to which Jesus called for a return?
Comment:
This is a beautiful and very helpful response - Thank you.
Comment
by Brian Felty
What were the deeds the church in Ephesus had done at first, to which Jesus called for a return?
Comment:
Thank you for this - it is very helpful.
Comment
by Shirley H
, Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!
What should we learn from the life of Abraham?
Comment:
The clothes don't make the person. Wherever we are, we can and should drop nuggets of inspiration. These seeds will possibly grow and produce more light in...
Award
for
Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
Silver Teacher award!
Criterion: Write an answer that receives 5 votes.
See Answer:
What is lust? What does the Bible have to say about lust?
Answer
by
Scott Broberg
, Fig Tree Ministries
Will God forgive me if I keep making promises to Him, then break my promise to Him many times?
God's forgiveness and mercy towards us is endless. God loves to forgive us - but we must acknowledge our missteps and ask for His forgiveness. God already...
Answer
by
Scott Broberg
, Fig Tree Ministries
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector?
We must remember that Jesus is speaking in parable and that hyperbole is a tool of parables to exaggerate and accentuate the message. This is a fictional...
Comment
by Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
Now you made a very clear and understandable explanation which I appreciate very much, Tim! Thank you, sir!
Award
for
Tim Maas
, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
Silver Teacher award!
Criterion: Write an answer that receives 5 votes.
See Answer:
What were the deeds the church in Ephesus had done at first, to which Jesus called for a return?
Comment
by Hiroko Harada
Who are the children of the kingdom and why will there be gnashing of teeth?
Comment:
Could you explain further about your last quote? "It is a feaful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Why did you quote this? Thank you.
Answer
by
Scott Broberg
, Fig Tree Ministries
Was Lazarus a real man or was he just a parable to make a point?
The majority of scholars consider this a parable. One argument for it not being a parable is the naming of Lazarus. Abraham and Moses are also named but they...
Comment
by Galen Smith
, Retired from Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary
Can a person take communion alone, or must it be taken in a group?
Comment:
Kenneth, I fully agree with you that the church is the assembly of believers that meet usually in a building of some sort, but not the actual building...
Comment
by Galen Smith
, Retired from Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary
Why can't all Christians agree on one translation of the Bible?
Comment:
Excellent answer, Michael. I would add only two points, the second of which you briefly touched upon. First, translations use slightly different readings of...
Answer
by
Scott Broberg
, Fig Tree Ministries
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come quickly?"
We often confuse the timing of the event - the when - rather than the "suddenness" of the event. "But that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of...
Answer
by
Billy P Eldred
How is a woman's desire for her husband a curse?
I have looked at these verses several times and I do not see where the Bible calls this a curse upon the woman. The serpent was cursed. The ground was...
Comment
by Billy P Eldred
How do beliefs about creation impact the rest of theology?
Comment:
I have always been a proponent of the day/age side of the issue. I have now become more 50/50 as time goes by. I just comment to say that I reject the yom...
Answer
by
David Willbanks
, physician, church elder, former missionary to Camerooon
Does Galatians 3:27 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
There is absolutely no question that man’s salvation comes from the grace and mercy of God and not from man’s works. Salvation is the work of God. John...
Question
by
Anonymous
Comment
by Raymond Wiggins
, A retired Engine Inspector at GM Trucks (2006)
What did Jesus mean with "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Comment:
I agree 100% with your interpretation of those texts Aurel. It is the same interpretation that "dawned" on me (2 Peter 1:19) back in the '80s that I included...
Comment
by Tim Maas
, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
Jack, when I was speaking of knowledge, I was speaking of secular or academic knowledge, as it seemed to me that the cited verse from Psalm 119 was comparing...
Comment
by Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
But what about 1 John? 111 John 2:27 t the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same...
Comment
by Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
Does the presence of God’s commands mean we don’t need "teachers"? (119:99)
Comment:
But what about 1 John? 11 John 2:27 ut the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same...
Answer
by
Ernie Carter
What did God mean when He created a vault between the waters to separate water from water?
The whole earth was covered with deep liquid water and that water was exposed to the vacuum of space. With no atmospheric pressure the water would rapidly...
Comment
by Lisa Wagner
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword"?
Comment:
Ephesians 6: 16-18 So that is what it means. The sword Jesus brings is His Word, The Bible. And again, Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and...
Comment
by Lisa Wagner
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword"?
Comment:
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and...
Comment
by Braden Mcdonald
What is God’s stand on equality between men and women?
Comment:
The context makes it clear that Paul is speaking of men’s and women’s equality regardIng our common inheritance in Christ, not universally. Those who claim...
Answer
by
Lisa Wagner
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come quickly?"
What Jesus actually said is, "... I come quickly...." He said it in Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, and...
Answer
by
Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
Had beer been invented in Jesus' day?
Yes. Shekar, שֵׁכָר is an intensely alcoholic, intoxicating liquor (Judges 13:4; Luke 1:15; Isaiah 5:11; Micah 2:11) distilled from corn, honey, or dates....
Answer
by
Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come quickly?"
The apostle Peter gives us an answer to this statement of Jesus in his second letter (2 Peter 3:3-18). "Above all, you must understand that in the last days...
Comment
by Danny Hickman
, Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
What should we learn from the life of Abraham?
Comment:
Yes, Shirley H, we are to be light. Light serves in darkness. If there's a light already on in my bedroom, to put another light on makes it even easier to...
Answer
by
Tim Maas
, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come quickly?"
Although this verse is commonly interpreted with an intended meaning of Jesus coming "soon", I believe that the Greek word used (anglicized as "tachys") can...
Comment
by Scott Broberg
, Fig Tree Ministries
What does Jesus mean when he says it isn’t right to take food from children and throw it to dogs?
Comment:
Following Tim's response above... It doesn't appear that the woman would have taken it as an insult. The first thing to note is the Greek word for "dog" that...
Comment
by Jennifer Rothnie
, Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious
Why do people say we are sinners saved by grace after having been cleansed from sin?
Comment:
Christians are united in the death of Christ, though, and hence the law considers us "dead" as well (Rom 7:1-8.) The law is not binding on a dead person, so...
Answer
by
Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
What does Jesus mean when he says it isn’t right to take food from children and throw it to dogs?
When Jesus met this woman she said, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Matt 15:22) and Jesus thought she might be a child of Abraham (a believer) even...
Comment
by Mary Case
Why did Jesus have 12 men as His disciples, but no women?
Comment:
Hi, I am sorry but this is a very sexist viewpoint. For a start go back and read Genesis 3 as both Adam and Eve were deceived. Adam was with Eve at the...
Comment
by James Kraft
, 74 year old retired pipeline worker
What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)?
Comment:
The gift of God is eternal life to all who believe on His name. John 1:12 and Romans 1:sixteen. Our rewards in heaven are for our works after we have...
Comment
by Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
What is the significance of the sword mentioned by Jesus in Luke 22:36?
Comment:
Righteous anger results in righteous violence. Jesus acted violently when he overturned the tables of the money changers because the temple was supposed to...
Answer
by
Scott Conaway
Why do people say we are sinners saved by grace after having been cleansed from sin?
Because I do not wish to steal the work of a fellow brother, I wish to refer you to a web page that thoroughly covers this discussion. I loved it....
Comment
by Grant Abbott
, Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit
What kind of "lamp" was this in Psalm 119:105?
Comment:
Check my profile, I’m a retired accountant. But I have a great teacher, the Holy Spirit. He gives me these answers. All glory to God.
Answer
by
Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
What did Jesus mean when He said 'Let the dead bury the dead'?
Jesus was not discussing the individuals who were truly dead, yet of the individuals who are profoundly SPIRITUALLY dead (cf. Eph. 2:1). Jesus mentioned that...
Question
by
Jack Gutknecht
, Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate
What did Jesus mean when he said, "I come quickly?"
"The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! " It's been 2000 years since He said that.
Revelation 22:20
Answer
by
Tim Maas
, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
What ever happened to Simon the sorcerer after offering money to receive the power of the Holy Spirit?
To my knowledge, there is no further reference to Simon Magus in the Bible following his confrontation with Peter in Acts 8 as noted in the question....