Lockman - Bible questions and answers

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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: kalos Ordered by Date
Results		Verse	Author	ID#
221	Intimidated by the word "doctrine"?	2 Tim 3:16	kalos	3312
	Dear forrest: Why are so many threatened by the use of the word "doctrine", which is merely another word for "teaching"? All scripture is indeed "profitable for doctrine" (KJV). . . . Thank you for the philosophical essay on Truth. But I was never speaking of the precepts or doctrine of men. I was speaking only of sound Bible doctrine which IS inspired of God and the meaning of which can be determined. To suggest that there is some contradiction or conflict between sound Bible doctrine and Christ is misleading. The Bible (including its sound doctrine) is the Written Word. Christ is the Living Word. Therefore, I see no conflict between Christ, the Living Word, and the Bible, the Written Word. So I still say belief comes first and then behavior. I still say WHAT, as well as Whom, we believe greatly impacts the way we live. It was not my intention to quibble over words, but to state a plain fact in plain English.
222	Is fear or doubt unforgivable?	Mark 3:28	kalos	3274
	Re the answer: "yes there is and it is called unbelief f...melchizedekau". . . . Dear Brother (or whoever would care to reply): For the record, are you saying that once a person has experienced any fear or doubt, then that person has committed one of many unpardonable sins and can never be forgiven? That he has crossed over the line by doubting or fearing, and will be cast into hell? This is a direct question. It can be answered with a simple yes or no. I am not criticizing your answer. I am merely asking for clarification of your previous answer. I would also note that in my question, the one to which you replied, my entire posting reads as follows: "There is only one unforgivable sin. And it is neither divorce nor suicide." (See Mark 3:28.) . . . So, to what are you referring when you say: "yes there is?" . . . --JVH0212
223	Did you know we did it?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	3081
	We did it! By the Grace of God, we did it! Today, Mon., 04-09-2001, we have passed the 1,000 mark in the number of registered users. Uncork the Welch's white grapejuice and let's celebrate!
224	Did you know? - 977 users now.	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	2772
	Thanks, Chris! Did you all know? We now number 977 users, up from 650 last Monday, Apr. 2? This represents a whopping 50.3 percent increase in only 5 days! Good to hear from you, Chris. --JVH0212
225	What does it mean to believe. . . ?	John 3:16	kalos	2686
	WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST? Are we talking about mental assent to a set of facts? Or a warm fuzzy feeling when you pray or think about Jesus? Or a belief that Jesus existed, as did George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, etc.? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST?
226	Is baptism needed for salvation? Part 0	1 Pet 3:21	kalos	2608
	Is baptism needed for salvation? First Part (Part Zero) . . . Follow-up to the question: "Do you have to be baptized to be saved?" Also, a reply to the note: "But what about those places that it is p...?" Excuse me, but it is not my practice to pick and choose what I like and leave out the rest. . . . Is baptism necessary for salvation? By John MacArthur . . . No. Let's examine what the Scriptures teach on this issue: . . . First, it is quite clear from such passages as Acts 15 and Romans 4 that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, etc.). . . . If baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon's portico in the Temple (Acts 3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn't Peter say so in Acts 3? . . . Paul never made baptism any part of his gospel presentations. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul gives a concise summary of the gospel message he preached. There is no mention of baptism. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism. That is difficult to understand if baptism is necessary for salvation. If baptism were part of the gospel itself, necessary for salvation, what good would it have done Paul to preach the gospel, but not baptize? No one would have been saved. Paul clearly understood baptism to be separate from the gospel, and hence in no way efficacious for salvation. . . . Perhaps the most convincing refutation of the view that baptism is necessary for salvation are those who were saved apart from baptism. We have no record of the apostles' being baptized, yet Jesus pronounced them clean of their sins (John 15:3--note that the Word of God, not baptism, is what cleansed them). The penitent woman (Luke 7:37-50), the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2), and the publican (Luke 18:13-14) also experienced forgiveness of sins apart from baptism. . . . The Bible also gives us an example of people who were saved before being baptized. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those with him were converted through Peter's message. That they were saved before being baptized is evident from their reception of the Holy Spirit (v. 44) and the gifts of the Spirit (v. 46) before their baptism. Indeed, it is the fact that they had received the Holy Spirit (and hence were saved) that led Peter to baptize them (cf. v. 47). . . . One of the basic principles of biblical interpretation is the analogia scriptura, the analogy of Scripture. In other words, we must compare Scripture with Scripture in order to understand its full and proper sense. And since the Bible doesn't contradict itself, any interpretation of a specific passage that contradicts the general teaching of the Bible is to be rejected. Since the general teaching of the Bible is, as we have seen, that baptism and other forms of ritual are not necessary for salvation, no individual passage could teach otherwise. Thus we must look for interpretations of those passages that will be in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture. With that in mind, let's look briefly at some passages that appear to teach that baptism is required for salvation. . . . (To be continued)
227	Is baptism needed for salvation? (One.)	1 Pet 3:21	kalos	2607
	Part II. . . . In Acts 2:38, Peter appears to link forgiveness of sins to baptism. But there are at least two plausible interpretations of this verse that do not connect forgiveness of sin with baptism. It is possible to translate the Greek preposition eis "because of," or "on the basis of," instead of "for." It is used in that sense in Matthew 3:11; 12:41; and Luke 11:32. It is also possible to take the clause "and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" as parenthetical. Support for that interpretation comes from that fact that "repent" and "your" are plural, while "be baptized" is singular, thus setting it off from the rest of the sentence. If that interpretation is correct, the verse would read "Repent (and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) for the forgiveness of your sins." Forgiveness is thus connected with repentance, not baptism, in keeping with the consistent teaching of the New Testament (cf. Luke 24:47; John 3:18; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Ephesians 5:26). . . . Mark 16:16, a verse often quoted to prove baptism is necessary for salvation, is actually a proof of the opposite. Notice that the basis for condemnation in that verse is not the failure to be baptized, but only the failure to believe. Baptism is mentioned in the first part of the verse because it was the outward symbol that always accompanied the inward belief. I might also mention that many textual scholars think it unlikely that vv. 9-20 are an authentic part of Mark's gospel. We can't discuss here all the textual evidence that has caused many New Testament scholars to reject the passage. But you can find a thorough discussion in Bruce Metzger, et al., A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, pp. 122-128, and William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Mark, pp. 682-687. . . . Water baptism does not seem to be what Peter has in view in 1 Peter 3:21. The English word "baptism" is simply a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse." Baptizo does not always refer to water baptism in the New Testament (cf. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; 7:4; 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; 11:38; 12:50; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 10:2; 12:13). Peter is not talking about immersion in water, as the phrase "not the removal of dirt from the flesh" indicates. He is referring to immersion in Christ's death and resurrection through "an appeal to God for a good conscience," or repentance. . . . I also do not believe water baptism is in view in Romans 6 or Galatians 3. I see in those passages a reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). For a detailed exposition of those passages, I refer you to my commentaries on Galatians and Romans, or the tapes of my sermons on Galatians 3 and Romans 6. . . . In Acts 22:16, Paul recounts the words of Ananias to him following his experience on the Damascus road: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." It is best to connect the phrase "wash away your sins" with "calling on His name." If we connect it with "be baptized," the Greek participle epikalesamenos ("calling") would have no antecedent. Paul's sins were washed away not by baptism, but by calling on His name. . . . Baptism is certainly important, and required of every believer. However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. . . . (http://www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/baptism.htm) © 2000 Grace to You
228	Why was Christ baptized?	NT general Archive 1	kalos	2573
	The Bible SAYS Christ was baptized for what purpose? I.e., according to the clear record of Scripture, why was Christ baptized? Someone at this Forum has written: When Christ was baptized, "He showed us what we must do in order to inherit the kingdom of God." Did He? All my life I have heard that Jesus was baptized in order to set an example for us to follow. Was He? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE PLAINLY SAY about the purpose of His baptism?
229	Did you know?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	2767
	Congratulations to my fellow Forum users and to the Lockman Foundation! Did you know: On Apr. 2, this website had facilitated "over 650 registered users"? Today, less than 48 hours later, we now number 863 users, a net gain of 213 users (an increase of 32.7 percent in less than 2 days!). Won't it be exciting when the number of registered users reaches the 1,000 mark? Let's all keep up the good work. AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS about SBForum. And thank you, Lockman Foundation, for making this Forum available. I continue to spread the word to virtually everyone I talk to.
230	Does Bible ban body piercing?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	2150
	Does the Bible prohibit body piercing? Please give Scripture with your answer.
231	Define the word "cult".	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	2045
	Please define the word "cult". What are the characteristics (social or religious) of a cult? Note: I asked about the word "cult", NOT "occult". They are two very different things.
232	Can angels have human babies?	Gen 6:4	kalos	2040
	Can angels father or give birth to human babies? Are unicorns real? How about leprechauns? How many procreating angels can dance on the head of a pin? . . . The Nephilim in the Bible are "people of great size and strength. The Hebrew word means 'fallen ones.' In men's eyes they were the 'mighty men...of old, men of renown,' but in God's eyes they were sinners ('fallen ones') ripe for judgment." (Zondervan NASB Study Bile, p. 12) . . . "Gen 6:4 Nephilim. From a root meaning 'to fall'; i.e., to fall upon others because they were men of strength (only other use of this Hebrew word is in Num 13:33) Evidently they were in the earth before the marriages of Gen 6:2, and were not the offspring of those marriages from which came the mighty men (military men) and men of renown (of wealth or power)". (p. 16, Ryrie Study Bible, Moody Press, 1976, 1978) . . . "Gen 6:1-4 sons of God. The 'sons of God' may mean God's created, supernatural beings, who were no longer godly in character (6.3). Some commentators believe, however, that this expression refers to the 'godly line' of Seth and that 'daughters of humans' (v. 4 in the NRSV) refer to women from the line of Cain. Most likely the phrase refers to those descendants of Seth who trusted in the Lord but whose children intermarried with women descended from Cain. Those marriages were not with angels then, but between godly and ungodly human families. Angels neither marry nor are given in marriage (Mt 22:30), so that this verse hardly applies to them. ... Nephilim are strong, violent, tyrannous men of great wickedness. It may well be that the explanation of these verses has been lost to us." (NRSV Harper Study Bible, Harold Lindsell, Ph.D., D.D., Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1991)
233	Do you keep ALL of the Mosaic Law?	Col 2:16	kalos	2031
	Do you also keep all the dietary laws, the new moons, festivals, 20 percent tithe (look it up in the Mosaic Law -- the tithe Israel paid anually was much closer to 20 percent than 10), the command to stone a child who is continually rebellious, the blood sacrifices and all the rest of the ceremonial law contained in the Law of Moses?
234	Why not recommend SBForum to others?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	1989
	Everyone who enjoys this Forum and would like to see the number of users grow: May I suggest that you email 5 people on your email address list and personally recommend this website, including the link (web address) in your email? The more the merrier. (I am just another member/user of this Forum. I do not speak for the Lockman Foundation nor anyone else -- only myself.) Thank you for your consideration and help in doing this.
235	Apostasy differs from heresy - how?	2 Tim 4:3	kalos	1987
	How does apostasy differ from heresy? "Apostasy, 'falling away,' is the act of professed Christians who deliberately reject revealed truth as to (1) the Deity of Jesus Christ, and (2) redemption through His atoning and redeeming sacrifice. Apostasy differs, therefore, from error concerning truth, which may be the result of ignorance, or heresy, which may be due to the snare of Satan (2 Tim 2:25-26), both of which may exist with true faith. The apostate is perfectly described in 2 Tim 4:3-4. Apostates depart from the faith, but not from the outward profession of Christianity (2 Tim 3:5). ... Apostasy in the church, as in Israel, is irremediable and awaits judgment." (p. 1304, New Scofield Reference Bible, Oxford, 1967)
236	Who moved the Sabbath to Sun.?	Col 2:16	kalos	1926
	The Bible specifically says on the seventh day. The nation Israel always kept the sabbath on Saturday. There was never any confusion over which day was meant. Who changed the Sabbath from Sat. to Sun.? No one changed it. Christians are not keeping the sabbath (meant to be a day of complete rest for man and beast). Rather we celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day. It has nothing whatever to do with the Sabbath. I thought I covered all this in my previous answer, "Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians," JVH0212, 03-27-2001. . . . I wrote in part: . . . "The New Testament never commands Christians to observe the Sabbath." . . . The burden of proof to refute this lies with the reader. If the NT specifically commands Sabbath observance by Christians, then let someone come forth with a clear verse of Scripture. Show us the book, chapter and verse where Sabbath keeping by Christians is commanded in the NT. Remember most of the contents of the four gospels took place under the old system of the Mosaic law, before Christ died, was buried and resurrected and before the Church age, the age of Grace was ushered in. . . . Please read the entire posting for the details.
237	Is church attendance important?	NT general Archive 1	kalos	1901
	Is regular church attendance important? If not, why not? How do you answer sceptics who are often heard to say: "Well, you don't have to go to church to get to heaven"?
238	Scripture please?	James 2:23	kalos	1898
	Dear Ric: Your answer looks good and sound to me. But is there no clear verse(s) of Scripture that directly answers the question?
239	Anything wrong with dating?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	1874
	Is there anything about our American custom of dating that violates Scriptural principles? Is dating, as we know it, proper preparation for Christian marriage? In addition to my fellow Americans, could someone also submit an answer from the viewpoint of a different culture or country? Has anyone read the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Josh Harris? If so, comments please.
240	Is astrology forbidden?	Bible general Archive 1	kalos	1872
	Can anyone cite Scripture forbidding consulting astrology or horoscopes?

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