Results 1 - 20 of 140
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Bereaniam Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Can a pastor be asked to explain sermon | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 166038 | ||
A few times I have asked my pastor (via email, without being confrontational) to explain something he preached that I thought was in error. He either says he does not have time or does not respond at all. Should I continue to ask or just pray for him? I know there are people in the congregation who are baby Christians. My pastor recently has been involved with "big named ministries" and is becoming more egocentric. He just recently became a "bishop"...it was a BIG event. Thanks |
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2 | Paul our pattern to follow, not Jesus? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 169520 | ||
Since Paul, the apostle said: "my gospel" will judge the secrets of men hearts; follow me as I follow Christ; the things that you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me do, you DO; Paul said I am your pattern to follow, and since the gospel was given to Paul to us Gentiles straight from Jesus (Paul said no man taught him "my gospel"), doesn't those scriptures tell us (Gentiles) that the scriptures Paul wrote (Romans - Hebrews) should govern and guide us in our Christian walk? Paul reiterates many old covenant principles and all of the ten commandments in his epistles except for the 4th(Sabbath). Though Paul said to follow him as he follows Christ, I do not believe Paul means Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus of Nazareth was born under the law Gal 4. I believe Paul means the resurrected Christ who said he had a more excellent ministry. Bereaniam |
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3 | Church staff's salary questionable | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 169786 | ||
I attend a congregation where it appears to be "family-owned", i.e.,it was started by the current pastor, his wife, the pastor's mom, dad, sisters, brother-in-law, his wife's mom, dad, sisters, etc. The congregation has grown to about 1500 (1 church, 3 locations). We had a split when the associate pastor was "pushed out" to make room for their son and son-in-law to be associate pastors. All of the above named people are paid staff including their 2 daughters, their son's father and mother-in-laws, and cousin, and the cousin's wife. Anyone who has exhibited the slightest bit of "doubt" about our pastor becomes "ostracized". Do you believe the congregation has a right to know "who is paid staff and how much each person earns"? They all live very well...pastors buy new expensive cars, trucks every two years, they have a beautiful home, horses, cattle, etc. now...but just announced they are about to buy another home. They do preach the "prosperity message, name-it-claim-it". Would you ask for monetary accountability? Would you leave this kind of congregation..or just pray for them and leave it in God's hands? Thanks for your input. Bereaniam |
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4 | Commentator wrong about Luke, Theophilus | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 169963 | ||
Was Luke, the physician, a Gentile? If so, isn't it important to know why God chose only one Gentile to write not just one book of the bible, but two of them (Luke and Acts). It is also amazing that God only used three of the "twelve disciples" to write books of the new testament. Have you ever wondered who Theophilus is (was)that Luke addressed in both the book of Luke and Acts? Do you know that word-for- word Luke wrote more than Paul (who wrote 14 books of the new testament)? Do you believe that Theophilus was probably a Roman official (since he was addressed as "most excellent" in Luke 1:3 and as "O Theophilus" in Acts 1:1)? Other Roman officials were addressed this way as we read about "most excellent governor Felix" Act23:26 and "O king Agrippa" Act 25:26. Is it possible Theophilus was not saved as some commentators have said, but just a Roman official that Luke was "briefing" since Paul was about to stand trial? Have you ever read of other believers in the bible addressed as "O" or "most excellent"? Please help me with this take on Luke and Theophilus? Bereaniam |
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5 | Was Jesus ever separated from God? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 170444 | ||
When Jesus died on the cross after taking on the sins of the world, was he separated from God? Did he "become sin"? Did he die spiritually? Bereaniam |
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6 | Melchisedec restored tithing | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 171839 | ||
A well-respected preacher said that Melchisedec restored tithing under a new government. Isn't this ridiculous and unscriptural? Bereaniam |
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7 | Is salvation an ongoing event | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 172176 | ||
What does Paul mean when he says in 1Cor 1:18 ...for the work of the cross is folly to those pershing, but to us "who are being saved" it is the power of God. Is salvation a one-time event or an ongoing process? Bereaniam |
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8 | Pastor preaches about men body parts! | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 172641 | ||
Is my pastor wrong to teach on a Sunday morning in front of men, women, and teenagers about what a real man is? He mentioned that Hollywood and renown painters show men and Jesus as soft and effeminate. He intimated that he's a real man because he hunts, skiies,deals with his horses, cattle, and "passes gas". He said real men do not help w/dishes, change diapers, cuddle all the time, or go shopping w/the wife. He counselled some woman if that's what she wanted in a husband...she should marry a woman. Such men, he said, are wimps. He also told all the men in the church to say "We have tes------" (a man's body part). I almost came unglued! My husband does not like hunting deer, fishing, etc., but he does like to cook. So he was squirming during the sermon. My pastor is white, (I'm Black)we have "one church...two locations". The "church" I attend is predominantly Black. I felt the pastor was being myopic and insensitive to the Black congregation, as many cannot afford to hunt at deer leases, go skiig, deal with horses, cattle, etc. My pastor does not like for anyone to critique him...do you think I should speak to him to at least help him understand how he may have offended some of the men? Or, do I just continue to pray that God speak to him about what he should preach. He tells us that he does pray and feel "led" that this is going to be a 6 week series. I just hope it is not as graphic. Bereaniam |
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9 | Devil will be saved/reconciled to God | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173176 | ||
Help! I recently was involved in an informal conversation with some brothers and sisters and someone related this interpretation of Colossians 1:16-21 to us. He said that by Jesus ALL things were created, even the devil...I agreed with that. But he said verses 20 and 21 states that "through the blood of the cross" God will reconcile ALL things to Himself, even those who "were sometime alienated and enemies...yet now hath He reconciled." In other words he was saying, in the end, God is going to "reconcile or save" ALL, even the devil. He went on to say that if God expects us to forgive our enemies, He will forgive the devil who has been His enemy. Also, that this will be God's finest hour to show His "unconditional love" for everyone. He said "EVERY knee has to bow and EVERY tongue has to confess that Jesus is Lord..." and that's all it takes to become a Christian...those who call upon the Lord shall be saved.Rom 10:13. Brought up in the discussion was the parable of the man who hired laborers throughout the day, and everyone received the same wages...even those who were hired at the last hour. But when the subject of hell was brought up, this man said he would discuss this with us another time. Please help me to understand these scriptures he related to us. Thanks, Bereaniam |
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10 | Can name be blotted out of Lamb's book? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173500 | ||
Can a Christian's name be "blotted" from the Lamb's book of life? Bereaniam |
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11 | Lukewarm Christians go to hell? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173669 | ||
Can the following scripture mean that one can lose his/her salvation? Rev 3:16 "...because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of My mouth." Thanks in advance for a speedy reply. Bereaniam |
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12 | Who will judge Gentile Christians? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173724 | ||
I know the twelve disciples will sit on twelve thrones and judge Israel...who will judge Gentile Christians? Bereaniam |
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13 | Can know Jesus then lose salvation? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173775 | ||
I have always believed "once saved always saved...osas" and that Christians can "backslide" and not receive the rewards they could have if they kept walking in the Word, but still go to Heaven. Anyone who "claims" to have been a Christian and then renounces Christ...I believe only gave mental assent and were never truly born again. But, will someone please explain 2Peter 2:20,21. "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they of worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." NIV Thanks in advance for your response. Bereaniam |
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14 | Preachers with titles wrong? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 173995 | ||
My pastor just became an "ordained bishop". It was a "Big" occasion. I was told (since I chose not to attend)that several ministers came and poured oil, laid hands on him,and "prophesied" over him. He was given a royal blue fringed banner to wear around his neck. Embroidered on it are the words bishop and his name. He wears or has it with him when he preaches. We have "elders" in our church and I believe they serve the same function as a bishop. When I have mentioned this, some people take offense that I would equate a bishop with an elder. I also believe that words like bishop, prophet, apostle, evangelist, pastor, etc. are functions, not titles. They are what people do. The bible never mentions these functions in front of a name, e.g. it was Paul, the apostle; Jeremiah, the prophet; Philip, the evangelist. My heart is grieved at so many of the so-called preachers today who want these titles in front of their names. My pastor has become very "successful" during the past 10 -13 years that he has been my pastor. I do see a tremendous change in him. He also teaches that one can lose his/her salvation, and that one is cursed with a curse if one does not tithe. I do not believe either of the latter. I am seriously considering attending another congregation...but I realize that I will never agree with everything someone teaches. What would you do? Bereaniam |
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15 | Do we have to have only one pastor, one | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 174920 | ||
I know the bible says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves (Heb 10:25) and that pastors, et al, have been given to equip and edify the church (Eph. 4:11). I also know that the early church went from house to house. What scripture says we must sit under one pastor and with one particular group of believers? Bereaniam |
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16 | Elders not a pastor should lead church | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 176276 | ||
Can someone give me a scripture from the bible that shows where one person (a pastor) is to oversee, feed, or lead a congregation? Every where that I read about the "government" of the early church in the bible,it was overseen,lead, and fed by elders (plural). I'm sure you bible scholars already know that the word "pastors" only appears one time in the NT. Many people (even pastors) say that's the way it is today, we can't change it. This says to me that what's in the bible doesn't matter. They certainly can't say they were led by the Holy Spirit to set up this "pyramid" type government. What should be the final authority in our lives...the bible, tradition, customs, just what ever we think? Why are we wholesale supporting something that is contrary to how the bible says the churches were organized. Read Acts 20:16,17,28; 1Pet.5:1-3; James 5:14, etc. While I'm on the subject, remember that the following words are synonyms (mean the same) pastor, bishop, elder, presbytery. These are not titles, but functions...it's what you do. My soul is grieved at the abuses I observe among the universal church. We have to stop saying we are going to "church" ...we need to "be the church". Bereaniam |
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17 | Is it disrespectful to not use a title | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 177731 | ||
Greetings Brothers and Sisters, Is it disrespectful to call "men of the cloth" by their name without their "title? None of the names in the Bible have titles...it reads : Jeremiah, the prophet; Paul, the apostle; Philip, the evangelist, etc. When we see "Lord Jesus Christ", is "Lord" used as a title? Jesus was an apostle and a prophet, none of the writers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote Apostle Jesus or Prophet Jesus. Thanks for a reply, Bereaniam |
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18 | Should fornicators be leaders in church | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 177845 | ||
A young lady who can sing like a lark, was our lead praise singer. She was already a husbandless single mother. She became pregnant again, but the pastors/elders allowed her to continue leading the praise service. The pastor's wife has a cousin who was divorced after having an affair with a man. He has remarried another woman, and he is now the lead praise singer. How should a Church, particularly the elders and/or the pastor handle this? Should 1 Cor5:1-7 be applied? His, Bereaniam |
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19 | Are pastors angels? | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 178288 | ||
Greetings My Brothers and Sisters, Some of you may know that I believe the governmental structure and of the Church should be egalitarian leadership. I believe the elders should have the rule(lead, example) for the Church, not a pastor. I have said that the word pastor(s) only appears once in the NT.Eph 4:11 Recently, someone said that the word angel that appears in Rev 2:1,8,12, 3:1,7,14 etc. refers to pastors. I agree that the Greek meaning of angel in those verses could mean pastor, messenger, etc., but does that prove that there should be a hierarchy in God's Church? Bereaniam |
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20 | Elders who cower to pastors | Not Specified | Bereaniam | 178806 | ||
Greetings Brothers and Sisters, For those of you who are familiar with me, you know I have been having problems with the government of the Church where I fellowship. Herewith is a brief synopsis of what I have already alluded to in this forum. I have been part of this "nondenominational" Church for 13 years. I have no agenda...I have worked in almost every department...had many leadership positions,etc. I do find fault with the elders who cower to the pastor who "lords" over all of us. He is the founder of the Church. He constantly says, "The buck stops with me". He had a "doctorate" conferred on him, and now has become a "bishop". Twelve of the seventeen salaried positions are his relatives (nepotism-partiality, respect of persons...which James 2:9 says is Sin). He tells us to take ownership whenever he refers to cleaning the bathrooms or other laborious task. When I asked to seek the financial records, I was denied. He and his family own a ranch with show horses, cattle, fancy cars, etc. They are in the process of building an estate. The pastor is White...the congregation is predominantly Black. All of the White associate pastors, youth pastors, Children's Director, etc. get paid. There are no Black salaried personnel. Recently, I wrote a letter to the elders informing them of their elderly duties...documented with scriptures. I have not attended a Sunday or Wednesday night service for three months (though prior to that, I never missed a Sunday/Wednesday/Saturday night Prayer Service). I did continue to go to the Saturday night Prayer Service. We only have about 300 people in our congregation , yet no one inquired about my husband and my absence for 6 weeks. My letter to the elders asked them to prayerly investigate the nepotism, their scriptural duties, the fact that a "male" member of the pastor's family had an adulterous relation with a man..his wife divorced him..he left town, but is now back leading praise and worship,and on the payroll! Another young lady who led praise and worship had a baby out-of-wedlock continued this task...then had another baby out-of-wedlock, and was allowed to continue her roll as song leader. The elders did nothing about this. At the last Saturday night Prayer Service I attended, I was pulled out by an associate pastor (one of the pastor's relatives who is salaried) and a Black elder. They told me if I did not like the way things were run, I should leave. I asked if they had studied the scriptures I submitted in my letter...the elder said "No". The associate pastor said, "We are not changing anything". I am now told that the elders have been informed that if they see the letter...and have a question about it...they should call the pastor. My letter let them know that I could be wrong, my views could be slanted, skewed, etc., but tell me scripturally where I am wrong. Using Matt 18:15, Jesus said if you have a fault with your brother, go to him. I did this, via a 9 paged letter since there are 22 elders (counting their wives). This scripture says if your brother hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, take two or three witnesses...I did that also. Then the Bible says if he neglects to hear them, tell it to the church. My question to this forum is what would you do in my situation? We do have three pastors from other Churches that act as a covering for us. Should I ask them to intervene? Should I tell the Church? Should I just leave and find another Church? I hate to leave my "family" that I have fellowshipped with for the past 13 years. I feel grieved that I am leaving them without informing them of this wolf in sheep's clothing to be exploited and psychologically enslaved. Thanks for allowing me to bounce this off of you. Proverbs says in the multitude of counsellors purposes are established and there is safety. In Him and He in me, Bereaniam |
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