Sermons and Biblical Studies

Jesus preached using many parables – stories which illustrate spiritual ideas or prophecies. When Jesus cursed the fig tree a few days before His crucifixion, He was acting out a message He had been proclaiming. Essentially, he was illustrating that because the nation of Israel had rejected Him, God was going to remove His special … Continue reading “Why did Jesus curse the fig tree”

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?” 1 Corinthians 15:29. A misunderstanding of the Apostle Paul’s words has led to the concept of a substitutionary baptism: Christian people, whose friends had died without baptism, were baptized for them representatively. Correct views of the meaning of real … Continue reading “Can a church do baptism for the dead according to 1 Corinthians 15 verse 29?”

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24 There have been many false prophets and false christs who have stated they were the mouthpieces of Jesus. As Jesus foretold, “…many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’…” … Continue reading “False prophets and false Messiahs will appear performing great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:24). What does that mean?”

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was in the Garden of Eden. This was the only tree God forbade Adam and Eve to eat. Genesis 2:17, "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good … Continue reading “What is meant by Adam and Eve eating the fruit?”

Heaven is a promise to those who are part of the body of Christ. It is a reward for faithful Christians who gave their hearts, wills and beings to the Lord, followed Jesus on the narrow way of self-denial and sacrifice, and stayed faithful unto death. They have part in the first resurrection and receive … Continue reading “After we go to heaven, what do we do in heaven?”

Our belief is that all the Bible records historically happened literally, except maybe when it says that animals speak, it may be in the mind of the individual interpreting the actions of the animal.  In the case of the Sun standing still, we do not believe that the Earth stopped spinning for a day. Rather … Continue reading “Did Joshua's Long day really happen? Should "The Sun stood still" be taken literally or poetically?”

The church in Corinth had this same problem. Some of the believers were saying they should not eat meat offered to idols. Others said an idol is nothing, just rock, so it really doesn’t hurt the food. We can eat that meat. This is how the Apostle Paul answered the question in 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 … Continue reading “In Hinduism when people take ordinary food and offer it to their idol Krishna, it becomes prasadham, food sanctified by the Lord. Then the Hindus will eat it. Does this food become devil’s food? Can Christians eat it?”

We cannot discuss God’s feelings toward sinners until we first understand the Biblical concept of hell. The word “hell” in the Bible is a translation of four words: Sheol, Hades, Gehenna and Geber. Sheol (Strong’s H7585) and its Greek equivalent Hades (Strongs G86) are translated as grave, hell, and pit. “Gehenna” the garbage dump outside … Continue reading “How does our omniscient God feel about the wicked suffering in hell for eternity? Does it grieve Him?”

Ezekiel 18:8-14 is describing God's perfect law of justice, that each person who sins will pay the penalty of that sin, which is death. Nobody else will pay that penalty. The context of this passage begins in the beginning of the chapter. In verses 2 and 3 we are told the proverb will no longer … Continue reading “Please explain Ezekiel 18:8-14.”

There are likely as many proofs of spirit begettal or of God’s anointing as there are people experiencing it.  To some, the Lord may show His approval through answered prayer.  Others may experience peculiar incidents that demonstrate clearly that God is now dealing with them and supervising their lives.  The most evident sign is the shift … Continue reading “How do you know when God's anointing is upon you?”