How can believers be united today?

We can fulfill three responsibilities: to love all believers (1 John 4:21);" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:21); to be separate and "touch not the unclean thing" (2 Corinthians 6:17," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:17, cited from Isaiah 52:11)," TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 52:11), meaning the religious system; to call believers now, as God will call believers when He judges the religious system, "Come out of her" (Revelation 18:4;" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 18:4; compare with Isaiah 52:11)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 52:11). Our testimony will be unified only when believers gather to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:20)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20) and practice the God-given pattern of Scripture (Acts 2:41, 42)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:41, 42). Not mystified by the foggy confusion surrounding us, we can humbly, yet confidently, follow the clear guidance of Scripture that gathers believers to Christ alone. This assurance and our love for other believers require us to point them to Gods Word, so they likewise will hear, "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 30:21).

D. Oliver
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Does the devil still have the power of death?

Does the devil still have this power of death?

This page was adapted from an answer at Truth and Tidings Magazine by David Oliver.

To this date the devil still has the power of death. That is, death still extends its reach to all creatures - animal and human. The verse in Hebrews 2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2 does not say that Christ destroyed the power of death or took it away from the devil. Christ destroyed the devil himself or, more perhaps better said, Christ rendered him ineffective (Arndt & Gingrich). Satan is still the ruler of this world; the curse of sin and death still affects us all. He is still active and mighty. He will have another, unrestrained opportunity to bring disaster on the earth (Revelation 12:12)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:12). However, the Lord Jesus died and effectively rendered Satan powerless, the devil will not and cannot undo God’s plan. In creation, God had a greater plan that simply creating a peaceful place to live for Adam and Eve. In Eden, the devil had more in mind than ruining creation or making it his dominion.

D. Oliver

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What is a mortal sin? a venial sin?

Be the first to give an answer to this question. Write an answer in the comment section below. Please provide your name and if you have a website or blog, be sure to include the URL and email address in your answer.

Answers will be reviewed.

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What is the main thrust of Matthew 18?

What is the main thrust of this passage?

"For" at the beginning of verse 20 indicates that this verse provides the reason for the previous teaching.

How does the Lord provide for the protection of His "little ones?" Is there a place where righteousness reigns? What authority does it have? How will it be able to make right decisions?

The church (v. 17) is the place where His own find ultimate protection. There they can be preserved, corrected, and restored to Him (vv. 15-17). The church is to be a place of impartiality where justice prevails. It has divine authority (v. 18). Obeying His infallible Word and humbly depending on God for guidance (v. 19), it carries out God's will.

The reason for this is because He dwells there ("there am I"). This is not merely stating that He is present when believers are together. The church (v.17) has the character of the House of God (1Ti 3:15)." TARGET="_blank">1Ti 3:15). This is the place of His administration, the "gate of heaven" (Gen 28:17)." TARGET="_blank">Gen 28:17). Here heaven and earth are united in carrying out the will of God (Mat 6:10; 18:18)." TARGET="_blank">Mat 6:10; 18:18). When the King reigns on earth, He will be the One in Whom this administration centers (John 1:51)." TARGET="_blank">John 1:51). Anticipating that, He administers through His own, by His Word, on behalf of His own where two or three are gathered to His name. Here He protects His own and maintains heaven's righteous standard.

This verse is a powerful statement, giving God's view of an assembly.

D. Oliver
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What is the difference between fallen angels, demons, unclean spirits, and familiar spirits?

What is the difference between fallen angels, demons, unclean spirits, and familiar spirits?

This is a matter concerning which many seek to be wise beyond what is written, with results that are not profitable, either to themselves or to others. That Satan is a fallen angel, and a leader of other angels who fell with him, just as Michael is of unfallen angels, seems to be definitely proved by Revelation 12:7." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:7. That the sinning angels of 2 Peter 2:4" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:6 are a different company, whose fall took place at a different time, is a view held by some, but without sufficient proof. That Satan is identical With Beelzebub the prince of demons is implied in Matthew 12:24-28" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:24-28 and Mark 3:22-26," TARGET="_blank">Mark 3:22-26, where Christ uses the terms interchangeably; and if that be so, the demons are most probably of the number of those who fell with him. These demons are otherwise called “unclean spirits,” because of their character, as may be seen by comparing verses Mark 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Mark 5:12 and 13. As for “familiar spirit,” it is a term used in the Old Testament of demons who, by entering into diviners, enabled them to carry on their evil work. See 1 Samuel 28:7," TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 28:7, etc.. The “spirit of divination” in the damsel of Acts 16:16" TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:16 is similar. W.R.

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Does 1 Timothy suggest a paid pastor position?

Does 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, 18 suggest a paid pastorate?

A few obvious details in 1 Timothy make it clear that neither Timothy nor any Ephesian elder was the paid pastor. No New Testament passage supports such a practice, no matter how convenient or prevalent it may be.

All the overseers in Ephesus, where Timothy was, were to assist in teaching the saints (1 Timothy 3:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:2). Paul had taught these men to labor with their hands in doing their work with the flock (Acts 20:34, 35)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:34, 35). In addition, in 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, Paul is not speaking about one man, but about "elders that rule well." These elders received honor for the responsibility entrusted to them. They were also to be honored in another way. The law taught that an ox was allowed to eat in order to satisfy the necessity (his hunger) caused by his work. Thus, elders that ruled well were to receive financial assistance in cases where their labors caused them to lack the necessities of life. This is quite different from a contractual arrangement where one man is paid to do the preaching.

D. Oliver
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Should a woman not teach a Sunday school class?

Does 1 Timothy 2:11," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:11, 12 mean that a woman should not teach Sunday School classes?

Some beloved saints have come to this conclusion. Respecting their wish to uphold the Scriptures isn’t the same as agreeing with them, however.

Women are instructed to teach in non-assembly settings (Titus 2:3)," TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:3), so to require women to remain silent and to refrain from teaching necessitates conducting the Sunday School as an assembly meeting. If that is the case, children cannot say their verses, suggest choruses to sing, nor answer questions. No one should be surprised if the children lack interest in listening or coming to such a "Sunday School." If the children are saying their verses, "giving out choruses," and answering questions, then this is no different than when a husband and wife gather the neighborhood children on their back porch, in a rented building, or an available school room. Using the assembly’s building is merely a convenience for the Sunday School and doesn’t impart "church status" to the gathering.

D. Oliver
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What New Testament books are most important as keys to other books?

What New Testament books are most important as keys to other books?

John unfolds truths regarding the Godhead and its interrelationships. He majors on eternal life, faith, and the Word of God. The Lord discloses the Rapture in John; Paul develops this in 1 Thessalonians. The teaching in John 13" TARGET="_blank">John 13-17 lays a basis for most of Pauls epistles. Johns other writings complete his gospels presentation.

Romans develops the foundations of the gospel, introduced in the gospels. Its doctrine and dispensational truths explain Gods ways in the Acts. Its dispensational section argues for Gods dealings with Israel in the Revelation and the Old Testament prophets.

1 Corinthians, "the Charter of the Church," completes the gospel records on the resurrection of Christ and complements 1 Thessalonians regarding the Rapture. Most important, it integrates Matthew, Acts, 1 Timothy and almost all New Testament assembly teaching. It is inseparable from 2 Corinthians.

Ephesians captures Gods eternal purpose for the Church, the Body, and our position in Christ. This relates it to John, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Colossians. The Church, as body, building, and bride completes truth from Genesis and climaxes in the Revelation.

Hebrews interprets many Old Testament prophecies and types. It elucidates much of Leviticus. Above all, it unites many Old and New Testament truths regarding Christs person and work.

D. Oliver
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What is the gift of speaking in tongues?

The gift of tongues is a God-given ability to speak another human language without ever studying or growing up in the language. The gift of tongues is a miraculous ability. The Bible has several references to people who had the gift of tongues.

The Bible's Example the Gift of Tongues

The first mention in the Bible of people having the gift of tongues is found in Acts 2:1-4" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:1-4 during the Jewish festival of Pentecost. The apostles were instructed by Christ to wait in Jerusalem to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke to the crowds gathered in Jerusalem who had come from all parts of the world. Each nationality and tribe heard the Apostles speak in the language or dialect from which they had traveled. The Apostles, however, were local fishermen, who had never traveled or studied foreign languages.

“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:11

Although there are other occasions in which people spoke in tongues (languages), Acts 2" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2 is the only chapter where the nature of the tongue is described.

Regulating the Gift of Tongues in the Church

The Church in the city of Corinth was have a lot of problems, including the unrestrained and chaotic use of the gift of tongues. Paul mentions several times the importance of speaking intelligibly in order to help people.

“But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:19).

1 Corinthians 12:1" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:1 through 1 Corinthians 14" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14: is an extended discussion about regulating how tongues should be used in the church. The gift of tongues was designed to help people understand a word from God even if the evangelist normally didn't speak the language of the person listening.

“Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?” (1 Corinthians 14:6)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:6).

The Gift of Interpreting

Similar to the gift of tongues is the gift of interpreting (1 Corinthians 12:30)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:30). Normally to be able to interpret for another speaker, the interpreter needs to study or grow up speaking two languages. The gift of interpretation is a super-natural capability to understand a foreign language in order to tell the listener what is being said.

The End of the Gift of Tongues

The gift of tongues was given by God to call the attention of the Jews to the fact that new prophets were on the scene in Jerusalem. Every person in the Bible who was able to perform miracles was given their amazing abilities in order to authenticate that their message was indeed from God. For example, Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, performed many miracles. Later, men like Elijah and Elisha spoke authoritatively for God and had the ability to perform miracles. The Apostles, who were delivering a new message, the gospel of Jesus Christ, which would eventually become the New Testament, also had the divine seal of authority from God, namely the ability to perform miracles, including the gift of tongues.

First Corinthians 13:8" TARGET="_blank">First Corinthians 13:8 says that gift of tongues would cease along with the completion of the revelation of God given through the apostles. No new messages need to come from God today since the collection of books of the Bible is complete.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, (10) but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

Does the gift of tongues as seen today match the Biblical example?

Those who claim to have the gift of tongues today often have a very different form of tongues than that found in the example of Acts 2." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2. Random vocal sounds are attributed to being "a heavenly language". No trace of grammar, vocabulary or similarity to any known langue can be found. How different that what we find in scripture, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

I speak in tongues

I went to Mexico as a missionary in 2006 where I studied for over a year every day with many hours of practice. If I had been given the gift of tongues, I would have saved a lot of time and frustration. Acts 2" TARGET="_blank">Acts 2 is not the normal experience for today since we have a full Bible.

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Who decided the books that make up the Bible?

Who decided the books that make up the Bible?

Some "Church councils" have served some important and beneficial ends. Constantine convened the first official council at Nice in 325, but that council was to decide its issues by the Scriptures. The council did not decide the Canon (the books recognized as the authoritative rule for Christian living - the inspired books). It was to act on what was already recognized as the Christian Scriptures. Church councils did not decide the Canon. Long before 325, post-apostolic Christian writers referred to various writings as the Scriptures; in total, they referred to the 27 New Testament books we recognize today. Those men didn’t make them canonical, but recognized that they were part of the Canon.

In the New Testament itself are instances where writers recognize other current writings as Scriptures. Paul in 1 Timothy 5:18" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:18 Paul treats Deuteronomy 25:4" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7" TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:7 equally as Scripture. Peter places all of Paul’s epistles on a par with "the other Scriptures" (2Pe. 3:16)." TARGET="_blank">2Pe. 3:16). The Spirit by inspiration is beginning to make the NT Canon clear. Those who were born of God recognized the authority and quality of the inspired writings.

D. Oliver
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The Bible's Example the Gift of Tongues