Should a friend mediate between me and someone who has offended me?

In Matthew 18:16," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:16, what is the role of the "two or three witnesses," and are they related to the "two" in verse 19 or the "two or three" in verse 20?

The two or three witnesses seem to do more than merely "witness," since the Lord Jesus adds, "if he shall neglect to hear them These accompanying brethren seem to make an appeal along with the offended brother, and subsequently bear witness to the failed attempts at reconciliation and the apparent intransigence of the offender. When this man’s rebellion extends to failure to "hear the church," discipline must be carried out. Heaven’s authority is behind the action of the assembly, for it is carrying out the mind of God (verse 18). It is perhaps part of their exercise for the offending man’s recovery that is motivating the praying brethren in verse 19, where it is interesting to note again the link between heaven and earth - this time displaying God’s response to the spiritual exercise of these brethren. An assembly’s authority and power - including its actions of "putting away" and receiving back - are based on its character as gathered to His Name (verse 20) and representing our Lord Jesus in this world.

E. Higgins
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Do Christians need to obey Old Testament laws?

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Should a Christian bride-to-be wear a head covering?

Should a Christian bride-to-be wear a head covering?

The apparent viewpoint behind this question is that a head covering on the bride expresses that she submits to the new headship relationship she is entering in marriage. In addition, some may suggest that the bride’s head covering honors God’s establishment of headship in marriage. These are interesting and valuable thoughts, but applying these principles as a mandate for a bridal head covering is beyond the Bible’s teaching. The Scriptures do not mandate a bridal head covering.

Many regard a bridal veil as an expression of modesty, perhaps supporting this from Genesis 24:65." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24:65. Upholding modesty is very important in our culture, but this passage hardly establishes a mandate. If the bride chooses to wear a head covering to honor the Lord, He knows and appreciates her motive. If she chooses not to wear a head covering, she has not sinned. This is a matter of personal choice.

Such matters should never be divisive among believers!

D. Oliver
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Does an elder "assume" the position of leader or is he appointed?

Should the oversight meeting be open to all elder brethren of consistent walk in life, or only to a few, who “assume” the care and rule of the meeting?

I think one qualified by God for such a work would be very slow to “assume” anything;

1 Timothy 3:1-7;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1: 6-9;" TARGET="_blank">Titus 1: 6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:1-5 give us the qualifications of an overseeing elder: first, he must” desire” it (or “stretch forward” to it, as the original expresses). But that is not enough; he may even be “consistent in walk and life,” and yet fail to manifest the necessary qualification for eldership. Does he rule his home well for instance? or is it a matter of common knowledge, that he is ruled in the home? An overseer of this type is a great hindrance, for sometimes it is the power in the home that seeks to rule the church by his means.

Has he a “good report of them that are without”? Does he “hold fast the faithful Word”? Has he a pastor’s heart, to feed the flock of God?

I think one qualified by God for such a work would be very slow to “assume” anything; he would be apt to do the work, show fitness for it, and have a heart for the Lord’s people, but it would not be for him to push himself into a prominent position; rather his fellowship would be sought. Elders caring for the saints should be on the look out for brethren who are manifesting any spiritual activities, and seek to encourage such, remember that age comes on apace, and that soon perhaps their work will need other hands to take it up.

W.H.

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What translations of Scripture help in understanding its message?

Do other translations of Scripture help in understanding its message?

Yes, but be careful! You must know what you are reading. Is it a literal translation or a paraphrase? Does it employ "dynamic equivalence?" Were the texts in the original language reliable? God's Word was given by verbal inspiration to men who wrote down the message. Those original writings do not exist, but copies do. Our responsibility is to ensure we are reading the most accurate translation of the most accurate copies.

With God's Word, every word matters; therefore, using a literal translation is imperative (KJV, NKJV, RV, DARBY, SPURRELL, NASB). Sometimes the literal may be hard to understand because of idioms in the original language, so a paraphrase can help. Also, some versions employ a "dynamic equivalence," where the translator uses words that convey to the modem mind what was understood by readers of the original text (NIV). Be aware, however, that a paraphrase or "dynamic equivalence" includes the editing committee's own interpretation. That could introduce a bias which limits or changes what the Spirit intended in the original text.

Stan Wells

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Is Israel ever going to be removed from it's land again?

Does the Bible teach that Israel will never again be removed from its land?

The promises to Abraham concerning the Land make it clear that it will be Israel's forever. The Scriptures show that this promise will be made good when Christ returns in glory and the Spirit is poured out on the nation (Luke 21:24;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 21:24; Matthew 24:31;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:31; Isaiah 32:15-20;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 32:15-20; Jeremiah 30:4-11; 31:31-37; 39:25-29;" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 30:4-11; 31:31-37; 39:25-29; Micah 4:4-7;" TARGET="_blank">Micah 4:4-7; Joel 3:20;" TARGET="_blank">Joel 3:20; Zechariah 8:3-8)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 8:3-8). The Land's being theirs eternally does not necessitate its being theirs permanently now. They have returned in unbelief. The recovery mentioned in Deuteronomy 30:1-6" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 30:1-6 is dependent upon confession and restoration. The recovery of Isaiah 11:11" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11:11 is simultaneous with "that day," mentioned earlier in the chapter. Neither condition has been fulfilled in the current "regathering" of Israel to the land, therefore this may not be the prophesied regathering. A principle of prophecy is that God gives foretastes of a fulfillment before the actual fulfillment.

Israel must be in the land to fulfill the terms of Daniel's 70th week, but we have no Scriptural authority relating this to those currently there. Believers should not be shaken if Israel were driven into the sea, as the Arab nations have long threatened.

A. Higgins

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What is Confirmation?

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is one of seven sacraments performed in some churches including Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. In some instances the sacrament of confirmation is a ritual where a youth becomes a full member of the church. Sometimes a person is given a special name, often of a saint. Confirming one’s faith is a way of declaring that the person is a Christian who understands and accepts the beliefs of the faith.

One would look in vain to find anyone in the Bible practicing the ritual of confirmation as seen in many churches today. We don’t begin life as a Christian and then confirm it at a ceremony. Instead of CONFIRMING someone as a Christian, the Bible’s message of salvation begins with CONDEMNING us as sinners. Romans chapter one two and three making it quite clear that nobody is righteous – that is nobody is a Christian as they begin life, regardless of how religious of a heritage they may have. Therefore, the only fact that can be confirmed in a person is that they did NOT begin life as a Christian – they are sinful and need to be saved.

Romans 3:9-23" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:9-23 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, (10) as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; (11) no one understands; no one seeks for God. (12) All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (19) Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (20) For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin… For there is no distinction: (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

There are plenty of people found in the Bible who declare their faith in Christ receiving Him as their savior. These people acknowledge their guilt and then trust Christ as a Savior. The confirmation of one’s salvation that is Biblical is found in the fact that trusting Christ is sufficient to know that one has eternal life.

1 John 5:9-13" TARGET="_blank">1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. (10) Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. (11) And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

Shad David Sluiter

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How can I consistently learn the truths of God's Word?

How can I consistently learn the truths of God's Word?

First, carefully read the text. To Timothy, Paul said, "Give attendance to reading" (1 Timothy 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:13). Admittedly, this was public reading, but the principle applies. Again, "Consider what I say (AV), for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things" (2 Timothy 2:7," TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:7, JND). The understanding will be from the Lord by the Holy Spirit, but not without careful mental application on our part. Second, meditate on the text (Joshua 1:8)." TARGET="_blank">Joshua 1:8). This was the constant exercise of the fruitful man in Psalm 1:2." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 1:2. Jeremiah spoke of finding God's words and eating them examination and assimilation (Jeremiah 15:16)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 15:16). Third, have a prayerful spirit. Psalm 119," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119, which celebrates the supreme delight of an Old Testament saint in God's Word, is saturated with prayer. As we listen to God speaking to us, we in turn speak to Him. Fourth, submit your will to God. The Lord Jesus said the secret to knowing doctrine was a willingness to do His will (John 7:17)." TARGET="_blank">John 7:17). Bible study that is merely technical is not enough. The secret of knowing more is to practice what we already know. Such techniques produce ready scribes like Ezra, who "prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach" (Ezra 7:10)." TARGET="_blank">Ezra 7:10).

D. Gilliland

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Can Satan read the minds of people?

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Can angels sin?

Can angels sin?

Many angels have sinned in the past. Jude 1:6" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:6 says

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day

2 Peter 2:4" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:4 also says

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

Ephesians 6:12" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:12 also mentions these evil spiritual beings…

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

It can be assumed that these fallen angels sinned at the same time as Satan, or Lucifer, sinned and fell. (Isaiah 14:12-15)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 14:12-15). Some angels therefore have sinned. It appears that some angels, or unclean spirits, or demons still roam freely in the universe, while others are kept in eternal chains.

The Bible says that another class of angels is “elect” (1 Timothy 5:21)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:21). The Lord mentioned his holy angels in Matthew 25:31" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:31 and Mark 8:38." TARGET="_blank">Mark 8:38.

The fact that these angels are "elect" and "holy" leads us to believe that they did not sin with Satan, nor will they sin now or in the future. They are eternally chosen to be set apart to serve God. Just as believers are called "elect", and therefore secure of eternal life, angels too, must be eternally holy. Angels have no hope of redemption once fallen. The death of Christ was for the world of humanity. Those angels who are elect are not guilty of sinning.

Shad David Sluiter

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