My husband is not saved. How should I treat him?

How should a new believer deal with an unbelieving marriage partner?

Compromising the Lord’s claims helps neither partner. Obedience to the Lord is for our good always (Deuteronomy 6:24)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:24). Obedience and preference, however, are not the same. Attending the assembly’s meetings involves obedience (Hebrews 10:25)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:25), even if the believer is not yet in its fellowship . Attending a conference 200 miles away is preferable, but, if it causes marital conflict, it is optional. Not socializing with former friends in activities that are compromising to the Christian is obedience (1 Peter 4:4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 4:4). Socializing with believers is preferable, but may be disobedience, not expressing becoming consideration.

Witnessing to the unbelieving partner is crucial (1 Corinthians 7:16)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:16). When the unbelieving partner understands the facts and implications of the gospel, the most effective witness may be living (and praying) without preaching (1 Peter 3:1)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:1).

A Christian should be an improved marriage partner in words and actions and, more importantly, in the relationship itself -the emotional "connection." The believer’s salvation means the couple cannot enjoy sharing spiritual fellowship, a most precious closeness; however, the believer’s new relationship with Christ teaches, models, and enables a closer marital relationship than was previously possible. The greatest challenge to a believer with an unbelieving partner is to learn, as a disciple of Christ, how to develop a more loving, self-sacrificing, considerate, secure, committed, transparent, and trusting relationship. This is what bonds a marriage and is truly satisfying to both marriage partners, whether believing or unbelieving. A believer may have to sadly accept the unbeliever’s choice to depart from the marriage (1 Corinthians 7:15)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:15), but applying Biblical principles makes this much less likely.

D. Oliver
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Using Bible Search Dialog Box on MySpace

MySpace allows you to insert HTML text into your profile to add links, images and portals to other online programs. Below, you will find HTML text that you can copy and paste directly into your online MySpace profile.

This is what the form looks like.

This is how you add it to your MySpace profile.

Copy the following code and paste it into the HTML code for your web page. This will provide a link to the Online Bible.

<form action="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php" method="GET" target = "new">
<table width="160" border="1" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000" bgcolor="#F0DFB9" bordercolor="#000000">
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Who are the 24 elders of Revelation?

In the book of Revelation, who are the 24 elders?

Interpreters identify the elders as either angelic or human. The former view sees them as a special class of 24 angelic administrators closely linked to the four living creatures and forming part of heaven's executive council. Others have considered them as symbolic of redeemed humanity, since they sing, "Thou hast redeemed us..." (5:9). Because of textual uncertainty, the Pronoun "us" should probably (RV and JND) be omitted in verse 9. We should certainly read, "made them kings and priests" and "they shall reign" (verse 20). Therefore the elders are not singing of their own redemption, but concerning that of others. There are, however, some offsetting features. In number, they are 24 (a priestly number, 1 Chronicles 24);" TARGET="_blank">1 Chronicles 24); in dress, they are in white; in position, they are seated on thrones; in dignity, they are crowned. Significantly, all of these have already been said (chapters 1- 3) of the saints in this present era. We are priests (1:5); as overcomers we are promised white robes (3:5), crowns (3:11), and seats on thrones (3:21). Does not the similarity of these markers indicate that chapters 1-3 portray the saints in testimony upon earth, while chapters 4-5 show the same group in triumph under the figure of elders?

D. Gilliland

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Who were the 12 disciples of Christ?

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 in your answer.
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Why does the Bible say that Christ was an angel?

Is the Lord Jesus sometimes spoken of as an angel?

How can this be, seeing He is the Son of God, higher than the angels, and the Object of their worship?

We cannot be too jealous for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first chapter of Hebrews establishes His superiority over the angels in various ways, which we need not recapitulate. He has a place, a relation, prerogatives, and glory far transcending those of the highest of angelic beings. But the Hebrew word, “malak,” from a root “to depute,” and the Greek word, “angelos,” from a root meaning, “to announce,” both usually translated “angel,” are also frequently translated “messenger,” e.g., Genesis 33:3;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 33:3; Numbers 20:14;" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 20:14; 1 Kings 19:2;" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 19:2; 2 Kings 5:10;" TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 5:10; Haggai 1:13;" TARGET="_blank">Haggai 1:13; Isaiah 42" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 42: 19 (presumably of Christ Himself); and in N.T., Matthew 9:10," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 9:10, referring to John Baptist; Luke 7:24," TARGET="_blank">Luke 7:24, messengers of the Baptist; Luke 9:52;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 9:52; 2 Corinthians 7:7;" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 7:7; James 2:25." TARGET="_blank">James 2:25.

So that when we affirm that there are places where the words “malak” and “angelos” represent the Lord Himself, we are not bringing him down to the level of His own creatures, the angels, but emphasising the fact that He was the MESSENGER OF JEHOVAH. There is indeed a number of O.T. passages where we are obliged to understand the angel mentioned as a Divine Being. In Genesis 48:16," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 48:16, for instance, could it be a mere angel of whom Jacob speaks as His Redeemer, whose blessing he invokes on his grandsons? Is not this to place an angel on the level of God?

Then in Exodus 3:2," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 3:2, “the angel of the Lord” becomes “God” in v. 4. Later on Jehovah speaks of sending an angel before Israel, and adds, “Beware of him and obey his voice; provoke him not, for he will not pardon your transgressions, for My Name is in him” (Exododus 23:21). Could all this apply to a mere angelic being? In the case of Manoah, how could anyone but a Divine Person dare to identify Himself with the burnt offering? Certainly Manoah and his wife believed they had seen God (Judges 13:20-22)." TARGET="_blank">Judges 13:20-22). To assert that God made Himself known by merely angelic beings is a flagrant denial of the truth of the words, “The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, HE hath declared Him” (John 1:18)." TARGET="_blank">John 1:18). He did not cease to dwell there. When thus revealing God, the Son of Man was in heaven, though on earth (John 3:13)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:13). Blessed paradoxes! Human reasonings stumble at them; faith bows to God’s word and adores.

To close I would refer to Malachi 3" TARGET="_blank">Malachi 3: , where the word “malak” is translated twice “messenger”—(1) as applying to John the Baptist, (2) to the Son of God manifest in flesh as the Messenger of the covenant,” exactly the same Hebrew expression as is used in the rest of the O.T. for the “angel of the covenant.” Is it not conclusive then that this Being is Divine, and represents Him whom we know to-day as the Lord Jesus Christ?

W.H.

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Is wavering faith the reason for unanswered prayer (James 1:7)?

Is wavering faith the reason for unanswered prayer (James 1:7)" TARGET="_blank">James 1:7)?

No. On occasion, God allows us to have what we request. The result is not initially the best for us (Psalm 106:15)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 106:15). He allows this so we will appreciate the security of His will. What He allows in our life is always only for our good -eventually, it is the best for us. The motive of such prayer was self-will, not faith. Nevertheless, God granted the prayer.

In James 1:6," TARGET="_blank">James 1:6, 7 the tried believer asks for wisdom. Verse three makes it clear that faith is being tried. In verse five, faith is being expressed and strengthened. The enemy of faith is double mindedness, a mind for the values of this world and a mind for the values of the world to come. That's the basic conflict James highlights throughout his book. When the thinking of the world motivates a believer's prayer, he cannot "ask in faith." Faith sees another and eternal world; it asks in keeping with that realm. In response to that prayer, our God gives liberally.

What hinders prayer is a mind that tries to accommodate itself to two worlds: the temporal and the eternal. Faith is not working consistently and the result is receiving nothing from God.

D. Oliver
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Bible Story Crafts

Popular Bible story crafts here include:

3D paper models of Bible stories . These type of crafts require nothing more than PDF file - no trips to the craft store to make these.

Example craft ideas -

1. Create your own tabernacle model in about 1 hour with this Bible story craft .

2. Create a story stick craft with some simple materials. Use the story stick to make Bible story telling an experience your students cannot ignore!

3. Paper city craft . Re-tell the Bible story of the four lepers outside the city walls of Samaria with this 3D paper craft.

4. Printable Nativity Scene Bible Story Craft - This Bible story craft can help you print, cut and tape together a full-color nativity scene in less than an hour. It's part of the collection of printable Sunday school projects availabe on the Sunday school page .

For an alternative Bible story craft, try one of 350 Sunday school worksheets that contain a coloring page, crossword puzzle and other activities to review a Bible story.

Use one of the puzzle makers below to create your own Bible story puzzle.

Word Find

Word Scramble

Crossword Puzzle Creator

Cryptogram Puzzle Creator

Fallen Quotes

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What makes a group of believers a church?

What practices are necessary for a group of believers to become an assembly, and what causes it to cease to be an assembly?

Those who study artist’s work recognize the work of famous painters. Even apart from his name on the painting, each artist’s work has his unique "signature" in its details. And so it is with God. If He has established an assembly, it will bear God’s "signature." This signature is the design which is always consistent with the pattern given in His word. God doesn’t need variety to somehow amuse Himself. He works consistently and follows the same pattern He gave nearly 2000 years ago. Here are some things we would expect: no other name but the Lord’s to identify the group; a plurality of overseers; separation from denominational associations; the display of head coverings as taught in 1 Corinthians 11;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11; evidence of the priesthood of all believers; attention to the development of gift; supremacy of the Word of God; gatherings for at least the breaking of bread, prayer, ministry, and gospel; recognition of the different roles God has entrusted to males and females; the practice of both baptism for all believers and also biblical reception.

When the Lord removes a lampstand (Rev 2:5; 3:3, 16)," TARGET="_blank">Rev 2:5; 3:3, 16), of course that group ceases to be an assembly. When He does that, only He knows. The group may continue its activities - and perhaps do all the right things, as the church at Ephesus did - yet not be an assembly.

David Oliver
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What is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is the French translation of “Fat Tuesday”. Those who know Spanish can see the resemblance in Martes (Tuesday) and grasa (fat). Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras occurs the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. In mid February, the pagans in the Roman empire celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus-like festival. Like other holidays, the Roman Catholic religion decided to adopt the practices of the pagans rather than offend the newly "Christianized" masses.

Mardi Gras is celebrated for a few weeks, depending on the location in the world, in a festival called Carnival. Unbridled partying, drunkenness, sex and debauchery are the features of this festival. Freqently Carnival is celebrated in Central America, South America and Southern Europe where Catholic traditions are strong. New Orleans is the largest and most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. Elaborate costumes and barely clothed women are common in Mardi Gras parades.

Since the Catholic teaching of Lent stipulates that the faithful refrain from sinful practices, fast and pray during the 40 days of Lent, Mardi Gras has been a tradition for centuries to have a huge party just before the days of Lent. Think of it as one last binge before giving something up for 40 days.

There is either a serious misunderstanding or ignorance of God’s word in the combination of Mardi Gras and Lent. The Bible says that Christians should avoid willful sin and uncontrolled behavior all of the year, not just during Lent or Holy Week.

“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:13-14" TARGET="_blank">Romans 13:13-14

When is Fat Tuesday?
March 8, 2011
February 21, 2012
February 12, 2013
March 4, 2014
February 17, 2015

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What was the wise woman

What was the wise woman’s line of reasoning in 2 Samuel 14:4-14" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 14:4-14?
The woman followed the example of the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-7," TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 12:1-7, by getting the king to decide a hypothetical case which Joab and she had invented. When he did so, she told him (v. 13) that he was setting a bad example to the people of God, by not acting himself in accordance with the decision he had given in the case of others, and bringing home the banished Absalom, En verse i she backs this with another argument. God Himself, she points out, has devised means that His banished be not expelled from Him (referring doubtless to the cities of refuge which God had provided so that the manslayer should not have to leave the country). Why then should not David act as God does?
She thus struck two chords that were sure to find an echo in David’s heart. He would wish to set God’s people a good example, and he surely would like to act as God did. Had he not shortly before sought out the grandson of his bitter enemy, Saul, in order that he might show “the kindness of God” to him (2 Samuel 9: 3)" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 9: 3)? Of course her reasoning was bad, for she was persuading him to act at the expense of justice; and God’s “means” were not for wilful murderers such as Absalom. But “the king’s heart was toward Absalom” (v. i), so he was not difficult to persuade. His son was brought back, and all seemed well. But two factors had been ignored, the claims of God’s broken Law, and the unchanged heart of the offender; and the result was a harvest of sorrow to be reaped later.
With regard to the first two clauses of v. 14, she apparently meant to suggest that, like water spilt on the ground, that which was past, i.e. the death of Amnon, could not be recalled. Possibly also, that life is too short to be wasted in a prolonged quarrel.

W.R.

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