Ought children who say they are saved and ask for baptism, to be baptized and received into fellowship without delay, or ought they to be asked to wait for a time?

The Scriptures teach the baptism, not of adult believers, but of believers—”He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved” (Mark 16:16)." TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:16). “Manyof the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 18:8). “When they believed Philip preaching. . . they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 8:12). It is true that children are not mentioned here, only “men and women”—but this, I think, merely emphasises the fact that both sexes were baptised, or perhaps there was no child believer on the occasion. But the fact that we never read of children as such being baptised, merely arises from the fact that it is not the age of a candidate that is in question, but the faith.

Can a child of thirteen believe the Gospel? Undoubtedly it can; and many such have been brought to faith, confession, baptism and fellowship, and have stood well. We do not know if there were children in the households of Lydia and the Philippian jailor, etc., but if so, they were old enough to hear the Word, believe, and be baptized. On the other hand, children are easily impressed and are apt to follow the example of their elders, and I am afraid it is a fact that few would contest, that some children have been too lightly received as believers and baptized, and their after-history has not been encouraging, but has rather cast doubt on the reality of their confession of faith. Is not then the evident lesson that no rule can possibly be made? Each case must stand on its own merits. If the parents and elder brethren, whose advice may well be asked, are satisfied, let them go forward in faith and count on God! But if there be not unamity of judgment, further waiting would be indicated. At the same time, there is a danger of discouraging true faith and putting the child back from a step, which might under God’s blessing be a deciding factor in its whole future. The word, “saved,” in Mark 16" TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:"16 goes further than “forgiven” or “justified,” it seems to include the thought of deliverance, which is connected so closely with the truth of death and resurrection, in baptism, and it would be sad to deprive a real believer, be it young or grown-up, of this help in the Christian life.

Some parents who have perhaps too easily encouraged their children to be baptized have later on regretted it, and some who have discouraged their children have lived to regret it, too. We are cast upon God for each case, and if we definitely wait on Him, He will surely give oneness
of mind to those concerned.

W.H.

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What is demon possession?

What is demon possession?

Demon possession is the act of a demon, a fallen angel, an agent of Satan, moving into the body and mind of a human being.
Christ spoke of this type of possession in Matthew 12:44" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:44 and Luke 11:25" TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:25…

Matthew 12:43-45" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Christ was correcting a problem with empty religion of the Pharisees. A person who is under the control of Satan is described in Ephesians 2:1-2" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:1-2 as someone following the course of this world - unbridled sinful living, ungodly thinking, lust-filled passions, no limits, sensual, greedy, animal-like, selfish passion.

Ephesians 2:1-2" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--

Eventually, a person in this state may grow weary of this type of life and seek reformation and religion. But a man who is reformed, but not reborn (as in born again) is not truly a Christian. The key phrase in this passage is verse 44 "unoccupied". The Holy Spirit is not a resident in his heart. He is therefore eventually going to return to his Satanic-driven lifestyle and be even more enslaved to his habits.

Other Examples

There are a number of examples of people who were possessed by a demon, but none of them were believers. The demoniacs of Gadara (Matthew 8:28;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:2)" TARGET="_blank">Mark 5:2) are them most startling examples of demon possession. These show us the extreme change that came upon them once Christ had driven the demons from them. These were not mere problems such as "demons of depression" or "demons of mental illness" or "demons of alcoholism", but true possession of a demonic spirit.

Demons may enter the body of an unbeliever and take control of his thoughts and emotions but the Christian is protected from Satan and his angels because he is indwelled by the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4;" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:4; Ephesians 1:13-14;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:13-14)." TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:13-14).

Shad David Sluiter

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The Gospel Hall Forum

The Gospel Hall Forum is an email ListServ that has been in operation since 1996. It provides a way for believers to share news updates related to gospel work, prayer requests and to ask for information about others.

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Am I accountable to the Lord for my thoughts?

Am I accountable to the Lord for my thoughts?

Eventually, the Lord will manifest our thoughts at the Bema, for Paul says, -Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who... will make manifest the counsels of the hearts" (I Corinthians 4:4)." TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 4:4). Presently, we are likewise accountable because our thought life molds our actions; eventually that defines who we are (Proverbs 20:11; 23:7)." TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 20:11; 23:7). In addition, God appreciates right thoughts, even though a believer cannot do what he was thinking (2 Chronicles 6:8)," TARGET="_blank">2 Chronicles 6:8), but inappropriate thoughts grieve God, even though a believer does not do what he was thinking.

We are accountable for our response to God's Word, which includes l Peter 1:13, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." In Bible times, when a man was going to walk or work, he would "gird up" his robe with a belt, holding the flowing ends of his clothing so they would not hinder him. Our thoughts, like the flowing robes, naturally go in many directions. If we do not bring them into control, they will hinder us in divine things now and will cause us loss when we stand before the Lord.

D. Oliver
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Why is the issue of homosexuality important to Christianity?

Biblically speaking, why is such teaching important?

We are facing what every generation faces. The world will always challenge the authority of Scripture. The skill with which the enemy engages the battle constantly increases.

At issue are foundational truths. Is God the Creator or are we cosmic accidents? Does morality exist? Does society or does a wise God determine ethics? Are social institutions a Creator’s design or merely human expedients for survival? Is headship an outmoded tradition or God’s design for the honor of His Son as Savior and Superintendent of every divine purpose? Is marriage merely one possible way of experiencing gratifying emotions or is it the design of God to portray the beauty of His eternal purpose for His Son and the church?

Valid scientific studies show the human benefits of these traditional values; inevitably, other studies purport to contradict this. Ultimately, the authority of God’s Word is the bulwark of these and all truths.

If we understand the subtlety, boldness, and vigor of the attack, we must respond. Positive teaching that establishes these truths is primary. We cannot assume that affirming these truths is superfluous. Clearly, defining the nature of the sin of homosexuality is not an overreaction.

D. Oliver
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Is it wrong to exclude a believer from fellowship because of doctrinal differences?

SEPARATION
Is sectarianism sin? I am In an assembly of so called “open brethren” who invite “Reverend” gentlemen from the sects, also a sister, to address them. Is this right?.

Sectarianism wherever found, is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:20). To whom but God Himself should confession be made? The beginnings of it were seen at Corinth—”I am of Paul, and I of Apollos and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:12).

In the first three cases men were attaching themselves to human leaders, instead of to Christ alone; in the last case, while attaching themselves to Christ, they were detaching from Him true members of His Body and pretending to belong to Him in some peculiar sense, in which others did not. This is also sectarianism against which we must watch. The whole idea of dividing up the Body of Christ is condemned by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:3-4" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:3-4 ). It is condoned to-day and we are told that the different sects are only regiments in God’s army, as though regiments recruited from one another and were sometimes found fighting against one another. The only true Christian position is to know no other centre than Christ, and to recognise all believers as equally belonging to Him, though lamenting the broken-up condition of things around.

No doubt there are men truly gifted of Christ, who occupy sectarian positions, but that does not make those positions right, and to invite such to teach the Saints a complete anomaly and certainly not calculated to “build these up on their most holy faith,” but rather to break down the land-marks between truth and error and lead the Lord’s people back on to sectarian ground. This is especially dangerous when the invited brethren are men who were once in the simple assemblies themselves, but have become popular preachers or even “Reverends,” wearing all the insignia of their declension. They are often strongly opposed to the truth they once professed. It is not for us to judge their conscience, nor should we put a salve to their conscience by inviting them to teach or preach, thus approving of their position, or be present, when they officiate, as is apparently the case in some places. As for inviting a sister to teach the gathered saints, it is so clearly contrary to our Lord’s express prohibition, through His apostle: “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority* over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:12; see also 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:34-35), that comment is needless.

W.H.

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Does the Bible mention people who committed suicide?

Does the Bible mention people who committed suicide?

There are seven different examples of people who committed suicide in the Bible. Most of the suicides mentioned in the Bible occur during violent times of the Judges and Kings of Israel.

#1 Abimelech
Judges 9:52-54" TARGET="_blank">Judges 9:52-54

Abimelech was ashamed to be mortally wounded by a woman during an attack on a tower stronghold. He chose to die by a sword rather than suffer the shame of being killed by a woman.

Judges 9:51-54" TARGET="_blank">Judges 9:51-54 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. (52) And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. (53) And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. (54) Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, 'A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

#2 Samson

Judges 16:25-30" TARGET="_blank">Judges 16:25-30 Samson died, taking revenge on his enemies by pulling down a mansion on top of himself and thousands of people at a party.

Judges 16:25-30" TARGET="_blank">Judges 16:25-30 And when their hearts were merry, they said, "Call Samson, that he may entertain us." So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. (26) And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, "Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them." (27) Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. (28) Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes." (29) And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. (30) And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

#3 Saul

King Saul saw that he and his army were going to be defeated. He was worried about being tortured by his enemies. Saul was supposed to be God's chosen king, but even in his death he showed that he was a coward.

1 Samuel 31:3-6" TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 31:3-6 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. (4) Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. (5) And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. (6) Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.

#4 Saul's armor-bearer
1 Samuel 31:5" TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 31:5 In the impulse of the moment, Saul's armor bearer died with Saul. A copy-cat suicide is a symptom of short-sighted thinking.

#5 Ahithophel
Ahithophel, a royal advisor, was angry because his advice was not followed. The shame of being ignored or disrespected caused him to hang himself. A mistake in your job is a poor reason to take your life.

2 Samuel 17:22-24" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 17:22-24 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. (23) When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. (24) Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

#6 Zimri
1 Kings 16:15-20" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 16:15-20 Rebellion; Zimri had a problem with authority.

1 Kings 16:15-19" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 16:15-19 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, (16) and the troops who were encamped heard it said, "Zimri has conspired, and he has killed the king." Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. (17) So Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. (18) And when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house over him with fire and died, (19) because of his sins that he committed, doing evil in the sight of the LORD, walking in the way of Jeroboam, and for his sin which he committed, making Israel to sin.

#7 Judas
Remorse for a bad choice caused Judas to hang himself. Instead of heeding warnings from Christ about his imminent choice to betray Jesus or repenting of them later, like Peter did, Judas decided to hang himself.

Matthew 27:3-5" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 27:3-5 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, (4) saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." (5) And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Other Information about Teen Suicide / Suicide Thoughts

Read the story of Joel Hovey , who decided one day that he would commit suicide, but then found peace in God instead.

You might also be asking the following questions about suicide...

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How involved should a believer be in the political process?

How involved should a believer be in the political process? Should I give money to the religious right if it espouses my values?

Although God still overrules in government (Daniel 4:17,25, 32; 5:21;" TARGET="_blank">Daniel 4:17,25, 32; 5:21; Proverbs 21:1)" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 21:1) and those who govern are accountable to God who has ordained their office for the good of man (Romans 13:1, 2, 4, 6)," TARGET="_blank">Romans 13:1, 2, 4, 6), the powers of darkness control world governments (Ephesians 6:12)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:12). Whether regenerate or unregenerate, those who govern serve in a government controlled by the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4;" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19," TARGET="_blank">1 John 5:19, "in the wicked one," Darby). Governments are inevitably moving to conform to God's purpose for Israel, yet the only means that God will use to overthrow and effectively redirect their power is based on redemption, for Judah's Lion is the Redeemer-Lamb (Revelation 5:5,6,9)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:5,6,9). Neither protest against, participation in, nor power with-in government will arrest the tide of the mystery of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7," TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:7, Darby). Are believers to be unconcerned about the course of evil in the world? The Bible clearly teaches our responsibility to evangelize the world and to pray for those who govern and for their impact (1 Timothy 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:2). Our testimony, both through what we are (salt, Matthew 5:13)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:13) and what we do (light by good works, Matthew 5:14-16)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:14-16), lends weight to the gospel (1 Peter 2:12)," TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:12), God's only message of deliverance for man (John 8:36;" TARGET="_blank">John 8:36; Acts 26:18)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 26:18). The "responsibility" of citizens to vote or gain power in government is a human expedient, not a divine principle.

The only place where God's government is recognized is the assembly, the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:15 with Genesis 28:17)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 28:17). To participate in a government other than God's, even by voluntary financial contributions, seems to question the sufficiency of God's government.

D. Oliver
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How are the books of the Bible interrelated?

Are the Bible’s books interrelated?

Dates, themes, and settings of A books help in relating them. Two examples might suffice.

Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther close Israel’s Old Testament history, following the exile, and foreshadow events yet future. Ezra and Nehemiah tell of the spiritual and national recovery of a faithful remnant in the land, although both recoveries are somewhat limited. But what about other Jews who will remain scattered among the Gentiles? As in Esther, God will sovereignly preserve those who respond to His Word; they’ll also come into joy and blessing.

Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians emphasize teaching regarding the Church, the Body. Ephesians focuses on our relationship with one another; we are one in Christ. Colossians focuses on our relationship with Christ; we are complete in Him. Philippians shows how right relationships with one another are maintained by a devoted appreciation of our relationship with Christ.

D. Oliver
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Printable Bible Quizzes for Kids

To create one of Printable Bible Quizzes for Kids please choose one of the following:

Browse the 350 Sunday school worksheets that contain a variety of printable Bible quizzes for kids from nearly every story of the Bible, 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 quizzes for kids.

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