Did the earth become "without form and void" or was it made that way?

Can't Genesis 1:2" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:2 be translated, "And the earth became without form and void?"

The Hebrew word is properly rendered "was," not "became." The grammar of the passage proves this most persuasively. The phrase, "And the earth was without form and void," in verse 2 is a kind of subordinate clause called a circumstantial clause. It modifies verse 1, the main clause. Thus verse 1 states what God did, and verse 2 adds some further information about it - some circumstances occurring at the same time as the principal statement. We understand from this that God made the heavens and the earth in the beginning, and when He did, it happened that (1) the earth was formless and empty; (2) darkness was on the face of the deep; and (3) the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Grammatically, there can be no discontinuity between these verses. Verse 2 must be describing the earth as it was originally created, not how it became at a time following creation.

D. Valiance
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Do overseers receive to or put away from the assembly?

Do overseers receive to or put away from the assembly?

Answering this may be repetitious, but necessary. While a meeting of overseers an assembly meeting (Acts 20:1 15:6)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:1 15:6), the elders do not act on behalf of the assembly. The "church of the living God," not the elder is the House of God (1 Timothy 3:15)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:15). The elders are the leaders (Romans 12:8;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12;" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17; "rule means "lead," W. E. Vine) are guides (Hebrews 13:7,17,24," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:7,17,24, AV mg.). As men of maturity in devine truth, they lead the assembly in carrying out the Word of God. They are responsible to know the relevant facts of the case; for the good of others, they may be wise not to share some of what they know. They do not come to spiritual decision through popular consent, but, by the character and evident fairness and the fear of God, they bring the assembly to a scriptural consensus. The assembly follows their scriptural guidance and administers for God. Oversee have the weighty responsibility of knowing God's Word and ways and of then guiding the assembly to act for God. This is not guesswork. Overseers need and deserve the prayerful support fellow-believers.

D. Oliver
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What is an evangelist? What does an evangelist do?

An evangelist is a person who is dedicated to the work of teaching and preaching the gospel message. That is, he is teaching how that Jesus' death and resurrection is God's answer for your sins.

The word "evangelist" comes from the greek word for "gospel" or "good news". An evangelist is the messanger of good news.

The word is mentioned two placed in the New Testament.

Acts 21:8" TARGET="_blank">Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

2 Timothy 4:5" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Unlike other works mentioned in the church, such as overseer or deacon, there are no qualifications listed for someone to be an evangelist. Everyone who is a believer of Christ is an evangelist in the sense that he/she should be able to tell others about Christ and his salvation.

1 Peter 3:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

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Should a girl ask a guy to date her or wait for him to make the first move?

Should a female initiate a romantic relationship or lead during the courtship?

Feminism and society in general do not provide reliable guidance in this matter, but scriptural principles do. Courtship is a special time when a couple forms the framework of their marriage relationship. They are getting to know one another differently and more deeply than they did before. This is the time for the man to inspire his prospective wife’s confidence in his leadership; she learns to trust him because his decisions are for their mutual benefit and she learns to communicate with him in these vital matters. This is likewise the time for the woman to cultivate respect for her prospective husband’s leadership; he learns that she expects and accepts his leadership and that he can openly communicate his feelings regard -ing these issues. A couple makes a mistake to proceed with their relationship if both are not open and mutually comfortable regarding these matters.

A sister initiating the relationship starts the relationship "on the wrong foot." If she has to lead at this point, won’t she have to lead throughout the relationship? Eventually this arrangement will not be fulfilling for her or her partner, nor will it fulfill the biblical model.

Maintaining this principle may be understandably frustrating to a sister. Among several reasons for this, these may present the greatest difficulties: some brothers seem to enjoy the self-gratification of being pursued by women; some seem to have forgotten that beauty of character is more valuable than physical adornment and therefore hardly seem to notice godly sisters who have chosen to avoid worldly means of exploiting physical attractiveness. Despite all of this, prayerfully maintaining God’s ways is always best.

D. Oliver
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What happened to the people who rose from the dead when Jesus was crucified?

Matthew 27:52," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 27:52,53 states that “many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Is it known what happened to these saints? Did they go to heaven with Christ or did they return to their graves?

We are not told in the Scriptures, but the resurrection of these saints in connection with that of our Lord leaves little doubt, I think, on the matter. Our Lord Himself was shewn after His resurrection “not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God” (Acts 10:41)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:41), to make it easier for the people at large to believe in the resurrection. He was the first-fruits. “Many bodies of the saints arose and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” They could not deny their own senses that they had seen their dead friends alive, and if so, why should not the testimony of the disciples be that Christ had risen? Under such circumstances, it seems very difficult to believe that the resurrection of these saints was anything but a true and lasting resurrection. I believe this was the first stage in the First Resurrection, of which the resurrection of the sleeping saints, when the Lord comes, will be the second stage, and the remaining saints who have died when He returns in glory the final stage. “This is the first resurrection.” Had they returned to their graves, it might be said that He did, too. Surely they were part of that captivity which He led captive when he ascended on high.

W.H.

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How can I balance time for service and for communion?

How can I balance time for service and for communion?

In a busy world and with the multiplicity of needs among believers and unbelievers, time for communion so often suffers. The initial question of Saul, a new convert, was "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 22:10). Servants look to their master for direction in their service (Psalm 123:2)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 123:2). Their duty is defined by his word (Luke 17:7-10)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 17:7-10). So, while service for the Lord may beckon us to respond to a thousand needs, the only service of value is what the Master directs us to do. If we are too busy to commune with Him, we must be doing service He has not directed us to do. As Saul did directly to the Lord, so we must determine our service through prayer. We may see needs that others are not meeting, but that may not be the service the Lord has for us. We ought to pray about that need. Perhaps the Lord will show us that another believer is uniquely suited to meet that need. We can seek the Lord’s help to know how best to encourage that believer to do the work. Perhaps the Lord will do that Himself, use your word of encouragement, or even use you to do that work temporarily with that other believer who will then continue the work on his own. If serving the Lord leads to anxiety, frustration, worry, or spiritual decline, He did not impose that heavy burden, for he said, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 11:30).

What the Lord gives us to do is our priority (John 21:21" TARGET="_blank">John 21:21 with vv 15-22). He desires us to commune with Him as Mary did and to serve as Martha did - but without being anxious and troubled. (Luke 10:38-42)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:38-42). Maintaining that order, communion and then service, is the key.

D. Oliver
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Books of the Bible Games

Using a special deck of Bible game cards that you can download from this site , you can help your Bible class students learn the Books of the Bible through games. Seven card Games for learning the names of the books of the Bible.

1. Memory print two sets of these cards. Turn them face down and find the pairs. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

2. Go Fish or Old Maid Print two sets of Bible cards. Shuffle and deal. Use the traditional rules. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

3. Lay them straight. Sequence race Shuffle the deck and give each team (or player) 10 cards. When the dealer says “go”, lay them out in order. The first team to put them in order wins.

4. Uno or SkipBo inspired game - similar to the popular card game except with fewer rules and different cards from books of the Bible.

5. Phase 10 inspired game - similar to the popular card game, but with Bible cards and different phase goals.

6. Solitaire - adapted from the classic single player game, but with Bible books.

Check out the other 200+ games, puzzles and Bible lessons in the Sunday school seciton of this site.

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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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Can ungoldy people enter the kingdom of God?

Help would be valued on 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.

1 Corinthians 6:9," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 describes some of the ungodly at Corinth. “Such were some of you,” says Paul, naming various phases of sin which habitually characterised them, some one sin, some another. A believer might fall into a grave sin, a Noah into drunkenness, a David into adultery, a Peter into cursing and swearing; but these were terrible accidents in their lives, not habitual customs. A lamb might fall into the mire, but it could not rest there; a swine if dragged out of the mire would return to it again. The characteristically unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. They must be born again. Such were some of the Corinthians (but not all grossly so), but they were “washed” (i.e., from the defilement), “sanctified” (i.e., from the habit), and “justified (i.e., from the guilt) in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

W.H.

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My friend is hurting emotionally. How can I help her?

Is there scriptural guidance for giving comfort to others?

In such a critical area of need, the Scriptures must offer a wealth of help. Here, however, are a few limited suggestions.

Use your two ears. For all the criticism Job’s friends deserve, they started their mission well. They were "with him." Their seven days of silence (Job 2:13)" TARGET="_blank">Job 2:13) showed their sensitivity to the greatness of Job’s grief. They were genuine. If you are not genuine, nothing you say or do will help. Their silence offered them an opportunity they apparently missed: be sensitive to others! Your insights into the stages of grief might be valuable, but it’s more valuable to know where the grieving individual is in his unique, uncharted journey of sorrow. Questions or comments that encourage him to express his feelings are vital in giving comfort.

Use your heart. Many lessons come from the Lord’s giving comfort to Mary and Martha (John 11)," TARGET="_blank">John 11), but perhaps the greatest comfort to them before Lazarus was raised from the dead was their assurance that the Lord shared their love for their departed loved one (vv 3, 35, 36). His love for Lazarus was even greater than theirs, but that is not the case for us. Nevertheless, those who sorrow receive comfort in knowing that their loved one had a unique place in your respect and affections. Sincerely recounting an incident that typifies your appreciation of their loved one is a real comfort. Knowing that others recognize the significance of their loss is important to grieving loved ones. Knowing that others regarded their loved one’s life as significant gives comfort.

Use your head. "The heart knoweth his own bitterness" (Pro 14:10)." TARGET="_blank">Pro 14:10). We should never assume we know what another person is experiencing, even if we have gone through that exact experience. If a grieving person knows your experience and states that you know "how it feels," he has opened the door for you to help. But experience alone does not confer a "Master’s Degree in Comforting." Only to the degree a believer gets to know God in his trials (2 Cor 1:4)" TARGET="_blank">2 Cor 1:4) has he made progress in his "Master’s studies." He is not yet a "master." The degrees are conferred at the Bema.

Every trial is a trial of faith. A believer need not have the same experience to give comfort, but His faith must have responded to the Invisible (Hebrews 11:27)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:27) in His own experience. To that degree, he can strengthen the faith of others (see 2 Cor 1:4)." TARGET="_blank">2 Cor 1:4). Your experience with God may not be the help every other believer needs, however.

Use your Bible. Nothing can help like the Scriptures, for we receive hope through their consolation (Rom 15:4)." TARGET="_blank">Rom 15:4). Our objective is not to help a believer - or an unbeliever - to get through his sorrow, but to be spiritually enriched through his sorrow. In trying to comfort others, one size does not fit all. We are dependent on the Spirit to use us to bring to a grieving heart the biblical truth that will meet the need. If this was true for the Lord (Isa 50:4)," TARGET="_blank">Isa 50:4), how much more is it true for us! Ask the Lord for the right words to speak from Scripture.

D. Oliver
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