Can a sister in the assembly say "Amen" to a brother's prayer?

Does a sister violate the truth of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:34-35 when she says "Amen" audibly after a brother's prayer?

No.

We read in verse 16 of the same chapter, "Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks?" Clearly, it was customary for assembly saints to say "Amen" at the close of a brother's prayer, praise, or thanksgiving. In Nehemiah 8:6" TARGET="_blank">Nehemiah 8:6 we read, "And Ezra blessed the Lord, the Great God. And all the people answered Amen, Amen." "All" must have included the women.

When we say, "Amen," at the close of a brother's prayer, we express our agreement, therefore we must listen and understand what he has said. It would be good if every assembly saint were as ready to say "Amen" as New Testament saints were, but we should never use "Amen" as a political tool. The less politics we have in an assembly, the better.

W Gustafson

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At the Judgment of the Nations, do the condemned go directly to the Lake of Fire?

Will those who are judged in Matthew 25:41-46" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:41-46 appear again at the Great White Throne of Revelation 20:11" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:11?

Matthew 25:41-46" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:41-46 describes the Judgment of the Nations, which is to be distinguished from the Judgment of the Great White Throne. The Judgment of the Great White Throne takes place in eternity, after the Millennium. The wicked dead will be judged and consigned to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:11-15).
The Judgment of the Nations, or Gentiles (the Greek word can mean either), takes place on earth when Christ comes to reign, as verse 31 clearly states: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him.” If we are right in identifying it with Joel 3," TARGET="_blank">Joel 3, the location is the Valley of Jehoshaphat, outside Jerusalem (Joel 3:2)." TARGET="_blank">Joel 3:2). The nations will be judged according to their treatment of Christ's Jewish brethren during the Tribulation (Joel 3:1-2," TARGET="_blank">Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:12-14;" TARGET="_blank">Joel 3:12-14; Matthew 25:31-46)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:31-46).

Does this judgment teach salvation by works? The message of the Bible is that salvation is by faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:8-9). But the Bible is just as quick to say that true faith produces good works. If there are no good works, it is an indication that the person was never saved. So we must understand that the Gentiles are not saved by befriending the Jewish remnant, but that this kindness reflects their love for the Lord.

The Scriptures do not, so far as I am aware, give us any further information about them than what is contained in Matthew 25" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25 itself. In Matthew 25:41" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:41 the command is, “Depart ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”; and then in verse 46 it is stated, “These shall go away into everlasting punishment”; both of which expressions can scarcely be understood otherwise than of the Lake of Fire.

And if they are sent from this judgment to the Lake of Fire directly, it is difficult to see why they should be brought back from it to stand before the Great White Throne; especially as that appears to be entirely a judgment of the dead, whose bodies have been in the earth or sea, and whose souls have been in hell. According to Revelation 19:20," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:20, the beast and the false prophet will be cast alive into the Lake of Fire at the Lord’s appearing; and therefore there would be no difficulty in assuming that these of Matthew 25" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25 may be similarly disposed of.

W.R.

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How should I view abortion?

What is a scriptural attitude toward abortion?

By inspiration David teaches that life and God's purpose for life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139:13,16b). This context also reveals that the formation of the person, perfect or imperfect, and the length of life is determined by God.

In Galatians 1:15" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 1:15 Paul remarks that God determined his birth: "God... separated me from my mother's womb."

Is not the Lord Jesus our supreme example? He said to Pilate; "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world" (John 18:37)." TARGET="_blank">John 18:37).

In 2 Kings 8:12" TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 8:12 we see a weeping prophet expressing the grief of the heart of God because of king Hazael of Damascus. Mentioned amongst the atrocities he would commit is the slaying of "women with child." While these were Syrians, enemies of Israel, God abhorred the crime of taking the life of mothers and children.

Christians believe the sanctity and divine purpose that gives life to every baby forbids acceptance of aborting a pregnancy. Questions will arise regarding the welfare of mothers. As sensitive as this matter is Genesis 35:16-19" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 35:16-19 guides believers as to divine purpose.

J. Smith

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When does the restoration of all things by Elias take place?

THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS

When does the restoration of all things by Elias take place?

The answer is given in Malachi 4:5" TARGET="_blank">Malachi 4:5: “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” The Lord seems clearly to refer to this promise, see Matthew 17:11" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 17:11 “Elias truly shall first come and restore all things.” As to what this coming represents we must refer to other Scriptures. The first time historically that Elias is mentioned in the N.T. is in Luke 1" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1: , in the angel’s message to Zacharias that his promised son “shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, etc.” John’s mission was to resemble in spirit and power and result, the mission of Elias as described in Malachi 4:6." TARGET="_blank">Malachi 4:6. Now, we remember that when later the apostles James and John proposed to call down fire from heaven, even as Elias did, and consume the Samaritans, the Lord rebuked them on the ground that they knew not what spirit they were of. It was the spirit of Elias, which was perfectly right in his dispensation, but not that of the Son of man (see Luke 9. 54)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 9. 54).

Does not this supply one more Scriptural reason against the new theory that John, had he only been faithful, would have become one of the twelve apostles? Had he been so, there would have been two incompatible “spirits” in the twelve, one, that of Elias in the person of John the Baptist, and another foreign to it, the spirit of Christ. In Matthew 11:14," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 11:14, the Lord said, “If ye will receive it, this (i.e., John the Baptist) is Elias which was for to come.” The words, “if ye will receive it,” are important, as they also throw light on our Lord’s words in Matthew 17:12 “I say unto you that Elias is come already, and they knew him not.” This cannot, I submit, mean that John was a reincarnation of Elias. They are separate entities to-day. Elias will surely come again, but he will not be born, as John was, of a mother. He will come again as he went and probably as secretly, as far as the general world will be concerned.

John did up to a certain point fulfil the role of Elias. To use a modern phrase, he was his “double,” but none the less it remains true that “Elias will come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” and most evangelical interpreters of the Revelation are agreed that he will be one of the two witnesses of Rev. ii. Their ministry will last 1260 days or 3- years, that is, during the first half of Daniel’s last week of years, beginning with the Covenant between the Head of the Roman people and the Jews. The ministry of the two witnesses will be a ministry enforced by judgment and plague, and bearing down all opposition and. crushing their enemies by miraculous power. It will also be wonderful in its success. There will be a revival in Israel, such as has never yet been known, and a world-wide testimony through, I might suggest, the I,ooo equipped for this service by that Pentecost (see Joel 2" TARGET="_blank">Joel 2: ), of which that of Jerusalem was the foretaste, and vast numbers will be brought to repentance. It will only be when their ministry is finished that the “Beast,” then manifested as such, will slay them. This will inaugurate the day of Jacob’s trouble and the great tribulation, running concurrently, only to end in the appearing in power and great glory of the Son of man—”the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

W.H.

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What does the Bible mean about women learning in silence and submission in 1 Timothy 2:12-15?

What does the Bible mean about women learning in silence and submission in 1 Timothy 2:12-15" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:12-15?

These verses deal with a woman's role in public testimony. Learning in "silence" and "submissiveness" (verse 11), she is forbidden to "teach," since this exercises authority over man. Usurp authority" suggests that only domineering power is forbidden, but "exercise authority over man" JND and others) is clearer. To preach the gospel, open a Bible Reading, minister the Word or be an overseer involves authority over man, as well as teaching, and thus violates Scripture. The reasons follow: in formation (verse 13), Adam was first; in the fall (verse 14) this order was reversed and Eve was deceived with catastrophic consequences. This implies that a modern reversal of God's order will have similar results. however, verse 15 assures the woman of salvation in its fullness if, while fulfilling her unique role of motherhood, she maintains faith with love, holiness and sobriety.

D. Gilliland

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What is exorcism? Can a believer cast out demons?

Exorcism is the practice of expelling a demon from a person who is controlled, or possessed by the demon. Several examples of exorcism are mentioned in the Bible – all in the New Testament during the period of Christ’s ministry and the following years with the disciples.

The Christian should resist the devil, but not by exorcism. Instead, the weapons we have been given are our ability to resist in the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and by the liberating power of salvation through the proclamation of the gospel to the lost ones.

Examples of exorcism

Some of the examples include people who were casting out demons (Mark 9:38)," TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:38), Jesus commands to the 70 evangelists (Matthew 10)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 10), the false accusation that Jesus was empowered by Beelzebul to be able to cast out demons (Luke 11:15-19)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:15-19) and Paul’s ability to cast the demon out of a slave girl (Acts 16:16-18)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:16-18).

Mark 9:38-40" TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." (39) But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. (40) For the one who is not against us is for us.

Matthew 10:8" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Luke 11:15-19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:15-19 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons," (16) while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. (17) But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. (18) And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. (19) And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Acts 16:16-18" TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:16-18 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. (17) She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." (18) And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.

Why show this power?

In order to demonstrate Christ’s power over the Prince of Darkness, he cast out demons. For example he says in Luke 11:21" TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:21 -22 “when one stronger than he (Satan) attack him and overcomes him…” He also gave this power to authenticate the 12 disciples in the eyes of the people. He says in Luke 10:17" TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:17 “I have given you authority”

Luke 10:17-20" TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:17-20 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" (18) And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (20) Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Christ’s ultimate triumph over Satan was accomplished at the cross. From the very beginning of time, God had given a curious prophecy regarding the power of Christ over Satan. This verse is known as the protevangelium, meaning "The First Gospel."

Genesis 3:15" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

The “offspring” or “seed” of the woman is Christ the Messiah or the Promised One. The offspring of Satan is the group of his agents – fallen angels. The bruising of Christ’s heel refers to his wounding at the cross. The bruised head – or crushed head – is the ultimate triumph over Satan’s power. His “power” resides in the manipulation of the laws of sin and death against humanity. Bruising Satan’s head is a mortal wound, while bruising the heel is a painful, but less serious wound. Satan is defeated when Christ gives us eternal life.

The instructions to the church in the epistles tell us that Satan is a defeated foe. However, we are not encouraged nor commanded to cast out demons. Instead we are to put on armor to stand against Satan.

Ephesians 6:11" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

We should resist the devil and his work of provoking jealousy and covetousness by submitting ourselves to God. The devil is using our own fleshly desires and selfishness against us. His tools are found within our own being. By denying him access to our selfishness, we can defeat him.

James 4:6-7" TARGET="_blank">James 4:6-7 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 4:25-27" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:25-27 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (26) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and give no opportunity to the devil.

We should be aware of him, and strengthen our own faith in response to his attacks.

1 Peter 5:8-9" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

A new weapon in Christian victory over sin

The lack of instructions for expelling him from possessed people is a noticeable contrast to the activities of Christ and the disciples during His earthly ministry. The new weapon that we are given in our spiritual battles is the Holy Spirit. With Him residing in every believer we have a way of resisting the devil and new power to submit to God. The focus of our spiritual conflict is on the battle between fleshly desires and the Holy Spirit.

A new weapon in victory for the lost ones

An unconverted person, living in spiritual darkness and tormented by the ways of the devil, can be freed by the power of the gospel. A drug addict, alcoholic or a person in involved in cults is clearly being manipulated and driven by Satan. The Christian’s response and duty is not to try to drive away demons, but to set him at liberty through faith in Christ.

Remember the words of the Lord at the start of his ministry? As he begin his ministry he demonstrated his power over Satan. He finished his work by redeeming us through his death on the cross.

Luke 4:18-19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Paul announces his mission statement as opening the eyes of those in darkness, not through exorcism, but instead through the power of the forgiveness of sins in the gospel.

Acts 26:18," TARGET="_blank">Acts 26:18, 22-23 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (22) Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: (23) That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Conclusion

The Christian should resist the devil, but not by scolding him, or "binding" him, or by exorcism. Instead, the weapons we have been given are our ability to resist in the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and by the liberating power of salvation through the proclamation of the gospel to the lost ones.

Shad Sluiter

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What did Old Testament believers know about Christ's sacrifice?

Is it correct to say that the Old Testament saints had the Gospel preached to them as we know it?

(see Galatians 3:8)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3:8).

Did Abraham know when he offered up Isaac, that his son was a type of the Son of God? or did Isaiah know when speaking of the sufferings of Christ, that He was the Son of God? or again, did Job know that his Redeemer was the Son of God?

It is not possible, it seems to me, for anyone to search the hearts and understandings of these Old Testament saints, and define the exact extent of their spiritual apprehension of the Person of whom they spake. Spiritual truths are spiritually apprehended.

Certainly the Gospel preached to Abraham was not the Good News as we know it, but it contained it, for its promise of salvation was alone through Christ. Probably the apprehension of Patriarchs and Prophets was much greater than we might naturally suppose. For instance, would it not be difficult to define the limitations of our Lord’s words in John 8:56" TARGET="_blank">John 8:56: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” This seems to refer to a special occasion, as the verbs are all in the aorist and speak of a point of time in the past, probably to the great deliverance on Mount Moriah. Abraham might have called the name of the place “Jehovah-rahah”__the Lord has provided, had he thought all was over. Evidently he perceived that what had just taken place was the figure of a greater deliverance and so he called it “JehovahJireh”—the Lord will provide. Whether Isaiah and the prophets knew that the Messiah about whom they wrote was to be actually the Son of God, it seems profitless to enquire. They knew they were inspired by the Spirit of Christ testifying in them, and that they were speaking for us, concerning “the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:11). Their difficulty was not to know of whom they spake, but of what manner of time. As for Job’s wonderful words, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” he would be a bold man (which boldness I neither share nor desire to share), who would undertake to limit this prophecy. It seems to me that in these words God gave His tried servant to understand a bit of “Romans” truth—”My Redeemer”; a bit of “Corinthian” truth —“He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth”; a bit of “Thessalonian” truth—”In My flesh I shall see God”; a bit of “Colossian” truth—”My Redeemer is God”; and a bit of “Timothy” truth—”I know.”

W.H.

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Does the Lord Jesus possess omniscience only as far as the Father allows?

Does the Lord Jesus possess omniscience only as far as the Father allows? (John 13:3)" TARGET="_blank">John 13:3)

The passage from which this question arises is, "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands . . ." (John 13:3)." TARGET="_blank">John 13:3). Another passage that raises this question is "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mar 13:32)." TARGET="_blank">Mar 13:32). The Lord’s statement, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" (Acts 1:7)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 1:7), may shed some helpful light on this issue. The Father has placed information in His authority. It is His right to disclose it in keeping with His purpose. The Son knew all things (John 16:30)." TARGET="_blank">John 16:30). For instance, He knew all that the Father was going to do, but He only acted on what the Father was doing at that moment (5:19). He knew all that was involved as He brought God into full revelation (1:18), yet He only spoke what the Father told Him to speak (12:49). In the passage under question in John 13," TARGET="_blank">John 13, He always knew what the Father had committed into His hands, but He now acted in keeping with that awareness. He always acted, thought, and spoke consistent with His distinct role in the Godhead.

D. Oliver
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What is the hope in this life to which Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 15:19?

What is the hope in this life to which Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 15:19" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:19?

What we hope for causes us to live as we do (Hebrews 11:1)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:1). In Romans 8," TARGET="_blank">Romans 8, we are assured that tribulation (vv. 35-39) cannot thwart God’s purpose to ultimately conform us to the image of His Son (vv. 29, 30). But in Romans 5," TARGET="_blank">Romans 5, tribulation works in the present to produce perseverance, character, and hope (vv. 3-4, NASB). What God will ultimately do, He does progres- sively making us more like His Son now. Our hope for the future gives us hope in the present.

This is true in 1 Corinthians 15," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15, too. Verses twelve through 34 emphasize the impact of the resurrection of Christ. It assures that believers will rise, Christ will reign, death will be defeated, and God will be all in all (vv. 26-28). Why then fear death? Hope for the future translates into living in the present. Therefore, Paul daily faced the possibility of a martyr’s death (vv. 30-32).

If believers are willing to hazard their lives for a hope that will die with them because it is ill-founded, "if Christ be not risen" (v. 14), they are miserably misguided and most to be pitied.

D. Oliver
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Is respectable Christian behavior a prerequisite for baptism?

Is becoming Christian behavior a prerequisite for baptism?

Four cases come to mind. If a believer expects himself to be perfect before being baptized, he will wait for the Rapture. At that point, it will be too late to obey the Scriptures. Willingness to unreservedly obey the God’s Word is a sufficient condition for baptism (Acts 2:41)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:41). If a believer carelessly persists in self-will, he is not giving evidence that he is a Christian. For that person, baptism is inappropriate. If, in the third case, a person is obviously unaware of New Testament teaching regarding some aspects of Christian behavior, then patience, support, and counsel are appropriate, but not baptism. If he gladly receives further teaching, baptize him. Fourth, if a person still struggles with an addiction, such as smoking, baptizing him seems inconsistent. Baptism declares that the believer has died with Christ and been raised with Him to walk in "newness of life" (Romans 6:4)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:4). This newness of life is not merely a life that has changed, but a life energized by a different kind of power; it is resurrection life. To suffer under the power of a visible, addictive sin denies the power professed in baptism. Apart from daily salvation from the power of sin, any believer could founder. However, to baptize a person who is smoking, for instance, publically states that smoking is acceptable Christian behavior. Some think being baptized will help break their habit. That’s seldom the case. Breaking the nicotine habit is admittedly difficult for some, especially when they have suffered other "more serious" addiction. Perhaps the real difficulty is in confronting the fact that this "lesser" addiction is as unacceptable and sinful as the "more serious" addiction is.

D. Oliver
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