How can I gracefully refuse an invitation to a church that I know is practicing wrong teachings?

Without being offensive, how can I handle the invitations of those whom I have brought to gospel meetings when they ask me to their "services?"

Because there can be no fellowship between the things of God and the things of this world (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14-16), Paul teaches, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate" (verse 17). Returning to an unbeliever's congregation disobeys this instruction.

No explanation is likely to be understood. Pointing out unscriptural features of that congregation will likely offend this friend. Instead, anticipate a reciprocal invitation. Pray for grace to answer in a kind, humble way. Express a sincere appreciation and understanding of his invitation. Make certain he understands that you value his friendship and company in contexts which don't compromise your convictions. Be open to discussion, but direct the conversation toward the primary issue between you, the necessity for God's salvation. Let him know that spiritual rather than social concerns motivated your invitation.

J. Slabaugh

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What principles does a Christian violate by voting in a state referendum?

What principles does a Christian violate by voting in a state referendum on issues like allowing gambling casinos or legalizing abortion?

Voting, in and of itself, is neutral. If voting involves the believer in the political system, this seems to violate the principle of separation (Ephesians 5:11;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14-18). As our Lord Jesus, we are not "of the world" (John 17:16)." TARGET="_blank">John 17:16). He refused to be drawn into politics (Matthew 22:17-21)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:17-21). By our lives, we are to be salt, exerting a preserving influence on the world (Matthew 5:13)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:13). By our prayers, we are to effect good in government (1 Timothy 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:2). It is an admission of failure to have to use the voting booth to do what neither our lives nor prayers are doing.

On the other hand, a referendum, as stated by the question, may not involve entanglement in the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 2:4). Suppose a politician, for example, took a poll of neighborhood opinion and stopped at a Christian’s door. Responding would hardly violate the principles mentioned above. The same can be said of voting in a referendum.

D. Oliver
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How does an assembly recognize its elders?

How does an assembly recognize its elders?

Paul gives the qualifications for men who will join an existing oversight in Ephesus (1 Timothy 3:1-7;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:1-7; Acts 20:17)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:17). These still guide an assembly in recognizing its elders. In God’s design, an assembly operates on theocratic, not democratic, principles; it is subject to God’s will, not the people’s. The Lord, the Chief Shepherd, is supreme in each assembly. To produce this subjection to God, He supplies the assembly with a plurality of shepherds. By their own example and by divine enablement, these shepherds lead (1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, "rule," lead, attend to, WEV) the flock in recognizing elders the Lord provides for them. Elders affirm the Spirit’s work in making men overseers (Acts 20:28);" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28); they do not authoritatively make overseers. Unitedly dependent on the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2)," TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11:2), they communicate to the assembly their perception of God’s choice. In this way, the assembly recognizes its elders.

Overseers encourage the spiritual development of every young believer, perceive when a shepherd’s heart develops in some, and discern when that work has reached appropriate maturity in individuals. The Lord doesn’t "graduate" a class of new overseers. God’s work in each soul reaches maturity in its own time.

D. Oliver
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How can I know what work to do for God?

How can I know what work to do for God?

What a valuable expression of devotion to the Lord!

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:10) teaches us God’s way of entrusting lesser responsibilities initially. In fact, lifelong willingness to do "that which is least" is becoming for bondservants (see Philippians 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 2:5). Mark 12:34," TARGET="_blank">Mark 12:34, "The Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who . . . gave . . . to every man his work," highlights the Lord’s manner: He desires to employ every hand and entrusts to each of us our personal responsibility. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10)" TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 9:10) advocates putting all our strength into what we do; that is especially appropriate for spiritual work.

Three factors may guide us in fulfilling our responsibility. First, our work will present itself to us. As part of living daily by the power of the Spirit, we should expect perceived need to encounter spiritual opportunity (Genesis 24:27)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24:27). Second, our work will not be disruptive. The Scriptures use a body to illustrate assembly functioning (Romans 12:5;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:27). If we assume we are a "thumb" and our functioning displaces another believer, we are either on the wrong hand (going about our work in the wrong way) or misdirected (doing the wrong work). Third, our work will have encouragement. Seeking others’ approval ought to be disappointing, yet the absence of encouragement should produce humble waiting on God. Work done for the Lord will eventually have His encouragement, perhaps in small, very personal ways, and the encouragement of respected believers. Only intimacy with God, however, can impart the essential awareness in the soul that a particular work, especially public service, is God-given.

D. Oliver
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What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

Should a Christian date or marry someone from another race? Does skin color matter in a Christian marriage? Does the Bible forbid a black person from marrying a white person or an Asian or Hispanic?

The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as different "races". We are all from one race – the human race. There exits many different cultures, different external physical characteristics and languages in the world, but there is only one human race. It is more accurate to say that there are different people groups based on nationality and culture, but biologically speaking, there is only one race of humans on the earth.

Adam and Eve are the parents of all human descendents.

Gen 3:20" TARGET="_blank">Gen 3:20 The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

1Co 15:45" TARGET="_blank">1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

All humans share another common ancestor in Noah and his family. Noah's three sons and daughters-in-law were told to leave the ark and re-populate the globe.

Genesis 8:16-18" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 8:16-18 "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh--birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him.

The New Testament also confirms the fact that we are all one race. Paul was preaching in Athens to a group of Greeks and other groups when he said…

Acts 17:26-27" TARGET="_blank">Acts 17:26-27 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (27) that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Modern biologist have discovered through the Human Genome Project that the differences between people within the same people group are about the same as variations between them and others outside of their group. Skin color is a very minor difference genetically speaking.

But what do Bible verses mean in regards to the prohibition of marriage between the ancient Jews and the surrounding nations?

In the case of King Solomon, he disobeyed the word of the Lord when he married women from other nations. His disobedience was not because of a difference of race, but because the new wives (which also is poligamy) brought him into idolatry.

1 Kings 11:1-2" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 11:1-2 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, (2) from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.

Deuteronomy 17:17" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 17:17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

In the days of Nehemiah, there was a mixture of marriages between Israel and surrounding nations. The problem was the same – foreign religions caused the people of Israel to forsake God.

Nehemiah 13:23-26" TARGET="_blank">Nehemiah 13:23-26 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. (24) And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. (25) And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. (26) Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.

The New Testament equivalent command for Christian marriage is found in

2 Corinthians 6:14-17" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (15) What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? (16) What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

A Christian should not marry an unbeliever. It does permit that a Christian marry someone from another nationality or another ethnic group or culture.

But is it wise to marry someone from another culture?

Every marriage faces challenges because of differences of opinion and different assumptions about the other person. Differences in age, culture, language, family environment all need to be considered and discussed before committing to marry one another. These obstacles may be anticipated and overcome. If you are planning to be married, you should get to know your spouses family very well ahead of time. Your spouse learned a great deal of how a family functions (or malfunctions) from his/her parents. If your fiancé is from another country or culture, you should take your time to adapt yourself to the other culture and make adjustments.

Shad David Sluiter

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What is the Daniel fast?

What is a Daniel fast?

The Daniel Fast is a diet based on the story from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Daniel and his three friends decided to fast in the sense that they refused to eat the meat provided to them by the King of Babylon. Daniel was not fasting in refraining from all food. Neither was Daniel trying to improve his health by losing weight or by avoiding unhealthy fats. Daniel was interested in obeying the law of Moses.

Daniel 1:8-14" TARGET="_blank">Daniel 1:8-14 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. (9) And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, (10) and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king." (11) Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (12) "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. (13) Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see." (14) So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

Daniel decided to fast, not for health reasons, but for spiritual laws in the Bible. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the nation of Israel and was training a group of captured Jews to become officers in his government. Part of the social adaptation to their new kingdom and culture was to eat the King’s meat. It is likely that the meat itself was healthy, but involved in idol worship.

The concept of applying the Daniel fast to dieting is when a person decides to refrain from eating meat for a period of time. The Bible does not command or recommend a person follow Daniel’s fasting method for health reasons. We are at liberty to follow a vegetarian diet or a diet that contains meat. Other scriptures that deal with the matter of eating meat are found in Romans 14" TARGET="_blank">Romans 14 and 1 Timothy 4" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4 and 1 Corinthians 8" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 8…

Romans 14:1-4" TARGET="_blank">Romans 14:1-4 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. (2) One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. (3) Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. (4) Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

1 Timothy 4:1-5" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, (2) through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, (3) who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (4) For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (5) for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1 Corinthians 8:4-13" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 8:4-13 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." (5) For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- (6) yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (7) However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. (8) Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. (9) But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (10) For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? (11) And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. (12) Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (13) Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Shad Sluiter

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How can a Christian be "perfect" before God?

Is the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer?

Romans 5:19," TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:19, "As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous," compares and contrasts Adam and Christ. God declared all under Adam's headship sinners because of Adam's one disobedient act. That determined our natural standing. Adam's one sin was not imputed to us, but the result of that one sin was. One act of Christ's obedience (the cross) constitutes all under His headship righteous. His obedience "to the extent of death" is not imputed to us. Our righteous standing results from His death, not His life.

God imputed to us neither the righteous acts of Christ nor His own righteousness, a divine attribute. We have been made "righteousness of God in Him" (literally, "the" is missing, indicating the character of our standing) (2 Corinthians 5:21)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of the cross, God is righteous to declare the believer righteous and to impute to him a righteous standing, perfectly in accord with His righteous requirements (see Romans 3:21-26; 5:1, 9)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:21-26; 5:1, 9).

D. Oliver

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Did Christ become the Son of God when He was born?

It is being taught in some quarters that our Lord was “God the Son in eternity,” and became the “Son of God in incarnation.”

Is this distinction scriptural?

I do not know where the phrase, “God the Son,” occurs in Scripture, though no serious objection need be raised to it. As a Trinitarian Person He was God the Son, but THEN, too, He was in the relation of Son to the Father, and was therefore Son of God. There are those who deny the Eternal Sonship of Christ, which is a very serious error, but clearly the teacher referred to here admits this important truth.

But I believe it is unscriptural to limit the expression “Son of God” to incarnation. To the Son He saith, “Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever,” and to the Son also, “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth” (Hebrews 1:8-10)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:8-10)—uttered to the Lord centuries before His incarnation. I doubt if the Sonship of Christ is ever made to depend on His incarnation. He was CALLED the Son of God’ in incarnation, because He was the Son of God before incarnation (Luke 1:35)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:35), just as the “Son given” is called “Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,” because He was all this before being “the child, born” of the virgin (Isaiah 9:6)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 9:6). The above teacher has been referred to as to the phrase this question is based on, and he replies that what he intended to be printed was, “Christ was God the Son in eternity, and became the Son of God as Man,” which seems only to mean that personally He was unchanged, but now as Son of God He entered into Manhood and became changed in condition.

W.H.

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Is Aaron's miter like the woman's head covering in the church?

What is the relationship of Aarons mitre with the coverings of 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11?

The teaching of I Corinthians 11:2-16" TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 11:2-16 seems to be more a contrast than a comparison. Headship is the core truth of the passage and is distinguished from lordship. Picturing a body, headship points downward from the head and involves the responsibility of the head for the body. God has established an order in which the head takes care of the body. Lordship is complementary to this and points upward to the head. Lordship indicates the responsibility of the body to the head. The body acknowledges this order by subjection. Authority is linked with lordship, administration with headship. Colossian truth is that He is the head of the Body ("looking from the head down") and is therefore the source of our completeness (Colossian 1:18; 2:10, 19)." TARGET="_blank">Colossian 1:18; 2:10, 19). Ephesian truth is that we are in the Body ("looking from the body up") and are responsible to one another and to the Lord (Ephesians 5:21, 22)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:21, 22).

Second, two spheres of headship are on display in the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11: Christ is head of the man; man is head of the woman (verse 3). The temporary covering on the head of the woman and the lack of a covering on the head of the man expresses Christs headship of the man. The short hair of the man and the long hair of the woman express mans headship of the woman. The first sphere of headship requires incarnation and redemption. The second dates from creation (not the Fall).

Interpreting Aarons head covering in light of 1 Corinthians 1" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1 seems to confuse the issue therefore, since headship is not related to subjection to authority and the covered head displays a New Testament headship.

D. Oliver
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Is it ever God's will for a Christian to marry an unbeliever?

Is it ever God’s will for an assembly Christian to marry an unbeliever or a believer who is not in assembly fellowship?

Because God is the same (Hebrews 1:12; 13:8)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:12; 13:8), His will today is the same as when He inspired His Word (2 Timothy 3:16)." TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16). God’s will is never contrary to His Word. He teaches, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthhians 6:14), which clearly includes marriage.

For believers, the Lord places this restriction: "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 7:39). The New Testament distinguishes between the expressions "in Christ" and "in the Lord." "In Christ" relates to our union and position in relationship with Christ. "In the Lord" expresses our submission in responsibility to the Lord. Marriage in Christ would involve marriage to another Christian. Marriage in the Lord involves the marriage of two believers who are willing to submit to the Lord. Full submission to His lordship includes gathering to His name (Matthew 18:20)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20).

Admittedly, some who gather to His name are not fully submitted to His lordship and some who do not gather to His name submit to His lordship to a greater degree. A believer who receives the Biblical teaching of gathering to His name and doesn’t submit to it (or only "submits" to it to gain the hand of a partner in marriage) is not submitting to His lordship. Marrying such a person is not "marriage in the Lord."

Marrying an unbeliever or marrying a believer who does not submit to the Lordship of Christ violates God’s Word and cannot be His will.

David Oliver
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