How can we deal with in-law problems?

It is important always to remember that you and your in-laws are all children of God and loved by Him so much that He gave His Son for each of you. We are commanded in 1 John 4:11," TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:11,12 to love one another, thus proving the reality of our salvation. If problems have developed between believers, the Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:15 that we should discuss and clear up the problems privately. If that doesn't work (verse 16), then one or two brethren with spiritual wisdom and experience should be invited to give unbiased advice. Every effort should be made to avoid involving others in the assembly.

Sometimes the problem is that parents have been so accustomed to the subjection of their children in the home that they forget that their married "child" is now a member of a new family with the husband as the head. The situation should never be left to fester and become worse, or it can develop into strife not only within the family but also in the assembly

A. Joyce

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How can I help my child choose a career?

How can parents advise children regarding their choice of a career?

Parents are responsible to provide guidance for their children (Proverbs 22:6)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 22:6), while allowing for the child’s individuality and responsibility in making choices. Since a child is a stewardship entrusted by the Lord (Psalm 127:3)," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 127:3), a parent seeks the Lord’s, rather than his own, will for that child’s life. A child’s suitable development outweighs a parent’s wish to continue the family business. Positive incentives may help, but self-serving demands or pressure to fulfill a parent’s frustrated dreams don’t.

Modeling and discussing (Deuteronomy 6:7)" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:7) the value of responsibility, serving others, and honesty are part of "child training." Countering society’s idolizing of money, self-serving superstars and glamor queens, and amoral heros is important and most effectively achieved by directing attention to historical, global, and local individuals who model Christian ethics.

Parenting is a growing relationship of communication, mutual respect, and love. Such a relationship will guide a child proactively, rather than reactively. In a child’s early years, his unique and useful capabilities should be recognized and encouraged. Without pressuring a child to make decisions beyond his maturity or unnecessary for his age, parents can encourage discussions of these matters. Parents don’t need to squelch a child’s imagination, creativity, personality, or capabilities while helping him to be realistic in his goals.

D. Oliver
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Help me understand who the "holy brethren" are in Hebrews 3

Does "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling" and "whose house are we" (Hebrews 3:1, 6)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:1, 6) refer to believers or unbelievers?

We cannot accept that these words are addressed to unbelievers for two very obvious reasons.

The nation of Israel never had a heavenly calling. The covenant with Abraham involved blessing for a heavenly and an earthly seed (Genesis 22:17;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 22:17; Galatians 3:29)," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3:29), but the promise through Jacob to Israel was for an earthly seed (Genesis 32:12)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 32:12). Abraham had heavenly hopes (Hebrews 11:10)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:10), but his natural seed had earthly hopes.

Israel is never called "the house of God." His (God's) house in Hebrews 3:2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:2 refers to the tabernacle in which Moses was faithful. To make unbelievers a part of "His (Christ's) own house" is not possible. Therefore the two expressions in the question cannot refer to unbelievers. We believe they were believers saved out of Judaism.

We know the name of this epistle is not divinely inspired, but internal evidence is most convincing that it was written to a people who were very familiar with the law and the Levitical system. The majority of them were true to Christ; some were not and turned back. In 1 Corinthians 10:22," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:22, going back to either the idol's temple or the Jewish altar was to provoke the Lord to jealousy. Distinction between the genuine and the false is clear in chapters 3, 6, 10 and 12. The most difficult passage, 5:11 to 6:10, becomes much easier to understand if we see the contrast between "they - them" referring to apostates, and .us - you", referring to genuine believers. "Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation." (6:9).

N. Crawford

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What qualifications should a preacher meet?

If a man in the fellowship of an assembly has previously been put away on several occasions for fornication, should he be permitted to preach the Gospel or minister the Word in assembly meetings?

1 Timothy 3:8-12" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:8-12 gives us the qualifications for deacons, men who serve the Lord in an assembly. The primary service of deacons (servants) is spiritual, that is, ministering the Word of God to believers and preaching the Gospel to sinners. Verse 10 clearly states that they must first be proved; "then let them minister being found blameless" (Newberry margin). The Scripture therefore clearly disqualifies a Christian man in an assembly from preaching the Gospel to sinners or ministering the Word to believers, if he has been guilty of repeated moral sins.

A. Joyce

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Had Satan any history previous to his appearing in the Garden Of Eden?

Had Satan any history previous to his appearing in the Garden Of Eden?

or does the expression in Ezekiel 28" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28 —”Eden the garden of God,” mean the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve were?

Such a thought as that Satan fell in the earthly Eden is entirely foreign to the Genesis account, where Satan is presented to us at once as the seducer of man. His fall is always considered in the Scriptures as from heaven not on earth. To rest such a theory as that Satan fell in the Eden of Genesis 2," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2, on the words, “Thou wast in Eden,” (Ezekiel 28:13)," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:13), is like balancing a pyramid on its apex. The word Eden is ‘edhen (from ‘adhan, to be delighted), and simply means a place of delight. It would be like saying that when Paul was caught up into Paradise, it must have been into the garden of Eden, for the same Greek word paradeisos is used there. As there is a heavenly and an earthly paradise, we may believe there is a heavenly as well as an earthly Eden. It is noticeable that “the garden of Eden” does not necessarily mean that the garden and Eden are the same, for in ver. 8 we read, “God planted a garden in Eden”, and in ver. io, “A river went out of Eden to water the garden”; thus the two are distinguished. This garden is never called “the Garden of God”, as in Ezekiel 28:13" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:13 (“In Eden, the garden of God. . . thou wast.”) The Genesis “garden” is rather the garden of man. The description of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28:12-15" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:12-15 (for it is surely he) must be taken as a whole, revealing his created glories (v. 12), and the place of delight, perfectly suitable to his nature prepared for him by God. Next his covering is described. The beauty of the place seems to have been rather mineral than vegetable. He was the anointed cherub that coyered (i.e., the throne of God?). “He was in the holy Mountain of God and he walked up and down (same word and mood employed of Enoch) in the midst of the stones of fire.” All this is perfectly foreign to the earthly paradise of Genesis 2." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2. The account goes on—”Thou wast perfect in all thy ways, from the day that thou wast created till iniquity was found in thee.” The earthly “garden of Eden” was prepared by• God for man at his creation, and we have no reason to believe he was long in Eden before he fell. Is it not a fantastic theory that all that we have read in Ezekiel, beginning with “Thou was in Eden . . . till iniquity was found in thee”, must be squeezed into man’s unfallen, sojourn in the garden! We do not make ourselves responsible for speculations attributed to those who believe Satan fell long previously! to man. We do not profess to be “wise above that which is written,” but we regard the theory of Satan’s fall in the Adamic garden of Eden’ as quite untenable and as subversive of all sane scriptural interpretation.
W.H.

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Does 1 Timothy suggest a paid pastor position?

Does 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, 18 suggest a paid pastorate?

A few obvious details in 1 Timothy make it clear that neither Timothy nor any Ephesian elder was the paid pastor. No New Testament passage supports such a practice, no matter how convenient or prevalent it may be.

All the overseers in Ephesus, where Timothy was, were to assist in teaching the saints (1 Timothy 3:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:2). Paul had taught these men to labor with their hands in doing their work with the flock (Acts 20:34, 35)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:34, 35). In addition, in 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, Paul is not speaking about one man, but about "elders that rule well." These elders received honor for the responsibility entrusted to them. They were also to be honored in another way. The law taught that an ox was allowed to eat in order to satisfy the necessity (his hunger) caused by his work. Thus, elders that ruled well were to receive financial assistance in cases where their labors caused them to lack the necessities of life. This is quite different from a contractual arrangement where one man is paid to do the preaching.

D. Oliver
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Are earthquakes a sign of the end of the world?

Are earthquakes a sign of the end of the world?

Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24 that there would be a number of signs that precede his return to the earth. These signs include false prophets claiming to be Christ, wars, famines and earthquakes.

Matthew 24:5-8" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:5-8 many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. (6) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. (7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (8) All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

These signs will occur in the beginning of the time of tribulation, leading up to the key event mentioned in Matthew 24:15," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:15, the abomination of desolation, when the Antichrist takes up his position as a god worthy of worship.

There are no signs given to us to predict when Christ will return for His Church in the rapture. Any signs we can distinguish, whether politically, spiritually or physically, show us that Christ’s return to the Mount of Olives is coming closer. Make no mistake, that the current pace of earthquakes and wars will have no comparison with the time of tribulation.

Matthew 24:21-22" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (22) And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Shad Sluiter
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Will believers reign on the earth in the Millennium?

To whom does "us" and "we" refer in Revelation 5:10," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:10, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth"?

The manuscripts used in Darby’s translation, for instance, change "we" to "them" and omit "us." The sense of the passage, therefore, is that the Lamb has made those He redeemed with His blood (verse 9) kings and priests to God; those redeemed ones will reign on the earth. We need not be upset to learn that, in subsequent years, scholars found more reliable manuscripts than those used for our beloved Authorized Version. God’s truth stands immutable: "For ever, 0 Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119:89). The manuscript changes are very minor and, as in this passage, affect no doctrine, but only our understanding of the passage.

D. Oliver
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What do the phrases

What is the meaning of Isaiah 33:14" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 33:14?

Most Gospel preachers use it in warning the unsaved but some Bible students hold differently.

I have heard an attempt to interpret “the devouring fire,” and “everlasting burnings,” as God’s burning love, on the ground that the words in v. 15, “He that walketh righteously, etc.,” are an answer to the question of the hypocrites, but it is not an answer at all and the interpretation is purely fantastic. “He that walketh righteously,” etc., describes those who will not dwell “with everlasting burnings,” but “on high” as in v. x6. Why should the sinners in Zion be afraid or the hyprocrites surprised with fearfulness, if they are intended to understand that all that awaits them is the eternal enjoyment of the love of God? No, they get a glimpse of the terrors of a lost eternity and of what awaits them if they pursue their path. It is to call darkness light and light darkness to make V. 14 mean something good and pleasant. I should think only Bible students of the shallowest “Universalist” type could extract such a meaning from the passage. Certainly let evangelists continue to use it as a warning to the ungodly, for that is its legitimate use.

The word “‘akal”—here translated “devouring”—_means literally “to eat,” and is constantly used of devouring or consuming in judgment (Numbers 21: 28;" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 21: 28; Isaiah 24: 6;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 24: 6; Isaiah 29:6)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 29:6). The word for “burnings” is from “yaqad”—and is used in Deuteronomy 32:22;" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 32:22; “and shall burn to the lowest hell,” see also Isaiah 10:16" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 10:16 and Isaiah 65:5;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 65:5; Jeremiah 15:4" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 15:4 and Jeremiah 17:4." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 17:4. It is also used of the burnings of the fire on the altar (Levticus 6:9, 12, 13).

W.H.

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Should I be baptized again if I was baptized as a baby?

There are many verses in the Bible that teach about various kinds of baptism. For a full explanation of the topic see the following 13 chapters of the online book Baptism by Harry Ironside .

Let’s examine the possible reasons why you may ask “should I be baptized again?”

1) If your reason to be baptized again as an adult is to complete a spiritual requirement to be saved, then the answer is NO. You should not be baptized yet. You need to be saved first before being baptized. Baptism is for people who already are Christians. You should not use baptism as a way to be saved or any other Christian activity such as participating in communion, joining a church, confirming your faith, getting married in the church or making a vow. Your real need is to trust Christ to be your savior. Baptism as a baby didn’t save you and neither will being baptized as an unbeliever make you saved.

2) If your reason to be baptized again is because you have recently accepted Christ as Savior and are now a true Christian, then the answer is YES. You should be baptized even if you were baptized before - as a baby or an adult.

Baptism for believers

Baptism is for a person who has been saved, trusting in Christ alone for salvation. If someone who was baptized before he/she became a Christian and then was saved, then being baptized again is the right thing to do.

Babies are not believers in Christ. The Bible does not teach that babies should be baptized. The tradition of baptizing a baby is purely from a tradition of the church. Baptism for babies gives a false security that “something” was done to help the child become a Christian.

Baptism by immersion

The symbolism of baptism is explained in Romans 6:1-5." TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:1-5. The believer is saying that he has died with Christ. He has died to sin. Therefore he should be symbolically buried. The word “baptize” means immersed or buried in water. Immersion is the only way to illustrate the truth of being dead and buried.

Romans 6:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? (2) By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (3) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

There are many verses in the Bible that teach about various kinds of baptism. For a full explanation of the topic see the following 13 chapters of the online book Baptism by Harry Ironside .

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