Questions Which People Frequently Ask
By: Richard Puckett
The following list of questions was emailed to me from Pastor Paul David Silway. I would like to try and answer these to the best of my ability. Let me start by pointing out that Preachers need to have answers for questions like this, not based on my ideal but by their own study.
Eccl 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
It is one of the biggest failures of the leaders today that they do not know the word of God, they know doctrine that the group they belong to wants taught.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Tim 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Tim 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1 Tim 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1 Tim 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1 Tim 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1 Tim 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Tim 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
We need leaders who are filled with the Spirit of God, who can answer being led by his word and spirit. We also need to have unity in teaching. Paul said that ye all speak the same thing, how can people know the truth today when its so shaded by the slants of justifying the flesh? I have included the full list and part of the email, I hope many of you find this useful in your study and search for answers yet you must decide the answers based on your walk and study not mine.
Many of the questions here pose problems facing almost every Pastor. I want to point out that church is very important for a couple of reasons though in the answers below I address some questions. One is that we need to grow together in the Lord and edify each other as well as God. Our faith must grow and our knowing his word is essential in that growth process.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
We are to help each other along the way.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
We need to hear preaching.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
2 Cor 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2 Cor 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
I should think that we would love the learning process, we would love to be with others that think like we do. Church is a family and if you give your heart to God then you become apart of Gods family. You need one another, and most of all you need to know word of God and how to live in a way pleasing to him.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Dear Sir,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus. There are a few questions which new people frequently ask, for which sometimes we avoid to answer. I know you will not find time to answer letters individually, but you can cover them in your Magazines little by little.
Down below I give these difficult questions people often ask, which are seldom answered by Christians. We have accumulated many unanswered questions. The boy Jesus grew in knowledge & understanding by "both listening to the teachers & asking them questions" ( Lk 2:46,47,52).
If you do not have a magazine, you can send me the answers so that I can teach the Body of Christ according to the Bible.
I would like to know the answers of such questions?
Can I know I am saved?
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Is water baptism a must?
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
Mat 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Mat 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Here is the reason we teach the need to of baptism, it is showing that we are dead to sin and alive with him forever more.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
1 Pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Pet 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
What is the formula for Baptism?
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
It would be hard to buried if just sprinkled yet one must remember it is the symbol of what is being done. The baptism that is important is the one that comes of his Spirit, the water one just tells the world we are changed and done to follow the example left to us by Christ.
Saturday or Sunday?
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Mat 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Mat 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Mat 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Mat 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
Luke 13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 13:17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
John 7:23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Not many are going to like my answer; you read what the bible says search it out, yet the last two verses say it all. We need to assemble with other believers to exhort one another. How often the bible dose not say once a week though under the law it was the Sabbath, the word dose not say twice a day on Sunday or a mid week time, it says to do it and do it so much more as ye see the day approaching. And it goes on to say let no man judge you in respect of an holy day or the Sabbath. So I conclude with this, Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Is tithing compulsory?
2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
We should give according as he purposeth in his heart. I will not be liked much for this, I pastored, I know it takes money to operate a church, I try to run a web page, that could use some money. The point is it is between man and God what and how much they give, if you want to sit in a nice building, have church buses, do many different kind of activities then someone has to pay for that. If you want a full time Pastor, someone to be at your beck and call then you have to be willing to pay for it.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Is wearing jewelry a sin? Can we wear a ring with stone on it?
1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Tim 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Pet 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1 Pet 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Pet 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Pet 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1 Pet 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1 Pet 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
These words were given in better ways for us to learn to serve God, it dose not say it’s a sin. Sin is a act against God, if a woman chooses to follow Gods word she will do as her husband wishes not out of fear or because of a law but because she wants too. God knows that you cannot make man serve you, he must want to do so. You have to work out between you and God his will on dress and everything you do in life. Is some things better for you not to do of course the reason is so you will be a better light to the world that they can see Jesus in your deeds.
Can't believers take medicines? Can Christian take medication? Does it hinder faith?
Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
1 Tim 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Luke was a doctor, balms were often used in that day, Paul was sick and treated. I see no reason at all not to use medicines.
Is it right to celebrate Christmas?
If you believe in Jesus why not give him a day of praise and giving to others in his honor? I see no reason not to and even more reasons why one should.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
What about the prosperity doctrine? Can we take donations from unbelievers for the Bible says - The wealth of the sinners is reserved for the righteous?
There are many Preachers today that are money hungry and have found that by selling the ideal that prosperity comes by giving. The ideal is simple you cannot out give God, there for the more you give the more he will give you. God is not in the business of being trading house. We are his children and he promised to meet all of our needs according to his will. There is no condition of giving in order to receive blessings, how ever he does teach us to be givers for in being givers we show his love. We are Gods hands and workers here and giving is important. Let me also point out once again God dose not need your money, when you give you may be giving it to further his works by man, but you are not giving it to God. If you want a church with soft seats and heating and cooling, and song books, and choirs then you have to pay for it. I don't think God is impressed by it though, I think he would rather see you using your resources to meet local needs and win souls. I am not saying having church is wrong, or that heating and cooling is wrong, I am saying that if you lose sight of why you need them is wrong. Do you think stain glassed windows, gold chairs, plush carpets, is really winning souls? Do you think that you should have to pay the song leader, the deacons, youth leaders and teachers and all the things that we pay for today is of God? We are the bride of Christ, what if your wife demanded to be paid or the husband by the spouse? If the members of the body choose for these to be full time positions, and there is enough funds coming in to the church with out taxation and pocket book begging there may be nothing wrong with this. How ever if you have to beg for money and tax the people I doubt Gods word will support this.
2 Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2 Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Phil 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Phil 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Phil 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Phil 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Ok get mad if you want too, but many ministers today sound more Satan then like Christ. Come and give, buy my book I'll send you this free gift, help me build a kingdom down here and you can be a part of it. Folks if you want to see them on tv then help pay for it, but understand what your paying for. I would rather see you support your local church.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Mat 22:19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
Mat 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Mat 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This is one of the key verses used today. We are to be givers for with the same measure you give it shall be returned to you. God does bless those of us that give out of the heart for the right reasons. You have no fear by giving, the one who has to fear is the deceiver who takes for the wrong reason, who takes and does not give them selves. Here is the issue, if I live in a great house, dress in fine clothes and beg you to give me more while you can't afford to eat or pay your light bill or buy a coat, is God pleased with me? NO, is he displeased with you for giving because you think you are giving to do Gods work, NO. Will God bless you for doing it, YES, if not in this life in the one to come if you live according to his will, but you can give all you have and if your heart is not right with him you will still be lost. Heaven is not for sale.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
You pay for what you want, you want a pastor, you should pay him and see his needs are met. To what standard should he live, he should live the way people he serves live.
Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Give alms, to give is not wrong, in fact we are told to give, but not for treasure here, but for the prize at the end.
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2 Cor 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2 Cor 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2 Cor 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Not every one can teach or preach or go out to be a missionary. So God will bless those that help to support this work.
James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Which church to join?
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The bible talks a great deal about the church, yet is says little in which church one should go to. The reason is at that time there were many groups, often in houses but all of one faith. I think the choice comes down to this, you should go to a place you love to go to, feel like a part of it and most of all teach the word of God consistently. If you agree with every word spoken and feel like nothing said hits you then you are at the wrong place. If you go and can not feel the Spirit of God, if the preaching dose not move your heart, if you do not feel loved and cared about time to look for someplace else.
Where should the tithe go?
Read the above verses. The money given should go to pay the Pastor, and keep up the church. Who should control the money? I think that the Pastor should have control over part of it, but should answer to the whole body, And should never be the treasure. The funds belong to the members to use for the cause of the church, not any one person should have full control over those funds. When I say the Pastor needs a potion to control, I mean in case someone comes in and needs help there should be fund to do that at his description.
Can women preach?
1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
You decide.
Who can baptize converts?
The bible does not say who can perform or can not do this. Most denominations require that the person be ordained.
Can I preach others sermons?
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Cor 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Why do Gods servants die before time?
Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Is family planning wrong?
I feel that family planning is good and acceptable to God. We are to be wise stewards of all that God has given us. There is lots of differing ideals on this subject, I would suggest its up to you and your spouse and the Holy Spirit as God leads you.
Is childlessness a curse?
(1 Tim 2:13 KJV) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim 2:13: In the order of creation on the sixth day, God formed man to rule over the world He had made. After forming man from the dust of the ground, He took a part of the man's side (sela`, Heb.) and made for him a helper (`ezer, Heb.) corresponding to him (kenegdo, Heb.), a "counterpart," one who would complete him (cf. Gen. 2:18, 21-23). The function or role of the woman is further illustrated in the order of creation.
(1 Tim 2:14 KJV) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Tim 2:14: This verse clearly states that Eve was deceived by the serpent (cf. Gen. 3:1-13). Yet Adam was not deceived. God straightforwardly directed Adam to resist the forbidden fruit, giving to the man the responsibility of spiritual leadership. Eve was aware of God's command through her husband, who was the God-assigned leader and protector (Gen. 2:15-17). The woman's susceptibility to deception is better explained by her secondhand knowledge of God's limitation than by any suggestion that her intellectual faculties were inferior to the man's. Quite the contrary, both man and woman are made in the image of God and in essence stand before Him on equal footing (cf. Gen. 1:27; 5:2; Matt. 19:4; Gal. 3:28; 1 Pet. 3:7).
(1 Tim 2:15 KJV) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1 Tim 2:15: With Gen. 3:16 and its link between Eve's sin and the pain of childbearing still in mind, Paul provides a note of comfort. Before the Fall, God issued the command for reproduction of future generations (Gen. 1:28), but the pain in childbearing developed as a result of sin, which brought with it suffering and the distortion of the Edenic Paradise. The godly behavior of a woman will be rewarded by her awesome contribution in joining with the Creator God in the process of producing the next generation. Through a willingness to bring life into the world and nurture that life physically and spiritually, a woman is obedient to the redemptive plan of God.
Vote for whom?
I cannot tell you who to vote for or should anyone else. You should pray and let the Spirit lead you.
Can Christians buy lottery tickets? Can a Christian go to a theatre? Can believers watch movies?
This is very much debated today.
Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.
The bible talks about not defrauding one another, yet there is nothing directly said either for or against gambling. Here is some thoughts, you can make anything bad if not used correctly, is voting wrong, is going to a movie, is playing cards, or going to a fair or any game of chance.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Must a Christian change his profession?
Again some things just have to be worked out by the leading of God's Holy Spirit. If your job is one that promotes sin I do not see how you could do it any longer. If your job conflicts with any part of what you know God expects of you then how could you continue to do those things. God did not call me to judge but he did say you would stand and be judged by you own works, if they are Godly or not.
Can a Christian join an army?
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mark 14:47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Mark 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
Mark 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luke 22:49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
It is evident that some of those with Jesus did carry swords.
Deu 3:18 And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war.
Deu 3:19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
Eccl 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Eccl 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Eccl 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Eccl 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Eccl 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Eccl 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Eccl 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Eccl 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Eccl 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
Eccl 3:10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
What about black money, the builder asks for a flat?
I'm not sure what this question means. I think if you were asking what about money taken by some illegal means if you were the one that took it you would be wrong. If someone gave it to you and you used it for God I would say no problem. My reason is simple when the tax collector gave his life to Jesus; he took half of all he had to do good with it. That money was ill gotten but used for positive works.
Can we see TV, & what about children?
As the verses above already show, we are the one's who control our bodies and minds. God wants us to put as much of out time into doing good for him. Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Can we celebrate our birthdays / & in the church? Can a church celebrate the Pastors birthday in the church?
There is no reason one can't that I could see. The only issue maybe is church the place to do it? Many churches have rooms used for these things where I see no reason too. But in the place of worship one should pray about that, if it causes division then it should not be done.
Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Can we visit a graveyard - just as a remembrance of our people who have died?
I know of no reason one can not visit graveyards, or mourn for the lost.
Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Mat 27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Mat 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Mat 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Mat 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Mat 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Mat 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mat 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Mat 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
Can we give pocket money to small children & what age?
I know of no bible reason why one could not give money to a child at any age.
Can we drink wine?
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Mark 15:22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Luke 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
Luke 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
Luke 7:35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.
John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
John 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
John 2:8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Tim 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Tim 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1 Tim 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1 Tim 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
1 Tim 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Tim 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 Tim 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1 Tim 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1 Tim 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Tim 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
1 Tim 5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
1 Tim 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
You decide!
Can we attend an unbelievers wedding? Can we bring a proposal for an unbeliever? Should we read worldly magazine of heroes/heroines?
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
1 Cor 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Can Christian students copy in an exam & can he show his papers to other students to help him?
Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
1 Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Can we eat pork? Can Christians eat beef? Is it wrong to be a vegetarian?
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Acts 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1 Cor 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1 Cor 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1 Cor 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Cor 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1 Cor 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Cor 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1 Cor 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Can we smoke/drink little in parties?
Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
1 Cor 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Cor 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Should we give to all who ask? If we start giving & poor people in the church come to know then everyone will ask us?
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Should the church always help the poor/needy in the church?
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Should the Lords supper be once in a month or every week, & on which day - only Sunday or could it be on other days too? Can a church member take the Lords supper twice a day?
1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
The Bible does not say how often or where or when, just when we do this do it in the right frame of mind.
Must we offer intoxicating wine or pure grape juice/ black cola? Should we have bread, chapatti for the Lords supper?
I think grape juice was used but I doubt that it matters if that are water, it’s the symbol that is important.
Must a sister cover her head while speaking in the church?
As the verses already shown shows Paul said a woman was to keep silent. I am not the judge and I see it like this God uses who he uses. And the woman should follow the custom of the people she is with so as not to offend.
Some denominations men don’t grow mustache? Some even wear only white clothes, & some are not allowed to wear ornaments?
There is nothing that I know of that says you should or should not under grace. And we are under grace, set free from the law by the blood of Jesus. As already stated in other parts of this, God is not about dress of the outward, but the indward dress.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2 Cor 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
1 Pet 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Pet 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
How do we counsel to those believers who stop coming to church because they have been hurt by some one?
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Go to them in pray and keep going and going. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
What about some who often come late to church service? What about some members who leave their own church because they see another church which has a good building?
Be glad they came at all, seek to bring something to the people that they can't wait to hear, can't wait to be in the Spirit. I have often seen and heard this complaint, well its not their fault its yours. If you bring them food that is spiritual and will make them hungry to learn they will come with gladness. I don't think Jesus worried to much bout what time someone came up to him while teaching, so long as they came. Church should not be a place of laws and rules it should be a place of worship and prayer.
What about some believers who are so attached to their own mother tongue, & after they are saved in a particular church, they will leave & go to their own mother-tongue church? What about those Pastors who steal others sheep or tell members belonging to others church to come to their church? What about those pastors who say to a talented member of other churches that God has lead me to tell you to play in our church, when the church was depending upon him to play in his church?
Why would you not want them to go and spread the good news and grow. We are farmers we sow seed, some times we get our harvest some times someone elses, but the harvest is for God. If a person knows the preacher loves them and he feeds and teaches them well and is filled with the Spirit and God is moving, why would they leave to go some place dead? If you are doing Gods will don't worry bout it, if they go someone else will come. It is one of the sins of the church we worry about who will get the credit, gee God is not about who has a big church or who has a small one, he is about doing saving the lost. Why would you not say to a member, I want you to grow and go where you feel God can use you most. We need you here, but if you feel led to go then so be it and come back and we shall love you the same. There is a time when a child must leave and go on its own, so it is with memebers as well they grow in the Lord and it comes time for them to go forward.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
John 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
What about those members who are offended because they want the Pastor to always visit them? What about those members who do not come because they say they are busy? What about those members who say if I can get a place in the choir, that will make me to come regular to the church? Can a member who has filled a member-ship form leave the church without intimation & join & become a member of another church? What about church members who think - "I can leave the church & join another church if the pastor corrects me, since there are so many churches around? How to council with a church member who is offended & he does not come to church?
Do all things in love seeking God first. Be open and honest, speak from the heart as filled by God's Spirit. People will listen when they fill love and caring. The reason most often when people will not talk to a preacher is because they lack respect for him the person. 1 Cor 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. A pastor's job is to feed his sheep, baby-sit if he has to tend to the wounded. If you are a Pastor and not willing to put your flock before your own needs then get out of the pasturing business. It is a preacher's job to visit and heal and teach and preach to his flock. Your job as a preacher is not to decide where they draw the water from or what well but that they draw the water and drink it. Over the years of Pasturing I would find a member that was not really best fed from me. Maybe I was not Pentecostal enough or I stepped on their toes because I do not believe its ok to drink, or taught it was better not to go dancing or whatever. I would often suggest that they go to one of the other local churches. Being I worked often with the local AG church, preached there, led singing, played drums and what ever God led to do I often sent people there where I knew they would feel better and be happier. The fact is I knew in our little church they would eventually cause division because I would not meet what they needed. What amazed me was, he was happy to get them, but when time came that some of his people wanted to come to our little church he was very wroth. Why? Its our job to feed the sheep and keep a loving family unit, every family sometimes has trouble, you work though them with love and understanding, if you have your feelings on your elbow, you will be the one that tears down all you have worked to build. There comes a time if you have someone cause divisions you must ask them to leave. This should be done as a last resort, your first thing to do is to try and restore them to the fellowship. There is no place in the Bible that tells us we must belong to some church, though it does in courage worshiping together. If we are born of God we are all members of his church, the local church is just a local place to pray and worship together, to edify and grow in the lord.
John 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1 Cor 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1 Cor 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1 Cor 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1 Cor 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
What about some members who say - if God gives me a job or blessing then I will come to church?
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Is member-ship in a church important?
Yes because we need to grow and help each other alone. Here in is a problem; the church today is not very supportive of each other. If a member confesses their faults instead of pray and encouragement they are more likely to be condemned and talked about. If preachers want a strong church then they must teach the people the word, forgiveness, love humbleness, mercy and so on.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
To put a person in a responsible position & then to tell him to step down because of lack of commitment or because of absenteeism - if that person is hurt & leaves the church? It is easy to give a position but to remove it becomes very difficult. Can a pastor remove a church member from the church permanently? If he does the member will join another church & that pastor will accept him because he wants more members? Usually leaders appointed by the Pastor -say to some members when they have a fight - Don’t come to our church. When a church member leaves a particular believing church & goes for another, should that Pastor welcome him or not? Because the pastors have been accepting such people the members just wait the moment they are offended they leave. Can we pray for a BA mother who asks the pastor to pray for her daughters marriage who is an unbeliever ( for an unbeliever match) -she probably does not know? How about prayer -walks?
I find great fault in church leaders and members because of this very thing. Let us say a body calls a person to Pastor the church. They pray and say they are led by God to have this man. Then he should be there till God tells him to go not when he has taught the word and someone don't like it anymore. Unless there is a bible reason and you have done all to restore him he should stay. If the church prays and elects someone to teach a class or do a office in the church, they should be there till the Holy Spirit tells them to give it up, not when we have someone else we want to do the job. We say we believe in pray and the Spirit then why don't we talk to God? Pray and the failure of praying is the biggest down fall of the church and its leaders and members. If you are going to do anything teach people to pray. Prayer is talking to God, and listening, it’s a conversation with God.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
John 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
2 Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2 Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
1 Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
2 Tim 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2 Tim 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Can male Christians have long hair?
1 Cor 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Can a Pastor accept a member of another Believing church, & on what basis or should he get a letter of recommendation from the Pastor ? What happens to the member of a particular church because he is hurt & leaves with the hurt feeling without solving it first & expects a blessing from another church?
You may have denominational rules that dictate who you can accept for members and how. As far as the bible goes as I said earlier if a person is of one faith with you and the body we all belong to the same church. So if he or she wants to worship with you, even if there is some difference in ideals, why would you say no? I remember many years ago when a young man wanted to join our church, he had been baptized years before and it was not in the way our denomination said was the method. Yet he had been attending our church a number of years and came to the Lord there. Baptism is a testimony of that. I asked him if he felt right with God and if in the future he would meet the conditions of the denomination rules he said yes. One of the members of the church recommended him for membership and the whole body knowing all the background choose to make him a member by % vote. A couple of years later the same member who recommended him got angry at him for some reason and then wanted to kick him out because at time of his joining he had not met the conditions. I said no; in fact I said she needed to be on the altar. She tried then to have me removed, brought charges to our presberty. I was not removed, was I right or wrong, I felt I was right and still do. Our goals is to save and win to the Lord, not tear down and destroy, to toss him out would have killed him inside. 1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Can a pastor start a new church close by where there is already a church? Can we have church (Spiritual ) competitions - Choir competition, usually the judges judge not according to the anointing or the closeness of the person to God but according to their voice, the voice may be of a dead Christian too? Can we compete with one another? Can we have spiritual competition?
Why not? Do you allow to farms to set next to each other? Do you have to groups of cattle with different shepherd's graze in the same ground? The issue should not even exist but it does because all too often we are in conpition, this is wrong. The only goal we should have is to bring glory to God and increase the sheep, not worry about what building the sheep are fed at. As far as competitions in church, you want to tear people down and destroy your church go ahead and do so. This does not bring glory to God, it only lets someone feel they are better then someone else.
When a Pastor is invited by another church pastor - what he shouldn’t speak, so that he does not lure the people to his church - by speaking & showing that he loves his church more than this Pastor his won church, & how he often visits & putting in the mind of the church people that "My Pastor does not visit us"?
You should pray and study and preach what the Holy Spirit gives you.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
When a pastor conducts a marriage of his own member, should he be given a love-offering by the marriage parties, is it a rule?
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
1 Pet 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1 Pet 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Pet 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
What about those members who do not support the church by paying tithes, but they will help otherwise but not in money?
1 Pet 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1 Pet 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Pet 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
There is no price on becoming a Christian. There is no price on becoming a member of Gods church. Read the above on giving.
What about a believers profession which involves putting Hindi film songs to entertain the guests? Can a believer take a profession like - Beauty parlor, beer bar (shop), join an army, police force, CID Film-line, TV line(serials)? Is it wrong to listen to Film songs & sing those songs at home? Is it wrong to dance on the film songs? Can the sisters in the church put nail polish/lipstick?
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Tim 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Is there any necessity to beat drums when worshipping to create an atmosphere of praise/worship/anointing?
Through out the Bible every king of instrument was used to give God praise. I see no reason that you would not use what ever gifts God has given to bring him glory.
Can Pastors wear Jean while ministering or in a service? Can sisters wear pants (men's dress)?
The Bible does not tell you how to dress, yet one should use wisdom and dress in a way that is not offenisve to the crowd you speak to. If you live in a area where all dress in jeans and no one is offended by it then why not. I do think we should dress our best for God. It is due to showing honor.
1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Pet 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1 Pet 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Pet 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1 Pet 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
2 Cor 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Can we whistle - when we are joyful, humming a spiritual song?
Psa 66:1 To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Psa 66:2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Psa 81:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Psa 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Psa 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
Psa 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psa 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
Psa 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Psa 98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Psa 98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
Psa 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Psa 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Can parents have pets of their children ( usually loving the youngest one/ or the male)? What is the effect?
There are many stories in the Bible where a child was loved more then the other. It leads to problems almost every time. Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: We should strive to love and treat all our children the same, the truth is a child that shows more love and honor will likely receive the same in return.
Nowadays Ministers keep their names, or their ministries run on their own names, for their church or ministries ? Is that correct?
There is no Bible that really addresses this as far as I can think of, let me say this, the work we do is for God and to bring him Glory not ourselves. So before you choose a name one should consider whom it bring glory to.
Can we put star or a crib at home in the church - Can we have a night service (Christmas eve/New year eve) in the church?
If the members agree and it does not cause divison.
What about court marriages?
The Bible does not set the standard who can perform a marriage the law does.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Can we keep photos of Jesus or the Lords supper at home, though we are not worshipping it?
There are many who see this as a graven image or a idol which the Bible says we are not to do, most see it as a something to use to remind us of whom we serve. So it depends on the reason not the object.
Can women put (Bindi - a Hindu custom which speaks of a well being of the husband or the husband is alive).
I don't know what is being asked here so I hope its answered somewhere above.
Is engagement mandatory before marriage?
No this is a custom of man not of God making, Adam and Eve did not go though a engagement.
Can Christians learn Karate or boxing & why not?
I don't know of any reason why it would be wrong.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
When a non-Christian is saved, he usually becomes so spiritual that he neglects studies & other activities & neglects most of the job he was doing before, this creates tension in the families, & the parents are disturbed. They say he was better before he was a Christian. How do we counsel/advice?
Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Can a Christian join politics, usually the pastors say "Yes you can join politics so that it will be helpful for us, we can get donations or sanctions etc, it is for our profit, or some say it is better that believers are in good posts that Christians will be benefited with good jobs, help etc. is that right? Many times the politicians have to go to various religious places & perform their duties to other deities?
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
What about the sisters whose parents are unbelievers & they force these girls to get married to unbelievers, & if the girls are dependent on the their parents, they are not working. If they object they will be thrown out of their house/? They are also praying.
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Can we have churches for different languages?
1 Cor 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1 Cor 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Cor 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1 Cor 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Cor 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
What is the age for a child to take water baptism?
The bible gives no age. Yet most agree it should be at a time when they are accountable and understand what it means.
Can we take water baptism secretly, for the parent of the candidate is a non-Christian, otherwise they will object?
How can it be a testimony to God if done in secret?
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
John 7:4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.
The pastors who are paid, can they take bonus as a worker in a private firm takes?
They can take what ever the body agrees to give them.
Can only a mother come to dedicate her child, because sometimes the father is a non-Christian & he does not come?
Dedication is a custom of man so of course she could.
Can a brother & sister in Christ have a holy kiss according to the Bible?
If in deed it is a holy kiss, remember that lust brings forth sin, and when it is finished it brings death.
Is it always necessary to take a candidate for water baptism in a river & not to a baptism tank?
The place makes no difference, a mud hole will work if that is all there is.
Nowadays many people go to a person who has visions - for marriages, Gods leading/ his ministry etc? Is it right ? Can a person have 24 hours vision i.e. whenever a person asks God shows that person. Is it possible?
I'm not one to trust any thing I can't find in Gods word, if he wants to tell me something he will do it. Most times people speak saying this or that is from God and they have the gift, only gift they have is a lying spirit.
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
I feel that is the rejection of God. If a person rejects God to long he becomes a reprobate, and if we stop praying for God to deal with him again and stop trying to show them Gods love, they reject him till they die they are lost.
Can Christians speak slang language?
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Is kneeling a must for worship?
They did both stand and kneel in the bible as well as sit.
Should we repeat the Lords prayer?
This prayer was given to teach us how to pray, there is nothing wrong with using it if comes from the heart.
Should one change his name at baptism?
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
He will give us our new name in due season.
Is infant baptism unscriptural?
There is no case that I know of where a baby was submerged and the word baptism means to be submerged.
What about purgatory which Roman Catholics practice?
No such place that I know of listed in the Bible.
What is the sin that leads to death?
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
2 Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Is foot washing an ordinance?
John 13:5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
John 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
John 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
What is the full gospel? What is a spiritual church?
It should be all of the Word of God. There are some Groups that call them selves Full Gospel. This often means they teach and use the spiritual gifts. Every church had better be.
Is it right to hold dual Church membership?
If you are a Christian you hold only one true membership and that’s to Gods family. I have relatives with many different last names but we are still family, in the family of God I have many churches some Baptist some Methodist, and many more but we are still one family. In the Baptist there may be many different churches in or around where I live, I would go to the one that feeds me. Here is a question back, what does it hurt if a person is listed on more then one roll. The issue for most is, well I want their money, If what you care about is the soul and the growth this should not make any difference at all. I had many folks who came to the church I Pastored, many never joined officaly but each one was a member. I rarely asked people to join, if they gave I wanted them to give because they wanted too. The only thing they could not do was vote. If we were going to do some activity they took part in every potion of it just as if they were on the rolls, and because joining the Sunday school only required attendance three weeks in a row then they became a member they could vote on teacher and other activities. I think all to often you Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. The question is what is our purpose? Did Jesus belong to any church? What church did apostles belong to? Where does the Bible say church membership is need to be saved?
Luke 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
1 Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 Cor 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Should women cover their heads? Can sisters cut their hair short like boys?
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Can women lift hands in worship? It may be okay in foreign countries but in India, people see as immodest?
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Can we use titles as Reverend, father etc?
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Titles are used such as sir not as a meaning of showing one above the other but out of respect. I think the bible says in the verses above we should not look up on man as father. Yet if we use a title out of respect and not lifting them to a status above any one else it might be ok. It all comes down to the motive.
What about mega-churches?
There is nothing in the bible that would limit the size of the family of people which come together to worship.
Some Pastor says - when they have a big church it shows that is the fruit of their ministry according to the Bible? You will know them by their fruits, so if a pastor has a small church, that shows he is not right so the fruits are small. So everyone (ministers) give more respect or importance to pastors who have big churches. They look down at pastors who have small churches. Is that right? Was Jesus speaking of the fruit of their life or the church members?
Jesus spoke to small groups and large ones and as far as the fruits go that is taking the verse very far out of context. The following verses says exactly what the fruits is.
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
This means our actions should also agree with our plea for forgiveness. If a child wants to be forgiven but shows no sorrow for the wrong then you know its not sincere.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
2 Cor 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2 Cor 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Phil 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
This is talking about our deeds, which reflect what is in our hearts. And before one can teach others about the right kind of deeds they must have them in their own hearts. This again is a large failure within our church world, we teach love and show it not, we talk about holy living and yet do not live holy, we preach Godly walk and talk and only practice it in the church where others might see us, we talk about being humble but are prideful, we promise mercy and destroy. Where is the peace? If there is so much joy then why is there so much fighting? If the church is longsuffering why is it they can't wait to throw someone out? If they are gentle then why so many harsh words to each other and about each other? If they are filled with goodness when will they show it? If they have faith, why is there no proof of it by their works? If they show temperance then why is there so much anger by its members? I wonder why any one would want to belong to most churches today, and why any one would want to follow most preachers or teachers. Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. How many can really say that now, today.
2 Tim 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
2 Tim 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Pet 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Can we follow a leader, some have favorite pastors of their own church? & some members lift up pastors more than Jesus, when they come out of such churches they praise the minister rather than Jesus.
1 Cor 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1 Cor 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1 Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1 Cor 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Cor 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
What about those who die before hearing the gospel?
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
What bout the dowry system?
This custom was used in the old bible but nothing in the new testament teaches it. So it may custom in the place you live but not a must by Gods word. Yet as pointed out above we must follow the laws of the land in which we live.
Is saluting the national flag scriptural?
The old testament talks of banners which were used to show respect to ones home country. There is nothing I know of that would make it wrong or right.
Can Christians eat what is offered to idols?
1 Cor 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Cor 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1 Cor 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1 Cor 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Are sports & games a waste of time?
I know of no reason that one should not, except to say the race we need to worry about is the one of our souls. Ask this question, will it bring God glory or your self? There is you answer.
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Is it wrong to visit graves?
There is no reason I know of that would make going wrong.
Should we indianize Christmas celebrations?
I do not understand this question.
Is superstition wrong?
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Can we go to clubs to build our body? Can believers go for picnics, sight seeing. Can a pastor take leave & go for picnics
etc with his family?
I cannot tell you that you can or should not. I will point out this that church is for edifying God and each other. If the group wants to do this and its in harmony that ok as I see it. Yet Gods house and church is not a socal club, but a school, a place of learning and pray. Clubs sometimes do this they help to teach and to grow. Preachers have families and they should make time for them and teach others to make time for their families as well.
Can Christians give money for non-Christians festivals or attend a non-Christian function?
I think so long as it would not bring shame to Christ and might even help so his love then yes.
Can a pastor have a car, when his own church people come walking?
Depends on the need and how its used. If it used to spread his word, and if he is not taxing his people to get it. Is it used to pick up others and bring to church. I think it would be hard to reach others with love and caring if you had a car and then used it selfishly for only your good. Would the people respect you? If the car is used to do Gods work and is a tool for him with the peoples understanding then I see nothing wrong with it.
Can a Christian employee bribe the officers to put his file up, since everyone does it, for the working system itself is corrupt. Can we buy a license from an agent by paying him money, if we don’t the officer in charge will fail us?
No, for the many verses above that already show this is not showing Christ in us, we are to be example. How can one teach against lying and defrauding if you do the same things?
Can we tell a lie to save some one or someone's life, knowing if we don’t there will be a big fight? Can a Christian tell lies & go to Church, otherwise the parents will not send? What excuse we can make? Can we pretend going for tutions & come to church?
You would have to decide this based on the verses above. I would say this, pray and ask God to show you, what if you lie and die and have to stand before God that moment? What of the others hearing you lie turn from God because they lose faith in you the leader? Daniel did not fall on his knees and sin, so instead was put in a lions den.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Can we pray over the water & give to drink?
Mat 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Can we dedicate things unto God?
Yes I should think so.
John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
Can we make repetition praises -like Praise God, Praise God, Praise God - saying the same thing again & again.
Yes, the bible warns against vain repetition not praise.
Can we wear an empty cross around our neck?
Is it an idol? Do you worship the cross? Is it a symbol of your love and reminder of his death? The answer you have to decide but the reason may help decide the answer.
Can we say praise the Lord whenever we meet believers, some have said - do not take the name of the Lord in vain.
I see this done often enough, but it's my thinking it does more harms then good. Its like trying to force someone to believe in what you do. It often seems to be us saying we are better, If you love God show it by your life and you won't have to say it to every one you meet. I do not see where Jesus did this or Paul or Peter or anyone else. The issue is you praising God, there is no wrong there, or are you making a show?
Many Christian do not carry a bible when they come to church, how do we council with them?
The word should be in your heart not just on paper. I meet people every day and I tell of this hope in me, they don't have a bible and I don't need it to teach his love. What is the reason for a bible, if they don't have them, either give them one or just preach and teach them the need to grow in the lord?
Can we keep pets at home - like parrots etc.
As far as the bible goes, yes.
Is it okay if a believer dies & his unbelieving parents instead of burying burn him/her according to their customs? Can the Christian children celebrate their fathers/mothers death on the 3rd day or 40 day, where according to custom they have to keep food for the relatives. Can they keep to please their relatives.
The bible says the body returns to dust any way, I see no reason why it would effect them at all. Do you think it makes any difference to God when we say good bye to a loved one who dies? NO
Job 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
Psa 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Eccl 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
Eccl 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Eccl 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Eccl 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Can a church member skip his church service to go to big meeting where an evangelist is come or must he still attend his own church service, or can the pastor cancel the entire service & tell everyone to go for that evangelist meeting?
Read above on attendance, remember God is not the author of confusion. Here is the one reason that canceling church is not a good ideal. I have known of cases where someone comes a long way to visit your church, it was not meeting, they never came back. I have done this, drove a hundred miles to go to church to find no one there, I never went back.
Can we bind the devil?
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
When our children are in Roman Catholic schools, they are asked to take holy Communion, attend Catechism classes & they are asked to say the rosary etc. How can we avoid all this? What if our children are in non-Christian schools & they are asked to learn prayer etc.
I think the thing to do is not try and avoid it but rather try and teach the right meanings to things.
When there is a quarrel on the road between a husband & wife, can we as a Christian go in between to solve or separate them, or if there is a quarrel between people can we go to make peace among them, or should we just leave them & pass by?
Best thing to do is never get between to people in a quarrel. If they come to you for help then yes help but you will not bring peace by butting in when not asked.
Sometimes new people come to church with their caps on their head, should we ask them to remove or will we offend them by telling them politely, or should we wait till they are matured/saved/Holy Spirit convicts them?
I think you teach them, give time, and talk to them in love asking them if they would mind not doing so.
Can one believer have all the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit - If he has he might become independent, & expect others to come to him?
Yes, in fact I would say that God gives every believer what gift he needs when its needed.
Can a Christian chew tobacco/ Paan [Paan it seems aids in digestion]?
Its between him and God keeping in mind all that has been already told you in the verses above.
Give to them that ask the Bible says - when poor believers know this verse they will ask & we will have to give to keep our Christian testimony - when to give & when not to give?
We give when there is real need, not just to give.
In a traditional marriage the boy & the girl may be believers, but the parents may be unbelievers or traditional Christians - they might put garlands, Tali, fruits, Aarti, & they will ask the pastor to bless all this, can a pastor bless all this?
Yes
Should one have a marriage & reception in the same place or separate - many worldly friends come & make noises during the word, laugh & joke & walk about, click photographs etc - but by doing this we wont get new souls to preach the gospel because every opportunity must be used to preach the gospel?
What ever suits you and folks being married.
Can we preach a salvation message during a funeral & make the people those who have come surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus?
This is often done, I do not agree with it. The reason I do not agree is people in grief may do almost anything, but they are not in a clear mind. The funeral is for dealing with saying good bye and that is what kind of message should be given. Yet if you pray and go with Gods leading you will preach what he wants for that group. All we need to do is sow a little seed, not always try to reap the harvest; there is a time to sow and a time to reap.
Can we call the unbelievers to the marriage service?
yes
Can they exchange garlands to one another put mangalsutra [traditional]?
yes
Some Pastors don’t shake hands with sisters to say praise the Lord, they will only fold their hands like a namaskar?
One should go with the custom that does not offend the person.
Can we visit religious places [other gods] when we go for picnics?
Yes and no, pray and ask God to show you.
When a person is dumb & deaf how can we make him to say a surrender prayer?
Prayer is from the heart not words spoken with the mouth, sometimes is actions.
What about those who are insane how can they be saved?
One must have mental capabilities to no right from wrong to be lost.
Is it necessary the Pastors must visit church members houses - there are so many church members, then what about his prayer life, his family, children, home etc.?
I think a Pastor should go when asked or called up on as much as is possible to do so.
Can the pastor anoint the house with oil as dedication?
Yes
Can the wife call her husband by name?
Yes
Should the church members put the tithes only on Sundays or they give even other days?
The day people give does not matter.
I s a call a must for full time Christian ministry?
Yes I believe so.
What about charismatic Catholics?
Read above what I said about church.
Can we keep pictures & statues?
Again it depends on the reason, is it to remember a loved one or God? If so yes, to worship, NO.
Can preachers blow on people?
Sure he can blow on them but unless its God telling him to won't be anything but air. We are not Jesus.
What about being slain in the Spirit?
If a person is filled with God who am I to say he is not. On the mount the men with Christ fell on their face as if dead, so it can be with us here in his spirit.
What is holy laughter?
The joy coming out of us.
Can a believer be demon possessed?
NO, if you have God's spirit in you, then you can not have Satan's.
Can we dance in worship?
Shouting is sometimes called dancing, it depends on the type of dance and does it bring God glory?
Why do Christian leaders backslide?
Leaders or just people too. They face the same and often worse things then most, the load gets heavy or they let their hearts be led away by lust.
What about captivation fees?
I do not know what this is, but charging any amount for what God gave us freely is wrong. Its one thing to make money to pay for costs and live on and another to make profit.
I am Pastor having two fellowships by the name - Jesus Is Lord Church.
Regards.
Your brother in Christ
Paul David Silway
Yashomangal, F-6, Pimpri-Chinchwad Link Road, Chinchwad Pune - 411 033, Maharashtra India