Falling Away:

Nov. 2003 Hebrews 6:4-10 Having great difficulty with these passages. Was saved when 19, backslid and now am hopeful of living again in Christ, but these verses indicate "it is impossible." How do you interperate. This is a difficult passage. Christians have been kicking this one back and forth for a long while now. I'm not sure if my understanding of this passage is correct or not, but I will try to lay it out for you the best I can. First I'll post the passage beginning in verse 1: Heb 6:1-6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. At the end of chapter 5 the writer is telling them that they have not progressed in their faith like they should have. He says that they are still in need of milk (like babies) when they should have moved up to meat (like adults). Then beginning in verse 1 of chapter 6, he says he is going to move on past the basic foundations of Christianity (if this passage was really saying that you can't be saved if you fall away, I think that would be considered a "basic" don't you?). He is getting ready to discuss some real "meat." Issues pertaining to salvation are really "milk" but he's not talking about salvation here, he's moving onto the "meat." In verses 4 and 5 of chapter six, the writer is defining exactly who he is talking about. The people he's talking about have one or all of the following that's true: they have been enlightened - (their eyes have been opened to the truth) they have "tasted" heavenly gifts - (they dipped their toes in the water, but haven't yet plunged in) partakers of the Holy Ghost - (they have experienced a portion of the gifts of the Spirit, see Gal 5:22-25) they have "tasted" the Word of God - (again they have not plunged in) they have "tasted" the power of the world to come When you read this verse it would seem at first glance that it is talking about people who are saved or born again (accepted Jesus' free gift of salvation and turned with repentance from their old life and started a new life through Jesus). All five of the points above could definitely be said about a true, born again believer in Jesus. However, these five points are also true of those that have a form of religion, but have not truly experienced salvation through Jesus Christ. I would use Judas as my example. Judas was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. He was enlightened to the truth by Jesus himself (point #1). Judas had tasted the heavenly gifts (#2) and experienced the gifts of the Spirit (#3). He definitely was familiar with the Word of God (#4) because he spent three years with the incarnate Word of God, Jesus. And finally, he most certainly had tasted the power of the world to come (#5) because we know he was sent out with the disciples and had the power to heal the sick and cast out demons (Mat 10:1-8). All five of the points above would be true of Judas yet we know from Jesus' own words that Judas was never a true follower of Jesus: John 6:70-71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. Therefore, I believe that the writer of Hebrews is telling us in this passage that there are people who dip their toes into the truth but never plunge in and take it into their heart. And once they have gone that far and still reject the gospel, then the writer says that it is impossible to bring them to repentance. If they have seen, and tasted all that God has to offer and still fall away from the truth, they have hardened their hearts to the point that they will never be repentant. Paul outlines this progress in Romans chapter one. There is another reason I don't believe that this passage is talking about those that have been saved and then backslide. There are many verses in the Bible where God tells us that if we confess our sins, our fellowship with God will be restored: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is a rock solid promise from God. You can take that to the bank! God is not going to let us "fall away." Once we are saved, the Holy Spirit puts his seal on us and we are NOT going to slip out of God's hands: John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, I hope this explaination helps you have a peace about your salvation. God went to great lengths to purchase our salvation. He's not looking for a reason to send us to hell. He promises eternal life. Eternal means forever. He didn't say we could have life until we mess up and sin again. He said ETERNAL LIFE. I'm pretty happy about that!

Women Ministers:

Oct. 2003 Frist let me say thank you for opening the door that will help us to understand a little better. I would like to ask are you saying a woman does or does not suppose to preach . There are so few men in the church today they are all locked up , on drugs or just to busy to take care of the church. where i live most of the time the only people there are women and childern, what are we to do if the men have given up their role in God's plan? How are we to here with a preacher Sandra Dear Sandra; Thanks for viewing my web site and taking the time to write. The Bible doesn't say that women aren't to teach, it says they aren't to teach or have authority over men. So, if the only people in your church are women and children, then there is no problem with the women teaching the other women. But more than likely there are men in your church, if they are unwilling to take a leadership role, then perhaps it's time that you found a different church where there are men standing up in leadership. I do understand what you are talking about. I have noticed that there are lots of churches where the men are not involved in the church, and 90% of the work is done by the women. I would just offer my opinion here and say that usually, these are not growing churches, but dying churches. Vibrant groups of believers will have men, women, children, and senior citizens in normal proportions. If one or the other of these groups is missing, then there is something missing from that body of believers. It's like a body that has had limbs amputated, it can still function but not as well as God intended. I hope that makes sense.

Brothers:

Oct. 2003 I have a quick question for you. We were having a discussion at work. A friend of mine husband passed away, and somehow we got on the subject of the brother taking the role of the husband. Is there something in the Bible regarding this. I was thinking there was, but can not pin point it. Thanks =) Thank You, Brenda Thanks for viewing my web site. I think this might be the verse you are looking for: Deu 25:5-6 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. Hope this helps. God Bless.

Lying:

Oct. 2003 Dear Sir, What is the bible's stand on liars and or lying. Thank you for your help. Georgia Georgia; The Bible has quite a bit to say about liars. In fact it's listed in the ten commandments given to Moses by God (#9). Lying is also called "false witness" in the Bible. Here is a list of all the verses I could find about lying: Exo 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exo 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Lev 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Psa 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. Prov 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Prov 12:17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Prov 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Prov 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Prov 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Prov 25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Mat 19:18-19 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 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.

the World:

Oct. 2003 Where in the Bible does it state what the world consist of or what the world is made of? Here are the verses I thought would come the closest to answering your question. I've probably missed some. I hope this helps, though. Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Psa 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psa 89:11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. 1 Cor 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Jer 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Wicked/Just:

Oct. 2003 I have been searching for the verse that states something like, "The wicked share store up for the just." Could you tell me where this is found? I'm not sure if this is the passage you are looking for. Let me know if it isn't, and I'll try again. Job 27:13-17 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

Women Ministers:

Oct. 2003 I have a concern regarding male ministers using 1Timothy as an excuse to why they have problems with women being the head of a church. When God made man, he said let us make man in our own image, and created he him, male and female. Thus my understanding of man, is not gender specific. However we get caught up on the thought that Eve was the one who fell to the serpent, but Adam fell to her. So female suffer in painful childbirth and so forth. My confusion is at this point; When Christ came and gave his life to save man, to pay for past, present and future sin; was he only giving his life to save the male portion, who in turn is "supposed" to step up and be the "head" and lead the female portion to the right path. Following this process, the problem arises. When Christ said I leave you the holy ghost, he didn't say he left it just for males. If the holy ghost is in both male and females, and the holy ghost (Christ in us) works on behalf of God, then why is there a problem when a woman has be called forth by God to be a leader of a "church"? I have had a few conversations with a few pastors who say that they don't mind women being ministers but they have a problem with the women being a church head because the bible said they are not to be. This perplexes me, when the ultimate commandment given by Christ is to do all things in LOVE. If a woman is feeding the modern day disciples with the Word, according to scripture, with LOVE, and is lining up with the footsteps of Christ, then is it not the pride of man that keeps him from seeing her as a servant of God? You are right. In the Bible, when God talks about "man" it could well be "mankind" or the human race in general. Often it's not gender specific, it applies to men and women. However, there are many places where God is very specific. When the words "woman or wife" are used, then that is clearly talking about females. The passage in 1 Timothy is very specific: 1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Christ gave his life for men and women equally. And the Holy Spirit is given to men and women equally. Since we are on the subject of the Holy Spirit, we know that all scripture is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Therefore, the passage in 1 Timothy is also given by the Holy Spirit. So, if the Holy Spirit says that women are not to have authority over the men in the church, then why would you assume that "a woman has been called forth by God to be a leader" as you stated above? You talk about women feeding disciples with the Word, and lining up with the footsteps of Christ. We know that one way to look at the Bible or the Word is Word=Christ=Bible. The scriptures don't change, and Jesus doesn't teach anything contrary to the Word. Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: So, if the Holy Spirit inspired scripture that tells us women aren't to have authority over men, why would you assume that a woman leading a church (even if she's doing it in a loving manner), is following in the footsteps of Christ? And the last statement; "then is it not the pride of man that keeps him from seeing her as a servant of God?" I don't think it's pride at all. I think it's just trying to follow the guidelines that God has given us in His Word. Sometimes I wonder if it's not an issue of pride on the part of women who are not willing to submit to the scriptures?