Comparing the references to water in John 3:5 and 1 John 5:6: The John 3:5 reference is considered by many (and I agree) to mean physical birth, yet the 1 John 5:6 reference is considered by some to mean baptism. I believe that 1 John was written, in part, to refute false teaching and to stress that Jesus did come in the flesh. Because of that, it seems that there would be consistency in the usage of the word ‘water’ between the two passages with each one referring to physical birth. Can you point out what I’m missing?

Recently the topic of fear came up in a family discussion. I made the statement that it isn’t wrong to be afraid. (ie: night before surgery, facing a dangerous situation like cancer) What is wrong is if we allow fear to overpower us. Being fearful and stepping out in faith anyway shows our trust in God that he is going to do what he says. Can you help me back this up with scripture?

I was reading your answer about the 2 legs of the statue in Daniel that they were indicative of two Romes (I’ve also heard it taught that they are indicative of the two halves of the empire of the Seleucids) But I started wondering then, by that logic the chest and arms would also have to be representing three different parts of the Media-Persian empire, wouldn’t they?

Thank you for your ministry. I learn so much from your answers. I have a question about the Israelites and manna. When they left Egypt they soon complained about being hungry. God provided food for them in the form of quail and manna. Now, in Chapter 16 verse 35 it says that they ate manna for 40 years until they “…..came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.” Other scriptures indicate that they had animals with them. In chapter 24 Moses sacrifices oxen. Later, when God directs Moses to make the Tabernacle, there is an altar for burnt offerings and also a table for the showbread (which was to be made of fine flour).

My question is, if they had animals and grain, why did the need the manna for 40 years? Was it possibly a supplement to their diet, like vitamins? Or did they just have the animals for sacrifices and the flour for grain offerings?

Thank you so much, and may God continue to bless this ministry.

Many scholars teach that the Olivet Discourse was written for the Church, but you say the focus is on Israel. If you’re right why does the Olivet Discourse even appear in Mark and Luke when these two Gospels are mainly Gentile in their focus? Please explain.

Thanks again for this opportunity to ask a good bible teacher a question. Is there a difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit?

Example: Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

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,

If they are one in the same, why did they have to lay hands on to recieve one time, and only had to believe another time.

Thank you very much for your time and God bless you even more.

I have a question about confessing our sins. Since the Bible says that anything that is not of faith is sin, it would seem that we sin oftentimes without even realizing that we’re sinning. And it would seem that we’re in sin more than we’re out of sin. With that in mind, we’d have to spend almost every waking moment confessing our sins in order to be back in fellowship with God on a continual basis. Do you think God really wants us to spend that much time confessing sins?

Paul placed a lot of emphasis on the need for the old man/flesh/carnal man/self to be crucified. What is your take on this, knowing that whatever you yield your members to, his servant ye are, and more over shall we continue to sin because we are under grace?

A question that was asked of me and I would like to hear your opinion. I attend a United Methodist Church that preaches the Word and salvation. But it has a few quirks that do not set well with me. About 5 years ago our Pastor took on the practice of offering Ashes during the Ash Wednesday service. I asked him about it and also asked where in scripture it says to do this and he told me it was a sign of being a repentant Christian in a round about way and that there where no scriptural references to it. But he did point to the old testament practice of ash and sack cloth when repenting.

I was saved in a non denominational church. And have only been with this Methodist church for about 10 years. So I had never been exposed to this practice before. And I have refused to take the Ashes because I equate this with non believers that do it for show. What do you think of this practice of giving ashes?

Because my sister is a non-believer, and accordingly will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, my question is will she know WHY she’s in Hell and understand that had she just accepted Christ as her personal savior she would be in Heaven? And because she’s a good, kind, generous, and giving person, will her punishment be less than say someone who murders or molests children? I continue to pray daily for her salvation because I know what’s coming.