Our son-in-law who attends a Baptist Church said his Sunday School teacher is going to talk about the “gifts.” He believes that they were given to the early church but are not for use today.

What is a good way to respond to this teaching?

Thanks for your help and consistently excellent articles.

I know that the declaration of some animals as unclean by God was to prevent disease. Is it also possible that certain animals were listed an abomination because Satan broke laws, unknown to us, when forming these creatures? Or maybe after the Flood, he continued his genetics program and the unclean animals lost their perfect assimilation of genes and therefore were declared unclean. Why do you feel certain animals were listed as unclean, or even worse, an abomination?

I’m wondering what you have to say about Catholics “praying” to Mary or other saints. I understand that the first commandment tells us to have no other gods, but Catholics seem to believe they’re not praying to Mary or the other saints, but somehow praying to God through them.

This also brings another question to mind of praying for someone after they’ve died. Is there anyplace in the bible that speaks to this?

Thanks so much for your thoughtful answer.

I have a question about our spiritual gifts, and our purpose. How do we understand what is our particular gift, and to what purpose God has given it to us? Do we have purpose beyond an intimate relationship with Him, becoming more Christ-like and serving those immediately around us? Is being faithful in every day life our purpose? And if so, why do we have specific gifts? I don’t know what mine is. I have certain bents and talents, but maybe that’s just my personality! Insight please?

What evidence do we have that Old Testament prophecies we believe to be Messianic Prophecies are also considered to be Messianic Prophecies by the Jewish people? And if our versions of them are the same what is their reasoning for not accepting Jesus?

Can you explain what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 5:11? It seems to be suggesting that if a christian brother is having sex outside of marriage (ie living with their partner) then no other christian should eat with them. (ie socialize with them by dining with them in their home) Can you let me know how you interpret this verse? Your website is a breath of fresh air and very welcome – thank you and praise the Lord for your work. God bless.

Like you, I believe that not everyone has the same Spiritual Gifts, and that God gives them according to His perfect will for the common good. I also believe that our gifts don’t change, but that God sometimes gives us a gift we don’t have to fulfill a specific purpose. But I was reading I Corinthians 12 and found something that confused me. Verse 31 says,” But earnestly desire the greater gifts.” Also, I Cor. 14:1 says, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

When he said “desire the greater gifts” and “especially that you may prophesy” was he speaking to those who didn’t know what their gifts are? Or am I missing something? Thanks in advance for your help!

I was having a conversation with a friend who believes that people can lose their salvation. I believe in once saved, always saved. She used Saul as an example of someone who was saved, then lost their salvation. I know I still believe in OSAS, but how do I explain this. Does 1 Samuel 28:19 prove that Saul is saved, when Samuel says tomorrow he will be with him “Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

I am currently living with a man (we are not married). He doesn’t see what is happening in the world the way I do and he does everything he can to prove me wrong about the End of Days approaching. I love this man but I don’t really want to marry him with the way his belief system is. I feel far away from the Lord sometimes when he is at home and I feel like Satan is working through him to discourage me. I feel such conviction for not being married which never bothered me until I began my walk with Jesus. I feel that the Holy Spirit is making me feel convicted and I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be left behind!!!

Please explain the meaning of this biblical verse: “Faith without works is dead”