Ask a Bible Teacher

Still More On “Do Not Judge”

Published: December 14, 2023
Q

You have said that “do not judge” is a blanket statement and therefore does not pertain to hypocritical judgment only. I recently read an article about members of a “prayer group” who sexually assaulted and then murdered the wife of the group’s leader with his permission. I cannot believe that Jesus would have us not render any judgment about the people who did these things. I cannot see how you would need to pluck something out of your own eye first before rebuking them.


The Eye Of The Needle. Follow Up

Published: December 14, 2023
Q

Re: The Eye Of The Needle There was and still exists today in Jerusalem a narrow passage between two walls of the city that is referred to as the eye of the needle. This was an emergency exit/entrance that was the only access at night. On my visit to Jerusalem (I traveled by bus and not by camel) I personally went through it and understood the picture Jesus was portraying clearly. It is a single narrow doorway allowing access to one person at a time and therefore very secure and defensible. A person arriving at the city after dark would do so with his earthly possessions loaded onto the back of a camel. The choice was clear: unload the camel or leave both it and your possessions behind if you want to enter the city. Camels are obstinate beasts and it took a lot of coaxing and pulling and even beating to get them through the narrow passage into the ante-chamber inside the wall.


The Providence Of God

Published: December 13, 2023
Q

I was recently reading about the Providence of God, and wondered what your view on it is ?


A Workman Approved

Published: December 13, 2023
Q

Can you explain in further detail 2 Timothy 2:15? What’s the context in which Paul wrote it?

 


Should We Pray Through Mary?

Published: December 13, 2023
Q

We currently are studying Revelation in our small group and we were in chapters 2-3. A couple of ex-Catholics talked about still holding Mary in high esteem, not praying to her, but praying to God through Mary. One of them used the miracle written by John about turning water into wine as Jesus doing what his Mother asked him to do, to justify this. Could you comment on this event in regards to this miracle?


God’s Law Or State Law?

Published: December 12, 2023
Q

My husband had a history of adultery. I turned a blind eye for many years. Over a year and a half ago he left me and the children for another woman. He has been living with his mistress for over a year. Because of financial reasons on his part and child custody issues ( he was absent for four months) we are still legally married under state law. I filed over a year ago and it’s finally coming to an end. About 6 months ago I started seeing a long time friend. We have fallen in love and plan to marry. His family are very quick to judge and claim that I am committing adultery because I am still legally married. The bible says that God hates divorce unless adultery is committed. In my heart I tried everything. My husband cheated and abandoned me and the children. I prayed and God sent me this wonderful man I have now committed my life to. I no longer have any love for my legal husband and I feel that under God’s law we are divorced. What is more important, state law or Gods law?


12 Apostles From 12 Tribes?

Published: December 12, 2023
Q

Did the twelve Apostles represent each of the 12 tribes? In other words, was each of them from a different one of the tribes?


Checking Out A Teaching

Published: December 12, 2023
Q

We had a guest speaker at church who said some things that I hadn’t heard before and didn’t sit quite right with me. Will you please clarify if these statements of his have any truth to them, and if they are regularly taught subjects?

(1) Based on Genesis 9 and 10, only Japheth’s descendants (which are caucasians) are Gentiles and were given the responsibility of spreading the Gospel; (2) There are two apples of God’s eye – Israel and America; (3) In Matthew 21:43, the kingdom of God was given to “a nation” (singular), which is America. (Strong’s says this word could mean people, and I always thought it meant the church.)


Mary And Pentecost

Published: December 11, 2023
Q

I’ve been reading the book of Acts especially chapter 1 and 2 looking for something that suggests that Mary the mother of Jesus was also there on the day of Pentecost. Its seems as if I read something like that in the bible and now I’m really struggling to get it. Please help me if you can.


Did He Believe Or Didn’t He?

Published: December 11, 2023
Q

In Mark 9: 14-27 a man brought a boy with a dumb spirit to JESUS. In vs. 19 he asked the father how long ago did this happen? Why did JESUS ask him that? Wouldn’t JESUS have known that? Then in vs: 22 the father said if you can do anything help us, and in vs 23 JESUS said if you can believe all things are possible to him that believes. In vs: 24 the father said i believe.. help my unbelief. What does all that mean? Did he believe or not?