Thank you so much for your willingness to answer questions about the Bible. I was wondering about something I have heard about called “The Second Blessing” which I believe refers to a powerful annointing of the Holy Spirit upon a believer after and completely separate from his conversion experience. From what I can gather it is an experience that allows a believer to enter into a whole different level of Christian experience because he/she is willing to give everything, their entire being to Christ. Do you have any information or thoughts on this subject?

As an infant I was baptized by having water sprinkled on me. However, I really did not come to know Christ until about 8 years ago. And since then, I have tried to serve Him well in all that I do. I am on fire for God’s purposes and I pray daily to be used more effectively to expand His kingdom. My question is, should I be baptized again?

I know many of the clergy in town and there are all kinds of views about water baptism and what it means and how often it should be done. I have come to a personal understanding that water baptism (even infant baptism) is a public display that shows that you are accepted into the Church. I guess it seems to me that it is a promise by Jesus that you will find Him through the Church if you seek Him.

That being said, I am wondering what the biblical perspective is on infant baptism and re-baptism when you become a believer. I hesitate to be re-baptized because I don’t know if there is a biblical mandate or inference to do so. If infant water baptism is a promise from God to have the Church accept us if we seek His face, then His one and first promise is more than good enough for me. Is there really any biblical reason to be re-baptized even if I feel the Holy Spirit burning brightly in my life?

I have a question I hope you can help me with…Strong’s and my Bible concordances haven’t given me what I need. The reference that I can’t find is “the LORD inhabits the praises of His people”. I have heard it so often – there are even songs that state this. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Is there any evidence in the new testament that anointing cloths are used in replacement of a person (except of course where Jesus was touched on the hem by a woman). I know Peter’ shadow was held in high esteem, but did he or anyone else use cloths or garments? Also does the story of the woman touching Jesus’ hem give the OK for all transferable anointing?

I am looking for a deeper understanding of the trinity and its relation to each other. God is “one” being, three separate personalities. I get it on the surface but feel there is more to it than what I am seeing.

God bless Jack, and thank you always for what you do.

My question is simply, how do we reconcile eternal security, (Once Saved Always Saved) with verses like “work out your salvation through fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). My pastor whom I love very much and support does not believe in OSAS and he brought up this scripture in making that defense.

I have a question … some churches have the Lord’s Supper for all the saved and invite all the saved to join in for the Lord’s Supper. Some churches have closed communion where only saved members of that church are invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Which way is the right way?

Somewhere on the web a couple of years ago I read a story about a muslim Turk, Suleiman the Magnificent. I believe the story goes that he walled up the Eastern Gate in 1530 in defiance of a tradition of Christians who preached of a day when Jesus would return to Jerusalem and walk through the gate.

However, it turns out that his blocking the gate only fulfilled scripture that says the gate would be “walled up” and that “no-one” would enter through it again until Jesus Himself does upon his return.

I have read that scripture before (the walling up art), but I don’t remember where I read it (at I think thats what its referring too). Anyway, story goes that a muslim ruler after Suleiman hears of the Christian’s prophecy that no one would enter the Eastern Gate except Jesus when he returns and he decides to prove all those pesky Christians wrong by ordering the removal of the blocks from the wall. However, during the night before the project was to begin he died in his sleep (whoa). The project never took place the to this day the Eastern Gate is still walled up.

Have you ever heard of this? Any truth to it?

I was wondering about the way you answered a question about what God allows in a person’s life. I had always understood that God does have to allow testing and trials like he did for Job, giving His permission. And telling Peter that Satan would sift him. Or Joseph being used to save the nation of Israel, didn’t God allow that situation or maybe even cause it?

If God doesn’t allow these things, then it sounds like He is not in control, or not involved, and that scares me worse than thinking He is allowing it for a purpose I cant understand. Please help me understand!

I have recently had some problems with two brothers who think we should confess our sins to each other according to James 5:16 whereas I believe we confess only to God because only God can forgive sins! The KJV states faults whereas the majority if not all other versions of the bible state sins in the verse in James. What is the answer? Does it matter?