Some churches teach once saved always saved, while others say you can lose your salvation, and if you do you can never get it back. Some teach that even if you are saved you have to earn your way to heaven by righteous deeds, others say belief alone is sufficient. There are churches that teach you are not saved until you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, or that if you have unforgiveness in your heart you won’t go to heaven, or that if you commit a mortal sin your soul is forever damned. And some churches teach that we are either predestined for salvation or we’re not, so it’s useless to strive for salvation if you are not one of the elect. It seems like everyone has a different interpretation of the Bible. How do I know which is the way to be saved?

My question is, the Bible shows 2 instances of tithing prior to the giving of the law, Abraham, and Jacob. In both cases we find they tithed of their own accord, not as a directive from God. Abraham did not tithe of his own increase but from his spoils of war which he refused to accept any of for himself.

Under the law, God gave tithing to the tribe of Levi as their inheritance instead of land like the other tribes received. This was because the Levites were the priest and needed to be with all the tribes wherever they resided.

Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and became our High Priest and his blood torn down the veil that separated the average person from the Holy of Hollies. Through His blood, all believers have direct access to God.

There is no scripture that relinquished the obligation of the Jews to pay tithes other than those pertaining to Jesus and the new High Priest and the only mediator between God and man.

The only people that were obligated to the law were the Jews and gentile converts. So how do believers who were never under the law and do not have Levitical Priest acting in the priestly duties for them, but have Jesus as our High Priest who tells us we are all priest under him, which means our priesthood is not based on the Levitical priesthood, but rather that of Melchizedek, whose priesthood was appointed by God not through ancestry linage, how are we now obligated to follow the law that when were never given or required to follow it. And if we are supposed to tithe as the law states to the Jews, why don’t we have to follow the other 412 laws that were given to them?

Exodus chapter 33, verse 11, sentence 1, is an example of the kind of communication with God I would like. I feel like not only would this type of encounter clear up any and all questions that one would have, it would also allow one to get to know GOD in a way that only a face to face, friend to friend encounter could. Is this possible in these days and times? I appreciate and look forward to your insights on this matter. Thanks again.

Do you think it’s possible that people can be saved because we regularly and persistently pray for their salvation? Do you have some personal observation on this issue?

In all of scripture I have found but one verse that appears to back up the traditionally Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation (i.e. Presence of Christ dwells literally in the bread and wine). That being 1 Corinthians 10:16 “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”

I just wanted to get your take on this verse, which has confounded this ex-Catholic.

In your response to the question of how to prepare for the Rapture you said to remove as much debt as possible, or words to that effect. I was a member of a church where the pastor said that debt was not a problem. If the Church was in a lot of debt at the Rapture let Satan and his followers settle with the debt after the Church is gone. What do you think about that?

I spend hours on the articles you present on your website and thank God for the many things about the Bible that I learn from these. I also am grateful for you allowing for copies to be made of these articles, which I also find very helpful because I distribute these to my friends and also prepare sermons on them for my local church.

I have a question that I need some guidance from the Bible on, which I now ask you to kindly help give some answers to. What are the principles of God that govern the management or use of money by a Christian? I note that you refer to these as ‘Biblical admonitions for fiscal responsibility’ in your answer to a question under ‘Financial Debt & the Rapture‘.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, KJV)

My question is, in the context of this verse, exactly what does taking up one’s cross refer to? Does it mean bearing infirmities or illness, and if so, how does this square with your articles regarding healing?

Your website has been such a blessing to me. I just read a question from a brother who said that he wasn’t experiencing the joy that we as Christians are supposed to have. I can so relate. It is so difficult to feel joy with all that is going on in this world, with so many perishing, especially when they are family. Also, I am saddened by the fact that it seems to me that most of the Church is asleep. I lost a son two years ago and am not sure where he is. He knew the Lord, but at the time of his death he wasn’t walking with the Lord.

My Dad passed away in May. He had heard the truth and I do know that because of many, many prayers on his behalf, he could have called on the Lord with his dying breath, like the thief on the cross.

Sorry for taking so much of your time before getting to my questions. First: if we are to live by faith and not by our feelings, then what is joy? Second: in 1 Cor. 6:9 lists those who will not inherit the kingdom. What if those people are born again Christians?

If I pay my taxes cheerfully and the government gives the money to the poor does that count for part of my tithe?