Ask a Bible Teacher

Remembering Our Daughter

Published: December 17, 2024
Q

Our daughter died from a brain tumor 14 years ago at the age of seven. We know she is with Jesus now. She woke up three days before she died, lifted up her hands, and said, “King, come and get me!” She was paralyzed from the waist down and it bothered her a great deal that she could not move her legs. I have been struggling with this this week. If we were to get a glimpse of her in Heaven now (before she receives her new body at the Rapture) what would we see? Would she look like herself (or maybe an older version of herself?) Would we recognize her and would we see that she has the use of her legs back?

Soon after she died, I kept asking our pastor, is she really gone? Is she OK? Is she scared to go on to Heaven without us? He said, she would never be afraid of Jesus and His angels, and that she was already running the streets of gold. Would we see her as herself?


Explain How Judas Died

Published: December 17, 2024
Q

I’m confused as to exactly how Judas died since there are two vastly differing descriptions concerning the event. Matthew 27:5 says, “And he (Judas) threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and Hanged himself”.

Acts 1:18 says “Now this man (Judas) secured a field with the price of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.”

Can you help sort this out?


OSAS And Suicide

Published: December 17, 2024
Q

First I wanted to thank you for your awesome website. It is very clear that you thoroughly study God’s work and have a good understanding of it. And you have been a tremendous help in motivating me in my walk with the Lord.

Having said that I would like to ask for clarification on your view of suicide. You had stated in answering a previous question that you believed that if a person committed suicide and had previously received the gift of salvation, that person would spend eternity with God. Having been raised Pentecostal, the Once Saved Always Saved belief has not been something I would say I have believed in, but the way you describe it and back it up with scripture, I am tending to believe you have valid points.

Until we get to the issue of suicide. I am having a hard time believing that this is not a sin that will keep you out of heaven. If you are right, then, we Christians could always take the easy way out when things got tough. We could say “I’m ready to be with Jesus, and tired of this world” and take our life, and instantly be with him. That is the one area I have come across that is preventing me from getting completely ‘onboard’ your belief, of OSAS.


What About Gentile Saints?

Published: December 16, 2024
Q

As I read the Old Testament, I realize that there were also “gentiles” that believed in the true God of the Bible. Job, for instance, was not an Israelite, but was Jew, right? I constantly hear that the promises of the kingdom age are for Israel. Then what of the other Old testament saints? Are they included in that covenant?


Time Line From Creation

Published: December 16, 2024
Q

My husband and I were discussing the time line in my Bible. Could you please tell us when humanity began on Earth since before Noah. Would it be over 5000 years, if so, how much? Thank you for your answer.


Can A Divorced Woman Re-Marry?

Published: December 16, 2024
Q

One doubt: in your question/answer – Is Dating My Late Wife’s Sister OK?

The person’s sis-in-law’s husband left her for another one. Is she really allowed to marry again?

MAT 5:31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Please reply. Thank you.


How Many Hebrew Slaves Were There?

Published: December 13, 2024
Q

When drought forced a flight into Egypt, how many Hebrew people were involved in the eventual slavery under the pharaoh ? Thank you.


Adding To Or Subtracting From God’s Word

Published: December 13, 2024
Q

My question is about Deuteronomy 4:2, and the command not to add to or subtract from the Word of God. How do we know that this doesn’t apply to the books after Deuteronomy? Is there anything in the book of Deuteronomy or the previous books to support this?

 


Am I Challenging Authority?

Published: December 13, 2024
Q

In my church, the leader of the youth always tells us when we’re wrong and that we’re to submit (to authority). I know that as a Christian I am supposed to respect my elders and such but when that word is used in my church it seems like a thing taking away someone’s rights. I don’t want to challenge authority but I don’t like to feel like I have no ability to be unique.


Which is The Right Way?

Published: December 12, 2024
Q

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?