In 1 John 5:8 who are the three who testify and what do they testify to?

1 John 4:1-3 admonishes us to “not believe every spirit… but to test the spirits.” Further, “every spirit” is of God if it confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.

What are those “spirits” we are to test? Am I correct in assuming that the “spirits” we are to test are the message a speaker or writer promulgates? That a speaker/writer who denies the divinity of Jesus is not of God?

What does it mean to deny that Christ has “come in the flesh”? Surely it’s not something so simplistic as to deny the existence of the historical Jesus — a position that very few scholars espouse today. If not, however, what does it mean?

In a chance encounter, or even in a theological discussion, somehow I can’t imagine asking another person, “Has Jesus Christ come in the flesh?” What “modern” question can one use to “test a spirit” in a speaker or writer?

Please explain 1 John 5:8 and, if you could, 1 John 5:16-18…. sin leading to death and not leading to death. Thanks for your supernatural insight.

I know some have explained that the punishment for the sin of Israel and Judah (Ezekiel 4:5-6) was completed in 1948 when Israel was reborn. And too, some have said that in Math 24:32 the fig tree is the nation of Israel, but in Luke 21:29 the Lord also said to look at the fig tree and all other trees. How about the Balfour Declaration in 1917, would not this too be a good indication for the start of the fulfillment of the prophecy as mentioned in Ezekiel 36?

For sure you must be very familiar and have studied these and have selected the reborn of Israel as the starting date for the End times. Could you also share with us the reason of choosing the reborn as for the starting date for the end time? I have struggled with the selection of 1948 the year Israel was reborn as the starting date for the End Times for a long time. Basically, why must I choose the year Israel was reborn as a nation in the starting date for the End Times?

I am very thankful for this website. I believe that God has used this to confirm many things that He has shown me and He has also used it to teach me (of which I have gone to confirm it through His Word!). Thank you for your obedience to your ministry!

I was reading your article about Contemplative Prayer (which I had never heard about) and looked up Deut. 18 to read about how we are to not have anything to do with people who practice witchcraft etc.

I have worked with someone for the past ten years…we are not ‘friends’, just acquaintances who happen to sit next to each other. Actually, she has always ‘irked’ me and I always wondered why she ‘quietly’ got under my skin so bad. Recently, since we now sit next to each other, she confided (because she knows that I am a Christian and probably ignorantly associates this on the same level) that her husband practices spiritual communications and spells, which I did tell her, “Oh, so he practices witchcraft”, and then told her that was against God.

God’s Word in Deuteronomy 18:10-11 says: Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [fn] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.’ My question is, to what extent should I have nothing to do with someone who practices these things? Is talking and being friendly with them ok?

What does it mean, “I come when you least expect it”? it seems to me a lot of people are expecting Him at any time. You can forward a link if you’ve already written a piece on it.

I read your website practically daily and respect your thoughts and opinions. I have a personal question I pray you will answer. I have 4 kids and my wife and I desire no more. Is it Biblical to get a vasectomy? Could you support your view Biblically?

Could you please tell me if fearing hell is a proper or legitimate reason for wanting to get saved. I’ve heard some evangelists say that this is not a proper motive for seeking salvation and that it is a selfish reason for seeking Jesus. I’m somewhat confused because this was what caused me to repent of all known sin after I got down on my knees and asked the Lord to save me after reading about hell on the internet. If this was a wrong reason, then do I have to start over and seek Him for the right reasons, whatever that may be?

If you read Proverbs 16:4 that The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil, does not this imply that the Westminster Confession of Faith regarding election and predestination of both the good and evil to be true?

You seem to have a bias toward “home churches”, but here in upstate NY that is probably the shortest distance between doctrinal soundness and HERESY!

My questions: Local churches (in the Scriptures) appear to be autonomous. What kind of church governments are found in the Bible? How far does pastoral authority extend into the lives of the congregation? How can pastors and people be accountable to each other? Tithing appears to be a guideline for N.T. giving. How much responsibility is on the church as far as their (church government) accountability to the congregation?