Melissa has asked, “What verses . . . indicate reconciliation w/our loved ones after death?” Once the question of heaven is settled for ourselves, we’re just as interested in seeing it settled in regard to our loved ones, aren’t we? And why shouldn’t we be? Whatever else is true about us, we’re made for relationships. So we shouldn’tContinue reading “A Question About Heaven”
Category Archives: Questions You’ve Asked
Jesus Wept
Yvonne wants to know exactly what John meant when he wrote, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35)? This verse is part of John’s account of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. This miracle was the final “sign” in John’s highly selective catalogue of miracles that he recorded to lead people to faith and life throughContinue reading “Jesus Wept”
John’s baptism and ours
Brandon asks, Why is baptism used before Jesus? I thought baptism signified Jesus’ death and resurrection. Why would baptism be used by John if that’s what it is for? As the question suggests, the two baptisms are closely related but also have important differences. Think of them like an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The engagement ringContinue reading “John’s baptism and ours”
Why does God need to be worshiped?
A reader has this comment and question: God looks down upon self worship . . . He looks down upon things being idolized . . . He looks down upon being conceited or putting ones self above others. So, why does He ask us to worship him? Does it not go against every set ofContinue reading “Why does God need to be worshiped?”
Against Me or For Me?
Dianne wonders about the tension between Jesus’ statements in Luke 11:23 and 9:50. Here are those verses: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11:23) “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50). Let’s take the passage from LukeContinue reading “Against Me or For Me?”
Why were Christ’s words hidden from the apostles?
Dianne wants to know, “Why were Christ’s words “concealed” from the apostles so that “they might not perceive it?” (Luke 9:45) In this section of Luke, we see Jesus being revealed as God’s Messiah (v. 20), a further revealing of what was involved in being the Messiah (i.e., suffering, death, and resurrection – v. 22).Continue reading “Why were Christ’s words hidden from the apostles?”
The Arrest of Jesus
David wants to know, “Why did they step back and fall down when Jesus said, ‘I am He?’” This question has reference to something that happened when Jesus was arrested. John records the scene in 18:1-6 of his gospel. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the otherContinue reading “The Arrest of Jesus”
The Sin That Leads To Death
Joshua wants to know why “the sin that leads to death” isn’t simply the rejection of Jesus’ humanity that characterized the Gnostics of John’s time (2 John v. 7)? This is a good question and one I had not thought considered when I wrote an earlier post on this subject, but I certainly see howContinue reading “The Sin That Leads To Death”
God’s Will And Our Prayers
A friend of mine and I were involved in a discussion not too long ago concerning the “asking” element of prayer. Specifically, we were talking about the Scripture’s assurance of us receiving what we ask for when we make our requests in accordance with God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). He tongue-in-cheek noted, “That’s really the core issue isn’tContinue reading “God’s Will And Our Prayers”
Managing Your Children Well
Someone has asked about the guidelines for deacons (1 Timothy 3:8ff). Specifically. he is inquiring about the practice in some places of making someone a deacon as soon as they have a child. He writes, “It strikes me as difficult to determine how well a man manages his children when the child in question isContinue reading “Managing Your Children Well”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 