Posts from May 2016 (Page 7)
Easter
Q. Is it right to use the term “Easter” to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection? A. The only reference to Easter in the KJV Bible is in Acts 12:4 and should more correctly be stated as “Passover”, from pascha. Easter was originally a pagan festival honouring Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of light and spring. Sacrifices were offered in her honour. She, Eostre, Easter, has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus, His Resurrection or His people. We are wise to refer to Passover or The…
Could God Ever Do Wrong?
Q. Would God ever ask us to do wrong? In Gen 22:2 He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. A. No, God will never ask us to do evil. But he will push to the limit the boundaries of our commitment to him. The first words of this chapter – “after these things that God did tempt”, (Some time later God tested Abraham) suggest that God never intended the sacrifice to take place. The point was the test:…
Being Gay
Q. I’m gay, hate being gay and don’t know how to not be gay. I have no reason to live and want to end my life. Physically and sexually abused as a teen, I lived in a pigsty of group homes where the abuse continued until I finally prostituted myself with men before I turned 20. Now I have full-blown AIDS. Doctors told me that my death wish would soon be fulfilled and Christians hated me even more. The churches I…
Baptism in Water
Q. Why do I need to be baptised in water? A. The most important reason is that Jesus Himself commanded His disciples to be baptised in water. The Lord Jesus instructed Water Baptism personally. If you are committed to Him, do His bidding. Water Baptism is a believer’s step of faith producing an act of obedience born out of a heart of love for his Lord. John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments. John 15:14 Ye are My friends, if ye…
Apostolic Vision
Q. What exactly is “the Vision of our Apostolic Brethren” which Golden Greetings aims to support and inspire? A. Assemblies are wise to hear God’s direction from their Elders as they minister in close co-operation with Apostolic Brethren. Indeed they hear from God themselves but, in the wider context of direction, are team players with the Apostolic Brethren. It’s no secret that our Apostolic Brethren are constantly on the run from Convention to Convention, from Assembly to Assembly, in Golden Harvest Seminars,…
A Fountain Filled With Blood
Q. See our Redemption Hymn 335. Is there honestly a fountain filled with Blood? A. William Cowper wrote this famous hymn in poetic or lyrical language and it expresses great joy and gratitude for the shed Blood of Jesus. Of course there is no literal ‘Fountain filled with Blood’. If we enter into the intended spirit of what the hymn writer is expressing then we are not being unscriptural singing this hymn. The words, “I do believe, I will believe, that…
What Happens at Death?
Q. What will happen to me when I die? A. It all depends on whether or not you are born again. If Jesus is your Lord and Saviour, the moment you die your spirit will be with Him in Heaven – 2 Cor 5:8. Your body will be buried and decay in the grave. However, when Jesus returns, which could be very soon, your body will be raised in resurrection glory and reunited with your spirit, to spend Eternity with the Lord…
Positive Confrontation
Q. How can I “speak the truth in love” and still maintain a real friendship? A. Without truth, friendship isn’t true friendship. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Prov 27:6 When you care about someone, it’s tempting to avoid telling the truth, especially when that truth might hurt. You might be tempted to shade the truth about yourself because you want to look as good as you possibly can. And you may…
Persecution and Martyrdom – Where is God?
Q. I’ve heard about millions of Christians being brutalized especially in Islamic countries. Where is God in this all? A. Rom 8:28 teaches that “all things work together for good” for God’s Children. If “for good” means a stable, safe, healthy, happy, and reasonably wealthy middle-class life, then we must conclude that God does not really work for the good of the greater part of the Church Universal. And a look at Paul’s sufferings in 2 Cor 11 would imply that…
Answering Critics’ Objections
Christians are Hypocrites, hypocrites are actors, people who pretend to be something they aren’t. Jesus’ harshest words were reserved for hypocrites. There always have been and always will be some hypocrites in the Church. But Jesus doesn’t ask us to follow others; He asks us to follow Him. Although Christians can represent Jesus either poorly or well, the real question is whether Jesus is a hypocrite. If He were, then the whole structure of Christianity falls into ruin. God’s Word…
Which Meeting is Least Necessary?
Q. In our Fellowship we have many meetings and interest groups, but I can’t attend them all. How can I know which to miss? A. Life is filled with pressures more than we can handle, and it is a wise person who learns early to be selective, even amongst good and noble pursuits. We just can’t do it all. Being overcommitted soon leads to neglecting important areas like your Prayer life, studying the Word, attending to your family, etc. Exhaustion…
Vital Meetings
Q. I heard that the Breaking of Bread is the most important meeting so it’s OK if I don’t always get to the others. Is this right? A. Certainly NOT! Hebrews 10:25 says you must not stop gathering with God’s people – especially as Jesus’ Return draws near. The Lord Jesus specially instituted four specific kinds of gathering to bring you to maturity and honour His Name. Read Acts 2:42 carefully. The Apostles’ Doctrine imparts to you the Principles of Christ by…