Question:
Why do you feel men should not date other men?

Answer:

The scriptures are clear in telling us that this is sin.  Sometimes, those that totally reject the Lord are given up to vile affections, such as homosexuality (Romans 1: 26-28).  In the Old Testament, it is called an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13).  Change from homosexuality is possible through faith in the Lord Jesus (read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).  If one is living a homosexual life, we should still seek to show him/her the love of Christ and lead them to salvation.

Question:
What were the names of Jesus’ brothers?

Answer:

Matthew 13:55, 56 tells us that Jesus had four brothers (James, Joses, Simon, Judas).  He also had some sisters, but we are not told how many.  While Jesus’ brothers did not believe on Him while He was on the earth (John 7:5), it seems that at least some of them believed on Him after His death and resurrection.  The books of James and Jude were probably written by brothers of Jesus.

Question:
How do you know what spiritual gift you have?

Answer:

All spiritual gifts are given to serve the Lord, edify the church, or lead people to Christ for salvation.  Some gifts that are mentioned are found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.  It may not be necessary to know what your gift(s) are.  Sometimes, if we think we have a particular gift, we may limit our labors for the Lord based on that gift.  We should “stir up” (2 Timothy 1:6) our gift by using it, but be ready to be used of the Lord in whatever way He wants to use us.

“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Question:
Is there one version of the Bible that is the right version to read?

Answer:

There are many good versions of the Bible in print today.  Most people have their preferences like KJV, NAS, NIV, Darby, etc.  While some are translations of the original languages, some are merely paraphrases of English versions.  We should pray about what version we should use and the Holy Spirit will lead us to understand what we are reading.

Question:
If in the beginning there was only Adam and Eve, then they had their children, where did their children’s wives come from?  If it was only Adam and Eve, does this mean that biologically we are all related?

Answer:

While the Bible is silent on this, we can only believe that as Adam and Eve had more children, they would marry each other and have children.  While this may sound terrible to us today, it was not until the giving of the Law that one was forbidden to marry a close relative (read Leviticus 18:6-18).  Yes, we are all biologically related.

Question:

How can we lower the poverty level in Nassau by using the Bible?

Answer:

One said we should follow the Word that says that we should do unto others as we would want them to do to us (Matthew 7:12).  Other verses that were offered include Matthew 25:40 and 1 John 3:17.

Question:
What is your view of hanging of sinners (capital punishment)?

Answer:

There were many thoughts expressed on this question.  Some thought that no man should take the life of another.  Some thought that ‘an eye for an eye’ is proper.  Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.”  This means that the punishment should fit the crime.  Some expressed concern that although capital punishment may be right, sometimes innocent people are put to death.  What do you think?

Question:
Is it okay to be afraid to die?

Answer:

Many Christians, while not being afraid of being dead, have a fear of dying.  Will it hurt?  How long will I suffer?  What will it feel like to go through the process of dying?  Being afraid of something you have never experienced is natural, but believers are assured that when we pass away, we will be in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).  One camper remarked, “If one is not saved, they should be afraid to die.”

Question:
Is there such a thing as evil?  Are people naturally evil or is it because they do not know what they do?

Answer:

It is in our fallen nature to do wrong. We are born in sin and shaped in iniquity (read Psalm 51:5).  The Bible tells us that there is none that does good (see Psalm 14:3; 53:3), and that our hearts are only evil continually (see Genesis 6:5).  That’s why we need the Lord Jesus as our Savior.  We cannot save ourselves.

Question:

Why are men said to be superior to women even hundreds of years ago?

While many men may act like they are superior to women, the Bible tells us plainly that this is not true.  Ephesians 5:21 instructs men and women to submit themselves one to another in the fear of God.  This means that although husbands are to be the head of their wives (Ephesians 5:23), they are on equal terms.  Even though Christ submitted Himself to His Father, He could say, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). 

Question:

If a Christian commits suicide, will he go to Heaven or Hell?

Answer:

While the Lord prohibits murder of any sort (even self-murder) (Matthew 5:21; Romans 13:9), we are assured from 1 John 1:7 that, “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  No one, while thinking rightly would take his own life.  Even if one is truly a believer, he may be suffering from severe depression or trauma, and take his own life.  How reassuring to know that this precious soul would go to be with the Lord.

Question:

If Christians are supposed to be examples to sinners, why are there so many problems in the churches…members, pastors, etc. not getting along; some starting their own churches, wanting to be in charge; pastors taking all the money for themselves?  Why are they acting that way?

From the beginning of the church, it has been attacked by Satan.  Paul said in Acts 20:29, 30: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”  This shows that some from outside the church (“wolves”) would attack them, and also some from within (“also of your own selves”) would attack them.  Satan’s desire is to dishonor the Lord and he often seeks to do it among those that profess to be Christians.  This gives the world the wrong impression about the Lord.  Some, like Diotrephes in 3 John 9, love to dominate the Lord’s people.  Some love to have a following, and some greedily seek after money (read 1 Timothy 3:2, 3).  We need to read God’s Word so that we can discern what is proper and what honors the Lord, then follow after those things that honor Him.

Question:

What does it mean to truly fear God?

Answer:

Often the Bible speaks of fear to indicate ‘godly fear’ or reverence to the Lord, such as Hebrews 12:28: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

However, those who do not know Christ as their Savior have every reason to be afraid of the Lord, such as in Matthew 10:28: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him [God] which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”