Question:
What do you do with a friend you feel a burden for? They’re saved, but far, far from the Lord.

Answer:
Pray for them. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Question:
How do I know if I’m saved?

Answer:
Here is a question that I can remember troubling me as a child, through my teens, and even later in my life. I grew up in a Christian home. I knew the way of salvation. I knew I was a sinner. I knew that I believed on the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, yet I didn’t have the assurance of being saved.

The reason for this was that I could not consciously remember ever being saved. I could not remember a date, a time, or even the event. Nothing! Others around me could point to a certain time and say, “This is when I was saved.” But I could not remember because I was too young. I could remember lying in bed at night being very much troubled about whether I was really saved.
I can remember praying “Lord Jesus if I am not saved please save me. I know that I am a sinner. I trust in you as my Saviour.” (Words to this effect.) Yet the next night the same troubling thoughts would be repeated and the same prayer prayed. This went on for many, many years. It took a long time for me to have the assurance of salvation, to take God at His Word: to know that “Salvation is of the Lord.”
Salvation doesn’t depend on feelings or experiences or remembering a date or event in my life. Salvation rests on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We are “accepted in the Beloved” [Christ] (Ephesians 1:6). We receive this salvation when we see our need of a Saviour and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. We find this assurance in the Word of God.
Acts 16:31 – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

John 3:15, 18 – “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life….He that believeth on Him is not condemned.”

John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
So how do I know that I am saved? The answer to this lies in the question.—Do I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour? If yes! then on the authority of God’s Word we have eternal life. And if we are plagued by doubts and fears like I was, we again must return to the Word of God, “The holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
The living Word of God is our authority. “Being born again…by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23). The Holy Spirit of God will give each one the verses that are needed to give us the knowledge, peace, and assurance of our salvation.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).
Then we can sing the chorus—
I’m saved and I know that I am,

I’m saved by His wonderful plan,

I’m saved by His infinite grace,

I’m so glad I know that I’m saved.
Saved by His grace, Robbie (Higgs)

Question:
Christians in politics—shouldn’t we have them there for a good influence?

Answer:
We are to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), but we are not to stand against anything. Mark 16:15 is our commission to preach the gospel, and the Lord has given us nothing else to do with the world. “And He [Jesus] said unto them [His disciples], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

The Lord told Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).
The world system of which Satan is it’s “god” (2 Corinthians 4:4) for he is worshipped, and “prince” (John 16:11) for he controls the world system—was defeated at the cross. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He [Christ Jesus] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14, 15).
This world, that thought it got rid of the Lord of glory by crucifying Him, is heading for judgment, for God “has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).But those who trust Christ for their soul’s salvation should not fear death, for death is their servant (1 Corinthians 3:22) to take them “absent from the body and home with the Lord (Philippians 1:23).

Question:
How strong is God?

Answer:
He’s a Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). He is the Almighty God (Genesis 17:1). He is omnipotent, all-powerful. There is no power that was not given by God (Romans 13:1).

Question:
Is there any sin considered worse than another sin or is a sin just a sin?

Answer:
Well, to be honest with you, I searched the Bible over and over and found not a single verse which clearly gave a cut and dried answer to that question, but I did find this: “…the soul who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10).

According to these verses, is there any sin, no matter how small, that will allow you into heaven? No, there isn’t. But, no matter how many sins we have committed, thanks to our Saviour’s love (John 3:16), we can go to heaven.
That was one way to look at that question, from God’s point of view. Another way is form ours. Let’s say one person killed someone, and the other took a cookie from the cookie jar without asking. Who has committed the greater sin? Well, of course we think it would be the one who killed someone. Right? But, is that really true? According to the verses I mentioned above, both sins would keep us from reaching heaven! So really neither is worse, so I guess the answer should be that a sin is just a sin, no matter how big or small.

Question:
What does a Christian do in a home where Christmas is as secular as in the world?

Answer:
Go along with it as long as you are under their authority (Ephesians 6:1).

Question:
How do you handle people who say anything you believe is o.k.?

Answer:
We need to better know the truth which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). We need to earnestly contend for the faith.

We should not love the world system like Demas did (2 Timothy 4:10), but if we love people, we’ll tell them the truth that the world is about to be judged (Acts 17:20-31). Especially verse 31: “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”If our testimony should bring suffering, we should count it a privilege to suffer for His sake. A good prayer for us to pray in this world is: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word” (Acts 4:29).

Question:
What are some good ways to follow along in meeting and make it more intriguing?

Answer:
Studying the portion beforehand and having questions ready will help for a Bible study. Questions can be relayed to someone else if it’s not appropriate (1 Corinthians 14:34, 35), or you’re afraid to ask them.

Taking notes during a lecture will help. Making eye contact with the speaker will hopefully remind him that you are part of the audience that he is addressing, as well as the older brothers and sisters there. This problem is everyone’s responsibility to work on, those called to listen and those called to speak alike.

Question:
Why do they not celebrate Christmas?

Answer:
One reason given was that the Bible tells us to celebrate the death, not the birth of Christ. Another reason mentioned was that Christmas is a pagan tradition. Another reason was Luke 16:15: “That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

But we should not “despise” nor “judge” those who don’t do as we do, realizing that “to his own Master [the Lord] he standeth or falleth….One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it to the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it” (Romans 14:3-6).

Question:
What if they don’t believe the Bible (but they believe there’s a God)?

Answer:
All you can do is put the Word before them. It takes God to open them up to it, and He uses His Word which is powerful to do that.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12, 13).

Question:

Is it considered sin not to pay attention in meeting or to doze off if you are really tired?

Answer:
James 4:17 says, “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Romans 14:23 says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” These verses say that it could be a sin to not pay attention in meeting or doze off for someone who knows it is good to pay attention.

The young man Eutychus fell asleep during a long sermon by Paul. He fell out of the window and was thought to be dead. When he lived, the believers were comforted. This doesn’t clearly condemn his dozing off as sin. It would be natural to get tired during a midnight sermon (Acts 20:7-12). Our problem may be that we are not taking care of our bodies as God would have us if we fall asleep during a one hour meeting.Some other things to consider are that the disciples fell asleep while Jesus prayed (Matthew 26:36-46). One brother I know takes medicine that makes him sleepy. Another brother often closes his eyes to meditate, but he is not asleep. Another brother, now with the Lord, said that it is better for people to come to meeting and sometimes fall asleep, than to just not come.

Question:
Can we get fired up listening to a song?

Answer:
Maybe, but it’s probably emotion. What we really need is to abide in Him. (1 John 2:28, John 15:1-5). We can’t bear fruit unless we abide in Him. He is with us wherever we go and we should have His mind about everything in our lives (Philippians 2:5). There’s a difference between music being our source of strength and a source of encouragement. It can be a way to glorify Christ. But we should ask: “Would Jesus listen to this?” and “Is the music bringing me closer to the Lord or not?”

Question:
What do you say to someone who believes there’s a higher being, but that “he” created all other religions, too, and they’re all OK? You just have to find the one that’s right for you and you’ll be OK.

Answer:
John 14:6 says that Jesus is “the way.” Acts 4:12 says there is no other name by which we can be saved.

Do you believe Jesus Christ lived? Do you believe He was who He said He was? If so, you have a problem with other religions.

He was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. If you believe He existed you must decide what you believe about His claims. “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

Question:
Is there any sin considered worse than another sin or is a sin just a sin?

Answer:
In 1 John 5:16, 17, John says there is a sin unto death, and a sin not unto death, though what these are isn’t spelled out here. Ananias and Sapphira committed “a sin unto death” in Acts 5:1-11. It wasn’t clear to us though, what the passage in 1 John 5 meant exactly. There is also an unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31, 32, Mark 3:29,30), to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost. The law in the Old Testament gave different degrees of punishment for different sins.

Today, the consequences of some sins are worse than others. The dead will be judged according to their works at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11-15). The works of believers will be tested and revealed as to what sort they are, and they will receive a reward or suffer loss accordingly (1 Corinthians 3:1015). Regardless of sins though, all those not in the book of life go to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15), and all believers are saved (1 Corinthians 3:15).Because of this, it was pointed out that this question should not worry Christians too much, since we should not try to measure our sin or others’ sin. One sin makes us guilty of the whole law (James 2:10). Any sin disrupts our fellowship with the Father (though Christ our Advocate brings us back, 1 John 2:1), but no sin can change our position before God, since Christ is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, 6).

Question:

When we get home from the conference, how can we put into practice what we’ve learned?

Answer:
Let your light shine; pray for opportunities to witness, etc. Read your Bible (James 1:22-24). You don’t need a conference to get fired up. We have His Word and His Spirit all the time. If we have the joy of our salvation, the Lord can use us to teach others and sinners will be converted (Psalm 51:12, 13).

Question:
Why did Jesus tell people not to tell anyone He healed them? Mark 7:36, Matthew 8:4, Matthew 9:30, 31, Luke 4:41.

Answer:
He did not come here to glorify Himself or become popular. They thought He was going to be king right then (John 6:15), but this wasn’t the case.

He “made Himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7). All the times He said, “Don’t tell anyone” were after He healed them physically. He didn’t want to promote the physical healing, but the healing of the soul.

Question:
How would you present the gospel to one who thinks he’s saved by good works, picks out portions of the Bible to believe and claims the rest is added by man. This person has an India Indian, and Catholic background.

Answer:
If a person believes he is free to accept or reject Scriptures according to his own evaluation of them, then you have no basis whatsoever on which to speak to such a person. And if a person persists in this belief he has no hope.

Everything in the Bible was written by “a man.” However, God either guided each one who wrote, and all that he wrote, and it is, therefore, ALL His revealed truth, or none of it is. The truth is that God inspired (breathed) His truth to those who actually wrote it (2 Timothy 3:16). Each and every verse has the same authority and is God’s voice to each and every person who reads or hears it. It is eternally fatal to reject God’s Word.Titus 3:5 proves good works are no good for salvation. Ephesians 2:8, 9 show the same and that it is by grace through faith, the gift of God.

Question:
Does God love us more than He loves Jesus?

Answer:
He loves us the same as Jesus:

For Jesus said: “I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Mme, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. . . . And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:23, 26)“As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love” (John 15:9).

Question:
What are some verses for eternal security?

Answer:
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one” (John 10:27-30).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Question:
John 13:1-17 describes Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet. Some feel that this is to be taken as a lesson in humility, as Jesus placed Himself in the position of a slave in doing the foot washing. Others see a deeper meaning; that Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet was a figure of how the Word washes us. In verse 17, Jesus says, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Those who believe in the first meaning, say simply, “OK, practice humility to one another.” [See also verse 14.] And the second, “Exhort one another with the Word as the opportunity presents itself.” What about others though, who practice the literal, and actually wash feet? Is this something believers ought to do? The meaning of baptism, for example is figurative to a point, but there is value in the literal practice of water baptism. What to think??

Answer:
It is important to understand what the Lord meant when He said to Peter: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me.” Peter’s communion with the Lord depended upon Peter having the cleansing power of God’s Word done in his soul. This is the only way Peter could, and all of us can, be kept clean from the corruptions of this world. If the corruptions of the world are in our souls, the joy of our fellowship with Christ is destroyed. Christ’s washing of His disciples’ feet is a picture of His present ministry to us in this regard.

It is also important to understand what the Lord meant when He said to Peter: “He that is washed needeth not…” The Lord is here speaking of our being born again by the Word of God. “Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). We are born again once and forever. But we need the cleansing of our souls daily. It is all accomplished by the Word of God, without which nothing can be accomplished.
The conclusion, then, is that feet washing is a picture of spiritual cleansing and it is not meant to be carried out literally. A spiritual Christian can be of great help to other believers as the Lord leads him or her to bring just the needed Scriptures. But the literal practicing of washing others’ feet has little or no spiritual value.As to baptism, it IS a figure (1 Peter 3:21). And those who professed to believe in Christ were baptized, identifying themselves with Him. A believer should gladly identify with Christ in baptism, figuratively going down into death with Christ (Romans 6:3, 4). It is, therefore, an important thing for believers to be baptized.

Question:
Which areas are our weaknesses/blind spots?

Answer:
Specific sins we have trouble with. We all have differences, different areas that we may be weak in. We can probably all do better at supporting one another: confessing faults to one another, bearing one another’s burdens, swift to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19), and praying one for another (James 5:16).

Question:
What verses show that there is a trinity in the Godhead?

Answer:
In John 14:26 Jesus said: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” This verse shows that all three in the Godhead are distinct Persons.

After the Lord rose from the dead, He told His disciples to use the three names of the Godhead when baptizing: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
In Isaiah 48:16 the Son is speaking and alludes to the Father and the Spirit. “Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and His Spirit, hath sent Me.”
The Hebrew word, “Elohim,” which is translated “God” in the first verse of our Bibles, and used elsewhere in the Old Testament, means “three or more” (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, etc.).Another verse where the three names of the three Persons of the Godhead are found is in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.”

Question:
In Acts 2:45, and 4:32-37, there is the account of the believers being in a community not just in spiritual things, but they also had their possessions in common. Why was that so? Why isn’t that so anymore? If the answer is, because the 190s don’t allow that sort of thing, what’s that say about our being of the world, rather than being pilgrims? Or, is this just not necessary?

Answer:
The two references quoted from Acts show us that there was a pure spiritual condition among the early Christians. But the first part of chapter 5 shows us the beginning of the spiritual corruption among the believers.

From that day to the present words cannot describe the corruption that has developed. In the very beginning no one dishonored the name of Christ. Now, the dishonor done to Christ is very commonplace. It is the sin in believers that makes it impossible for that wonderful early experience ever to return. However, we shall enjoy it when we are sinless in heaven.

Question:
Why should we trust Him for troubles if He’s going to give us more?

Answer:
Often we’re not looking to Him and that’s why we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). But if we’re looking to Him, He’ll provide a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). But He might not take it away (2 Corinthians 12:9). We’re going to have trials, to give us patience. If we really want to live for the Lord, we’re going to have to expect trials. It’s the only way we can grow. Why? The only way to get experience is through tribulation (Romans 5:3, John 16:33).

Question:
Is there any verse to support proclaiming you’re a Christian?

Answer:
Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Matthew 5:16, and 1 Corinthians 9:16, 17 all tell us that if we are Christians we should tell others that we are. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2).

Question:
My girlfriend said she is going to hell someday, but how can I explain to her that she is wrong; but will I be wrong in saying so? Or is God telling me that I am wrong when I try to convert her?

Answer:
If the girlfriend does not come to God confessing that she is a sinner (this is what it means to repent) and put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior she will indeed go to “hell,” which is God’s eternal judgment upon the unbeliever. Revelation 20:11-15 shows that only those who stand before God for judgment will experience terror.
You would be wrong NOT to tell her about God’s salvation that she may have by faith in Christ. God will save (convert) her if she believes God concerning His Son. Jesus says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

Question:
How do you help someone who said they were saved but then turned from God because of something that happened?

Answer:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth” (1 Peter 1:6-8). “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Can we blame God? Look at Jonah and Job for examples of those who had it harder than we do, and the Lord used their trials to teach them valuable lessons, which is what He wants to do for us. Maybe we are like Martha who asked: “Lord dost thou not care?” (Luke 10:39, 40). Martha was serving the Lord and still blamed Him. She was distracted with much serving, and needed time with the Lord, too. But in all of this, Martha did the right thing to come to the Lord with her problem.

Question:
Can a person ever reach a point where they can’t grow any more–a “spiritual peak”?

Answer:
You can never reach a point where you can’t grow anymore but you might reach a level of “fullness” or “completeness.”

We may become mature, but we will never know Him fully. He desired: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Paul forgot what he had attained to before and pressed on (Philippians 3:12-14). First Peter 2:2 says that each time you read the Word–no matter how long you have been saved–that you can learn something more. Just like: “newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

Question:
Do we have special eyesight in heaven or will I be terrified by what God does to unbelievers in the end of time?

Answer:
Revelation 20:11-15 shows that only those who stand before God for judgment will experience terror.

The believer will not come into judgment (John 5:24). The word “condemnation” in the KJV should be “judgment.” Scripture tells us nothing about what kind of eyesight we shall have when we are in heaven. And I know of no Scripture that tells us that we shall witness the terrors of unbelievers under God’s eternal judgment.

Question:
What should we do during the remembrance meeting?

Answer:
The silence isn’t bad. It’s a time to silently praise Him—for the sisters, as well as the brothers. The Lord requested of His disciples on the night He was betrayed: “This do in remembrance of Me.” So, the remembrance meeting is a time to remember Him and what He has done for us on the cross of Calvary.

How? Look at the emblems and think of what they represent. Read over the song or Scripture just sung or read. Think about: “This is My body which is…for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24). Let the Spirit lead you to discover possible themes brought out in songs/prayers. God has given us a lot of material for worship “in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:26, 27). For many weeks our remembrance meetings can have different themes, concerning Himself. “The world itself could not contain the books that should be written of Him” (John 21:25), and we still can’t even exhaust this one Book! The words that were written were chosen carefully so that we might accept Him (John 20:30, 31); and the theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus.