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What is the significance of dead saints being resurrected to life at the crucifixion of Jesus? Matthew records that immediately after the death of Jesus, many Old Testament saints who had died came back to life, went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in t...	In addition to what's been said already, this is a preview (mini-version) of Jesus' second coming, when there will be a great earthquake on the Mt. of Olives (which is a giant cemetery even today) and the all the dead will rise from their graves.
Why is Jesus occasionally referred to as "The Christ"? Is there a different definition between the two? I've occasionally heard of Jesus Christ referred to as "The Christ" and the phrasing has always struck me. What are the differences (if any) between referring to him as Jesus Christ versus "The Christ", and what is ...	Usually the name "The Christ" is identified with the divine personality of Jesus. "Christ" is actually a transliteration, not a translation.
What is the difference between Reformed and Presbyterian I feel like this is a dumb question, but maybe, just maybe, I'm not the only one confused by this. Maybe if I'm willing to stick my neck out and look stupid, the answer will be here for those poor confused saps who come after me. It seems like I often hear the ...	There are Reformed Christians who are not Presbyterian (or at least wouldn't call themselves that), especially in the Dutch or Continental tradition such as the RCUS and URCNA .
Why is Jesus portrayed and remembered in a state of suffering? My observation of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is portrayed, worshiped and promoted in his state on the cross: suffering, crucified, having wounds. I don't see what sense this makes. This seems like a form of sadism. Why is he not portrayed healthy? W...	All this was done from artistic motives, to bring about a more moving and devotional pose.
What is closest thing Baptists have to a catechism? I teach Sunday School at an evangelical congregation that is essentially nondenominational, but has various, historical ties to the Church of the Brethren and or one of the smaller Baptist denominations. The pastor has generally given me free reign to come up with my...	there is The Shorter Catechism: Baptist Version and The Shorter Catechism
Could you please help me locate this hymn? I heard a sermon that was recorded in the 1980s. The speaker was Dr. Paul E. Toms , who at the time was senior pastor at Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts . In his sermon, Dr. Toms referenced a hymn, but he didn't mention the title. My mother and I would really ...	Yes, this hymn was sung by Bill Hoyt.
Who symbolizes Christ in J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"? I have long been a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien , and have enjoyed his works from an early age. I am aware that he was raised by a Roman Catholic priest, and remained a deeply religious man his whole life. I'm wanting to pin down some of the major chr...	Gandalf is an archangel and a keeper of the sacred fire (the word of God being an all-consuming fire). While many people have searched for Christian symbolism, the author did not intend that there should be any.
Do United Methodist Church members really eat ham during Easter? Do United Methodist Church members really eat ham during Easter? I knew a classmate who was Methodist. She told me that she ate ham during Easter. Is this a Methodist church tradition? Are Methodists allowed to eat meat during Easter or Lenten season? <Q...	There is no prohibition against eating meat, whether ham or any other kind, so
What do immersionists believe it means to be buried with Christ through Baptism? Romans 6:1-4 (NIV) What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into C...	Baptism signifies that the believer has been crucified with Christ having embraced and received Christ's sacrifice for his sins.
Do any denominations believe in reincarnation? In discussion with others about God's will in situations that don't have any answers (i.e. - difficult prolonged situations) I hear a lot of (as also mentioned in this question and answer) that God is "teaching us lessons and preparing us for eternity". However, when I ...	Although there are certainly Christian individuals and sects that accept reincarnation, reincarnation has always been an iffy issue, because it has long been perceived to undermine the significance of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
What is the source of the phrase "in your chamber bewail your sins"? In the Imitation of Christ , Thomas à Kempis writes (Book I, Chapter XX, paragraph 5): If you desire true sorrow of heart, seek the privacy of your cell and shut out the uproar of the world, as it is written: “In your chamber bewail your sins.”...	"If you want to experience true heart-sorrow, go into your private prayer closet where only God can see and hear you and where the din of the outside world is silenced; repent of and mourn for your sins; and receive the gift of forgiveness in proportion to your willingness to forgive others who may have sinned against ...
Why are sandals considered to be unholy? As I was reading Exodus 3 chapter 5, this passage got my attention. Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Why it is considered as unholy? Even in churches they are said to remove your sand...	The removal of sandals was, and still is in the East, a sign of humility and reverence in the presence of the Holy One.
Does Cain still have descendants on the earth? According to Genesis 5 : 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and ...	The Bible is silent on this matter.
Is it moral or immoral for Satan to punish souls for immoral acts? Satan, to my understanding, punishes souls in hell as a result of their immoral acts on earth. It also is my understanding that the concept of Satan represents pure immorality (evil). Does that mean it is immoral to punish souls in hell or is it a...	Satan does not punish anyone for sin.
Why are Kingdom Halls sometimes built in the "quick-build" manner? Wikipedia has an article on Kingdom Halls that states: In many countries, a number of standard designs of construction are used that can be built in just a few days. The act of constructing a Kingdom Hall in this manner is called a quick-build, alth...	The short answer, taken from the 2016 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses is for reasons of economy: Speeding Up Kingdom Hall Construction: To speed up the work in the most cost-effective way, the Governing Body has been implementing adjustments to our various construction departments.
Are there any well-known Christian nihilists? I have been studying Nietzsche, and I find his ideas thought-provoking. Doing a wider search of the literature on the subject of nihilism, I note that very nearly all of the content that espouses nihilism is irreligious, and all of the religious sources attempt to refute ni...	Probably the most famous individual associated with it is Paul Tillich .
Does the Bible forbid a man from dressing like a woman? Are there any verses in the Old or New Testaments that forbid a man from dressing like a woman? My question was prompted by this news article about the Harvest Crusade event and the comments that followed. <Q> In the Mosaic Law, God strictly forbids this: <S...	It says in Deuteronomy 22:5 (NIV) - "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
Why was Jesus called Jesus, and not Immanuel? Was the choice of Jesus (Joshua) in addition to Immanuel(Matthew 1: 21 and 23) in order to fulfil the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18: 15? This gives a message that Jesus, like His namesake, would lead Israel into the promised land and not Moses (the law). Can the answers conce...	The best reason I know of is because God told them to name him Jesus Mat 1:21 KJV
Does the Lutheran view of pope as AntiChrist stem from doctrine of justification? I've heard popular retellings of the Lutheran view of pope as Antichrist that range from: a delusion that Pope Leo X was the incarnate figure of prophecy, to a slur (like calling George Washington a communist), to a conviction that ...	Luther very much believed that the Pope was leading people away from the truth of the Gospel.
What is the role of a "Methodist lay pastor"? This site makes mention of a "Methodist lay pastor." What does this person do? How is this role different from the "pastor" in the Methodist Church? What type of religious training or education does this person have? <Q> The lay pastor can perform most of the duties of or...	In the United Methodist Church, a lay pastor is a church member who has received training and can assist with preaching and care ministries, but does not have a formal seminary education.
Did Jesus ascend to Heaven twice? While studying the book of John I came to: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17, KJV) Jesus would not allow Mary Magd...	So yes, he had ascended before the time they saw His final ascension in the first chapter of Acts.
Why do Salvation Army members wear uniforms in the church? I have seen Salvation Army church members going to church in white uniforms. Here is a sample image (source) . What is the role of uniforms in the Salvation Army? Is it compulsory for them to wear uniforms in the church? <Q> As a Soldier of The Salvation ...	Wearing uniform also gives Salvationists a feeling of fellowship when they meet.
How do decentralized churches/denominations practically deal with "brothers" from another denomination in light of Matthew 18:17 "If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every ...	Baptists would qualify as a "decentralized" denomination, and from a baptist perceptive, the answer is "we wouldn't deal with brothers from another church/denomination in that manner".
What's the difference between 'Divine Providence' and 'Holy Spirit' in this statement? In the 22nd annual meeting of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee , they released a statement that said: Jews and Christians share the heritage of the biblical testimony of God's relationship with the human famil...	To answer the O.P.’s question directly, there is no ontological difference between Divine Providence and the Holy Spirit.
What is the official Roman Catholic Bible? If I want to buy a copy of the Bible, which version does one buy that would be the official Roman Catholic version? It seems the Kings James version is the most popular, is that the one? Will this contain both the New and Old Testament? <Q> The Official Bible is the Vulgate...	THE official Bible in the Roman Catholic Church is the Latin Vulgate Bible or it could be the Enlish version which contained 73 books.46 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New testament. If you're looking for an English translation, any Bible with an imprimatur should be good.
Are all of the red letter text the words of Jesus? To what extent can we be sure that the red letters in a KJV Bible are the actual words of Jesus? <Q> The 'red letters' are not themselves part of the KJV translation. <S> The red letters appear in many different translation of the Bible. <S> To answer the question: n...	Most of the time it is pretty clear from the text where Jesus words begin and end.
Why does John 1 say "the Word was with God" and not "scripture was with God"? Given that the Bible and Scripture is referred to as God's word, would the meaning of John 1:1 and John 1:14 be changed if the word 'scripture' was interchanged for the word 'word'? John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word...	The 'Word' in the context of John-1 is a divine entity, which is Jesus Christ, who existed in the beginning with God. ' It doesn't say scripture was with God because it was nothing that was written, the Word is an actual being.
What is the Roman Catholic interpretation of John 3:16? For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV) What is the Roman Catholic way of interpreting John 3:16, the most popular verse in the Bible? What does the w...	We must believe in Jesus in order to have eternal life. Metaphorical Perish could mean die a spiritual death as easily as it means die a physical death.
Would aliens invalidate Christianity as we know it? If we discover other intelligent life forms in the universe, would this change Christianity in any way or not? For the sake of the argument, let's presume we will find human-like life in a newly discovered planet in our solar system. <Q> It wouldn't change Christiani...	The presence of other intelligent life elsewhere in the universe would not change our own reality, which includes the following:
What is the basis for the belief that the wise men did not arrive in Bethlehem until several months after the birth of Jesus? Many depictions of the nativity have both the shepherds and the wise men at the stable on the night of Jesus' birth. However, it is commonly held that the wise men did not arrive until several ...	That the wise men did not arrive until Jesus was a child and no longer an infant is derived from several Scriptures, particularly in Matthew.
Why can't people change their denomination? As my profile says, I don't belong to any denomination and I can't answer this question myself. Recently, there was a question from a Catholic woman having difficulty in her love relationship because her boyfriend from Jehovah's Witness can't marry her. The main problem ...	The primary reason why serious Christians cannot switch denominations is because the doctrines surrounding salvation have eternal consequences. In general people change their denominations all the time. For people changing denomination may be perceived as a slight to family or traditions.
Did Jesus have a normal childhood? We are told nothing about Jesus childhood except what is recorded in the second chapter of Luke. Luke Chapter 2 KJV 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the...	There are simply no extant records on the life of Jesus that are recognized by scholars as having any validity.
What is the emotional appeal of the trinity? I have spoken to many who believe in the Trinity. I many times try to present the view the Jesus is the second greatest being in the universe and that he was created by his father Jehovah God. I also say that we should have faith in Jesus and his ransom sacrifice. He deser...	Secondarily, trinitarians often believe that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins was only effective because he was God.
If Adam and Eve were exempt from death, why did they need to eat? Genesis 2:17 gives the implication that Adam and Eve were exempt from death prior to eating from the tree of knowledge, and indeed many literalists take this view. but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat ...	Eating (whether required or not) depends upon the death of the food (plants).
Is there a respectful way to dispose of old or worn out scriptures? I'm finding myself accumulating various copies of the scriptures, and honestly, I don't need all of them laying around. Nowadays I study, read, and mark them electronically. So now I'm looking to declutter my living space. Throwing them away feels kin...	There are no specific scriptural instructions on how to dispose of an old Bible. If it’s still in fair condition, you might put it on a book donation table to benefit someone else.
Is it a blessing to live long on the earth? [Ephesians 6:2-3] "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Are we supposed to desire to live long on the earth? It seems to me that after someone in born again he/s...	It is indeed a great blessing to live a long time on the earth, and its one that has been put into our hearts and instincts.
Does the New Testament have any mention of Kolob and if not, how come? Kolob is a star or planet from the Book of Abraham - originally described in an ancient egyptian scroll - translated by Joseph Smith. Kolob is near the throne of God (in outer space to my understanding). Is Kolob mentioned in the New Testament a...	The non-LDS answer as to why Kolob isn't mentioned in the New Testament is that they believe it is a fictional idea created by Joseph Smith.
Did Jesus condemn wealth? Mathew 19 : 16 - 24 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 ...	No, Jesus doesn't condemn wealth, but He does warn against having too much of it. Wealth can make a person turn away from God toward self-sufficiency, which fools him into thinking that creature comforts are enough take care of his important needs, and neglects the formation of character and faith that God wishes to fo...
Is the Summa Theologia infallible to Catholics or not? Me: Ah, so the Summa Theologia IS considered infallible! (Assuming that if the Magisterium and Pope are, then their trusted sources must be through them!) Catholic: No, it isn't infallible by itself, just as an individual bishop isn't infallible by himself. I'm ...	No, the Summa Theologica/Theologiae is not infallible.
Verse that mention Jesus eating meat? My wife asked me this question last night, and I didn’t know the answer, so I thought I would ask it here. The question: Besides fish, is there any passage in the Gospels that directly mentions Jesus eating meat? My assumption is that He would have followed Jewish dietary laws, ...	I guess that it is barely possible that Jesus did not eat meat, as nowhere are we specifically told that he did.
In Catholicism if God is infinite love, can love always increase in intensity or does that mean quantity? According to the official facts laid out by the Pope and his Magesterium, as God is unending love and joy, does that mean that these emotions can always 'rise' in their intensity? For instance, we know the beatific...	So joy can increase, as you experience God's love more and more.
Which churches today send the most missionaries? Was the early church a missionary church? Matthew 28:19-20 leads me to believe it was: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have comma...	Currently The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 82,000 full time proselytizing missionaries and another 10,000 service or humanitarian missionaries.
Did Adam and Eve have children in paradise? I was just reading the account of Adam and Eve in the NIV 84 and it doesn't really say they didn't. The Bible does mention when Sarah had her first boy. When Mary had her first son. But not really when Eve had her first son. Does it? I'm just wondering because I have in my ...	I personally believe that child bearing was taking place in the garden for an untold amount of time
Why is the Catholic Church called "The Roman Catholic Church"? If the word " catholic ", from the Greek adjective καθολικός ( katholikos ), means " universal ", why The Catholic Church is known as "The Roman Catholic Church"? Is it possible be " universal " and " roman " at the same time? <Q> The Catholic Church does ...	The Catholic Church ('C' as capital) is that group of churches in communion with the pope.
Is it generally acceptable to attend a bible study as a non Christian? I am a bit curious about seeking out a bible study. There are several reasons for this: A friend of mine (in another country) says she finds such a study group enjoyable, and it seems to be a good way to meet new people. (I myself just moved to a n...	Many Bible studies welcome non-Christians. Some Bible studies may be more uncomfortable for you than others depending on how they are run and what kind of spiritual things you are comfortable with though.
Visitors giving money to the church (I apologize in advance if this question isn't appropriate for Christianity S.E. .... this seems to be a trending problem. With that said, I believe the ideas of the question are appropriate and I invite anyone that thinks this question is inappropriate to edit it so it's rephrased ...	We never pass collection plates around for donations.
Is there a difference between theology and apologetics? I've heard that it all has to do with knowing the right audience. Perhaps, if the audience be Christian, it would be labelled as "theology", and if the audience is non-Christian, it would be labelled as "apologetics". So, apologetics might be just Christian theolo...	When an apologists arguments are documented or "accepted" then they are apologetics: A simple definition of Theology is "the study of things related to God".
According to Catholic teaching; how long do we go to Hell for? When people are sent to Hell, is it really for eternity, or does the amount of time spent in Hell depend on the Sins/Crimes committed on Earth? I find it difficult to accept/believe that people who do not believe in a Book (the Bible) in a World where ev...	Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire.
Does Deuteronomy 17:18 prevent bible translation copyright Many modern bible translations are published with copyright claims. However published in the work is not only permission but a command to make a copy. This can be found in. Deuteronomy 17:18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, th...	You can't just make a copy of those translations and sell it as if it is yours.
Where does the story of "the Cross on top of Adam's Skull" come from? On my trip to Church of the Holy Sepulchre , the tour guide told us that inside the church, there is a place where the Cross was located, and right beneath the Cross, there buried the Adam's ( yes, Adam our great-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand ancest...	According to the legend in its widest distribution, the story is interwoven with that of the Queen of Sheba , as depicted in Piero della Francesca's series, who prophesies that the beam of wood will bear the saviour of the world.
Was Noah a Prophet? I am kinda confused about prophets. I've searched a lot, but still I can't find an appropriate answer. The Question: Was Noah a prophet? and if he was; Was Noah prophesied in the Bible or Torah? <Q> He was a prophet by the time of Peter and therefore a prophet in the Bible: 2 Peter 2:5 NIV...	Yes, Noah was a prophet.
What does the Bible teach/say about luck? Is there such a thing, do we have a measure of randomness and ability to shape our own destinies or ultimately are all things predestined. <Q> I'll give you one perpective. <S> According to the following verse: Romans 8:28 (ESV) <S> And we know that for those who love God a...	If you plan something to happen, then it is no longer luck.
What is the significance of Luke 22:44 where Christ's sweat was as great drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane while he prayed? Luke 22:44 talks about Jesus Christ's experience while he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. During a time when an angel visits him to strengthen him he begins to sweat blood. I would like...	I think Christ feared seperation from the father for a season, "father why have you forsaken me" the thought of being seperated from the father caused emotional stress and hematidrosis. "
Does anyone have a good definition of "Evangelical"? I know the word itself means "of or related to the gospel." That's not what I'm talking about. I mean, when the term is used to refer to a subset of Christians, what are the characteristics being implied? What is the criteria used to determine what Christians are ...	Evangelicalism is a branch of protestantism, so it involves a protestant understanding of the gospel.
What is the mark placed on Cain? "And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him." Genesis 4:15 ESV What is the mark placed on Cain? <Q> It seems to have been a mark of warning, not of protection, to those who may think to harm him. <S> Unfortunately, others warped the meaning of the sign ...	The mark was a sign of God's mercy for this murderer.
Where did the notion that Adam and Eve ate an APPLE come from? Contrary to popular belief no mention of the fruit being an apple can be found in the Book of Genesis. Jewish commentaries recorded in the Midrash Rabbah speculate that the tree might have been a species of wheat, or corn, or that the fruit might have bee...	This misconception was perpetuated in the ideas of European people mainly due to the work of the numerous painters who decided to paint this scene.
Why does Jesus say "Why have you forsaken me?" Why does Jesus say "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This is from the ESV version. It just seems so out of character. <Q> Hence Jesus would be quoting it to sort of point that out. <S> Of particular interest is verse 16 (KJV) <S> "For dogs have compassed me: th...	Its a quotation of the first verse of Psalm 22 (Read the whole Psalm), which is a Psalm about a righteous man suffering at the hands of the ungodly, and is traditionally understood within Christianity as being a graphic prophecy of the crucifixion.
Are these verses from Proverbs contradictory? Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will become just like him. Proverbs 26:4 NIV Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes..Proverbs 26:5 NIV Should you? Or, Shouldn't you? <Q> Consider the definition of a proverb ...	They may be "contradictory" if taken in a literal sense, but proverbs are not really meant to be taken literally--whether those from the Bible, or from any other source. When someone does something foolish, to make him aware of his folly, you must address his folly head-on, otherwise he will think his folly is wisdom. ...
Do non-Catholics ever have the priest visit the sick parishioners and deliver them communion? Do non-Catholics ever have the priest visit sick parishioners and deliver them communion? I don't know, but I think it's pretty cool that Catholics have this sort of pastoral care built into their system, and I am wondering ...	Priesthood of the LDS church certainly take the Sacrament to the sick and the elderly.
Why did Pilate insist on writing 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'? From John 19 (KJV): 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and i...	"The King of the Jews" on his sign as the reason he was being executed appears to be one last, somewhat passive-aggressive, act of protest against their unfair execution they were forcing him into.
Why are bibles sold for profit? Christians are encouraged to give donations and free items to the needy. But why are Bibles sometimes sold for profit, instead of being sold at cost-price, at a subsidized price, or even for free? <Q> It's the same reason pastors and missionaries are paid salaries. <A> 1st Corinthians...	Because Bible publishers, like everyone else, must make a living, so they can pay their mortgages, buy groceries, and put the children through college.
How could Jesus' audience hear Jesus without audio installation? I am wondering, today we use microphones and large sound systems to amplify someone's speaking. How did they do that 2000 years ago? Jesus spoke outside regularly before large crowds of people. I expect there were enough children, and disagreeing people, ...	In summary, one could definitely communicate to large crowds in ancient Rome, such as for entertainment in the amphitheaters or when generals gave pre-battle speeches for example.
What is the history of the doctrine of inerrancy? Is there any reason, biblical or otherwise, not to believe that the doctrine of inerrancy is relatively new (past two hundred years). I found the following statement on Wikipedia. "It has in fact been noted that only in the last two centuries can we legitimately spe...	The belief that the scriptures are without error or fault in all its teaching can be traced to the early Christians, and further.
Was Zacchaeus saved before he met Jesus? If Zacchaeus was saved when he met Jesus, then wouldn't Zacchaeus be saved by works? 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9...	Zacchaeus' good works were a consequence of salvation, not a cause of it.
Do non-Catholic traditions ever have family altars? Catholics may have a special place in their homes designated as the family altar. This is mentioned many places: In contradistinction to the typical home which has a television set as its centerpiece, the focal point of a Catholic home should be the family altar ...	Catholic families DO NOT have altars in their homes. Unless it is part of a small chapel, no other mainstream Christian tradition which properly has altars as furnishings in their Sanctuaries, has a practice of house altars.
Sodom and Gomorrah and God's judgement in the Christian age From my understanding of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, God agrees to spare the cities even if a few righteous people live there. In the Christian age, our righteousness is imputed to us by Christ's atoning sacrifice. Does this mean that God's judgement will...	In one sense, you could say that God is holding off judgment because of those who are and will be righteous because of Christ.
Why does only one person "teach" during a church meeting? Consider these scriptures: "And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks alway...	Also, it makes sense for the pastor to do all the speaking because he is paid to do so and (generally) has the ability to communicate the things of God well.
Where does the Bible say that nature will speak the word if men don't? I am trying to remember a verse I've heard, and almost positive I've read, before. I do not remember the exact phrasing. It was similar to: 'If no one is there to witness, even the rocks of the field and [trees? mountains? nature?] will witness/...	Other passages that refer to the witness of creation include Psalm 19 and Romans 1:20 .
Unexpected sexual incompatibility in marriage The Bible teaches that sex should be limited to married couples. But these days many people in Western societies think that it is wise for a couple to sleep together before getting married so that they will know whether or not they are sexually compatible. Does the Bible, ...	The Biblical authors (and God himself) do not speak about sex in this way, as if a typical husband and wife could possibly be sexually incompatible.
Who is the comforter? Can somebody explain, who is the comforter? John 16:12-13 12 I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will ...	The Comforter IS the Holy Spirit.
How was Moses able to speak to over 600,000 people at once? This is a followup question to the question about Jesus speaking to crowds of 5,000 people without audio installation. The book of Exodus says that Israelites had 600,000 men of fighting age. And often it has paragraphs like this: Exodus 35:4 Moses said to...	Regarding the supernatural explanation--I agree; this was a time of God making his immediate presence known to the whole house of Israel.
Altars in today's Christian Churches Wonder why altars are not prevalent in Christian churches. It seems that a stage is used where all activities during the worship service take place, but there is no set aside place for the presence of GOD, this is the reason to have an altar.Please comment. <Q> Actually, more Christ...	For those Christian churches which retain altars, they are still the focal point of offerings, not animal sacrifice, but rather offering of our selves and those things with which God has entrusted us.
Is Jesus the reincarnation of Adam? Somewhere in my travels, I read that Jesus can be considered as Adam reincarnated. Is that a possibility? "First Adam flops, second Adam triumphs" - is that an idea some of you know? <Q> No. <S> Jesus may not be considered Adam re-incarnate. <S> Yet it's not hard to figure out wh...	There isn't any indication anywhere that Adam was reincarnated into Jesus.
Who is the Spirit hearing from in John 16:13? I'm wondering who the Spirit is hearing from in this verse: John 16:13 (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that...	It is suggested that the Holy Spirit's words will also be from the Father, just as Jesus stated that His words are "from the Father".
According to churches which teach Believer's Baptism, what are the consequences of not being baptized with water? Are there any direct consequences to not getting baptized? Whether this person doesn't think it's important, or just doesn't want to, or wants to but just doesn't get around to it, did Jesus or his disciple...	Many churches limit church membership to baptised people
Why do Orthodox Christians baptize infants? I know that Roman Catholics baptize infants, because they believe that infants need to be cleansed of original sin, and that the denial of baptism at infancy by Christian parents is tantamount to the denial of God's grace for the child. So, why do Orthodox Christians baptiz...	That having been said, the simplest explanation for why Orthodox Christians baptize infants is because that is what the Apostles taught.
Was there a reason why God sent Jonah to Nineveh and not some other city? God sent Jonah to prophesy to the Babylonian city of Nineveh, which he did with the greatest of reluctance, thereby effecting the largest mass conversion of a city up to that time. It's possible that Nineveh was a "random" city, but that's proba...	In the minds of an Israelite of that era, Nineveh represented the most hated and most evil city possible.
What is the reasoning behind the belief that Eve was NOT created on the sixth day? I was talking with someone recently and the question was raised as to when Eve was created. I immediately replied that she was created on the sixth day, albeit later in the day than Adam. One person seemed surprised by that concept. I...	Many people reason that Eve was not created on the 'sixth day' because there are two quite separate creation stories in Genesis - verses 1:1-2:4a (attributed by scholars to the Priestly Source) and verses 2:4b-25 (attributed to the Yahwist).
Where did the idiom "asking Jesus into your heart" come from? Where did the idea of "asking Jesus into your heart" come from? That figure of speech is not explicitly from the bible or probably even early church history. Can anyone find its first use and maybe why it's become so pervasive? I'm looking for something lik...	This concept appears in a sermon for children from 1845, by Alexander Fletcher: I think it comes from Ephesians 3:17 .
Do any Christian groups sell all their possessions as it seems the Early Church did? In Luke 12:33 (NIV) Jesus says: Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. He doesn...	I think it won't be hard to find examples of Christian communes living in a spirit of "complete giving" in various parts of the world.
Moses' age when before the burning bush I am trying to find Moses’ age when he was standing before the Burning Bush before delivering the Israelites from slavery. Later in Scripture it says he was 80 years when he first spoke to Pharaoh. Does scripture give any idea how old he was before the Burning Bush, or he was als...	It seems to me that it would be correct to date Moses at 80 years of age when God called him (spoke to him) from the burning bush.
Is "Mary Queen of the Universe" a recognized title for the Virgin Mary in Catholicism? There is a Catholic Church near where I lived called " Mary Queen of the Universe " (Link) . It seems from their website it's a shrine for Mary. The name of this does not make much sense to me if it is a Christian church. How is ...	This is a traditional title of Mary in respect of her Assumption into Heaven.
Why can the Catholic Church declare one person a saint but has never declared another damned? The Catholic Church has a process to canonize someone, to declare that they are a saint, that they are truly in heaven and worthy of public veneration and imitation. (Cf. Canonization - United States Catholic Catechism ...	It is clear that the Catholic Church has no capacity to decide this.
Do Christian concepts of fellowship allow for a congregation to welcome atheists to participate in their community? Due to family issues, I have come to distance people from me, mainly because the family issues made me a rough person and I am not "easy" to hang around. For the same reasons, I was never close to the Chu...	A Catholic Official Position Catholics absolutely welcome atheists or anyone else to attend Holy Mass.
For Jehovah's Witnesses, what are the ingredients to the bread and the wine? I am wondering what ingredients do the Jehovah's Witnesses use in the bread and the wine. I talked to one of my friends who is a active member of the Jehovah's Witness religion but was not satisfied with her answer. <Q> To find a proper answer...	The wine is what would have been available to them in Egypt, just a red grape wine, unadulterated thus reflecting the purity of Jesus' sacrifice.
What is the difference between a Christian and a Messianic Jew? I know that most Messianic Jews speak Hebrew, but besides that is there any difference between a Christian and a Messianic Jew? Do they have any significant differences in faith or hope! <Q> The term Messianic Jew refers to Christians who identify as Jew...	The main body of beliefs are the same for Christians and Messianic Jews.
Is John 3:23 contradicted by 1 John 4:5-6? Does the born again experience happen by the Holy Spirit or by both the word of God/Gospel and Holy Spirit? Is John 3:23 contradicted by 1 John 4:5-6? From this comes following: does the born again experience happen by the Holy Spirit or by both the word of God/Gospel and Holy...	Not at all--in fact their ideas are almost identical. John is saying a belief in Jesus as the savior is a belief (spirit) from above.
What is Roman Catholic Church's official view on the nature of Christ? One question that has haunted the Catholic Church from the very beginning is about the way divine and human are related in the person of Jesus Christ. The differences in doctrines have lead to the creation of Assyrian Church of the East and Oriental...	That the whole and only person of Christ is the Logos, a divine person.
What is the cross in the mantra "carry your own cross"? Why did Jesus carry the cross and why did he say that everyone should take up their own cross?And what is the cross anyway? <Q> I believe that we can get a definitive answer on this from the Apostle Paul. <S> He spoke of the Cross as the summation of Christ and Hi...	His cross was the dying on the cross in payment; not for his sins since he had none; but for our sin.
Does human effort oppose God's grace? A pastor in my church once told me that "human effort does not oppose God's grace", I.E. to say, as long as you do your best (which is impossible to attain, but you try any way), God will indeed do the rest. Are there any biblical references that support/reject this view? <Q> Huma...	If you're talking about salvation and about being a good person and saying that human effort can contribute towards that without opposing God's grace then scripture surely contradicts you.
Do any church writers compare or contrast Jesus and the burning bush? From the Wikipedia article on Oneness Pentecostalism , Oneness theology specifically maintains that God is absolutely and indivisibly one. It equally proclaims that God is not made of a physical body, but is an invisible spirit that can only be s...	I'm not aware of any early Christians who wrote of Jesus manifesting himself in theophanies.
Support Material for Reading the Bible I will start by describing some methods (and what I dislike about them) for studying the Bible. Then, I will describe the method I would like to use to study the Bible. Lastly, I will ask for supporting material for my idealized Bible study method. What I have tried: reading ...	Next what I do is read each chapter by itself, then read the chapter commentaries, and when reading commentaries it is best to read several different commentaries, since it will give you a far better idea of what others get from the same Bible passages.
When did guitar led worship music become accepted? When did guitar based worship music become common and accepted in church worship, when organs used to be the standard. <Q> The acoustic (non-electric) guitar is an instrument with a very soft dynamic range relative to most other instruments, such as the organ, or wind ...	Since guitar is deeply related to rock music, looking at the history of Christian rock tells us that it started after the 1960s.
What is a Pacifist interpretation of the Cleansing of the Temple? 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from ...	Jesus, while on Earth , was clearly a pacifist, acted as such, and taught that to His disciples (and to us ).
What happened to Joseph, Jesus' father? What happened to Joseph, the father of Jesus, given that the last time he was mentioned in the story of Jesus was "Jesus' finding in the temple" ( Luke 2:41-52 ) after which he is never mentioned again right up to the death of Jesus Christ? So I want to ask, was he dead before t...	According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Joseph died before Jesus began his ministry.
What is the case against seeing the Medieval Catholic Church as oppressive? I have a professor who keeps mentioning a false claim regarding the Catholic Church during the Medieval Times that I know is historically untrue but I do not know how to give a concise counter-argument regarding these views. My professor basic...	The Catholic Church—since at least the time of Charlemagne , his tutor Alcuin of York , et al.—promoted learning, established parochial schools, and laid the foundations of the modern university.
What is meant by hot drinks in section 89 of the doctrine and covenant? I know that the LDS are against the taking of any kind of recreational drug including widely legal drugs like tobacco. However, when reading section 89 of the doctrine and covenant there appears to be an explicit ban on "hot drinks". Is this interp...	The central message behind the commandment against hot drinks is this: Habit-forming substances are to be avoided.
Where can I find scans of original Biblical manuscripts? I want to study different translations of Bible and compare them to Bible in Hebrew and Greek. Can any one tell me where can I find the pictures of original Biblical manuscripts online? <Q> The original manuscripts are not believed to be in existence any more, an...	One not mentioned before and very complete, although you need special perissions to get access to most manuscripts, is Institute for New Testament Textual Research
Do modern descendants of the Levites need to be ordained with the Aaronic Priesthhood? Literal descendants of Aaron have a legal right to Aaronic priesthood: "No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron." (D&C 107:16) If a literal descen...	As for holding the Aaronic priesthood, a decendant of Aaron would still have to be ordained.
How many apostles are there? Are there 12 apostles? Are there 70 apostles? When I was growing up and learning about Jesus, I found that he had 12 apostles. I was looking at a page about Mark the Evangelist recently and it says that he was one of 70 disciples. On that same page about the about 70 disciples there is a...	Certainly, there were twelve apostles of the Lamb.

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