Ask The Pastor
April 2007
I like the History Channel. I saw a program on the History Channel entitled "Exodus Decoded" in which the producer defends the truth of the book of Exodus. It was a very interesting program and uses science to help back up their case. It got me thinking, how reliable could this program be (and similar programs), and would or wouldn't God use programs like these to stir up faith and questions in unbelievers to get them to find Him?
I think it’s a great thing, and yes I do believe that God can use a program like that to stir people and get them looking to Him.
Is water baptism necessary to go to Heaven?
Essentially, no. This question comes up frequently and often creates unnecessary contention among believers. Water baptism always follows confession of sins, repentance and the asking of forgiveness. It is the outward expression of an inward change, a demonstration to the world that you believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
When we go through the act of water baptism, symbolically we, as Christ was, are buried and raised up. The old man, our natural self, has died, and we have become new creatures in Christ.
I Peter 3:21 says, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” We must understand the first statement of this scripture, “the like figure”. The like figure of water baptism is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The water does not save or wash away sins; only our belief and confession of Jesus as Lord, the Son of God, and our resurrected Savior, saves us.
I encourage you to read Romans 10:9-10. In it you will see that confession that Jesus is Lord and belief that God raised Him from the dead brings about salvation. Salvation is the key to Heaven. Jesus is the way. (See John 14:6.)
Additional scriptures: John 3:16-18; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8
I know that we are given angels to have charge over us. Do we have specific ones for specific issues? Example: healing, prosperity, protection... Also, should we send them out every day and do we need to be specific as to why we are sending them out?
To the first part of your question, asking if there are specific angels for specific works in the Kingdom of God, the answer is yes. For instance, there was a specific angel at the pool of Bethesda who was in charge of delivering healing there. (See John 5:1-4.) In II Kings 19:35, an angel was sent by God to kill thousands of the enemy. Elijah was served supernatural food by an angel in I Kings 19:1-8. In all of these instances, the angel was sent to do a specific work at a specific time.
Now, to the second part of your question about sending angels out: I do not see anywhere in the Bible where we are instructed to do so. We are never commanded to charge an angel to do this or that, neither did Jesus do such a thing. God sends the angels to help us, and they do have a charge to give us help and serve us at God’s command, but it would be very presumptuous for any believer to think he or she would have the right and authority to command an angel.
Do you have any particular versus that you can suggest to study or reflect over to assist with healing?
I would suggest that you look up all of the scriptures on healing and miracles, and then personalize them and pray them for yourself.
What is the difference between the gifts of healing and the working of miracles?
The gifts of healing deal primarily with the spiritual aspect of our authority and power to cast out sickness and disease, such as a deaf and dumb spirit. The working of miracles reverses that which has been set in motion as sickness and disease, and recreates what is needed.
With so much going on in public schools these days, we (my husband and I) chose private schooling. Is going to a Catholic school ok for our kids’ upbringing? We are not Catholic.
Philippians 4:9 says, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” I believe it is important to be careful not to be influenced by those whose faith is unlike our own. Your children will be influenced by those they are closely associated with, so if it was my decision, I would look into a Christian school, or if that was not possible, I would stay very involved with my child in a public school.
During a Bible study with my oldest daughter and middle daughter, ages 25 and 20, and with my oldest son-in-law, age 26, we studied about communion. We were all convinced through the many passages that we studied that this was something Paul advised we do each time we get together to worship and pray. After I started coming to another church in Oklahoma, then here at Botkins, I have not been able to have this same communion regularly, and my children now think I am going against what I agreed was what Paul taught us in regards to communion. Why is it that we don't have communion more often? And what is it I can say that helps them understand why churches with such great conviction and totally filled with the Spirit (like OBM) don’t have communion often?
What Paul taught in I Corinthians 11:20-34 is the New Testament direction for communion. I believe the phrase “when ye come together” in verse 20 allows us two options for taking communion in church. For some pastors, taking communion every time they come together is what they have decided to do, but other pastors have taken the option to do it at certain appointed times. Verse 26 says, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” The phrase “as often as ye eat” does not give us specific direction, so it is up to each pastor to designate the appointed times in his or her congregation.
At Only Believe Ministries, we take communion together at regular appointed times every other month, and we also take communion on special occasions, like Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise. I have chosen this schedule because I do not want a holy time of reflection and celebration to become nothing more than an observed tradition or something common. I prefer to keep communion a memorable time for our church, a time when we reflect upon the work of the cross, and review and celebrate what the blood and body of Jesus means in our lives.
I also believe that we as Christian families have the privilege of partaking of communion in our homes personally everyday if we want to. We can also set aside special times like Thanksgiving or Christmas for partaking together. There is no limit in your home, so take it as often as you like.
“On earth as it is in Heaven” ... My question is, will we have a passionate (sexual) relationship with our husband/wife in Heaven? I remember you saying in a service, do it now because we won't in Heaven. So what does “on earth as it is in Heaven” really mean?
Your question has two distinct parts, so I will answer the second part first. No, we will not have sexual relations with our spouses in Heaven. We will not reproduce in Heaven, and sexual relationships are not just for intimacy and fulfillment, but they are essentially for reproduction.
To the first part of your question, when Jesus prayed, “on earth as it is in Heaven”, He meant that God’s will and goodness would be fulfilled in our lives.
Who is Lucifer?
Lucifer is another name for Satan, the devil, the enemy of our souls. He is a fallen angel. Ezekiel 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-18 tell us more about who he is. I encourage you to read these scriptures for yourself.
Other names for Lucifer, or Satan, include:
the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10)
the adversary (I Peter 5:8)
Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15)
Belial (II Corinthians 6:15)
the devil (Matthew 4:1)
the enemy (Matthew 13:39)
the Father of lies (John 8:44)
the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4)
that old serpant (Revelation 12:9; 20:2)
power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)
prince of this world (John 12:31)
the tempter (Matthew 4:3)
the wicked one (Matthew 13:19)
After the rapture, is the Holy Spirit still here during the tribulation? If not, how do those who do not take the mark get saved?
Yes, the Holy Spirit will still be working, saving and demonstrating His power to witness of Christ.
Intercessory Prayer: How do I pray for someone who has hurt (and continues to do so) me and my family? I know this person needs salvation, but I am not feeling the intense desire to intercede as I would for a family member or friend. I feel so petty and self- centered when I look at how Jesus still loved the world even as He was being beaten, bruised, and crucified for our sins.
You are fighting feelings of guilt because you are torn between self and love, but when you intercede, which is certainly the leading of the Holy Ghost, you are choosing love. Continue to exercise your faith and submit to the Holy Ghost, and don’t be condemned if your feelings don’t match your chosen actions. You are being transformed into Christ’s likeness, but you are not Him. Try to limit the time spent around the person who brings these feelings out in you, but don’t shun that individual. Keep praying, and watch what God does!
My brother is engaged to be married this year; however he is living with his fiance. They have asked my whole family to be in the wedding. My question is, would we be condoning the sin of their living arrangement by standing up for them at their wedding? I feel convicted about this as I want to stand for righteousness. I know it's going to cause much conflict, but I have to count the cost of serving Christ. My brother knows what he is doing is wrong. He knows my feelings about it as well, but refuses to change due to finances. If we decide not to be a part of the wedding, should we not even attend as well? I feel if I attend I’m also in support of them. I am seeking godly counsel on how to proceed. Please let me know your thoughts.
I do not believe you should refuse to attend the wedding. Remember, Jesus attended dinners at the homes of sinners, but He did not condone their sinful life. Don’t break a relationship, but be in the world while not of it. (See I Corinthians 5:10.)