Questions

When a "believer" divorces and remarries unbiblically (knowing that this is a sin in God's eyes), is that person now living in adultery?

A Christian friend of mine's husband began seeing someone else.  She is not sure that he has actually committed the physical act of adultery, but it doesn't matter to her, since she believes that just having the "adultery in his heart" was grounds for a Biblical divorce.  What do you think? Her husband now wants to get a divorce too.

What if a man is a Christian, is married to a Christian, and then the man commits adultery with another Christian, he then divorces his wife and marries the person he committed adultery with. Would this be an unforgivable sin?  Also, would you consider this person a Christian?

What does Scripture say about a pastor caught in adultery? Can that man ever go back into the ministry? Our church just discovered that our pastor has been having an affair for the last 3 months. What do you think should be the appropriate action by the deacons, the church etc.?

Are groups like AA and ALANON, O.K. for Christians to participate in?

We discussed in Sunday School this morning about the devil and the angels that went along with him and rebelled against God.  It appears that they had been created by God with the ability to obey or to disobey God, just like we have been.  My question is, regarding the angels that are now in heaven, is it possible for them to disobey God, or in other words, is it now possible to have additional "fallen" angels?

Are angels masculine in their nature, they have masculine names such as Gabriel and Michael. Also why does the Bible quote God as "He"? Can you answer these questions?

Do dogs go to heaven?  My lab of eleven years recently passed away from cancer and this is important to me.  Is there not a passage about how God created the dog to be a companion to man?

In reference to Romans 13:1, ("Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.")  I feel perfectly willing to obey God and submit to the authorities, as much as it is within my power to do so.  But I can easily see how torn and confused I would be if I were living back in the 60's right now.  How does one justify the civil rights movement and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, in light of this passage.  Was it all wrong? 

What do you think of the AWANA Clubs?

Do you believe babies go to Hell if they die?

If a baby dies before the age of understanding, where does his/her spirit go? Also, does infant baptism do anything for the baby?

Some people teach that you must be Baptized in order to be saved, that unless you have actually been baptized with water then you are still lost and condemned to hell.  What would you say to them?

Given that I have obviously identified myself with Christ for the last several years without water baptism (aside from Baptism as an infant in the Roman Catholic Church), is it something that I should pursue?

I was in a discussion with someone who is a member of the Church of Christ, and we were discussing the Thief on the Cross. He said that the thief was under the law and didn't need to be baptized, for after Jesus was crucified was when he paid for our sin debt, and baptism became necessary for salvation.  Could you comment on that please?

A friend of mine and I have been discussing the issue of baptism and even after reading your description of the "purpose" of baptism, I was still a little confused. We are both really struggling with this question, "Do you have to be baptized to get to heaven?" If you could please answer this question to the best of your ability, that would be great! We have searched in the Bible for the answer, and we can argue the question both ways. Please, give us some insight on this issue.

I have a friend who claims that salvation is a "three-part" process, with each step dependent on the other: First, Repentance, then Confession, and lastly Baptism.  How should I answer her?

When the Gospel is shared with a person and then the person declares that they are a sinner in need of a Savior, know they can't do anything about it, believe what the Bible says about Jesus, and repent, what is next? What do we say to them?

Please help me with the verse, John 8:31, "Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "  Then in verse 37, He tells them they are trying to kill him because there is no place in them for His word.  Is this a new group He is speaking to?  See my confusion?

How do you justify using the New International Version (NIV) Bible for your updated sermons of one of the greatest preachers that ever lived: J. C. Ryle?  Do not quote or rewrite others if you cannot allow them the privilege to repeat what they said in the first place.  J. C. Ryle went to his grave defending the truth. Let his writings stand for themselves, for we have no liberty to change what these great men of faith have said!

How could you say that, " Paul said" all that he wrote in the book of Romans?  God is the author of the whole Bible! God just had many different writers. They wrote and said just what God wanted them to say!

I recently viewed your website and found a letter from John MacArthur and the elders at Grace Community Church regarding the KJV debate.  In this letter MacArthur seems to be decrying the NKJV as a failed attempt to translate from the Textus Receptus saying that commercial considerations made it into an update.  He also stated that he used the Scofield translation.  Having just spent good money on a leather version of the NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, I feel somewhat confused.  If it is not a great translation, why give his name to it?  Why does he not use it himself? The promotional material that Grace put out describes it as a good version. Could you please help with my problem?

Why do you use the NIV Bible?  Did you know that on the committee of the NIV there was a lesbian?  Did you know that the NIV takes the blood out of a lot of Scriptures? Did you know the NIV describes Mary the mother of Jesus as a young woman, and not saying that she was a virgin? 

How do we know that 66 books the Bible is all of the inspired books that God intended us to have?  And how do we know that all of them are inspired? I understand that Martin Luther wanted to remove books like James and Revelation, why were they not inspired? The Catholics have seven books that are not in the King James. Why do they think that they are inspired?  The  Ethiopian church had a 46 book OT. If the Rabbis at Jammia (sp?) chose the Palestinian cannon, how could they be right, they rejected Christ? The Catholic church did the same with the NT when they wrote the Vulgate, or maybe it was some church council. That can't be right either. That would make Bible believing Christians bound to the choices of books decided on by the Catholic Church. Help?

What is the basic theme of Scripture? It has been my understanding and belief that the Bible's theme is The Glory of God - a pure doxological theme - of which Salvation is the #1 "program" others being God's program for Israel, His program for angels, etc.  I think the Amillennial and Covenant guys see a pure Soteriological theme only and am wondering how you, then, view Scripture?

Would you happen to have verifiable proof regarding the committee of Lesbians that were working on the NIV?

I am newly married and so have come across the issue of contraception (prophylactics, birth control pills, natural family planning, abstinence, etc.).  Is contraception at all Biblical? 

In Judges 19:16 and following, an "old man" invited an unnamed Levite and his concubine to rest at his house for the night.  Why was this Levite important enough for the "old man" to be willing to sacrifice his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine to the lusting crowd at his door. Was this man important because he came from the priestly tribe of Levites?

Can a career in the "arts" make for a godly career and life-style?

Here's an unsolicited personal testimony of a child raised in the Pentecostal church.

What about the program "Growing Kids God's Way"?

1. Is James talking to agnostics, believers or non-believers? 
2. I know that that all my sins are forgiven. True?
3. If I commit a sin, then I don't have to ask forgiveness and all I have to do is confess and agree with God? Right?

Do you know of any Bible verses pertaining to Christians dating non-Christians?

I am trying to discover why Jesus identifies himself with the king David and why the Bible elevates the kingdom of David to such a high model and pattern for the people and purposes of God. I thought that if David was that model and was a man after God's heart he would have some strong parameters to sustain the Christian faith as it relates to the kingdom of God. When I found out that he had many women I felt that he was shallow and poor spiritually and morally.  So, the purpose of God in using David and calling him a man after His own heart lost value for me.

The church where I currently attend does not have the office of deacon, nor does it have any plans to establish such an office.  I asked some of the leadership about this and they seemed really passionate about not having the office of deacon.  They said that we all are deacons, servants of God, and we all fulfill that office.  Is this right?

There seems to be a difference of views on whether Scripture (1st Tim 3) allows women to be deaconesses.  I believe MacArthur supports the interpretation that qualified women are allowed to be part of the deaconate. Alistar Begg, Charles Ryrie, and others support the interpretation that Paul is describing deacon wives, not deaconesses, and that only men can be deacons.

I have a question about a person who seems to be suffering from some sort of demonic possession. Do you think it is possible that the iniquity of the parents can be part of the reason why they are being tormented?

Does the Bible mention dinosaurs anywhere? Did God create them?

What is your position on Dispensational theology? Has John MacArthur written on this topic? 

I find myself confused over Covenant vs. Dispensational Theology.  Can you explain the differences, each one's implications and shortcomings, or if it really matters at all?  

Are there other grounds for divorce in the Scriptures, besides adultery and the departure of an unsaved spouse? I know of a woman whose husband abused her, really mentally, until she was a skeleton and a manic depressive.  I can't believe that dying a martyr because you stayed with a person who abused you is what Jesus would have told her to do. 

I have a Christian friend who has been married four times, but she still considers herself married to her first husband, who has since remarried.  She is also considering divorcing the man she is married to now.  Would you say she was a Christian?

In your statement "Elected and Created for the Glory of Jesus Christ" What do you mean by "elected?"

It seems to me that if we have no choice at all in the matter of accepting a Sovereign God's intentions, desire or plan for us, then how can God have a relationship with someone who never willingly made his or her own choice?   This baffles me.

In regard to two Christians debating the issue of Election in regards to salvation, I find it hard to believe that great men of God, who come to honest different conclusions, didn't do their homework, or wrestle greatly with these issues.  Could you explain your feelings on this?

Will the non-elect, those not chosen to be elect be able to cry out on judgment day, 'God, You have not been fair to us!'

I sent a portion of one of John MacArthur's messages to a friend. The issue is the security of salvation.  I have always defended the "once saved, always saved" view, but my friend is insistent that it is wrong.  My friend is one of the ministers of my church.  I do attend a well-balanced healthy church, but I disagree with their teaching on this one.  They don't preach on it but hold the view just the same.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

I received this statement from a good friend of mine concerning "evil"... "Evil is not a thing or force, but merely the absence or concealment of good. One need not "defeat" the evil in the world; one need only bring to light its inherent goodness."

What is faith, how does faith work?  Where does faith come from?  Why is faith so important?  Can unbelievers have faith? How does faith grow? 

I was wondering if you can help me find in scripture. Why is it that the youngest is always serving the oldest?

Do you think that the Apostle Paul was actually the worst sinner of past, present and future history?

I am deeply searching for scriptures in regards to "Fornication" from all versions, NKJV, NLT, KJV, etc.  Was this topic "Fornication" inadvertently left out?  I believe this is an area that truly needs to be addressed and made accessible to everyone.  I searched Pastor MacArthur's collections of sermons and I could not find any sermons which addressed the subject of "Fornication" in regards to singles.  I'm interested in hearing any feedback you may have on my concerns.  I am a Christian and I want to live my life accordingly to the Scriptures.

What is John MacArthur's view about the freewill of man to accept God or not?

Now, when you say that "...all your works and efforts mean nothing, you are nothing but a wicked sinner before God, and by his grace He will give you the free gift if you will bow down to Jesus, repent of your sins, believe in who He claimed to be, and submit to His commands, or Lordship," are you suggesting that there is something we must do: bow down, repent, believe, submit...?  This sounds like more than God picking and choosing.  This sounds like freewill.  This sound like they offer something to God even if they are powerless to save themselves.  It sounds like interaction to me.  Can you please explain this?

I am facing some problems with my boyfriend, and we are both trying to understand God's will on the direction we are to go, whether we should marry or not? Can you help me to find God's will in the matter of finding a life partner?

When witnessing to one of a different faith, I would not start out by attacking his faith but get to know him first and become friends if time permitted.  Gradually I would get to know him and his faith and then by example and the Word reveal the truth to him.  I have found no one who listens by beating them over the head with the truth if love is not present.  Would you agree?

In your statement, "...all your works and efforts mean nothing, you are nothing but a wicked sinner before God, and by his grace He will give you the free gift if you will bow down to Jesus, repent of your sins, believe in who He claimed to be, and submit to His commands, or Lordship." Are you suggesting that there is something we must do: bow down, repent, believe, submit...?  This sounds like more than God picking and choosing. This sounds like freewill.  This sound like they offer something to God even if they are powerless to save themselves.  It sounds like interaction to me.  Can you please explain?

What about the Native Americans prior to Columbus and people who died having never heard the Gospel?  Are they instantly doomed, even though they never had the chance to believe? 

Someone remarked to me once that at the Rapture, the Holy Spirit would be taken out of the world along with the Church. How could there be any new believers or anyone ministering, edifying and equipping without the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives during the Tribulation Period? I assumed that God was everywhere all the time--unchangeable.

I have a friend who was sexually abused by her father for 16 years and she says that's why she went into the lesbian lifestyle for the next 17 years.  What are your thoughts on this?

I wanted to know if there was any reference in the Bible that was against having a pierced tongue?

Today if a man has intimate relations with his daughter he is a molester, also if a boy has the same relations with his sister he too is a molester. Yet Adam and Eve were the only two humans on earth by God’s creation.  How did the earth get populated?  Brothers and sisters, even though Adam and Eve continued to have children for several hundred years, they all are still brother and sister.

Is it necessary to celebrate the Lord’s Supper only at night and after feet washing?

You have stated that God our Father chose the "elect" to give as a gift to His Son Jesus Christ, to worship and serve Him forever and ever in heaven.  I know God loves His Son, and I well know God loves His people, and I know God is love, and I know Jesus Christ is God.  But God as I've heard, chose us for Himself.. I don't know how to say this ... it just seems self-seeking ... How can I rid this from my heart?

I'm reading in the OT and I was wondering why in Exodus 3:18 the Lord would have Moses say to Pharaoh that they were just going three days into the desert to sacrifice when really He intended to take them away for good. It just seems that God was telling Moses to lie.  Is lying ok sometimes?

Is it still a sin to remarry a former spouse as it was in the Old Testament?

Are Christians allowed to watch movies?  Some say that watching films is only an entertainment and is perfectly fine for Christians.  So they watch movies, musicals, and various other media entertainment.  They get angry when we talk against them.  Kindly advise me in this regard.  Please give me a proper answer to give them.

If a young Christian has premarital sex, then repents and God forgives this person, do you think that this person should never become a preacher or that there is some ministry that he/she should not enter because of this sin? Provide Scriptural insight please.

Our church has a on-line e-group study and the subject of Purgatory recently came up. As it is, some claim this place exists while I maintain it does not until at least someone can show me proof from scripture. Already some scripture verses have been mentioned but when read does not clearly describe or identify this place "Purgatory" or "Limbo". I do not suggest to say we at church are practicing such belief but just open to studying.  If you have any material on this, please share it with us as this can help our understanding.

My church is getting ready to start Rick Warren's study on the The Purpose Driven Life. It is a 40-day event with many other churches across the nation. Do you have any information on this book that might prove helpful? I will be one of many that will be leading the study.

Are all religions valid, in that they will bring salvation if the people truly believe what they are taught in those religions?

I have a woman in my congregation who has been dating a divorced man.  They recently came to me and asked me to marry them.  I found out through counseling that he has been married and divorced three times in the past. His first three divorces were for non-Biblical reasons even though he told me that none of his three previous wives were Christians.  I didn't feel that 1 Cor. 7:15 applied in his situation because he knew they were not Christians when he married them.  To divorce them for that reason would be very hypocritical.  He says that he grew up in a Christian home but was not a committed Christian during his first three marriages.  He tells me that over the past few years he has rededicated his life to Christ and has grown and matured as a Christian. Finally my question...can I marry them Biblically or would I be enabling adultery?

My question is in regards to sinning in relation to salvation. Let's say I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,  my Lord and Savior who died on the cross for my sins.  I also believe that there is no amount of good deeds I can do to enter into Heaven without believing in Jesus' saving grace.  What if I live the rest of my life indulging in all of life's pleasure's while I'm ready to be sorry when the time of my death comes. And let's just say death comes unexpectedly.  Would I be saved?

I believe what God says about salvation, but there are two verses in the Bible that confuse me.  The Bible in one place says that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, and in another place the Bible says that not everyone that says Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

I know a very firm Christian but her husband is of the Jewish faith and has no interest in Christianity.  How can she bring her husband to salvation without alienating him?  She so wants him to be saved but he is afraid she's becoming a "fanatic."  How do you feel she should handle this situation?

I don't want to go to hell. I don't really understand the Bible. All I really know is that if you're a Christian then you go to heaven, and  if you're not then you go to hell. Is there anything in the middle of heaven and hell, where I would go? I don't know that much about the Bible and I don't go to church.

How comprehensive was your experience at Talbot Seminary in terms of preparing you to deal with a diligent exposition of Scripture? Practically speaking, in terms of Christ-honoring usefulness on a scale of 1-10, one being best and ten worst how would you rate the effectiveness of your training in the New Testament? Old Testament? Overall? 

I would be interested in ordering some of Spurgeon's sermons that you have on tape and CD - who is the preacher, pastor or layperson who preached them?

Is it wrong for an interracial couple to have sex?

In saying that there is no greater or lesser sin, do you mean as far as being saved, that any sin will keep you out of heaven unless you accept Christ as your substitute because (depending how one is raise) isn't it possible that one may think nothing of lying but would never commit adultery or murder or the other way around?  Wouldn't the degree of sin determine the consequence?

I understand that sin is sin, whether it's a little lie or adultery, and that God forgives all sins when we repent and confess, but are their degrees of sin?

What is the difference between spirit and soul?

Will God forgive us for suicide?  Can we be forgiven for a sin if we ask before we commit the sin?  Do you think we can go to Heaven if we take our own life?

I wanted to know if there was any reference in the Bible that was against having a pierced tongue [or tattoos]?

My question is when does a sinful thought become a sinful act? It has been expressed by some friends that sinful thoughts only become an act of sin if it is meditated on more than a fleeting moment, that there is a quantitative aspect.

Some ministers have told me that tithing is still valid for the Church because, "Jesus said, that he 'did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law.'" What would you say to respond to this on the issue of tithing and the old testament laws?

In Matthew 16:28, Jesus says that some of the people that are standing with him will not die before they see him coming in his kingdom. Has this happened?

I was also wondering about life on other planets. To my knowledge this is not discussed in the Bible. Does God say anything about this? Are UFOs real?

What is the importance of choosing a virgin for a wife?  From what I've read in the Old Testament, this was of paramount importance. If a man found that his bride was not a virgin, and he "detested her," he could have her put to death.

I read your answer on the subject of virginity, and have a few questions for you.

In Genesis 1:8 God created an expanse called sky to separate the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse.  In Psalm 148:4 it says "Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies" (NIV).  My question is, what is this "water above the skies"?

I read John 3:5 and am wondering what the correct interpretation of the words: "...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" is? 

My friend came to me, and asked if a glass of wine every now and then was wrong, I gave her some Scriptures from Proverbs.  But some things Paul and others said bother me. Is drinking wine right or wrong? 

According to the Bible what is wisdom and where does it come from?

I recently finished chatting with a non-believer on the Internet.  He was very intelligent and grew up in the Baptist church, and even graduated from a Bible college. Yet, he does not have any relationship with the Lord or Bible. Although he knows a lot about it all.  I tried to the best of my ability to reach him, but it didn't work.  If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

When witnessing to an unbeliever, I would not start out by attacking his faith but get to know him first and become friends if time permitted.  Gradually I would get to know him and his faith and then by example and the Word reveal the truth to him.  I have found no one who listens by beating them over the head with the truth if love is not present.

I have a number of questions for you concerning the role of women in the church?

What do you think about Kay Arthur's Precept Ministries.  I know that men are included in her classes.  Is this Biblical?

I have a question regarding having women as elders and preachers. Is this Biblical.  Willow Creek Community Church, led by Bill Hybels believes so.

Also see new sermon posted on "Women Preachers" by R. L. Dabney (1820-1898) with updated English.  In addition, this sermon is available on Audio cassette and CD (preached by Tony Capoccia) go to: www.gospelgems.com 

I would like to ask you for your opinion on something that is new to me that I am hearing about in some local church's. It is referred to as "worship dance." I am not sure exactly what is involved?