ANSWER: When someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ…so many things happen. That person is forgiven of all sins, sanctified, made righteousness, indwelt with the Holy Spirit, given eternal life, becomes a child of God, and is added to the church, being made a member of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” As in a natural body, each member of the body of Christ has a role to play. God, in His wisdom and sovereign will, has placed each believer into the body of Christ with a role according to His perfect purpose. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:14-23, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.” All members of the body of Christ play an important role and can honor and serve the Lord according to His leading.
In order to serve Him and minister to others, the Lord has given gifts to the church. We learn in Ephesians 4:7 that, “…every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” We learn the purpose of these gifts in Ephesians 4:12-16, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Some of the gifts given are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 and in Romans 12:6-8. We learn in 1 Corinthians 12:6 that, “…there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” So, we see there are different manifestations of the Spirit in the believer in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. I encourage you to read this portion.
It is the Lord’s solemn right to equip the church so that it might function properly. We do not earn our gift, that’s a contradiction of what a gift is. A gift is given, not earned. We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to, “…covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” As believers, we should desire to have the best gifts in order to serve the Lord. Our desire should not be to have a gift that would bring attention to ourselves. Remember, the gifts are for the benefit of the body of Christ, they are not for personal gratification or glory. What is this ‘more excellent way?’ The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians shows us that love is the more excellent way. We can’t truly serve the Lord and minister to others without the love of Christ ruling our lives. We read later in 1 Corinthians 14:12, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” We’re told here that our focus should not so much be on what gift or gifts we might have. Our focus should be on edifying, or building up, the church.
Perhaps you have one gift; perhaps you have 10 gifts. It is the Lord that has given you those gifts, so you are responsible to Him to develop and use those gifts according to His leading. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee…” He was telling Timothy to take this gift seriously so that he might develop and use it for God’s glory.
Are you a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, you have a gift, or possibly many gifts. Be faithful to the Lord to learn to use your gifts under His direction. Don’t worry about what gifts others may have. Don’t forget the ‘more excellent way’. Show the love of the Lord to everyone, so that your ministry for the Lord might be effective.
QUESTION: Where did all the souls of the Old Testament saints rest until Christ shed His blood on the Cross and opened up the Gates of Heaven?ANSWER: Some teach that the Old Testament saints were not allowed into Heaven before Christ died. The thought is that after Christ died and rose again, they were then allowed into the presence of God in Heaven. Some refer to the holding place of the Old Testament saints as Paradise, as the Lord told the repentant thief in Luke 23:43, “…Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” I just don’t believe there is enough scriptural evidence to support this teaching.
The Greek word for Paradise is used only three times in the Bible. In Luke 23:43, we see the Lord promising this repentant thief that they would both be in Paradise that day. We know they both died that day, and so, they both went to Paradise. What else can we learn about this place? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Here, Paul recalls his own experience of being caught up into the third heaven. He interchanges the ‘third heaven’ with ‘paradise’ in verse 4, showing these two places are the same. Paradise is the third heaven. We realize from the Word of God, that there is no such thing as a ‘seventh heaven.’ The Bible speaks of three heavens, which refer to our atmosphere, outer space, and to the dwelling place of God, which many times is simply referred to as Heaven.
Now let’s read Revelation 2:7, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” The use of the word ‘paradise’ here distinctly shows that paradise is Heaven. The repentant thief on the cross went to Paradise that day. He went to Heaven, even as the Lord Jesus went to Heaven. We read the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” The Lord went to be with His Father, He went to Paradise, the third heaven, and He took the repentant thief with him.
Some have thought that no one could enter Heaven before the Lord Jesus died and rose again, because their sins had not been truly paid for until Christ was crucified. There is some truth to this thought. Without the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, there would be no salvation. Romans 5:8-9 tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” However, we know that in the eternal council and purpose of God, the Lord Jesus had been crucified before man ever existed. In Revelation 13:8 Christ is spoken of as, “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This goes along perfectly with what we read in 1 Peter 1:18-20, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” We are told in Romans 4:17 that God, “…calleth those things which be not as though they were.”
Another good example would be the incident of the Lord’s transfiguration. Let’s read Luke 9:29-31, “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” These two Old Testament saints, Elijah and Moses, were granted access into the very presence of Christ. Along with Christ, they appeared in a glorified state. Surely, here they typify all those who lived in the dispensation of the law and the prophets. Realizing these things, we can assert that all believers in the Old Testament went to be with the Lord when they died.
QUESTION: What can you say about Abraham when he laughed in Genesis 17:17?ANSWER: The seventeenth chapter of Genesis is a very important portion. It is here that the Lord speaks of the covenant He had made with Abraham. Let’s read Genesis 17:1-7, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” It is in this chapter the Lord gives to Abraham the token of His covenant, which was circumcision. It is also in this chapter that the Lord informs Abraham that His covenant would be continued through a son that he would give to Abraham and Sarah, his wife.
The Lord had said to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “…I will make of thee a great nation.” A son had been promised to Abraham. Now, for the first time he is informed that this promised son was to be a child of Sarai. This nation would be established through Isaac, the promised son of Abraham and Sarah.
Now let’s read Genesis 17:15-17, “And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” Upon hearing God’s promise of a son through Sarai, Abraham fell on his face and laughed. Was this a laugh of scorn and unbelief? Did Abraham doubt the word of the Lord? Let’s read of this account in Romans 4:19-22 where the Apostle Paul wrote of Abraham, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” We learn here that Abraham did not doubt the Lord. He was fully persuaded that the Lord would deliver on His promise. Abraham may have been momentarily stunned at the promise of God, but he fell upon his face in reverence and awe before the Lord, believing what he had been told.
Later, when Sarah learned of this promise, she also laughed. Let’s read Genesis 18:11-14, “Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” It’s pointed out to us here that Sarah’s laugh expressed doubt and unbelief. Although, Abraham and Sarah both laughed at the promise of God, Abraham’s was a laugh of amazement at the power of God, while Sarah’s was a laugh of doubt of the power of God.
QUESTION: The Bible says that there is only one God, he is Jesus. But if someone comes and questions me about other Gods they believe, what should be my answer?ANSWER: It is vital that you establish with others that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and it is authoritative. We look to the Bible to teach us what is right and what is wrong. We look to the Bible to teach us about God. In the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus, chapter 20, the very first commandment to the Lord’s people was that they acknowledge only Him as God. Exodus 20:3-6 says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
The Lord gave this stern warning to His people in Deuteronomy 8:19-20, “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” While the world calls for tolerance of different religions and deities, the Lord has zero tolerance for those that go after other gods, which are only false gods.
Now let’s consider the words of the Lord in Isaiah 42:8 where He says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” We read later in Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” The Hebrew word for Lord is Jehovah, so we read that there is no other Jehovah and no other God.
In the New Testament, we have more testimonies to the fact that there is only one God, the God of the Bible. Let’s read Romans 3:30 which says, “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” Ephesians 4:6 tells us there is, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Now let’s read 1 Timothy 2:3-5, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” This one God is a god who wants everyone to be saved. In order to accomplish that, He sent His only begotten Son into the world to give His life for the sins of people like you and me. The Lord Jesus tells us in John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
No other so-called god provides salvation for sinners. It is only the true God that loves us so much that He provides salvation to us through the death of His Son. These other gods always point to us to create our own salvation; something that just cannot be done. The Lord Jesus said in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” As we read in 1 Timothy 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
