BIBLE QUESTION BOX
Intro.
1. It is important that we ask Bible questions & seek Bible answers:
Rom. 4:3; Gal. 4:30.
a. God expects us to know what the Scriptures say - Rom. 11:2.
b. Accomplished through diligent study - Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15.
2. Truth & those who love it have nothing to fear from open, honest investigation.
3. Do our best to give careful thought & Bible answers to these Bible questions.
#1 - WHERE DID THE EGYPTIAN MAGICIANS GET THEIR WATER?
"In Ex. 7:14-25 is the story of the water turning to blood. All the water of Egypt was turned to blood in vs. 20-21 so after the Bible says the magicians copied this but where did they get the water if all the water was already blood?"
A. First, We Believe Everything The Bible Says About The Event.
1. Even if we cannot explain everything that is said.
2. Consider some possibilities which do not violate revealed truth on
the matter.
B. Several Possibilities:
1. Perhaps the land of Goshen - cf. Exo. 8:22 (Targum of Jonathan
suggests this).
2. Perhaps the sea (suggested by Theodoret, 5th century theologian).
3. Perhaps a nearby home of an Israelite.
4. Perhaps from a hole immediately dug by the Egyptians - cf. Exo.
7:24.
5. It may have been that not all the water changed to blood
simultaneously (first the river, and then its streams, ponds, pools, vessels - 7:19) thus
allowing them time to get some.
C. The Magicians Were Deceivers Who Did Not Actually Duplicate The Miracle - Exo.
7:22 (enchantments); cf. 2 Tim. 3:8-9.
1. Resisted the truth / Corrupt minds - Rejected by God because they
rejected Him.
2. The power of God is real & cannot be duplicated by man.
#2 - THE MEANING OF HEBREWS 6:4-6.
"Can you explain Heb. 6:4-6 please?"
A. Context: Moving From Spiritual Immaturity To Maturity - Heb. 5:11-6:8.
B. Text: The Condition Of Christians Who, Rather Than Grow, Fall Away.
1. What? "Impossible…to renew them again to repentance"
- State of impossibility exists in the described circumstance (on "impossible,"
see Heb. 6:18; 10:4; 11:6 - not merely "with great difficulty").
2. Who? These are Christians who:
a. Were once enlightened (Eph. 1:18; Psa. 19:8).
b. Tasted the heavenly gift (experienced, Heb. 2:9).
c. Have become partakers of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
d. Tasted the good word of God (Psa. 119:103).
e. Tasted the powers of the age to come (experienced
Messiah's power, Eph. 1:3; 3:16).
3. Spiritual condition?
a. "They fall away" - Such who are in a fallen
condition (Gal. 5:4).
b. "Impossible to renew them again to repentance -
Reach a point of no return!
4. Why? "since" (v. 6)…
a. In their current apostasy they crucify Christ & hold
Him forth as worthy of death on the cross!
b. Here is willful sin - cf. Heb. 10:26-27.
c. "Their deeds will not allow them to turn" -
Hosea 5:4.
5. Lesson: A heart bent on denying God will not repent! So, keeping
growing! (6:1-3, 7-8)
#3 - KEEPING THE LAW AND FOLLOWING COMMANDMENTS.
"I am often told if I am going to follow or "keep some laws" I must keep all of them…I guess what I'm asking is how do we as Christians respond to this, and please explain how I can tell if I'm keeping the law or just following commandments."
A. All Of Christ Laws Are Important - Matt. 7:21-27.
1. We cannot "pick & choose" which we will obey &
which we will not - Jas. 2:10-11.
2. The one who says such things is usually trying to justify their own
disobedience!
B. Keeping Laws…Following Commandments - Matt. 5:17-20.
1. Our righteousness must be from a heart of love & reverence for
God - Jno. 14:15.
2. When we obey from the heart, we obtain God's grace - Rom. 6:17; cf.
1 Jno. 2:3.
#4 - THE MEANING OF "GOOD" IN JAMES 4:17.
"James 4:17 - Can you please explain the meaning of "good" here? Is it Gospel Truth or can it be used to condemn when someone does not agree on what is an expedient matter? I honestly want an answer. Help me understand."
A. Text: "Good" Is The Established & Revealed Will Of God.
1. Remember what sin is - 1 Jno. 3:4 ("sin is the transgression of
the law" - KJV).
a. You do not sin when you violate or fail to keep my law.
b. You do sin when you violate or fail to keep God's law.
c. Therefore, the undone "good" in Jas. 4:17 is
that which God establishes as good in His word (gospel truth).
B. Context: James 4:17 Condemns Failing To Act Upon Our Knowledge Of God's Truth.
1. 4:1-5 - It is "good" (God's will) to cease strife, hatred,
covetousness & worldliness. Are we doing it?!
2. 4:6-10 - It is "good" (God's will) to be humble, resist
the devil, cleanse moral defilement & mourn one's sin against God. Are we doing it?!
3. 4:11-12 - It is "good" (God's will) to not speak evil of
one another & judge each other. Are we doing it?! (Could this be how some are using
Jas. 4:17?! If so, then that is sin!)
4. 4:13-16 - It is "good" (God's will) to put God's will
first in our plans. Are we doing it?!
C. Concerning Expedients.
1. An expedient is a lawful aid used to carry out God's good will - 1
Cor. 6:12.
2. An expedient used by the individual, in order to obey an individual
command, is not to be forced on others - 1 Cor. 10:23.
a. Example: "You have to use the KJV Bible to study
with, or you sin!" No, any number of translations can be used. But to not study God's
word at all violates Jas. 4:17!
b. Example: "You have to make your own Bible class
material, or you sin!" No, but what the teacher uses must be Scripturally accurate or
they violate Jas. 4:17!
3. When a church agrees on the use of expediencies in its work it is
then the responsibility of all the members to work together within that framework
(or, change the expediency):
a. Examples: Meeting times, which song book to use, rent,
lease or buy building, etc.
b. The rule of elders - Their decisions expedite the
God-ordained work of the church. We submit to their rule (to the expediencies they
establish in order to accomplish it -- cf. Bible classes, at what point to apply
corrective discipline upon an unruly member,…).
c. One who murmurs & stirs up strife about such things
is sinning in violation of Jas. 4:17!
d. Example: Choosing to teach a class, give an invitation,
lead singing, clean the building, mow the lawn, etc. Can't use Jas. 4:17 to beat someone
into participation! (Rom. 14:10-12)
4. Requirements: As we use expediencies (aids) to accomplish God's
work: Humility, mutual submission & love - Phil. 2:1-5; Eph. 5:21; 1 Cor. 16:14.
Conclusion
1. If we disagree we can "reason together" around open Bibles
with open hearts (Isa. 1:18).
2. Truth & those who love it have nothing to fear from open, honest investigation.