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Baptism – How should it be done?

As far as baptism versus sprinkling, during a discussion of this very topic, I came across this account: “Asfaw was a student in [a] missionary training school. After graduation, he went to the Borana people. He began a sports outreach that brought many to faith in Christ, but there was no water deep enough for […]

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All to the sword?

DT 2:34 “At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed them—men, women and children. We left no survivors.” These are some of the most difficult verses in the Bible, why would God command this?  Here are some thoughts in reply: If we take God to task for these deaths, we should take […]

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Cessationism – Have healing and miracles ceased?

This seems to be the main verse that may indicate supernatural gifts ceasing: 1 Cor. 13:10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. But Paul refers to this time as follows: 1 Cor. 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know […]

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Christmas – Is it a pagan holiday?

If we should object to Christmas having its orgins as a festival at the same time as a long-ago pagan festival at the winter equinox, should we also object to using the names of the days of the week with pagan origins? Woden’s-day, Thor’s-day and so forth? Not to mention the names of the months, […]

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Is sickness always due to sin?

Certainly Job’s sickness wasn’t! Yet his friends did insist that if he would only stop his wickedness, all his fortunes would be restored, but God said they did not speak what was right about him. And Lazarus was sick, and Mary and Martha asked Jesus to come and heal him, and Jesus waited, and Lazarus, […]

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Should women wear head coverings?

1 Corinthians 11:10  For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head. Now if Paul had written “have eggs for breakfast because of the devil,” I would be careful to stock up on eggs, and eat them dutifully every morning. Even if I didn’t […]

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Discerning spirits and false prophets?

How can we tell if a spirit is from God, how can we discern false prophets? It’s not always easy, as indicated by Jeremiah thinking some false prophets were real ones! Jer. 14:13-14  But I said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, the prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I […]

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Can we always expect healing when we pray for it?

First, it may be helpful to ask if the apostles, if Jesus, could heal anyone at will… Luke 5:17 And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. This would imply that sometimes the power of the Lord was not present to heal. Now faith is not invariably required, either, […]

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Never heard – Can those without the gospel be saved?

What about someone who is sincerely seeking God, and yet has never heard of Christ? 1 Cor. 1:21  “For when in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Though this seems to say that people only come to […]

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Sabbath – Is it required?

The Sabbath was part of the ceremonial law, and the ceremonial law is a shadow of a reality to come. When the foreshadowed reality comes, then the ceremony is not necessary any more.  There was ceremonial law, moral law, and civil law in the Old Testament: “‘Thou shalt not covet’ is a moral precept; ‘Thou […]