Leon's Response
Question #49
If
I follow the your very own "C-of-C" "5 step plan" for
salvation, but go to a Baptist church, am I saved? Is it really necessary
that I understand the purpose of baptism (as you define it) or is obedience
enough. It is easily proved that God has never demanded that we understand the
purposes of His commandments but only that we obey them. If I am obedient in
baptism, confession, repentance, and have faith and a love for God, but attend a
Baptist church whose main differences are in worship style, am I saved?
Direction for public worship in the NT is sketchy at best. Isn't what you are
really saying that you must be in the "church of Christ" to be saved?
Do you not understand that the church of Jesus, His Body, is bigger than just
the "church of Christ". God called for unity not uniformity.
Leon's Response
Question #48
Is
predestination true?
Leon's Response
Question #47
How
could Lucifer sin in Heaven when Heaven is perfect?
Leon's Response
Question #46
One
point has bothered me for a long time.
I have never been able to get a straight answer to this question.
In the beginning God created one man and one woman and they had children.
This would lead me to believe that all humans on the face of the earth
are in fact related to each other.
The bible does not mention any other human creatures that were created.
The fact remains that regardless of your race or color we are in fact
genetically related.
Leon's Response
Question #45
If a body of believers is following the Bible in their
worship, but feels instrumental music is acceptable and they choose to use it. Are these
believers lost based on an area that at best is vague in scripture? I have really
struggled with this of late and have heard all my life about making music in our hearts
and I fully believe that to be true, but I am struggling with issue. Let me get to the
point: Is God, in your opinion, going to send someone to hell for a musical instrument in
their assembly?
Leon's Response
Question #44
While growing up in the church I was always taught to
end my prayers "in Jesus name" or something similar to that. Do we have any
Biblical instructions on this or is this a tradition we have instituted? I know that
Christ intercedes for us but is it necessary to "say" the phrase or not. Could
you please give me some scriptures to follow up on.
Leon's Response
Question #43
I was reading through your Q & A page and had a question about one of your answers.
It is about the capital punishment question. While Romans tells us that God gives the
authority to the government, that does not mean that everything the government does is
according to God’s will. Abortion is a perfect example. The government says it’s
ok, but God does not. If your could answer these two questions honestly, the question of
whether capital punishment is right or wrong is simple. #1. Are we to follow the example
of Christ’s life while he was on earth? #2 In what situation would Christ take
another man’s life?
If you look at the New Testament and it’s overall message, it is not a testament
of condemnation, but of righteousness (II Cor. 7:9). What did Jesus do to the woman at the
well? (John 8:3-11).
We are all accountable for our own sins and will face the ultimate judgment from God
(Romans 14:11-12). How can one man know another’s heart? If a man were not killed by
the government and kept in prison until his death, how do you know he could not become a
Christian while in prison and save someone else’s soul? Does not the scripture and
the church support prison ministry? This seems very contradictory to me. Did not Moses,
David, and Paul take another man’s life? Were they put to death? Was not David a an
after God’s own heart?
We should protect other humans from those who commit crimes, but it is jot up to us to
decide when they should die. "Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will
confess to God." (Romans 14:11)
Take your time answering. Thanks!
Leon's Response
Question #42
If a body of believers is following the Bible in their
worship, but feels instrumental music is acceptable and they choose to use it. Are these
believers lost based on an area that at best is vague in scripture? I have really
struggled with this of late and have heard all my life about making music in our hearts
and I fully believe that to be true, but I am struggling with issue. Let me get to the
point: Is God, in your opinion, going to send someone to hell for a musical instrument in
their assembly?
Leon's Response
Question #41
While growing up in the church I was always taught to end my prayers
"in Jesus name" or something similar to that. Do we have any Biblical
instructions on this or is this a tradition we have instituted? I know that Christ
intercedes for us but is it necessary to "say" the phrase or not. Could you
please give me some scriptures to follow up on.
Leon's Response
Question #40
"In Revelation 5:6-9; 14:2-3 it indicates there
will be musical instruments in heaven. How could there be instrumental music in heaven but
then still be wrong in church today?"
Leon's Response
Question #39
To my dear brothers and sisters in the Church of Christ, I have this
question: By what authority do you break the Sabbath and teach others to do so?
Leon's Response
Question #38
I am struggling with baptism in the context of salvation. I believe
there three things are undeniably necessary for salvation: Belief in Jesus Christ as the
Son of God and in the fact that He died for our sins; Repentance of one's sins, evidenced
outwardly by a change in lifestyle; Confession of one's belief in Jesus.
The next "step" is where I am confused. Is a person saved
after these actions or is a person lost until they are baptized? What if a person died n
the way to be baptized after having believed, repented and confessed? Would that person be
saved? Similar questions have been posed to my by friends and I am struggling with the
answer.
I believe that baptism is an outward expression of our obedience to
Christ ("answer to a good conscience toward God" I Peter 3:21) and is symbolic
of His death and resurrection. I have my doubts that baptism itself remits sin (again I
Peter 3:21 - "Not the removal of the filthy of the flesh"). I do believe that we
are commanded to be baptized and should therefore do so out of obedience. If we
intentionally forego or delay baptism, we are being disobedient and sinful, therefore we
have probably not truly repented. Could you please comment?
Leon's Response
Question #37
What are the requirements of having believing children
before one meets the requirements of being appointed an elder. If you would give examples
of situations where an elder might need to resign if the situation changes & lack of
qualification because of one child’s behavior.
Leon's Response
Question #36
Do you believe that God approves of interracial marriages. Some
state that the bible neither advocates nor condemns interracial marriage. Some believe
that Paul's reference to "unequally yoked" includes different races and not only
unbelievers. The old testament references the disapproval of marriage of Israelites to
outsiders, but is not that definitive. What is your opinion and the scriptures to support
that position.
Leon's Response
Question #35
In the bible it says that Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40
days. the church teaches that 1) Jesus was born without original sin and couldn't and did
not sin and 2) If you break a commandment it is a sin. The 3rd commandant states keep holy
the lord's Sabbath day. if Jesus was in the desert for 40 days he did not attend the
temple services. isn't this a sin?
Leon's Response
Question #34
Is masturbation a sin? What if you do it to stimulate your
hormones to help you grow because I am short and this might help. Also is looking at
pornography on the internet a sin?
Leon's Response
Question #33
I just had a few questions about Jesus being the Lamb of God.
1. How is Jesus God's lamb?
2. How is Jesus our lamb?
3. What awareness should be created in us by the understanding that
Jesus was God's lamb sacrificed for us?
Leon's Response
Question #32
If God creates some men who will be saved and others who will be
condemned, where does the question of accountability lie? Additionally, isn't it God's
desire that all men be saved? Why would God create a being knowing it will be condemned
but desiring it to be saved? Just so you know, I believe in Jesus, these are questions
that have plagued me in the past.
Leon's Response
Question #31
Dear sir, I would like to know: how do we know that we are the only
and true church? Also how did the church arrive in America and give me the dates and who
establish here.
Leon's Response
Question #30
I know the Lord is against homosexuality, I want to know some
listings in the bible that may help people understand. Do you have any answers or sermons
that may help me? I’m only 15 and I’m trying to help the Lord. I go to the
church of Christ in Florida. We believe in the laws of the lord in the new test. I pray
you hurry back with my answer.
Leon's Response
Question #29
I would like to know: How do we know that we are the only and
true church? Also, how did the church arrive in America and give me the dates and
who establish here.
Leon's Response
Question #28
I have a question concerning the Trinity and my RELATIONSHIP to GOD.
I do believe in the Deity of Jesus. I believe that there is One God
Co-Eternally existent in three "persons", Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. I know
the scriptures that confirm this to me.
My question is, How do I address my prayers to God, How do I Worship
Him correctly? Do I pray directly to "The Father" in "The Name of
Jesus"? Or, do I pray directly to Jesus since He is God?
Do I Look at God as being separate persons or do I just worship and
pray to my one GOD period. Do I address all three persons in my prayers and worship? Is my
"relationship" with the "Father" through Jesus or is my relationship
with Jesus?
Some believe that God is not in three persons but rather that the
Father, Son, & Holy Spirit are just different "Offices " of God. JESUS being
the Name Of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. How do you fall on this?
Leon's Response
Question #27
Who was Thomas Didimus and what is the theory on why he
was late for the meeting?
Leon's Response
Question #26
If Romans 10:9-10 states confession and belief. . . and
I shall be saved, does this mean that I don't have to be baptized?
Leon's Response
Question #25
What would your reaction be to someone who says
"If I have to be baptized, then I guess I'll just have to go to hell"?
Leon's Response
Question #24
Can you give me an example of an individual who was
brought up in the church (old or new) that strayed but came back to the path
originally
set in his or her youth?
Leon's Response
Question #23
I would like to know where in the Bible I can find
scriptures dealing with "mothers, wives and women".
Leon's Response
Question #22
Are Elias and Elijah the same person? Thank you.
Leon's Response
Question #21
Thank-you for your help in this matter. Although the answer wasn't
as in depth as I would have liked, it did help some. My understanding was truly flawed as
I had forgotten that the Lord's church was universal. I was stuck on the notion that the
Church of Christ was the only option that we as seekers for Christ had. Now the doctrinal
errors, what could be a possible error a church might teach or a person believe, yet allow
one salvation according to the Lord's word? I may seem confused and that is because I am
still coming to terms with my failure to better understand Christ and his word. What
should I read in order to help me in this area? A published work is fine as well as
scripture. I may have more questions after this and I am certain you are willing to be
patient with me, and that I greatly appreciate.
Leon's Response
Question #20
I have been a member of the Church of Christ for nearly nine years.
I am a strong proponent of the obedience of the word of God and the adherence thereto. I
read Q# 4 and was confused as to the position which was taken by the responder. I have
believed that the followers of Christ were indeed the 'only' Christians. Seeing as how any
other church doctrine such as Baptist, Catholic, Mormon etc., did not originate with the
teachings of Christ but with a man who started the organization some years later. It
seemed to me that it was alluded to that there are some in all churches saved, that the
location of attendance or doctrine taught was not an issue as long as God saw an
individual as righteous. I have studied, albeit not as much as others, the doctrine taught
in some of these churches and felt that if a church was teaching somehow or someway
different than what Christ taught, that they were not actually saved according to the
bible. For instance, how some churches teach that baptism is not essential to salvation,
and others that allow women to preach. Of course I understand that women are an essential
part of the body of Christ and that they are used to gather souls like any man. I strive
to remain faithful in Christ and wish only to be as effective in spreading the gospel as I
can, but is my thinking flawed and have I lost my way?
Leon's Response
Question #19
In your Q & A Forum you make the statement, "There is not a
single text in the New Testament where baptism and salvation or it's equivalent appear
together that baptism doesn't come first and then salvation."
And your statement leads me to this question, Do we not see
God/Jesus saving a group of people in acts 10 before they were baptized? I do not think,
based on the Bible, God/Jesus is going to pour out His Spirit on anyone that is not His
children.
Leon's Response
Question #18
Answer me immediately please. This is my question: can you explain
John 17:1-3.
Leon's Response
Question #17
John 20:23 seems to give man, at least the church, the authority to
decide if a person can be forgiven and imply that man can decide what is sin and what is
not sin. The Bible tells us that only God has the authority to forgive sins. I have looked
at several commentaries but they don't seem to explain the verse in a straight forward
manner.
Leon's Response
Question #16
I am a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo or (church of Christ) here in
the Philippines. Are you sure that your church can be saved in coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ? and consider this chapter 10:15 in Romans, And how can they preach unless they are
sent. The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in only one God the Father. And my last question is
in your church do you believe that Jesus is God? because in our church we believe that
Jesus is Human and that is written in the Bible.
Leon's Response
Question #15
I have a question for you to answer please. This is my question: If
you believe that our Lord Jesus Christ IS God, how can he also know all things likewise
with the FATHER?
Leon's Response
Question #14
The issue of legalizing gambling in Arkansas as a means of
generating lacking revenue was being discussed in our office the other day.
What, as a Christian, would you say when this topic comes up. What
scriptural references are there concerning this subject. All the things that tend to come
with gambling enter my mind as a good reason for opposition. I also think about the
Christian being admonished to avoid appearances of evil, but beyond that, what are your
thoughts?
Leon's Response
Question #13
In reading your response to Question #1, from Questions and Answers,
I get the impression you believe baptism is essential for salvation. Is it not faith alone
that saves?
Isn't baptism a testimony to the world that I am dying to self and
the old nature, ( identifying with Christ in His death - burial ), and am being raised in
newness of life as He was?
Leon's Response
Question #12
The only way to salvation is through the blood of Christ. How
would you explain to someone how all the people in Old Testament times will be saved since
they lived and died before Christ?
Leon's Response
Question #11
Dear Sir;
Surfing the web and came across your q&a page. Noticed that you had given an
answer regarding the first day of the week as being a day to practice the Last Supper. As
an honest TRUTH seeking preacher of RIGHTEOUSNESS. With utmost respect for you and your
beliefs, I would ask that you answer these questions...
1. What day did our Lord Jesus worship on?
2. What day was the Apostle Paul "accustomed" to worship on?
3. Does the Word of God ever read..."Remember the First day to keep it
holy..."?
4. Did Jesus ever SAY any words AGAINST keeping the Commandments Of God (Ten Commandments)?
5. Does your church believe that we should abide by the Ten Commandments (check your church
constitution)??
Leon's Response
Question #10
Do you have to come forward, to the front of the
church to repent your sins?
Leon's Response
Question #9
Is there any authority in God's book, the Bible, for
more than one collection upon the first day of the week?
Leon's Response
Question #8
We are thinking about baptizing our son (who is now
4 months old) and we are not sure how to go about doing that. We would like to baptize him
in a non-denominational church. We feel that it is our responsibility as his parents to
baptize him which will allow him to decide later what religion he would like to practice.
I feel that by baptizing him, God will watch over him and allow him to choose later in
life what he would like to be.
Leon's Response
Question #7
During the three days that Jesus was dead, did He go
to Hell? Since He was guilty at that time of EVERYONE'S sins, right? Also, here's another
question. I heard a scripture (I can't remember where it was) that said like "Two
women will be making bread together, and only one will be taken..." or something like
that. Does this mean that everyone is not taken at once? That confuses me! Thank you for
taking the time to answer these questions.
Leon's Response
Question #6
An acquaintance & I were discussing the
frequency of observing the Lord's supper. He feels there are no scriptures which support
observing it every Lord's day (first day of the week - Sunday). I pointed out the examples
set for us to follow by the early New Testament church in scriptures such as Acts 20:7 and
also the the discussion of the Lord's supper by Paul in 1 Cor. chapters 10 and 11. He
simply does not agree. I am trying to be open minded and am restudying the scripture and
really striving to look at this issue with an open heart. Can you comment?
Leon's Response
Question #5
Leon, how do you encourage someone to come to church
who was raised in the church, but seems to have no desire to attend anymore?
Leon's Response
Question #4
Is there any room for grace on doctrinal issues? I
know people in my own church (of Christ) that find it easy to extend grace when someone
sins morally (i.e, lying, cursing, etc.) but when it comes to those who are also honestly
and sincerely seeking to follow God and have submitted their lives to Jesus as Lord and
Savior, but differ in interpretation of God's Word (and go to a church by another name),
grace seems to be cut off from them. They expect everyone who follows Jesus to be able to
interpret the Bible correctly, which, in their eyes, means the others must interpret it
the same as they do. Many are so exclusive that they would say we (in Churches of Christ)
are the "only" Christians. And in many cases, they are even willing to exclude
those who see issues differently than them which are not even clear in the New Testament
(i.e, instrumental music, frequency of Lord's Supper). I know of what I speak, because I
have been in the same boat in the past.
Who chooses to whom grace is given: us or God?
I don't know if I've worded this well, but I think
I'm saying what I want to say, and I would appreciate your reply if you have time. Thanks.
Leon's Response
Question #3
I was wondering if you could comment on what appears
to be a contradiction between two passages of scriptures:
Numbers 12:7-8 (God is speaking to Aaron and Miriam)
Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in
all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he
sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?
John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time. The only
begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
The apparent contradiction is between the words
"No one has seen God at any time" in John and God saying he speaks to Moses
"face to face" and that Moses "sees the form of the Lord" in Numbers.
Leon's Response
Question #2
"What is your position on tonight's execution
of three Arkansas death row inmates? (Referring to January 15, 1997 execution)
What do you think Christ tells us on the subject of capital punishment? What are
Christians to believe on this subject?
Leon's Response
Question #1
"Churches of Christ generally teach that
salvation occurs at the point of baptism and not a moment before. Why is it that, in the
abortion debate, most in the Church of Christ would proclaim that life begins at
conception, not birth, but when it comes to salvation, life doesn't begin at conception
(faith/belief) but rather at birth (baptism)? This seems inconsistent."
Leon's Response
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