Verse By Verse Ministry Staff

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Verse By Verse Ministry Staff


Bible Questions & Answers Articles

Apostolic powers today?

March 17, 2010

Are the Apostles' supernatural powers available for Christians today?  How do you decide when to interpret Jesus' words as universal to all believers or limited to His immediate audience (i.e., the Apostles)? 

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How do we know there will be a rapture?

March 16, 2010

When you teach on the Rapture, are you suggesting a "third coming" of Christ? Is there anything in the Bible to suggest a third coming? And how do we know that the Church will escape the Tribulation?

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Can a woman teach men in the church?

March 01, 2010

Is it ever proper for a woman to teach to men in the church? Some churches allow it while others do not.

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Can a wealthy person make it into heaven?

February 28, 2010

I heard that wealthy people won't make it to heaven because their wealth is their god. Is this true? Do wealthy people have a chance for salvation?

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Is speaking in tongues Biblical?

February 09, 2010

I've seen men and women "speaking in tongues" in my church and being "filled" by the Holy Spirit, but I'm not sure what to think about the practice. Are these things consistent with the Bible's teaching?

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Explaining the “Kingdom of God”

January 29, 2010

Can you explain what the "Kingdom of God" is in the Bible?

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Can a Christian participate in Halloween?

January 23, 2010

Is is proper for a Christian to observe or participate in Halloween?

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What are “ages” in Scripture?

January 23, 2010

I see many Scriptures that talk about this "age" and the "age to come." What are ages and how many are there?

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How does Evolution contradict Scripture?

January 23, 2010

I have heard your "Evolution vs. Creation" presentation, but I can't remember the reasons you said Evolution contradicted Scripture. Can you summarive the points again?

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Is there a Palestinian Covenant in Scripture?

January 21, 2010

Is Deuteronomy 30:1-9 the Palestinian Covenant? Some say these verses are a new covenant between God and Israel, but others say no. What do you think?

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Can someone continue in sin and still be save?

January 02, 2010

What will be the state of someone who had accepted Christ as his personal Saviour (Christian) but still fornicating, when he dies, so far as salvation is concerned?

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The ‘Visible” vs. “Invisible” Church

January 02, 2010

Shouldn't the the word translated as "church" in most modern Bible translations actually be "those set apart by God," making the "visible church" a total fabrication of man and denominations and church buildins as they exist today an abomination to God?

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Why did Moses have to take off his sandals?

January 02, 2010

Having just listened to your teaching in Ruth, I happened to think about Moses at the burning bush. When the Lord told him to take off his shoes, he was standing on holy ground. In Ruth, taking off the sandal was done by the one who failed to redeem, so if Moses had to takeoff his shoe was it because Moses had fled Egypt and failed to redeem Israel at that time because he fled?

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Women’s dress in church

January 02, 2010

According to the Bible, may women wear pants instead of dresses in a church service?

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Who was resurrected first?

January 02, 2010

If there was no one resurrected before Christ, then what about the raising of Lazarus? Is his resurrection different because he was still subject to death again?

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How did Cain and Abel know to sacrifice?

January 02, 2010

When Cain and Abel offer sacrifices in Genesis 4, it doesn't seem to be the first time that they made an offering. They seem to know what God expected of them. Why don't we have any background in Scripture on what happened prior to this occurance?

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The parable of the fig tree

January 02, 2010

In Mark 11 Jesus gives the parable of the fig tree. Please help me to understand this parable. Is it dealing with the coming death of Christ?

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Why couldn’t Jesus’ disciples cast out the demon?

January 02, 2010

In Mark 9:29 Jesus told his diciples that the reason they could not cast out the dumb and deaf spirit was because this kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. Was the reason that they could not drive the spirit out was it because they could not fast at the time because Jesus was with them?

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How did Indians in North America come from Adam and Eve?

January 02, 2010

If all men came from Adam and Eve in Mesopotamia, how did the Indians of North America get to America?

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Should Christians celebrate Christmas or Easter?

December 30, 2009

I was reading your article where you addressed the issue of celebrating Halloween. I never celebrated Easter or Christmas growing up as I was taught at church that these holidays have pagan origins that have nothing to do with Christ. I am getting married this year and my fiance celebrates both holiday's and I don't want strife to enter our marriage. How should we approach this issue?

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Lordship salvation?

December 03, 2009

Can a person have Christ as his Savior without submitting to Him as Lord? Some teach that both are required for someone to be truly saved.

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Church Discipline

December 02, 2009

What is the Biblical way to discipline a church member?

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Pastor Accountability

December 02, 2009

How should a pastor ensure he is held accountable within the church? Can you suggest some good practices for a pastor to follow in seeking accountability?

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Why are Christians viewed negatively?

December 02, 2009

Why are Christians perceived negatively by the world, and how we might change that perspective?

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Is Scripture meant to be literal or figurative?

December 02, 2009

How do you know when to interpret Scripture literally vs. figuratively?

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Do Christians need to continue asking for forgiveness?

November 27, 2009

If we accept Christ into our lives, our sins are forgiven (past, present and future). Therefore, why are we told to pray for forgiveness for our sins? If a believer asks God to forgive his sins over and over again, isn't that showing a lack of faith in God's promises, since he would be asking Him for something God has already given?

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May a Christian participate in Martial Arts?

October 08, 2009

Is it allowable for a born-again Christian to participate in martial arts?

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How is Jesus “The Word?”

October 01, 2009

John's Gospel says that "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God..." I don't understand the meaning of "the Word?" Is the "Word" a person? How can a word be God?

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Where did Cain find his wife?

September 25, 2009

Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel and left Eden to live in the east. Where did he get his wife since Adam and Eve were the first humans on the planet and with Cain and Abel that made it four people in total?

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The mystery of Nathaniel’s meeting with Jesus

September 11, 2009

In John 1:47-51, why did Jesus use the phrase "without guile" to describe Nathaniel’s character? And did Jesus physically see Nathaniel under the fig tree or did He see him while praying prior to their actual meeting? Finally, why did Nathaniel, after what seems to be only a brief exchange of greetings, acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God? I wouldn't expect Christ's words would be enough to lead Nathaniel to immediately acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God.

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Is baptism required for salvation?

August 15, 2009

In Mark 16:16, Jesus declares that, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Does this mean that baptism is a requirement for salvation?

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Jesus in the Old Testament?

August 02, 2009

Can we find evidence in the Old Testament of Jesus appearing to men? If our Lord spoke to men in the OT (like to Abraham in Genesis 18), why don't we see those words printed in red letters, as some Bibles do to mark Jesus' words in the New Testament

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Can a Christian’s name be blotted out of the Book of LIfe?

July 29, 2009

I read in Revelation that Jesus said He would not blot out one of the seven church's from the Book of Life.  Does this mean that it's possible for names to be blotted out?

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Will unbelievers get a “second chance?”

July 29, 2009

Will an unbeliever get a second chance to accept the Gospel and go to heaven after they die?

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What does the Bible teach on sacraments and magisterium?

July 29, 2009

I would like to know what you believe the Bible teaches on sacraments and magisterium?

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A warning for Christians who continue in sin?

July 25, 2009

Can you shed some light on Acts 17:30? Is this verse telling Christians, having received liberty from Law through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, that we have no excuse for continued existence in sin?

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Is the Life Application Study Bible appropriate for serious study of the Bible?

July 23, 2009

I enjoy studing, reading and teaching from the Life Application Study Bible. Is this Bible too "watered down" to use in learning the Christian walk and teachings of Christ?

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Did Jesus say we can lose our salvation?

July 20, 2009

In Luke 12:45-46, Jesus tells a story of a man who says "My Master is delaying his coming," and Jesus responds by saying He will "appoint him a portion with the unbelievers." Can you clarify this? It sounds as if Jesus is saying that a believer can lose salvation.

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How do we know the Bible is accurate?

July 14, 2009

How do we know that the books of the Bible are the "right" books?  How was the Bible's contents determined?

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Are Mormons considered Christians?

July 14, 2009

Is the Mormon faith another form of Christianity? They teach they are the only truth, but how is that different from what you claim?

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What happens to infants when they die?

July 14, 2009

If all men and women are born into a state of sinfulness, then what happens to infants when they die?

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When Jesus died, where did His spirit go?

July 14, 2009

When Jesus died on the cross, where did His Spirit go? Some say He descended into Hell, but that can't mean He went into the Lake of Fire, right? 

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Who is the author you mention in your Revelation study?

July 14, 2009

Can you give me the name of the author you mention in your Revelation study?

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How does God “glorify again” His name?

July 14, 2009

What did the Bible mean when it says in John 12 that the Father has glorified His name and will glorify it again?

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Was John the Baptist confused about Jesus’ identity?

July 09, 2009

In Luke 7 it says that John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the One they were waiting for, but back in Chapter 5 when John baptizes Jesus, it says that the heavens opened, the Holy spirit descended like a dove and the Father spoke.  It sounds like this happened within a few moments of Jesus being baptized, so wouldn’t John have seen this and heard this and therefore known who Jesus was?

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Why did Creation take so “long?”

July 08, 2009

You caught my attention in your Revelation study when you asked why God took “so long” to create the world, especially your comment, “The God I worship could have created everything in an instant."  I like that, but now I gotta know why He took so long!!

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Is the Babylon in Revelation the real city in Iraq?

July 08, 2009

I do not believe the Great Babylon mentioned in the Book of Revelation is literally in Iraq -- I'm growing more and more certain from all the descriptions in Revelation that it is Rome.  Your thoughts?

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Are we approaching Armageddon?

July 08, 2009

I was listening to some audio archives from my church's website and came across a guest speaker who believes the leaders of the United States and the world are on a collision course with God over Israel's covenant land. He quotes the following Bible verse: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem?" (Zechariah 12:9).  Could you point me in a direction?

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Is the book “The DaVinci Code” appropriate reading for a Christian?

July 08, 2009

I have heard that The DaVinci Code is entertaining fiction. I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.

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Did the minsitry of the Holy Spirit change in the NT?

July 08, 2009

You recently taught that the Holy Spirit was not given to men until Pentecost, but I know of several earlier times in scripture where the Holy Spirit was given to specific individuals (e.g., John the Baptist, Mary, etc.). Is there some different meaning or essence to the Holy Spirit’s ministry prior to Pentecost as compared to after?

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A possible contradiction in scripture?

July 08, 2009

I was reading the Bible the other day and noticed that in John 7:45-52, the Pharisees say that no prophet has arisen from the Galilee. But in 2Kings 14:23-27 it says that Jonah was from Gath Hepher, which is in Galilee. How do you answer the person who would say that this is a contradiction in the scriptures?

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How much do I have to tithe?

July 08, 2009

Does the Bible require a Christian to tithe? My pastor says a Christian should give ten percent to the church, but I can’t find that in my Bible.

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How do dinosaurs fit into the Bible?

July 08, 2009

I now believe that evolution is false, especially since death could not exist before Adam’s sin, but what does that say about dinosaurs?  Man couldn’t possibly have survived with dinosaurs around, so how do they fit into the Biblical record?

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Does Psalm 51 teach I can lose my salvation?

July 08, 2009

I was taught you can lose your salvation.  Is that true?  If not, then why does David ask the Lord in the Psalms to “Cast me not from thy presence oh Lord, take not thy Holy Spirit from me.”  He makes it sound as if it is possible for the Holy Spirit to be removed.

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What is “Calvinism?”

June 01, 2009

I am confused by the term "Calvinism." What does it teach and does it agree with the Bible?

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May a Christian drink alcohol?

May 25, 2009

Is it permissible for a Christian to drink alcohol? My church does not allow deacons to drink, so I am concerned that other Christians who drink alcohol are setting a bad example for my children.

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Must women remain silent in church?

May 25, 2009

Paul says in 1Cor 14:34 that women should keep silent in church, and I was wondering if this verse is taken out of context.  Did Paul mean that women can never speak in church? 

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Why did Jesus cry?

May 24, 2009

Why did Jesus weep when he went to see Martha and Mary after Lazarus died?

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Should Christian mothers work?

May 23, 2009

What does the Bible say about mothers working outside the home?

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Is the Last Trumpet blown for the Rapture?

May 22, 2009

I have been taught that the last trumpet Paul says is blown at the Rapture is the final trumpet of Rosh Hashanah. If this is true, then the Rapture can only happen at one time a year. Is this true or can the Rapture happen anytime?

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Can a believer get remarried after divorce?

May 22, 2009

Can a believer enter into a new marriage after a divorce?

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