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The Question of the Week Page

Questions of the Week will begin again the first week of March

2022

Blessed New Year to everyone

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December 19, 2021

In Acts 18:21 Paul says he must keep the Feast. Why do not Christians keep the feasts today. I have been searching for the answer to this question and have found nothing that says we are not to keep the feasts...but in the old Testament it says......shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. I do not understand, please help

Acts 18 v 21

“But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.”

Paul was a Christian, but he was raised a Jew. He himself called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees.

Acts 23 v 6

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”

For Paul it was very much part of his “normal” every day life to participate in and enjoy Jewish feasts. He was physically born a Jew, gentiles are not. Paul spent MUCH time, arguing against the Judaizers. Those Jews who believed part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ was to follow Jewish ceremonial laws and customs. To this Paul said:

Ephesians 2 v 8-9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

It is not wrong for Jewish-Christians to continue to participate in and enjoy many of the Jewish feasts. But it is equally correct for all other Christians to enjoy salvation without the necessity of following Jewish ceremonial laws and customs…

Acts 15 v 1

“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

Peter the apostle also a Jew, in response to Paul’s and others concerns about these Judaizers responded:

Acts 15 v 7-11

“And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Peter points out even the best of Jews do not keep all the rules and regulations of the Jewish faith, included in that would be the various feasts and ceremonial customs. So why, says Peter, should gentiles saved by grace as we (Jews) are saved by grace, why must the gentiles be expected to follow customs that are foreign to them and NOT ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION???

The answer, THEY, WE, DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THEM…

Peter continues:

Acts 15 19-20

“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”

Simply said, LOVE Jesus Christ and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit within you, live YOUR life to the best of YOUR ability!!!

The only requirement for salvation is genuinely LOVING God with EVERY fiber of our being, and our fellow man as ourselves…

And that is not by our power or will but by God’s LOVE, GRACE, and MERCY!!!!!!!

Celebrating most Jewish feasts or celebrating Christian Holidays is lawful for all; but WE ARE NOT DEMANED TO FOLLOW ANY OF THEM…

***We ALL are SAVED BY GRACE!!!!!!! Of those who have accepted Jesus Christ, as their LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR…

Romans 14 v 5-6

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

Again in Romans the clear teaching of scripture is that each person must be persuaded in their own mind what customs to follow and what religious traditions not to follow. The Christians’ only obligation is to genuinely LOVE God and to LOVE our fellow mankind!!!

Whether we celebrate a certain feast day or not, WE MUST LOVE THE LORD, and give God THANKS in all things…

Whatever we do MUST BE DONE SINCERELY FOR GOD’S GLORY.

As Solomon put it:

Ecclesiastes 12 v 13

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Again Jesus summed up the commandments as two:

Mark 12 v 30-31

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

December 5, 2021

I`m an adult male who has study the bible for years, yet I'm confused about the make up of man and the state of man between death and resurrection. 1 Thess. 5:23 seems to describe mankind as having three parts: a body, a soul and a spirit. I have heard the body called the material part and the soul and spirit the immaterial parts. Gen. 2:7 calls man a living soul upon the breath of life entering the person. John 4:24 indicates man worships and serve God with the spirit, not the soul. Hebrews 4:12 has the spirit distinguished from the soul. 1 Cor. 15:45 say the first man was a living soul, but the second man (Jesus) became a life giving spirit. We are told to save soul (James 5:20), but I don't see anywhere where we are to save spirits. Yet Romans 8:16 says the Holy Spirit works with our spirit. It is all so confusing to me. Here are my questions: 1. Is mankind made of three parts or is there in some sense a cross over in meanings between soul and spirit? 2. What is death? 3. What is the state of the body, the soul and the spirit upon death? I was taught from a little boy, that may thoughts (spirit record) returns to God as a record of my life, my body at death and soul (breathe) sleep until the resurrection... yet I read that of Soul under the alter of God, that the thief on the cross went to Paradise that same day, etc... 4. What is the best (scholarly) books or studies that cover the status of "mankind" between death and resurrection? Thank you in Advance, Ernest

First you must realize only God has the absolute answers, no matter how wise or intelligent a Theologian may be, their answers in many cases are still no more than well educated guesses.

1 Corinthians 13 v 9, 12

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part… 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.…”

That being said, I will attempt to answer your question biblically.

1. Is mankind made of three parts or is there in some sense a cross over in meanings between soul and spirit?

It has long been believed by most Christian Theologians and scholars that the spiritual realm has a similar counterpart in the physical realm. God is a Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As such it has been understood that mankind created in the image of God is made up of a ‘type’ of trinity, that being: a body, a soul, and a spirit.

Though they are distinct, like the holy Trinity, the body, soul, and spirit of man are in some ways one essence, but not to the extent that the Holy Trinity is ABSOLUTELY ONE GOD…

So in that respect, like the Trinity, man’s body, soul, and spirit is also a very complex concept to grasp.

Body: The body (Greek σῶμα soma) is the corporeal or physical aspect of a human being.

Soul: Is based on the Hebrew word nepes which means “breath” or “breathing being”.

Spirit: The spirit (Hebrew ruach, Greek πνεῦμα, pneuma, which can also mean "breath") is likewise an immaterial component. It is often used interchangeably with "soul", psyche, although Trichotomist believe that the spirit is distinct from the soul.

1 Thessalonians 5 v 23

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 4 v 12

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Simply, the body is our physical box, our organs, our blood, that which is material. The soul is the spark the breath of life God gave us. The spirit is who and what we are, our conscious being. As you suggest, soul and spirit overlap in some ways, yet they are distinct.

2. What is death?

To the Jew of Christ’s time, there were two types of death. Physical death, and Spiritual death which is separation from God.

John 11 v 26A

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die...”

Jesus points out the true Christian WILL NEVER BE SEPERATED FROM GOD, the Christian WILL NEVER FACE THE SECOND DEATH “SPIRITUAL” DEATH, WE WILL NEVER BE SEPERATED FROM GOD after being saved…

Some Christian scholars believe in soul sleep. At physical death a person’s soul or spirit sleeps until the resurrection of the physical body.

The Jews of Christ’s time believed in Sheol, the place where the dead consciously wait for the day of final judgment. They have a physical form, yet they are not in their physical bodies. I believe the LOST go to Sheol, the redeemed immediately go to be with God and thus the Christian is always conscious and never is separated from the presence of God…

3. What is the state of the body, the soul and the spirit upon death? I was taught from a little boy, that may thoughts (spirit record) returns to God as a record of my life, my body at death and soul (breathe) sleep until the resurrection... yet I read that of Soul under the alter of God, that the thief on the cross went to Paradise that same day, etc...

Luke 23 v 43

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

John 11 v 25-26

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

***The dead body is decaying in the grave, or in ashes, etc, and will be resurrected some day, but transformed into a physical-spiritual body… It has no life or consciousness of it’s own.

***The soul and the spirit of the “born again” believer, the saved, the Children of God immediately go to be with God, they are in some type of physical looking body, but are awaiting their new resurrected physical-spiritual body that is for eternity, made of incorruptible seed. The dead in Christ are absolutely alive, alert, and fully conscious and awaiting the day Jesus Christ returns to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Awaiting their rewards!

The unsaved dead are also fully conscious awaiting their resurrected bodies, but are in Sheol awaiting judgment day, and for them eternal damnation the Second death, eternal separation from God…

*Death is not unconsciousness, non-existence, nor annihilation, it is the beginning of eternal joy and happiness with God, or the beginning of eternal damnation, and eternal separation from God!!!

Death is not a way out of anything, it is the beginning of our eternity.

4. What is the best (scholarly) books or studies that cover the status of "mankind" between death and resurrection?

Millard Erickson, Christian Theology 2nd ed.
Bultmann, Rudolf (1953). Theologie des Neuen Testaments (in German). Tübingen: Mohr, 189–249. (English translation Theology of the New Testament 2 vols, London: SCM, 1952, 1955)
Hebrew-English Lexicon, Brown, Driver & Briggs, Hendrickson Publishers.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology.
Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Father Xavier Leon Dufour, 1985.

     6. Unger Bible Dictionary

     7. H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology

     8. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament

     9. D. K. Innes, "Sheol" in New Bible Dictionary, IVP 1996.

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

November 28, 2921

Why do the Gospels of Matthew chapter 2 & Luke chapter 2 seem to give two different accounts of where Jesus was taken shortly after His birth? Matthew says Egypt; Luke says Nazareth? Matthew 2 v 13

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

Luke 2 v 4-5

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”

Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth at the time of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus. When the Census was ordered Mary and Joseph went to the City of David which was Bethlehem to be properly counted. While in Bethlehem Mary gave birth to Jesus, and they were soon warned in a dream not to stay in Israel and not to stay anywhere in the region of Judea and instead they went to Egypt. Later after the male children up to the age of three had been murdered by Herod’s men and Archelaus took over the reign of Judea after his father Herod’s death; Mary, Joseph, and the young Jesus moved back to Nazareth where Jesus was to be raised…

Matthew 2 v 22-23

“But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

November 21, 2021

Did Jesus always know he was going to die on the cross for our sins, or did God reveal this to him at a point in his life?

The question you asked is a question Theologians have discussed for centuries.

***Jesus was fully God, and was fully man in His incarnation. Both God and man…

As God He is omniscient (all knowing), yet it is clear He voluntarily limited some of His memory as a man.

Mark 13 v 32

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

So at the time of His incarnation He limited His knowledge of when His Second Coming would be. That would suggest He may have limited other memory or knowledge He would have as God while He was in His incarnation.

Further Jesus was amazed or marveled at certain events several times, again suggesting He had limited some of His divine attributes.

Mark 6 v 6

“And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

Mark 14 v 33

“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;”

Luke 7 v 9

“When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

As God He certainly knew He would die for us, but in His incarnation He may have not known all the details of His earthly life until God the Father and God the Holy Spirit revealed it to Him…

*******Jesus always had full access to His divine nature, but He used it as He saw fit!!!

The answer, as God absolutely He knew, He planned it from the foundation of the world!!!!!!!

Revelation 13 v 8

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

As man, the Bible simply does not choose to tell us; and that I deduce is sufficient…….

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

November 14, 2021

When Jesus says to the Pharisees, `those who endure to the end will be saved` (Matthew 24:13) does that suggest that you can lose salvation?

Matthew 24 v 13

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

To interpret scripture properly, it must be understood in the light of the rest of scripture.

The holy inerrant, infallible word of God the Bible clearly teaches that a genuine, truly “born again” believer CANNOT EVER LOSE THEIR ETERNAL SALVATION…

Philippians 1 v 6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

It is Jesus that promises to keep a saved person eternally saved!

***Jesus death and resurrection proves He can save us, His power, LOVE, grace, and mercy and His word declares THAT THE “GOOD WORK” (SALVATION) THAT HE BEGINS IN GENUINELY REPENTANT SINNERS WILL BE COMPLETED BY GOD, BY JESUS HIMSELF!!!

Romans 11 v 29

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

Salvation is a gift from God to ALL who will accept Jesus Christ as THEIR LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR!

Ephesians 2 v 8

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

God’s gift once accepted cannot be given back nor can God change His mind, the gift accepted is without repentance!!!

God Himself guarantees a repentant sinner’s salvation!!!!!!!

Ephesians 1 v 13-14
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God the Holy Spirit, God Himself seals us, puts His mark of eternal ownership upon the genuine Christian!!! God’s promise is the earnest money that eternally guarantees OUR permanent salvation!!!!!!!

Those are just a few of the scriptures that substantiate eternal life, salvation, is INDEED ETERNAL!!!!!!! *******For Ever!!!!!!!*******

So then what does the text you mention mean?

It simply means that THOSE WHO ARE REALLY SAVED WILL ENDURE UNTIL THE VERY END!!!!!!!

If a person professes to be a Christian but does not receive eternal life, THEN THEY WERE NEVER SAVED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!

Matthew 7 v 21-23

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

God NEVER KNEW THEM, THEY WERE NEVER HIS CHILD, THEY WERE NEVER REALLY SAVED!!!!!!!

So in proper biblical context, the text you refer to does not suggest a truly saved, “born again” believer can lose their salvation!!!!!!!

***SALVATION IS ETERNAL!!!!!!!***

1 John 5 v 13

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

How can YOU know that you will be saved, if YOU can lose it??? How can it be “ETERNAL”, if YOU can lose it???

You know because IT IS ETERNAL, YOU know because GOD is the one that saves YOU, and KEEPS YOU ETERNALLY SAVED!!!!!!!

Ephesians 2 v 9

“Not of works, lest any man should boast”

*******We are not saved by our works, WE ARE SAVED BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD SACRIFICE THAT JESUS CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED UPON THAT BLOOD SOAKED, BLOOD DRENCHED CROSS!!!!!!!

If only by His grace and power WE say “YES” to Him,

“YES I LOVE YOU GOD”…….

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

November 7, 2021

How does a person know the time and/or place where a specific Psalm is responding to? Jessica, COTA

Jessica, great question !!! I must admit, I have never thought of it before, so obviously, YOU ARE THE VERY FIRST PERSON TO ASK ME THIS QUESTION…And I must confess, at first I was stumped for an answer.

First for the lay person, or the curious, the simplest answer is this: Many Bibles have footnotes that give this information. But that really doesn’t answer your question.

How do you, I, or anyone know???

The answer WE DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE !!! However by intensive study of God’s holy writ, considering scriptural context and content of the specific Psalm, you, I, others, and Theologians can come pretty close or even succeed in knowing what event the Psalm is referring to.

Probable Occasion When Each Psalm Was Composed

Psalms

After What Scripture

Probable Occasion on Which Each Psalm was Composed

B.C.

1

Neh 13:3

Written by David or Ezra, and placed as a preface to the Psalms

444

2

1Ch 17:27

On the delivery of the promise by Nathan to David-a prophecy of Christ's kingdom

1044

3

2Sa 15:29

On David's flight from Absalom

1023

4

2Sa 17:29

During the flight from Absalom

1023

5

2Sa 17:29

During the flight from Absalom

1023

6

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

7

2Sa 16:14

On the reproaches of Shimei

1023

8

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

9

1Sa 17:4, or 1Ch 16:43

On the victory over Goliath

1063

10

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

11

1Sa 19:3

When David was advised to flee to the mountains

1062

12

1Ch 28:1

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

13, 14, 15

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

16

1Ch 17:27, or 1Sa 27

On the delivery of the promise by Nathan to David

1044

17

1Sa 22:19

On the murder of the priests by Doeg

1060

18

2Sa 22:51

On the conclusion of David's wars

1019

19

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

20, 21

2Sa 10:19

On the war with the Ammonites and Syrians

1036

22

1Ch 17:27

On the delivery of the promise by Nathan; or in sever persecution

1044

23, 24

1Ch 28:21, or 1Ch 16:43

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

25, 26, 27

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

28, 29

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

30

1Ch 21:30

On the dedication of the threshing-floor of Araunah

1017

31

1Sa 23:12

On David's persecution by Saul

1060

32, 33

2Sa 12:15

On the pardon of David's adultery

1034

34

1Sa 21:15

On David's leaving the city of Gath

1060

35

1Sa 22:19

On David's persecution by Doeg

1060

36, 37

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

38, 39, 40, 41

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

42

2Sa 17:29

On David's flight from Absalom

1023

43

2Sa 17:29

On David's flight from Absalom

1023

44

2Ki 19:7

On the blasphemous message of Rabshekeh

710

45

1Ch 17:27

On the delivery of the promise by Nathan

1044

46

2Ch 20:26

On the victory of Jehoshaphat

896

47

2Ch 7:10

On the removal of the ark into the temple

1004

48

Ezr 6:22

On the dedication of the second temple

515

49, 50

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

51

2Sa 12:15

Confession of David after his adultery

1034

52

1Sa 22:19

On David's persecution by Doeg

1060

53

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

54

1Sa 23:23

On the treachery of the Ziphims to David

1060

55

2Sa 17:29

During the flight from Absalom

1023

56

1Sa 21:15

When David was with the Philistines in Gath

1060

57

1Sa 24:22

On David's refusal to kill Saul in the cave

1058

58

1Sa 24:22

Continuation of Ps. 57

1058

59

1Sa 19:17

On Saul surrounding the town of David

1061

60

1Ki 11:20

On the conquest of Edom by Joab

1040

61

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

62

2Sa 17:29

In David's persecution by Absalom

1023

63

1Sa 24:22

Prayer of David in the wilderness of Engedi

1058

64

1Sa 22:19

On David's persecution by Saul

1060

65

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

66

Ezr 3:13

On laying the foundation of the second temple

535

67

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

68

2Sa 6:11

On the first removal of the ark

1045

69

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

70, 71

2Sa 17:29

On Absalom's rebellion

1023

72

1Ch 29:19

On Solomon being made king by his father

1015

73

2Ki 19:19

On the destruction of Sennacherib

710

74

Jer 39:10

On the destruction of the city and temple

588

75, 76

2Ki 19:35

On the destruction of Sennacherib

710

77

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

78

1Ch 28:21, or 2Ch 19:5, 6

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

79

Jer 39:10

On the destruction of the city and temple

588

80

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

81

Ezr 6:22

On the dedication of the second temple

515

82

2Ch 19:7

On the appointment of judges by Jehoshaphat

897

83

Jer 39:10, or 2Ch 20

On the desolation caused by the Assyrians

588

84

Ezr 3:13

On the foundation of the second temple

535

85

Ezr 1:4

On the decree of Cyrus

536

86

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

87

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the Babylonish captivity

536

88

Exd 2:25

During the affliction in Egypt

1531

89

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

90

Num 14:45

On the shortening of man's life, etc.

1489

91

1Ch 28:10

After the advice of David to Solomon

1015

92, 93

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

94

Jer 39:10

On the destruction of the city and temple

588

95

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

96

1Ch 16:43

On the removal of the ark from Obed-edom's house

1051

97, 98, 99, 100

2Ch 7:10

On the removal of the ark into the temple

1004

101

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

102

Dan 9:27

On the near termination of the captivity

538

103

2Sa 12:15

On the pardon of David's adultery

1034

104

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

105, 106

1Ch 16:43

On the removal of the ark from Obed-edom's house

1051

107

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

108

1Ki 11:20

On the conquest of Edom by Joab

1040

109

1Sa 22:19

On David's persecution by Doeg

1060

110

1Ch 17:27

On the promise by Nathan to David

1044

111, 112, 113, 114

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

115

2Ch 20:26

On the victory of Jehoshaphat

896

116, 117

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

118

1Ch 17:27

On the promise by Nathan to David

1044

119

Neh 13:3

Manual of devotion by Ezra

444

120, 121, 122

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

123

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

124

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

125

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

126

Ezr 1:4

On the decree of Cyrus

536

127, 128

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

129

Ezr 4:24

On the opposition of the Samaritans

535

130

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

131

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

132

1Ch 15:14

On the second removal of the ark

1051

133

1Ch 28:21

Inserted toward the end of David's life

1015

134

Ezr 3:7

On the return from the captivity

536

135, 136

2Ch 7:10

On the removal of the ark into the temple

1004

137

Dan 7:28

During the Babylonish captivity

539

138

Ezr 6:13

On the rebuilding of the temple

519

139

1Ch 13:4

Prayer of David when made king over all Israel

1048

140

1Sa 22:19

On David's persecution by Doeg

1060

141

1Sa 27:1

Prayer of David when driven from Judea

1055

142

1Sa 22:1

Prayer of David in the cave of Adullam

1060

143

2Sa 17:29

During the war with Absalom

1023

144

2Sa 17:29

On the victory over Absalom

1023

145

1Ch 28:10

David, when old, reviewing his past life

1015

146, 147, 148, 149, 150

Ezr 6:22

On the dedication of the second temple

515

October 31, 2021

Hi there, I`d like to ask a question about the meaning of Romans 14:22a. I have read that some Bible translations do not translate it very accurately when they say ... `keep such things (faith for disputable matters`) between yourself and God` - thereby implying that we are not to talk about our convictions on these matters to younger or weaker Christians in the faith, - to help them grow in their understanding and liberty in God. I`ve heard that a better translation is `have your own convictions before God (on these matters)`; in other words, you have them with a convinced conscience before God, but you can still talk about them with other believers to help them grow and understand, just not force your convictions on them, or cause them to stumble with your liberty. Which one is the `better` translation, and how do we know? Do you have any thoughts? Kind regards Tarryn

Romans 14 v 21-23

“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” KJV

To understand any portion of scripture You must consider it in its proper context.

Let us began with perhaps a more precise translation of your text and its context.

“It is the fine thing neither to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything which makes the road more difficult for your brother to walk. As far as you yourselves are concerned you have enough faith to know that these things do not matter--well, then, let that be a matter between yourself and God. Happy is the man who never has cause to condemn himself for doing what he has come to the conclusion it was right to do. But he who has doubts about eating something stands condemned if he does eat it, because his decision to eat is not the result of faith.”

The immediate context is the question about eating certain meats and drinks and anything else that the Jewish rules and regulations might put upon a convert to be a Christian. The first Christians were Jews and many of the early converts felt all Christians including gentile converts must obey the Jewish ceremonial laws, including those specifically mentioned in our context.

In general what Paul is saying is this, as a mature Christian you may more clearly see what is right and appropriate to do; and as such your conscience is free to do some things that less mature Christians believe to be sin or at least inappropriate. In such cases Paul says; “Don’t make a big deal about it! Submit to the conscience of the other Christian, so that you do not cause your fellow Christian to have doubt.”

Example: I have a Pastor friend Reverend Henry Moore who smokes an occasional cigar. He has no doubt that it is okay to smoke cigars in proper moderation. But he does not smoke in front of others so he DOES NOT OFFEND THEIR CONVICTIONS…

Since smoking or not smoking IS NOT essential to salvation; it is not necessary to demand a young Christian to see the ‘right’ or the ‘wrong’ of smoking an occasional cigar. To debate the point or a similar point of view about some other non-essential belief may only hinder a new Christian’s belief system. Let them have their conviction about non-essential things, and teach them things that are ABSOLUTELY essential to the Christian faith, to the Christian life style.

Example: Some Christians like Rock and Roll, I do not; but liking it or not liking it IS NOT ESSENTAL TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. The words may be bad and that can be an important issue, but the Rock and Roll genre in and of itself IS NOT A SIN. So Paul says,

“DON’T MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT IT!”

Example: A man may come to the conclusion that his Christian freedom gives him a perfect right to make a reasonable use of alcohol; and, as far as he is concerned, it may be a perfectly safe pleasure, from which he runs no danger. But it may be that a younger man who admires him is watching him and taking him as an example. And it may also be that this younger man is one of these people to whom alcohol is a fatal thing. Is the older man to use his Christian freedom to go on setting an example which may well be the ruin of his young admirer? Or is he to limit himself, not for his own sake, but for the sake of the one who follows in his footsteps?

That is what Paul is saying, consider how your freedom in Christ may affect others, and then live to benefit them as best you can…….

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

October 24, 2021

1peter1:15-16 Be Holy as I am Holy,...Does this mean we actually can be 100% Holy like Father God here on earth? Or act Holy to mimic the Father in Heaven Because He is Holy?

Very good question!

1 Peter 1 v 15-16

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

God does not command us to do something we do not have the ability to do WITH HIS HELP…

1 Thessalonians 4 v 7-8

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God the Holy Spirit indwells EVERY BELIEVER, MORE PRECISELY EVERY “BORN AGAIN” BELIEVER. Thus it is well within our Christian character and new attributes in Jesus Christ to be Holy as God is Holy.

John the apostle made this clear when he said:

1 John 2 v 1

“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

I am very proud to be a Southern Baptist, but I think it is nonsense and unbiblical to believe we must sin in thought, word, or deed every day. God has saved us and provided us with the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that Jesus the man submitted to, living a sinless or Holy life. Jesus of course is fully God as well as fully man, but WITHOUT SIN!!!

Jesus the man was sinless because He fully submitted to the indwelling Holy Spirit in his life!!!

***We can too, unfortunately the vast majority of genuine Christians do sin from time to time, but we do dot have to, nor will we every day.

As John says though, if we sin again, and we usually do sooner or later, Jesus is still our Advocate with the Father; and His shed blood covers our past, present, and future sins…

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since we still sooner or later sin, it SHOWS ALL THE MORE WHY ONLY JESUS CHRIST COULD PAY THE PRICE FOR ALL OF OUR SINS. His perfect obedience to the indwelling Holy Spirit all the more points to our total depravity and utter sinfulness without accepting Him as our LORD, GOD and SAVIOR!!!

But God does tell His Children to be Holy, Holy here and now, so what does he mean, SINCE WE USUALLY DO SIN FROM TIME TO TIME???

Scripture interprets scripture, and so I believe the holiness of God is to be our goal, here and now, consider this:

Matthew 5 v 48

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

Again Jesus Himself says Christians SHOULD BE PERFECT, SHOULD BE HOLY.

Perfect??? Holy???

In context,

Matthew 5 v 43-47

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47. And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”

In-other-words what God is telling us in all these texts is, TO BE PERFECT OR HOLY IN THIS LIFE FOR THE CHRISTIAN IS THAT WE LOVE EVERYONE EVEN OUR ENEMIES, AND THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN DWELLING IN US, WE CAN DO HERE AND NOW!!!!!!!

To be Holy, to be perfect in the here and now, is to LOVE God with EVERY FIBER OF OUR BEING and to LOVE humanity as He does!!!

One day we will be without sin, as He is without sin; but if we are truly His we can LOVE EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

Perfection, holiness is living and enthusiastically practicing God’s LOVE towards Him and towards all others…

Giving our very beings to God, and seeking the redemption of all mankind, because, as God does, WE LOVE THEM…….

John 3 v 16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

October 17, 2021

When people inherit a trait from their parents, these people really have no choice but to posess the trait. When considering inheriting a `bonded will` what implications does this have for the ultimate destiny of the people who are unelected? Sure they sin, but can they do anything else than that which their imprisoned nature dictates? If the unelect were originally given an `unbonded` will at birth as Adam had, may they have chosen God? As it is for the unelect, they have no other ability or choice than to sin, so what are they choosing `between`?Basically, what are the 2 choices that the unelect have...sin and....?

We all inherit OUR sin nature from our parents, and they from their parents, and this genetic mode of transmission of the fallen sin nature of mankind goes all the way back to the first parents Adam and Eve.

Romans 5 v 12

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Since Adam and Eve denied God’s word, and ate of the forbidden fruit EVERY FUTURE HUMAN BEING HAS BEEN BORN SPIRITUALLY DEAD, TOTALLY DEPRAVED!!! ***LOST!!!***

No one lives a good life, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE.

Isaiah 53 v 6A

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…”

Romans 3 v 23

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

This is true of conceived babies,

Psalms 58 v 3

“Even from birth the wicked go astray, from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.” NIV

Psalms 51 v 5

“Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” NIV

Children, men and women; all of us are infected to our smallest atomic particles with sin, NO ONE IS INNOCENT, and therefore ALL DESERVE DEATH AND DAMNATION…

Without a LOVE relationship with Jesus Christ, NO ONE CAN BE SAVED AND NO ONE WILL LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THEIR ELECTION OR CALLING UNLESS THEY MAKE THE DECISION TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD, GOD and SAVIOR!!!!!!!

Why do you think God hates sin so much, it doesn’t affect Him or His eternity???

God hates sin so very much, declares it to be so heinous and vile because it hurts His potential children, mankind!!!

Furthermore sin IS NOT FAIR, it infects and corrupts EVERY HUMAN PERSON WHO WAS EVER BORN OR CREATED!!!

***SIN IS NOT FAIR, THAT IS WHY GOD HATES IT SO MUCH…

***THAT IS WHY EVERY ONE WILL BE DAMNED FOR ALL ETERNITY, UNLESS THEY, YOU, AND I ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS OUR PERSONAL LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR!!!

Those who are elected to salvation, are not arbitrarily chosen or picked by some mysterious unknowable process known only by God. The elected are ONLY THOSE THAT ACT UPON THE GRACE OF GOD IN THEIR LIVES AND MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION TO LOVE HIM…….

That grace to say “yes” or “no” to God’s LOVING sacrifice is by the merciful sovereign will of God. God gives us the choice, by HIS SOVEREIGN WILL!!!!!!! ***This is true NO MATTER WHAT SOME MAY SAY or ALLEGE.

John 1 v 12-13

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

That sin corrupts all, that sin is not fair, that without Jesus Christ we are all sinners eternally lost VIVIDLY BRINGS UNCONDITIONAL AND ABSOLUTE VERIFICATION THAT WE ALL DESPERATELY, DESPERATELY, DESPERATELY NEED A SAVIOR!!!!!!!

That ONLY SAVIOR, AS YOU KNOW, IS JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!

Acts 4 v 12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Only God can save us, and by His LOVE, GRACE, and MERCY God has given humanity, totally depraved as we are, totally blind and lost as we are, totally powerless as we are; the GRACE to make the decision “yes” or “no” for Him…….

His GRACE, LOVE, and MERCY; HE provides for each and every sinner, EVERY HUMAN BEING, IS WHAT PROVIDES THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE CHOICE.

His GRACE, LOVE, and MERCY; HE provides for each and every sinner, EVERY HUMAN BEING, IS WHAT PROVIDES “FAIRNESS” in the process of redemption…

You can say “yes” or you can say “no”; but once you genuinely and sincerely say ABSOLUTELY “YES” to His Son Jesus Christ; THOSE WHO DO ARE ETERNALLY AND FOREVER SAVED BY THE ATONING BLOOD SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS!!!!!!!

Romans 5 v 15

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”

Romans 5 v 17-19

“For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

Romans 10 v 9-10

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit WANTS EVERYONE TO BE SAVED, AND THE CHOICE IS GIVEN TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF US…

John 3 v 15-16

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2 Peter 3 v 9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

But the “yes” or the “no” is for us to decide; GOD HAS PREDISTINED THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SAY “NO” TO ETERNAL DAMNATION; TO THOSE WHO BY THEIR CHOICE HONESTLY SAY “YES”, GOD HAS PREDISTINED THOSE TO ETERNAL LIFE…….

And that is the GREATEST GOOD OF ALL, TO MAKE THE PROPER CHOICE!!!!!!!

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

October 10, 2021

My dear brother in Christ, I am interested to find the right explanation on the following versus: Matt. 19:28-29, Mk. 10:29-30 and Lk.18:29-30. I know that we, Christians, are not on the same prosperity promises like the people in the Old Testament. To be able to follow Jesus we have to give up all our possessions, like is written in Luke 14:33. I understand that to `give all` and follow the Lord is a matter of heart attitude, willingness, and readiness to let go of anything the Lord asks. I understand also from Mat.19:28-30 that the receiving of all the blessings and also inheriting eternal live described in verse 28 will occur `in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne`, accordingly to verse 29. But in Mark and in Luke is written that we receive now, in this time: houses and farms, ... Even logically, my understanding is coming like this: if we cannot follow Jesus with what we have but we have to sell it all and give .... , How can we be able to follow Him having 100 times more homes and farms? Now, my question is very simple and sound like this: How I will be able to understand the parallel texts of Mark 10 and Luke 18 where is written that we are going to receive the blessings, `now, in the present age, ... `, when Jesus said we have to give up all? I think it is easier to understand that we receive more brothers and sisters in the family of God, but I do not think that is right to spiritualize the texts by saying that we are going to receive spiritual blessings now, when the texts are mentioning real houses and farms, or to receive them in a sense that our brothers in Christ will welcome us in there homes. Please give me some advice! Thanks a lot, John Banu

Matthew 19 v 28-29

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

Mark 10 v 29-30

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

These sections of scripture are not declaring every Christian must give up all their possessions. Jesus is simply saying, “IF in following me you for whatever reason somehow do not obtain some or even all the blessings I offer in this world, DON”T WORRY, YOU WILL BE BLESSED FOR ALL ETERNITY!!!”

The point is not you must give up your possessions, but if in serving Him you do, THEN GOD WILL BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY SOME DAY, SOME HOW!!!

God of course MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST IN YOUR LIFE, but if He does bless you with material things, THAT’S GREAT, AS LONG AS HE IS FIRST IN YOUR HEART AND LIFE…

Luke 14 v 33

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Once again this DOES NOT MEAN YOU MUST GIVE UP ALL THAT YOU HAVE! It means GOD MUST BE ABSOLUTELY FIRST AND ABSOLUETELY FOREMOST IN YOUR HEART AND LIFE!!!!!!!

God MUST BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE, YOU MUST LOVE HIM THE MOST…

You MUST BE WILLING TO HAVE NOTHING, YOU MUST BE WILLING TO GIVE UP ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS, FRIENDSHIPS, FAMILY,ETC; but only if God specifically tells “YOU” to, and for His specific purposes for “YOUR” or “MY” or “SOMEONE ELSE’S life, and only then MUST WE BE OBEDIENT AS HE TELLS US INDIVIDUALLY TO GIVE UP AS HE ASKS US…

In short, the Lord gives: WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL; the Lord takes away, WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL!!!

Whether we are rich or poor, have much or little, we must give God all the praise, honor, and glory. ***God must be our first LOVE!!!!!!!

When will we receive these great blessings from God, for all eternity…….

Our breath, our life, our salvation, all that we experience and have here and now IS A BLESSING, the little possessions we have, or the great possessions we have; but now they are marred by the sin in this world; but in eternity when Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, THEN OUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE, PERFECT AND WITHOUT ANY FLAW OR LACK!!!!!!!

God blesses each individual as He sees fit, and with what He blesses us with is also His decision alone!!!

In all things we must give thanks!!!!!!!

Philippians 4 v 12

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

1 Thessalonians 5 v 18

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Serve God, seek Him, and He will bless you more than you can ever imagine!!!!!!!

Matthew 6 v 33

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

October 3, 2021

Revelation 3:5. Can you tell me what this verse is talking about? Also I was told today at church that the original greek language said the tree of life and not the book of life. Could you tell me the difference if any?

Revelation 3 v 5

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

“Bibloy tes zoes” is the Greek transliterated into English letters, literally meaning: Book of life…

So the person who told you that it was the “tree of life” was in error!

The “Tree of Life” was in the midst of the garden of Eden.

Genesis 2 v 9

“And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

Apparently God placed the “tree of life” in the center of the garden so that Adam and Eve could freely eat from it and live forever.

Genesis 3 v 22

“And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:”

But because OUR race, the human race sinned through Adam and Eve, God took our access away from the “tree of life”, and we now die because of sin…

The “Book of Life” is the book that contains the names of all human beings that God had planned to live eternally with Him in LOVE and glorious and mutual fellowship. In my view and that of many others, the “Book of Life” contained EVER HUMAN BEINGS NAME. *******For it was God’s desire that none should perish but that all would repent and have ever lasting life and live with Him forever!!!

2 Peter 3 v 9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

However because salvation is a LOVE relationship with God, and fallen humanity must decide each for themselves to say “YES” or “NO” to God’s call of repentance on their, on our lives, most will ultimately reject God, reject Christ’s blood sacrifice for the payment and remission of their sins.

In so doing, their final rejection of Jesus Christ, blots THEIR name out of the “Book of Life”, and by their willful and disobedient choice THEY WIIL EXPERIENCE ETERNAL DAMNATION!!!!!!!

***ETERNAL SEPERATION from the ONE and ONLY GOD, whom ETERNALLY LOVES THEM; but who THEY ETERNALLY REJECT by THEIR CHOICE…….

That peoples’ names are originally in the “Book of Life” and may be blotted out by OUR final decisions is suggested by the text you requested explanation on and:

Exodus 32 v 32-33

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”

It is God’s desire that NONE SHOULD SUFFER ETERNAL DAMNATION. Jesus died once for ALL MANKIND.

Hebrews 10 v 10

“By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Jesus sacrifice was not just for those HE FOREKNEW would accept Him as THEIR LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR, but for ALL OF HUMANITY, NOT JUST FOR THE SAVED, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE WHO BY THEIR CHOICE WILL BE ETERNALLY LOST!!!

1 John 2 v 2

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

“Our sins” the saved, and for ALL fallen humanity that eternally rejects His great and glorious LOVE sacrifice, “sins of the whole world”…

By God’s LOVE we are ALL WRITTEN IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD, by rejecting God’s great LOVE, by OUR own refusal and eternal defiance of Jesus’ amazing blood sacrifice, ***WE BLOT OUR OWN NAMES OUT OF THE “BOOK OF LIFE”!!!!!!!

The meaning of Revelation chapter 3 and verse 5 is simply this: THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ARE ETERNALLY SAVED, AND THEIR NAMES WILL NEVER BE BLOTTED OUT OF THE “BOOK OF LIFE”!!!!!!!

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

September 26, 2021

in Colossians 1:16 (NIV and NLT), him (referring to God) is lowercased. why is this so? isn`t God always `Him` and not `him`. Why the difference sometimes?

Colossians 1 v 16

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” NIV

Colossians 1 v 16

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” KJV

It is the same in most translations “”him”” which is simply a pronoun is not usually capitalized in English unless at the beginning of a sentence. ***Out of respect I usually capitalize “He” or “Him” or “His”, etc, in reference to God, but it is not the general rule of the English language.

Some translations may do it, but I really think, even in those that do, IT IS NOT DONE IN EVERY SITUATION EVEN IN THOSE TRANSLATIONS.

It is simply an inconsistency of our writing styles…

Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

September 19, 2021

Do you believe that Arminians are saved? I came accross a troubling article entitled `Three Reasons why Arminians are not saved` by Christopher Adams. http://www.outsidethecamp.org/three.htm Here are a few statements from the article that I would like your thoughts on, the first statement I have listed below I find to be the most disturbing: Reason Number Two: Arminians are not saved because they do not believe the truth. This is related to the previous reason but has more to do with the evidence of a person`s salvation. Any Calvinist who defends the salvation of Arminians must explain 2 Thessalonians 2:12, which says, `That they all might be damned who believe not the truth ...` Some use the excuse that Arminians believe the important, essential doctrines of Scripture. But do they? Reason Number One: Arminians are not saved because they worship an idol. By an idol, I mean `a god who cannot save.` But wait a minute, you say, don`t they worship Jesus? No, as a matter of fact, they don`t. They may say they worship Jesus, but the jesus they worship simply cannot save. The Pharisees said they believed in God and even convinced themselves they believed in God, but their faith was really in a god who could not save them; their faith was not in the one true God. This is obvious from the fact that when the one true God come to live among them, they blasphemed him and had him executed. Reason Number Three: Arminians are not saved because they hate the truth. This reason also has more to do with the evidence of a person`s salvation.

***In responding I thoroughly read the article by Adam’s that you referenced.

Revelation 12 v 10

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

***Consider first this, THE ACCUSSER OF THE BRETHREN IS SATAN HIMSELF!!!!!!!

Are Arminians Christians? Are Baptists Christians? Are Catholics Christians? Are Methodists Christians? Are Protestants Christians? Are You a Christian? Am I a Christian? Is Christopher Adams a Christian???????

A Christian is a person WHO HAS A GENUINELY TRUE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST!!!

***Only God and the individual know whether they ARE TRULY CHRISTIAN…

We are saved by GRACE and GRACE alone through FAITH and NOT OF WORKS THAT NO MAN, NO WOMAN, NOR ANY CHILD CAN BOAST!

Ephesians 2 v 8-9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3 v 5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

The answer, in most Christian denominations and in Christianity as a whole, and in our local Churches, THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE PROFESSING THEIR SALVATION, THAN ARE ACTUALLY SAVED!!!!!!!

Matthew 7 v 13-14

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

It is not so much the details of what we believe, as MUCH AS IT IS IN WHO WE BELIEVE IN…

Its not so much what Church denomination we align ourselves with, as MUCH AS IT IS THAT WE ARE ALIGNED AND COMMITED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST IN OUR MOMENT BY MOMENT DAILY LIVES!!!!!!!

Adams reason one:

He quotes scripture, BUT HE DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. He just makes unspecified and ungrounded accusations. “They worship idols”, “They may say they worship Jesus, but the Jesus they worship simply cannot save.”

This is a LIE, and who is the father of LIES???

Absolutely those who come from the Arminian theological perspective WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE GOD, JESUS CHRIST!!!!

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!

ABSOLUTELY, JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE!!!!!!!

THE ARMINIANS TEACH THAT, AND BELIEVE THAT!!!

The difference is those who come from the Calvinist Theological perspective put an emphasis on GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL.

ABSOLUTELY GOD IS SOVEREIGN…

ABSOLUTELY!!!

The Arminians teach this, and believe it as well!!!

Arminians on the other hand stress and emphasis FAITH in God.

Remember, we are saved by GRACE(God and His SOVEREIGN WILL) through FAITH…

Calvinists stress GRACE, Arminians stress FAITH…

But both GRACE and FAITH are ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION!!!!!!!

The problem lies in the biblically incorrect extremes of BOTH PERSPECTIVES…

The truth is both GRACE and FAITH come from Jesus Christ, and we as fallen human beings can DO NOTHING AT ALL TO OBTAIN EITHER, WITHOUT GOD HIMSELF GIVING US THE POWER TO DO SO!

*******IT IS ALL GOD, AND THE TRUE ARMINIAN PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT!!!

What Adams may be referring to is the Arminian belief that a person can

lose their salvation, by denying their faith.

I know a truly SAVED PERSON CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION, THAT IS THE BIBLICAL TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!

In this respect, the Arminians ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!!!!!!

But we are not saved by the details of what we believe, but in the reality of OUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST!!!

We are not saved because we know we cannot lose our salvation, WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!!!

We are not saved because we stress the sovereignty of God, but again by LOVING HIM!!!!!!!

Adams’ reason two, again SIMPLY MANIPULATES THE SCRIPTURES TO JUSTIFY his BELIEF, his alleged TRUTH, not God’s TRUTH at all!!! His accusations are nothing and ARE VERIFIED AND GROUNDED IN NOTHING. Just a vague accusation, “they do not believe the truth”.

Truth, what truth??? His truth, meaning Adams’ belief, his perspective?

What truth???

He again quotes scripture, BUT TO WHAT END??? Satan also miss-quoted scripture to both Eve in the garden and even attempted to miss-quote scripture to Jesus Christ Himself!!!

2 Thessalonians 2 v 12

“That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Again what truth, the text is referring not to John Calvin’s truth, or Arminius’ truth, or my truth, your truth, nor Adams’ truth; BUT THE TEXT IS REFERRING TO GOD’S TRUTH, THE INERRANT, INFALLIBLE BIBLE’S TRUTH!!!

*******Certainly Arminians teach and ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, AND THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD EXPECTS OF HIS SAVED CHILDREN!!!

Matthew 5 v 48

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

1 Thessalonians 4 v 7-8

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

***The doctrine of God’s righteousness and God’s expectation of His childrens’ righteousness and holy living is perhaps the Arminians strongest belief, and for many Calvinists perhaps OUR WEAKEST BELIEF!!!!!!!

So are Calvinists not Christians???

Is Adams NOT A CHRISTIAN???

Holiness of heart and life IS GOD’S TRUTH!!!

Adams also says: “God's glory is the only reason he does anything.”

Once again he quotes scripture, JUST LIKE SATAN DID TO JESUS, just like many people; Adams very carefully picks and chooses scriptures to attempt to prove not God’s Plan, but Adams’ own idea of the “Truth”.

God’s glory is the only reason He (God) does anything???

What about:

John 3 v 16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God does what God does because HE LOVES US!!!!!!!

God’s LOVE for us was HIS MOTIVE TO SAVE US!!!!!!!

Save who? WHOSOEVER BELIEVES!!!!!!!

The person is not predestined to Heaven or Hell; THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE TO BE SAVED IS PREDISTINED!!!!!!!

God in His SOVEREIGN WILL PREDISTINED THE WAY TO BE SAVED, THE ONLY NAME TO BE SAVED BY; JESUS CHRIST!!!

Acts 4 v 12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

All those who are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR: WILL BE SAVED!!!!!!!

Even that willingness is by the GRACE of GOD!!!!!!!

Adams reason three, Arminians hate the truth. Again Adams is so extremely vague!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What truth???????????????????????????????

With all his talk he DOES NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH…….

Arminians ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN, man in NO WAY WOULD EVER SEEK GOD ON HIS OWN…

That seeking is the GRACE OF GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Certainly the Arminians teach and believe ONLY GOD CAN SAVE!!!!!!!!

***I HAVE FOUND THE MOST BITTER PEOPLE TO BE THOSE, WHO THINK THEY ARE JUST CHOSEN BY GOD, AND THEIR FAITH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR SALVATION…

I have also found those who believe the extreme of Calvinism, ARE THOSE WHO ONLY LOVE THOSE WHO AGREE WITH THEM. Even then, do they really love those who agree with them, or do they only pretend???

Salvation is a gift and an act of God’s SOVEREIGN WILL, how God accomplishes His will is not by the Calvin method, or the Arminian method, BUT BY HIS METHOD; AND THAT METHOD ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John 3 v 17

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

If the Arminians cannot be Christians because of some of their wrong understandings, then ALL THE CHRISTOPHER ADAMS ARE LOST, FOR THEY TRULY LACK THE TRUTH OF GOD IN THEIR OWN LIVES… And he, they, can rant and rave all they want, BUT THEY ARE STILL WRONG…….

Salvation is a Love relationship with Jesus Christ, and that LOVE originates from the GRACE and LOVE of God!!!

God provides us with the choice, and it is God’s SOVEREIGN WILL that our ETERNAL ESTATE IS DEPENENT ON THAT DECISION…

All is by His Grace, and the FAITH to believe in Him is also by His SOVEREIGN WILL…….

If the Christopher Adams of the “world” are correct, and THEY ARE NOT, but if they were, THEN NO ONE COULD TESTIFY TO THEIR OWN SALVATION; FOR SINCE IT IS ONLY GOD’S DECISION, ONLY GOD COULD REALLY KNOW.

***But since God by His SOVEREIGN WILL provides all humankind the grace and the ability to make the choice, and God demands WE MAKE THE CHOICE, then both God and the individual CAN KNOW THAT THEY, WE, ARE SAVED…

This making John the apostle truthful and not a liar.

1 John 5 v 13

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

If God simply picks and chooses, then we can never know we are saved. For since we are saved by Grace through Faith, our works, our lives still prove nothing…

For many seem to be His, but few really are…

Matthew 7 v 21-23

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The works are only an indication of salvation, but God, and the repentant sinner KNOWS THE HEART…

But if our repentance means nothing, THEN WE CANNOT KNOW IF WE ARE TRULY SAVED!!!

So again, whose truth, Christopher Adams’, or God’s???????

Arminians believe in Jesus Christ, and the individuals are indeed Christians, if, they TRULY LOVE JESUS CHRIST, that is true of all professing Christians; even when they are wrong about some things, even true of Christopher Adams…

For ONLY GOD and the individual KNOW THE TRUTH OF THEIR SALVATION!!! That is true of any individual in any denomination, Baptist or otherwise… For any Christian faith that believes in the ABSOLUTE SUPREMACY OF THE ATONING BLOOD SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST……………………………………………………………..

So I end as I began:

Revelation 12 v 10

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

The accuser of the brethren is Satan!

Answered by: a servant of Jesus Christ, Harold Chris Smith

September 12, 2021

((( What would be my Dad's birthday, he would be: 113 )))

How is Jesus sacrifice on the cross sufficient? If a person rejects Jesus as Savior they die, are judged, and go eventually to the Lake of fire for all eternity. Jesus died for our sins, but he did not go to the Lake of Fire for all eternity so how is that equal? Thanks

John 3 v 16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

***Jesus is God’s ONLY BEGOTTEN SON!!! How is Jesus’ sacrificial death upon the cross not more than adequate payment for the forgiveness of our sins???

True Jesus did not spend an eternity in Hell, but He ABSOLUTELY experienced the ‘second’ death, when ALL the sins of humanity were put upon Him on the cross. Then for the ONLY TIME IN ETERNITY Jesus was stripped of His intimate and vital oneness with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 27 v 46

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

At that moment Jesus Christ, the sinless, without blemish sacrifice was DAMNED BY GOD FOR OUR SINS!!!!!!!

He was in that instant separated from His beloved Father!!!

Not for anything He did, but for our transgressions…

Those who are eternally LOST, eternally DAMNED, WILL NEVER EVEN COME CLOSE TO THE PAIN AND ANGUISH JESUS CHRIST EXPERIENCED IN HIS MOMENT OF BEING DAMNED!!!!!!!

Isaiah 53 v 7-12

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

He deserved none of that, WE DESERVED IT ALL; THEREFORE HIS LIFE, DEATH, and RESURRECTION PROVE HIS BLOOD SACRIFICE WAS AND IS ETERNALLY SUFFICEINT FOR OUR SINS…….

And those who say “NO” to Jesus gloriously sufficient and LOVING atonement, justify ETERNAL DAMNATION and WILL RECEIVE IT; IF THEY DO NOT ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOR!!!

At this very moment Jesus pleads with the LOST to accept Him.

Revelation 3 v 20

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Jesus is presently OUR atoning blood sacrifice and OUR advocate with the Father, OUR High Priest.

Hebrews 2 v 17

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

Hebrews 4 v 15

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 7 v 26-27

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

Hebrews 9 v 11-15

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Now Jesus can be OUR High Priest, but the day is coming when JESUS WILL BE MOST PEOPLES” ETERNAL JUDGE!!!

Revelation 19 v 11-16

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

***THAT IS WHY HIS ATONING BLOOD SACRIFICE EVEN EXCEEDS AND HIS SUFFERING MORE THAN EQUALS ANY PUNISHMENT WE MAY HAVE…….No matter how long it lasts for the LOST…

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris smith, sbc 

September 5, 2021

You Chrsitians make a big deal when a woman decides to abort the glob in her stomach, fetus, that you unscientifically call a baby, yet, you are all forb the death penalty. How do you possibly justify that, those on death row our certainly living human beings.

Interesting question, and one I’ve heard many times before. I hope I can answer it to the satisfaction of yourself and those that ask it.

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV2011)
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

God for LOVE’S sake commands those who are called by His name, His children, to speak up and protect those who for whatever reason cannot speak up for themselves, we are called to protect such as these.

The generally accepted secular scientific stages of developing life are:

1)…Zygote: is a eukaryotic cell formed by a fertilization event between two gametes ((( a mature male or female germ cell: sperm/egg ))).

***This is commonly known as conception.

2)…Embryo: is an early stage of development of a multicellular organism. Embryonic development refers to the portion of the life cycle that begins just after fertilization and continues through the formation of body structures, such as tissues and organs.

3)…Fetus or foetus: is the unborn offspring of an organism that develops from an embryo.

***Fetus is Latin for “child”. Offspring means: “child”.

That being said, God through His Bible, declares that at the moment of conception WE ARE LIVING HUMAN BEINGS.

Psalm 51:5 (NIV2011)
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, SINFUL FROM THE TIME MY MOTHER CONCEIVED ME.

We as human beings at the exact moment of conception have a SINFUL WILL. Though it may not manifest itself until we are born, once conceived we HAVE THE SINFUL HUMAN CHARACTER. WE EXIST AS FALLEN HUMAN BEINGS !!!

Exodus 21:22-25 (NIV2011)
22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is SERIOUS INJURY, YOU MUST TAKE LIFE FOR LIFE, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

God again teachers through His holy, inerrant, infallible word the Bible, that fertilized eggs, that at CONCEPTION THERE IS LIFE, a human being. A being that if killed by another, by anyone, is reason for that perpetrator TO BE PUT TO DEATH !!!

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV2011)
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

The Christian knows we were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. That the fertilized zygote, the conceived baby, the child within the mother’s womb is a living human being formed by God !!!

The child of God, the Christians’ obligation of LOVE is to speak up for the baby within, to protect that HUMAN BEING’S RIGHT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE MOTHER’S WOMB !!!!!!!

Now as for the person on death row, they too must be protected from false judges and false allegations. But if they are found guilty, and after much appeal they are still guilty, God is absolutely clear through His holy writ, that THE PENALTY FOR MURDER IS DEATH…

Theirs’s is not innocent blood, but BLOOD DESERVING DEATH…

Exodus 21:12 (NIV2011)
12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.

Numbers 35:16-21 (NIV2011)
16 “ ‘If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is TO BE PUT TO DEATH. 17 Or if anyone is holding a stone and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is TO BE PUT TO DEATH . 18 Or if anyone is holding a wooden object and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is TO BE PUT TO DEATH . 19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. 20 If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die 21 or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is TO BE PUT TO DEATH ; that person is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they meet.

Intensely throughout the Bible the penalty for murder IS THE DEATH PENALTY…….

So, though you and a great many others think we as Christians are hypocrites for NOT WANTING ABORTION for the sake of convenience, or lack of “self-control”, and we do however believe in the DEATH PENALTY under certain circumstances, WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO APOLOGY.

***WE BELIEVE AND FOLLOW GOD’S TEACHINGS IN THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT WITH BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS…***

Matthew 4:4 (NIV2011)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

EVERY WORD FROM GOD IN THE BIBLE !!!!!!!

We want no one to die or to go to Hell, unfortunately because of sin, many will…….

Submitted by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc

August 29, 2021

Some Christian denominations practice what is called infant "dedication" or "christening." What is the difference between these two practices and are they Biblical?

Proverbs 22 v 6

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Each denomination has it’s own emphasis and understanding of “infant baptism”, “child dedication”, “christening, etc.

Some denominations believe that infant baptism saves the child, the Roman Catholic Church is the primary source for this belief. ****Infant and or adult baptism however SAVES ABSOLUTELY NO ONE!!! Only a LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST SAVES ANYONE!!!!!!!

Accepting Jesus Christ as YOUR Lord, God, and Savior: SAVES YOU…

But there is certainly a biblical concept of “child dedication”, “christening”, and “infant baptism”!

In their proper biblical concept and context, these rituals are a symbol. One, the parents, the blood family, and the Church family pledge together to raise the baby, the child in the understanding and truth of God. To dedicate their lives in training the child in the truth and wisdom of the one true God.

As Abraham did,

Genesis 18 v 19

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

As the people and nation of Israel, as the children and people of God are commanded to:

Deuteronomy 4 v 9

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;”

Deuteronomy 6 v 3-9

“Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. 4. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: 5. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

As Christians and as especially Christian parents it is OUR glorious and gracious obligation of LOVE to raise OUR children from the moment they are born of the saving knowledge and beautiful truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

Whether it be by sprinkling, emersion, or no water or ceremony at all, WE ARE TO TEACH THE NEXT GENERATION THE TRUTHS, LAWS, and the LOVE of GOD ALMIGHTY…….

***If we do not, who will???????

These ceremonies or rituals are a physical symbol of OUR obligation of LOVE to share the HUMILITY, TRUTH, and LOVE of JESUS CHRIST…….

Our being dedicated to do so!!!!!!!

Secondly, they are a symbol of the child being dedicated to God. Not that these ceremonies save them, but that We are in agreement as the followers of God, that the child, the baby is from God and is meant to live and be for the service of OUR LOVING God…

Psalms 78 v 3-6

“We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:”

This obligation of LOVE to dedicate OUR lives and OUR children’s lives to the understanding and knowledge of God is clearly taught in the New Testament as well,

Ephesians 6 v 4

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

That, these verses and many more are what “christening”, “child dedication”, or “infant baptism” SHOULD BE A SYMBOL OF…….

These ceremonies, rituals are a physical symbol of adults dedicating OUR lives in teaching God to OUR little ones ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR AND OUR LIVES!!!!!!!

These ceremonies, rituals are symbols of OUR desires that these very precious little ones will one day be saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

Acts 4 v 12

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc