Question or Topic What is "the abomination of desolation" of which Daniel prophesied and to which our Lord makes reference in the Olivet Prophecy? Scripture Matt. 24:15 Answer Interest in this question was stirred by a speech given by a senior public official in Israel, in a rare public appearance on December 16, 2003. "Addressing the Herzliya Conference on Israeli security and strength, Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter also warned of a potential "strategic threat' of Jewish terror

Question or Topic Where do the Scriptures teach that a legal change occurs in our relationship to God at baptism? Answer There is no Scripture which states that a legal change occurs at baptism using those specific words. Like many teachings of the Scriptures, the idea that baptism involves a legal change is inferred and reasoned from what has been revealed. It may be helpful to think of a "legal change" as a change in jurisdiction in relation to the governing law. If we thin

Question or Topic What is the meaning of the word "chosen"? (As used in Rev. 17:14, in the expression "called and chosen and faithful") Scripture Revelation 17:14 Answer The Greek language, in many respects is more precise than English. In the English language, the exact meaning of a word must, at times, be determined by the context in which it is used, whereas in Greek, a different word is used to express a specific shade of meaning. In the New Testament, the words, "choose"

Question or Topic What guidance do the Scriptures provide concerning the practice of cremation as a means of disposing of the body of a believer who has died? Answer Current Practices in North America If this question had been asked in Christadelphian literature a generation ago, it would have brought forth a certain amount of incredulity, that such a question should be even asked. At that time, in the 1960s, the practice of cremation in North America was largely confined to

Question or Topic The scriptures clearly state the claim of Jesus to the throne of David. This claim was through Solomon and eventually through Jehoiakim and Jeconiah. Both Jehoiakim and Jeconiah were cursed by God and told that they would have no physical descendants who would prosper on the throne of David. How can this seeming contradiction be reconciled? Scripture Jeremiah 22:30,36:30 Answer The gospel of Matthew, it is commonly accepted, was written to the Jews, who were

Question or Topic Is it proper for servants of God to mark their bodies with tattoos? Scripture Leviticus 19:28 Answer The custom of using needles to insert a dye or pigment into the skin to permanently color it with a design - the art of tattooing - has soared in popularity and social acceptance in North America over the past ten years. A representative of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists puts contemporary interest in tattoos in perspective: "It's not just a kid thing

Question or Topic Do the Scriptures provide a genealogy, with an associated chronology, extending from Adam to Christ? If not, how are the dates determined for the length of this interval? Scripture Genesis 5:1-32; 11:10-32; Luke 3:23-38 Answer Luke traces the genealogy from Adam to Christ, through the line of Mary, the mother of the Lord. (Luke 3:23-38) Among the important reasons for this and the parallel genealogy, (the line of Joseph, as the Lord's stepfather, in Matthew

Question or Topic In the March 2003 issue of the Advocate, the question was considered: Where do the Scriptures teach that a legal change occurs in our relationship to God at baptism? In the answer that was provided, no reference was made to the forgiveness of sins. Do you consider this to be a kind of legal change that is associated with baptism? Scripture 1 John 3:4 Answer Yes, because the forgiveness of sins has to do with law. One scriptural definition of sin is that "sin

Question or Topic Is it right that brothers and sisters should sign petitions to the authorities? Answer In our view, it is not possible to give a simple answer to this question because it depends on the purpose of the petition and the circumstances under which it has been issued. As a general principle, we believe that it is necessary to observe, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Question or Topic Did the twelve apostles, who had been baptized by John, have to be baptized a second time into Christ? Was Apollos, who knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25), required to be baptized a second time into Christ? Scripture John 3:22-23; 4:1-2 Answer The Importance of Example There is no direct reference that the apostles themselves were personally baptized. It is reasonable to infer that they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ from several reference