The claim of Jesus to the throne of David

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?

Answer not a fool according to his folly"

We know that God does not contradict himself yet it seems there is a direct contradiction in verses 4-5 in Proverbs 26. What does this mean?

Observe all things I have commanded you

What is the meaning of the words "observe all things I have commanded you" in Matt. 28:20?

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

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The Disciples of Christ were also commanded to go and make disciples; to preach; to travel from city to city preaching; and to heal the sick and raise the dead? Does this mean that all of the followers of Christ today are required to keep all of these specific commandments?

Bombing in Afghanistan

Are Christadelphians for or against the bombing in Afghanistan?

What does Isaiah 19: 23-25 have reference to?

The passage reads:

"In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed beEgypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance."

What really happened to Jephthah's daughter?

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The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

In view of the implications of a Trinitarian approach, why do we use the expression "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?"

What is a sin unto death?

In 1 John 5 we read "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." What is a sin unto death?

Sin against the Holy Spirit

What is the sin against the Spirit referred to in Matt 12:31-32:

"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

He shall be called a Nazarene

Matthew 2:23 reads: "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."

I am unable to find an Old Testament reference to support this claim. Can you help?

To deliver such an one unto Satan

What did the Apostle Paul mean when he told the Corinthians: "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus"?

Why don't disciples of Christ vote?

Whenever we go through an election period I am often asked about voting. I usually manage to skirt the issue, but often end up asking myself again; exactly why do I refrain from voting? I would appreciate some help with this subject.

What have I to do with thee...?

There are several instances in the New Testament similar to Luke 8:28 where Jesus is told: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high". This phrase also appears several times in the Old Testament. For example, in I Kings 17:18, Elijah is told: "What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God?"

The expression seems to be associated with the healing of an affliction that has been brought on through the consequences of either personal sin, or as the result of our sin-cursed nature. What are your thoughts on this phrase?

Satan bound for a thousand years

We read in Revelation 20:2,7 that "the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" is bound for a thousand years and then loosed. There are at least two opinions on how these words should be interpreted. How would you recommend dealing with the lack of agreement?

Will we actually "see God" if granted immortality?

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Who are the angels that sinned in II Peter 2:4?

The verse reads: "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment".

Free will – Did Pharaoh have a choice?

We read the following concerning Pharaoh: "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth". We know that God also is said to have hardened his heart. How do we explain this process to others, based on our understanding of free will?

Time and chance – Is this for all men?

In the following verse, does the circumstances of "time and chance" relate only to men in general, or does it also refer to those who are in covenant?

"​I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." (Ecc. 9:11)

Praying for the salvation of world leaders

Verse 4 seems to suggest that we should pray for the world leaders to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. I understand that we should pray that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, but I am having difficulty with the idea of God taking aggressive action to inspire the wicked and unbelieving to take the truth. Can you offer any logical explanation for the implication in these verses?

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(Note: the question has been abbreviated from it's original form. I hope that I have done justice to the intention of the writer).

Was Christ's temptation from within?

Concerning the account of the temptation of Christ in Luke 4:2-13, please explain how this could possibly be the working of Christ's own mind? Note that in verse 13, after the temptation we are told - "he departed from him for a season".

Angels ascending and descending on Christ

We read in John 1:51 "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man".

What did Jesus mean? Why did he use this expression?

Should we fear God if there is no fear in love?

There are several places in scripture where we are instructed to both love and to fear God, and yet we are also told in I John 4:18: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love". Is this a contradiction?

Did Jesus have long hair?

Jesus is often pictured with long hair. Why would they try to describe him in this way, when it does not seem to be consistent with such scriptures as I Corinthians 11:14 "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him"?

Council from a "familiar spirit"

In I Samuel 28 we read the account of Saul seeking counsel from the Lord through a woman with a "familiar spirit". The story seems to imply that the woman was successful in acquiring the requested communication from Samuel, who was dead. How do we explain this account?

Christ "in the form of God"?

In Philippians 2:6 we read concerning Christ: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God". These words are always confusing to me. How should they be understood?

Was the Last Supper also the Passover?

I just do not understand the verses that refer to the last meal that Christ shared with his disciples before he died. Most of the references speak of this meal as the Passover, for example:

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Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?

And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.

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Was this supper, at which our Memorial Service was instituted, the Passover or not?

Is gambling forbidden in scripture?

While we may understand that it is wrong to play the lottery or to gamble, is there any scriptural proof that these practices are forbidden?

Let your light shine, but not to be seen?

In Matthew 5:16 we are told: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works". Conversely, in what appears to be a conflicting statement from Matthew 6:1, we read: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them". How do we reconcile and apply these statements?

Kicking against the pricks

Please explain the expression in the latter part of Acts 9:5, which reads: "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks".

The man without a wedding garment

The parable about the wedding feast keys on one of the guests who did not have on a wedding garment (Matthew 22:1-14). It has been suggested that this is one of the best examples to illustrate that a person who is not baptized could be at the judgment. What are your comments?

Adulterers and adulteresses (symbolic)

James charged the Jewish people "scattered abroad" with being "adulterers and adulteresses". Do you think that this is because of their history of idolatry, or their friendship with the world, or both?

Did John actually have the Holy Spirit before birth?

Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist was informed by the angel that his son would be special. He told him: "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15).

Did John actually receive this gift before his birth? If so, what would be the purpose?

Prayer of faith saving the sick

What are your thoughts concerning the practice described in James 5:14-15:

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Before Abraham was, I am

Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am"(John 8:58).

What did Jesus mean and how do we explain this comment?

Who are the little ones (with angels)?

Please explain who are the "little ones" who are said to have their own angels, (as referred to in Matthew 18:10): "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven".

Preaching to the "spirits in prison"

Please discuss the passage in I Peter 3 concerning preaching to the "spirits in prison". Note that verse 20 indicates that this preaching took place in "the days of Noah".

How are gentiles a "law unto themselves"?

There is a parenthetical statement that appears in Romans 2:13-15, that is difficult to understand. The statement reads:

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Tattoos

Is it proper for servants of God to mark their bodies with tattoos?

Do the Scriptures provide a genealogy with an associated chronology?

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?

Legal change at baptism and forgiveness of sins

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?

Taking a husband's surname

Is there any scriptural requirement that a sister should take on her husband's surname at the time of marriage?

Signing petitions

Is it right that brothers and sisters should sign petitions to the authorities?

Were the twelve apostles re-baptized?

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?

Made under the Law

Was everyone who was "made under the Law" of Moses or old covenant also in the bonds of the new or Abrahamic covenant, by reason of their birth as an Hebrew?

Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great White Throne

What is the difference between the Judgment Seat of Christ of Matthew 25 and The Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20?

Much study is a weariness of the flesh

With all the many books on the Truth and other printed material available today is it possible for a person in the Truth to become weary from too much reading? Can we become too involved with reading that we neglect our duties at home and in the ecclesia? These questions are based on the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:12; "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

The Missing Tribe in Moses' Blessing

In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses each of his twelve sons at the end of his life. Why, in Deuteronomy 33, when Moses blesses the tribes of Israel before his death, is Simeon not mentioned?

The Hem of His Garment

Was there something special or significant about the hem of Jesus' garment? Why did the "diseased" desire to touch his hem that they might be healed?

The Practice of Cremation

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?

What is the meaning of the word "chosen"?

What is the meaning of the word "chosen"? (As used in Rev. 17:14, in the expression "called and chosen and faithful")

Legal Change at Baptism

Where do the Scriptures teach that a legal change occurs in our relationship to God at baptism?

What is "the Abomination of Desolation"?

What is "the abomination of desolation" of which Daniel prophesied and to which our Lord makes reference in the Olivet Prophecy?

Christian Acceptance of Homosexuality

One of the arguments currently appearing in the media to encourage Christian acceptance of homosexual relationships is this: "The apostle Paul did not condemn slavery as it was practiced in the Roman Empire but today we recognize that slavery is an inhumane and inappropriate institution. Attitudes have changed and Paul's was wrong. The apostle Paul condemned homosexuality. Today we recognize that it is an acceptable alternative life-style - attitudes have changed again for the better and Paul's was wrong on this count too. Thus, Paul's authority on the matter of homosexuality is discredited by his acceptance of slavery." How do we address this argument? Why did Paul condone the practice of slavery in the Roman Empire?

The Gogian Invasion

Do the events in Ezekiel 38 and 39-the Gogian invasion-begin before or after the return of Christ?

Withdrawing Fellowship

Could withdrawing fellowship from a brother or sister work to their hurt by driving them further away? Might it not be better to overlook their offence in order to keep them connected to the ecclesia?

Business or Investment Partnerships with Unbelievers

In view of 2 Corinthians 6:14, about being "unequally yoked with unbelievers," is it right for believers to enter into business or investment partnerships with unbelievers?

The Swearing of an Oath

There are some plainly stated verses (in the New Testament) giving us stern command not to swear (Matt. 5:34,36 and James 5:12); yet in the Old Testament many of the faithful patriarchs and others swore (Gen. 21:23-24, Gen. 24:2-4, Gen. 47:30-31). It was not corrected, condemned, nor said to be wrong. Both the Hebrew and the Greek words involved mean "to take an oath", according to Strong's. How does this (Christ's) commandment fit in with the patriarch's action and how does it apply to us?"

"At Home in the Body ... Absent from the Lord"

In 2 Cor. 5:6-9 what does Paul mean by the following phrases?

1. "At home in the body"

2. "Absent from the Lord"

3. "Absent from the body"

4. "Present with the Lord"

The verses that are relevant to these questions read as follows:

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

Because of the Angels

Please explain the phrases, "because of the angels" (1 Cor. 11:10) and "we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." (Verse16)

What Does the Word "Selah" Mean?

What does the word "Selah" mean and why is it used in so many verses in Psalms and Habbakuk? Is it supposed to be read aloud or left silent?

Was Caleb a Jew or a Gentile?

Was Caleb a Jew or a Gentile?