Q: [Last question] now that we have a better understanding of Spiritual Gifts, can we lose them; and how many gifts do we have?
A: As you become more like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), who received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, to determined whether or not the things Apostle Paul was preaching, were so, you would come to the conclusion, that there are a number of scriptures to support the loss of effectiveness and fruitfulness, but, there is nothing in sacred Scripture to indicate the actual loss of gifts. I know some of my scholarly -minded friends are thinking
Q: How do we distinguish the difference between talents, natural abilities, and Spiritual Gifts? And what is the difference between Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Fruit?
A:The bottom line is that all we have is from God, so in that sense, they are all gifts from God. However, Scripture appears to set apart spiritual gifts as something different from talents and natural abilities. Perhaps we could say that talents are natural abilities, which seem to be hereditary, and they seem to run in family genes. Unbelievers, as well as Believers, have talents. Perhaps we could say that natural abilities are either talents or gifts that have
Q: You’ve taught us how to study the Bible “SYSTEMATICALLY.” What system do YOU have in place, for quoting Scripture the way you do?
A:Now, that’s a good question! Some friends say, they don’t feel that they can memorize their way off a one-story building, much less remember Bible verses and/or where they are located in the Word of God. Due to the hectic pace of our day-to-day lives, it’s becoming increasingly hard for people to truly focus on what’s really important. In actually, all of us memorize do’s and don’tsevery day of our human lives…as well as important numbers we must store in the
Q: You explained the ‘Great Falling Away’ in 2 Thessalonians 2, during your Book of Revelation Seminar: Can you explain what it means to ‘Drift Away From Christ?
A:"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" (Hebrews 2:1-3) This verse, like
Q: We’ve read some of the comments from the previous article on having a ‘Deceitful Heart.’ How should a Christian deal with Anger?
A: Ephesians 4:26-27 states, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” The short earthly life of Jesus, in Scripture, has shown us that being angry, in itself, is not evil. Having a Certificate in Christian Counseling, I’ve counseled a number of believers, who have come into the sessions, quoting this verse of Scripture from the Apostle Paul, without knowing its true meaning
Q: Biblical ‘TRUTH’ is under assault; are our hearts still deceitfully wicked after we’re Saved?
A: When Christians quote this famous Bible passage, they’re quoting the Prophet Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” When we look at TV news, on a daily bases, and see the level of wickedness all around us, we normally find ourselves saying [self-consciously], “Man, some people are wicked to their core!” However, we don’t think of that particular person(s) being born-again. Nevertheless, we’ve also seen/heard of situations whereby some have professed Christ, and yet,
Q: “We would like to know, if a sinner can ‘REPENT” in a desperate moment of a crisis, meaning, they’re on their death-bed, and still receive the same salvation as a person, who’s been a Christian most of their earthly life?”
A: I’ve been in many debates over this ‘tricky’ question with many noted Bible colleagues of mine, even during fellowship periods at conferences, because they too have been asked this same question, during Q & A Sessions with their members, family and friends. And to be truthful about this so-called ‘Death-Bed Confession’, true (born again) believers get up and arms, when they hear this question (even) being discussed because, their consensus is always, “We endure to the end; we fight the good
Q: Should The Unconverted Take Communion?
Q: I was in fellowship with a group of church leaders, recently, and the conversation was about NOT serving unbelievers Communion? Can You share a little insight on this subject for us? Thanks! A: I’m honored to be asked to comment on such a holy, consecrated event that takes place in the house of God, on a monthly basis. As lead Elder doing this important event, I take nothing for granted, but to make sure every element of the Communion Service
Q: Can a Christian be Demon possessed? And Biblically, how much power does Satan possess?
Q: Dr. Mike, you may have previously answered this particular question; but, for us Millennials, and other newcomers to Christianity, can you reiterate your answer as to: Can a Christian be Demon possessed? And Biblically, how much power does Satan possess? Emphatically NO! For a true believer to be demon possessed, it means an evil spirit has completely taken over the individual - spirit, soul, and body. The main reason this is virtually impossible is because, when a person is truly
Q: The Bible says “We will judge angels.” Are these the ‘good angels’, or ‘bad angels’?
Q: The Bible says “We will judge angels.” Are these the ‘good angels’, or ‘bad angels’? A: Let’s look at this important text, here in sacred Scripture: In 1 Corinthians 6:3-4, it reads, “Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?” The context, here in this text, is whether or not