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Are people all over the world able to understand God's Instructions? Is it possible that some people are excluded from God's Law and Justice because of where they reside on the earth?

Possibly the greatest failure of mankind has been their failure to use their innate ability to understand and misunderstand. This is a most peculiar fact that man can on the one hand understand a fact yet at the same time misunderstand how to apply it. God gives man the ability and a pattern to follow to be acceptable. That ability to understand or reject (i.e. misunderstand) God’s instructions is known as “free-will”; or the innate ability to act independently of anyone else to Divine instruction regarding good and evil. You see God has distinguished clearly between good and evil so man may consciously choose to pursue the good or the evil. Yet, it is God’s will and man’s encumbered – {see definition at footnotes} choice to follow God’s Law.

God stated through the ancient prophet Jeremiah “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps. (KJV) – Jer. 10:23 Since this is a fact that has been exemplified time after time and year after year by mankind we ought to give heed to the instruction and react wisely through acceptance of God’s instruction and make application of them in our lives so as to please God; this is correct understanding and correct application of that which we have understood.

Whenever man understands God’s instructions and puts them to work in life that person will be pleasing to God and ultimately will gain that which they hope for as a result of continued faith and obedience to God’s instruction (i.e. law); in the coming judgment.

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Way of man not in himself - (Prov. 16:1, "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord;" Prov. 20:24; James 4:13-14). I know, O Yahweh, that the march of the Babylonian conqueror against me (Jeremiah identifying himself with his people) is not at his own discretion, but is overruled by thee (Isa 10:5-7, "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger ... against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge;" cf. Jer. 10:19).

To direct his steps - to give a prosperous issue to (Ps 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way") his movement.

The prospects in our society today (cf. Thursday, January 06, 2011) for the application of these facts into the minds and lives of sinful man are difficult. I say difficult because of the great amount of false distractions that occupies the media as well as printed and video productions prepared for human consumption. With all that the world has to offer it is difficult to keep the mind of current mankind upon the things of God even after the initial contact and correct understanding has been accomplished. This is why so many former believers have left the faith.

With regard to this fact: note please the following passages of Holy Scripture that emphasize this fact:

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

8 for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: KJV

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

HOW SHOULD THE FAITHFUL REACT WHEN ONE FALLS BACK – (i.e. backslides) into the beggarly elements of the world - 2 Peter 2:20-22 - 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 but it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. KJV

Gal. 6:1-2 - 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

In the process of attempts to restore the fallen or encourage the weak; we must remember that these need to be safe in the arms of God. We must not be impatient or unkind as we put forth effort to bring the weak and erring back into a good relationship with God and the faithful.

The most successful method of reaching those lost or those that have fallen away (i.e. backslidden) is to be patient and longsuffering.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools. (KJV)

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door. (KJV)

One of the basic tenants of the Christian character is “love”. Whenever we consider the failures of others we should pray that we may be faithful continually. Often a person who judges another is similar to those mentioned in Matt. 7:2-5 - 2 for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholds thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV)

FOOT-NOTE … en·cum·ber /?n k?mb?r /Show Spelled [en-kuhm-ber] Show IPA

1. to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.

2. to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.

3. to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.

Brother Clair, I know that the Bible is a good book but would you say it is a perfect book?
Garreth, I have a question about the contents of the Bible – is it all genuine or have additions by men been added?
Brother Clair, does the Bible really change the lives of people or is that just a good catch phrase?

I have a number of questions that are similar in nature to these three that I have listed. I want to give a general answer to these and many other questions that I have heard or been asked through the years about the Bible {I will have other answers to similar questions in this column later}, the answer follows:

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, all people in the world are personally responsible for the way they respond to it.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, someday everyone in the world will be judged by its contents.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, all people in the world should look at its contents and make life choices about how they will react to it.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, everyone will one day bow to Jesus Christ Who is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, all of humanity must follow whatever God has said about any subject named in it, unless there are exclusions contained within the instruction.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, every statement and every thing in it is absolutely true and cannot be contested by any man or group of men.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, the first two verses in the Book of Genesis are true. Therefore, mankind is composed of simply created beings that God has blessed beyond expression.

If the Bible is from God, as I believe it is, I will obey, live accordingly, love God, love my neighbor, and do as He instructs me. I will thank Him continually for my life; for my mind and body health; for Jesus Christ, His great gift for my sins; indeed, for everything.

I will be a Christian because I believe in God, the Bible, and everything about God's Book:

If the Bible is not from God, I will live out my life as a Christian not knowing it. I will eventually die and be buried somewhere, and my memory will finally subside so that one-thousand years from today, no one will ever know that I have lived.

If the Bible is from God, because I made a personal choice in my life to believe and obey Him, someday all the promises He has made to me will become reality. I will gain victory, the thought of which encourages me to continue faithfully day by day seeking to do God’s will.

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)

Garreth, What is the cause of sin, why do people sin? [two part question]
Preacher, please define sin in terms I can understand!
Will God forgive all sin?

According to many honest people the wickedness of many people can be attributed to external situations that the sinner has no control over. If sinners cannot be held responsible for their sins on this count, then God would be unjust to condemn them. Since this is an interesting proposition let us look at this matter carefully and honestly and see if it is so.

According to this reasoning Adam and Eve had no excuse for their sin because they possessed the best of everything in the world. Adam and Eve had the perfection of all that God had created to enjoy; surely this perfect environment would insure their choosing to serve God if environment is the reason for man's choosing God or failing to do so. Please read Gen. two and three, you will see that Adam and Eve sinned against God in spite of the absolutely perfect environment in which they were privileged to live and enjoy (i.e., God's perfect paradise).

determines whether they will choose to serve God or not, is this true? Possibly the richest man in the world (i.e., Solomon, King of Israel) had everything that wealth could provide (cf. 1 Kings 10:14), yet Solomon's wealth and his environment did not prevent him from sinning against God note the following reference relating to this situation:

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. (KJV)

The reasoning here is, if a child in raised up in a good moral and ethical home life, with a traditional family situation, that person will most likely choose to serve God. If this reasoning were true then the Prodigal Son" surely could be depended upon to choose God, but he did not:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Any serious and thoughtful person will surely think that because of the angel's relationship to the Godhead, their blessed position, their environmental conditions, etc., that they would never choose to disobey God. Angels have chosen to disobey God as people have, please notice the following Scriptural reference in this regard: Jude 1:6

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation (i.e., sinned-glc), he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

The so-called "good environment" is not the cure-all for the sins of humanity. Even under the very best environmental circumstance man may choose to disobey the Lord and serve the Devil.

From our study we have seen that men and angels have chosen to sin against God in past ages. If we do not consider carefully our decisions of life we may choose to disobey God as those of past ages have done. Our ability to choose between good and evil is the factor that causes us to sin, if we are drawn away from Godly thoughts and enticed we may sin. NOTE THE FOLLOWING FACT:

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (i.e., spiritual death - separation from God - glc).

Many temptations arise when one is dissatisfied and allows those dissatisfactions to control their life: Proverbs 30:15 "The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea; four things say not, It is enough"

It is true that a "bad environment", economic circumstance, poverty, etc., may cause hardship for anyone but the decision to serve God or reject him comes from within. Man is capable of making the right decision just as he is to make the wrong decisions in life. The worst decision anyone could ever make is to reject Christ and reject His Church. Please, my friend, choose to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and reject the Devil's enticements today.

1. Brother Clair, what is your view on the Crusades of the middle Ages, the war of Christians and Moslems?

2. Garreth, why do Christians try to kill and in some cases do kill people who are involved in abortion..

3. Garreth, what do you think about the so called Spanish explorers that first came to this country under the flag of religion only to murder and plunder the native people living here – how can you justify such atrocious actions by Christians. {MURDER IS NEVER JUSTIFIED UNDER CHRIST’S LAW!}

All murder is sinful; all mistreatment of those that disagree with you is sin, to kill for profit is sinful too. I do not believe the Law of Christ allows for Christians to kill their rivals, their critics, or their enemies under any situation. I appeal to the following Biblical References to collaborate my thoughts:

39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it was said; Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:

45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” ASV.

43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:

45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” ASV.

30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on (them) oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.

36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?

37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” ASV.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law” ASV.

I am of the opinion that Christians will never do anyone harm, if they do hurt another person they are guilty of sin, sin then must be corrected by the sinful person or that person cannot go to heaven. The history of religion shows many occasions where so called Christians were involved in sinful practices, the only explanation that fits the New Testament teaching Of Jesus is; the perpetuators of evil have fallen away for God’s will and will be lost eternally unless they personally repent and return to God. In this study we are looking at the subject of murder!

NOTE: We will answer a question about abortion and related question in more detail later!

2. Preacher, Our question this month comes from a reader in Knox, Indiana. "Why do churches of Christ take the Lord's Supper each and every Sunday?"

With this question as with all questions that pertain to spiritual things, all honest, sincere, people will seek the answer within the pages of the Holy Scripture. There is no spiritual "TRUTH" that does not have its origin within the Scripture, therefore the answer to this question will be found therein as with all previous answers given in this column.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord's Supper is a memorial to Christ's death, 1 Corinthians 11:22-26;

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)

The Lord's Supper is to be taken each and ever time the first day of the week occurs (i.e., each week), simply because the first day of the week occurs and there is instruction(i.e., apostolic example and necessary inference-- see Note at conclusion) to take it on that day, Acts 20:7; "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (KJV)As those under the Law of Moses understood that the Sabbath Day, each and every one, was to be observed -- we, under the dispensation of Christ understand that we are to remember the Lord's Supper each Lord's Day (i.e., Sunday). There is no statement in the Old Testament that specifically instructs the keepers of the Mosaic Law to "keep each Sabbath day." yet the keepers of the Mosaic Law to this day so understood the instruction to include every Sabbath Day.

2. Binding Apostolic example - examples of action by the apostles that constitute part of the instruction of the Holy Spirit

Example - Acts 20:7, "Upon the first day of the week THE DISCIPLES CAME TOGETHER TO BREAK BREAD AND PAUL ..."

Apostolic example - Paul the apostle met with the disciples to "break bread" (i.e. take the Lord's Supper) In consequence of Paul's actions here we understand that Paul approved of and participated in the keeping of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week.

3. Necessary Inference - An inference from the context that forces one to a conclusion about an event, etc.

Example - Frequency of the Lord's Supper observance. Notice in the Text of Acts 20:7 that the day is specific (i.e., the first day of the week), but the frequency is not. Since the day is specified (i.e., the first day of the week - SUNDAY) and Sunday comes each week, the text necessarily infers that the Lord's Supper is to be observed each time Sunday occurs - each week.

2. Brother Clair, is it acceptable to use the pill the day after so that one can terminate a pregnancy?

The answer to these and other questions pertaining to abortion, stem cell cloning, etc. fall into a similar area. The area has to do with the interference of man in the birth of a person after conception.

The Bible clearly teaches without any doubt, that murder of a person at any age is a sin and those that involve themselves in such wickedness are worthy of condemnation cf. IN EXODUS LISTED AS ONE OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS - Ex 20:13, “13 Thou shall not kill” ASV. REPEATED IN DEUTERONOMY - Deut 5:17, 17 Thou shall not kill” ASV.

Matt 5:21, “21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment” ASV:

Matt 19:18, “18 He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness” ASV.

The Bible also teaches that a person exist from conception, not as some say at delivery! Please notice the following facts gleaned from the Holy Scriptures:

2 Sam 11:5, “5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child” NKJV.

Luke 1:39-45, Mary Visits Elizabeth “39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,

41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” NKJV.

Any action by man that that is intended to stop a beating heart, if pursued to conclusion is murder. “Thou shall not murder.”

1. Does the Love of God override some of the commandments, [i.e. points of obedience] established by the teaching of Christ in the New Testament?

2. Is it possible for a person to be justified because of ignorance of a truth through the love of God?

To answer these two questions one must recognize the fact that the only source of “TRUTH FOR MANKIND’S LIFE HERE ON EARTH” is the teaching of the Bible [1]. It is not possible to please God without finding the grounds of justification within the pages of the Bible [2]. To suggest that there are various means to acquire justification [i.e. salvation from sin] is to dispute the plain teaching of God via the Written Word of God [3].

Many times we find ourselves emotionally involved in the problems of family, in-laws, grandchildren, close friends and spouses to such a degree that we find it a hard thing to accept the teaching of God’s Word when it condemns one of our close family ties. Often I have preached funerals for loved ones who were not Christians of their spouse who was a Christian, these are difficult times to teach, yet we must always teach the truth regardless of the circumstance [4].

I know of no situation where the Bible teaches a principle of love over obedience. If I have not been able to find a single case in the Holy Scripture at my current age I do not expect to find one this late in my life. The Bible is clear in the teaching about obedience and love as we find in several passages of Scripture, please note them:

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. ASV

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[4] 2 Timothy 4:1-2 – The truth at all times, yet kindly and with compassion.

1 Garreth, Is the Bible that we have today still to be considered a perfect book?

2 Preacher Clair, Can we depend on the translators to give us an accurate translation of the Bible in every generation?

13 Mr. Clair, What guarantee do we have that the Bible with the 66 books is accurate today after thousands of years?

There are three questions closely related in this current study, I will deal with the questions one at a time.

1. Possibly the answer to the first question will suffice in the all three questions. The first consideration about coming to an understanding of the truthfulness of the Bible [i.e. the 66 books] is; “IT came from an absolutely perfect God.”

The person’s confidence in the accuracy of the Bible depends upon whether one accepts the authorship of the Bible, “God is the author.” If a person disbelieves in God the Bible will not have creditability in that person’s mind – NOTE the following references:

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” KJV.

25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the (law) of liberty, and (so) continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing” ASV.

2. The matter of fully depending upon the translators is interesting, the matter of “Divine Providence cannot be disallowed in the matter of translating the Bible”. God would never leave the ultimate accuracy of His Written Word in the hands of finite mankind. Surely, since God is all powerful HE will operate through man to accomplish His Eternal Purpose. The Bible that is available to us today is accurate – “IF GOD BE GOD; THE BIBLE IS ACCURATELY AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.” NOTE, the following references:

16 Every scripture inspired of God (is) also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” ASV.

31 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him.

3. After thousands of years is really immaterial, God is eternal and His power and Might is eternal. God can preserve, God can keep all things – including the error free Written Word {i.e. the BIBLE} accurate for ever.

As I stated in the beginning, one must first accept the fact that God is real, after accepting this fact – God’s ability to provide mankind with a perfect Revelation is a minor matter. Indeed, God is amazing. For God “Created the heavens and the earth our of nothing.” [Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-2].

1. Why is it necessary to be immersed in water for baptism? Some churches sprinkle for baptism, is that ok?

2. Must a person be immersed in a river or in running water as those in the New Testament were – they were baptized in the Jordan River?

Two questions relating to baptism, I have received several others that will be discussed later.

1. The question of immersion or some other way {i.e. dictionary definitions of baptism} often comes up with those that do personal work. The problem of sprinkling and pouring water down on the person has been added to the dictionary because of false religious practices among some religions.

The Bible is clear on the matter of baptism, Bible baptism is always immersion. Other forms of baptism are inventions of man and not authorized by the Bible. Whenever a person seeks scriptural authority about baptism they always practice immersion.

2. The place where one is baptized [i.e. immersed] is irrelevant, the matter of baptism is a burial in water – the location of that burial in water does not matter. Baptism may be performed in any place where there is enough water to bury the person seeking baptism. The place of baptism may be a river, a baptistery in a meetinghouse, a lake, or any large pool of water.

Whenever people try to decide about baptism from a purely human point of view they may come up with many human ideas but if they follow the New Testament teaching about baptism they will find baptism is a burial in water and a resurrection - Acts 8:35-39, “35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, (here is) water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37(And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.) 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water … “ASV.

Romans 6:3-4, “3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life” ASV.

Garreth, please tell me how one is to deal with the mental worry and concern about questions of a personal nature that we must deal with in life? ANSWER: I am not sure what the question involves so I will answer the question as best I can given the nature of the question as I understand it. WHO IS ABLE?

Many have been the times in life that we ask ourselves the question, “I can’t solve the problem and I do not know who can!” Indeed, to many problems and terrors of life we silently ask the question, “Who is able” for we know that we cannot deal with the calamity that has come upon us. Another question that invades our thought processes from time to time, becoming more and more urgent as age creeps upon us is; “Who can help me with this great trouble that I am in?”

Perhaps an example that many of us can relate is found in the pitiful cry of Job as he suffers in almost every way that a human could suffer --- Job 19:7, “7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice.” ASV –Job 30:24-28, “24 Howbeit doth not one stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help? 25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy? 26 When I looked for good, then evil came; and when I waited for light, there came darkness. 27 My heart is troubled, and resteth not; Days of affliction are come upon me. 28 I go mourning without the sun: I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help” ASV. Do not be discouraged, do not give up, stand up and look for relief for there is help available for all our calamities and hurts. Indeed, if we will look to our Creator, God! We might look at the great example of David, a man who in spite of his failings and great loss always knew that he could not loose his sanity or his secure relationship with Jehovah if he continued to place his trust in Him. David understood this fact even though he stated in this Psalms, “through the valley of the shadow of death” that God would be with him and never abandon him. --- Psalms 23,“1 Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.” ASV This is the peace that God’s children possess if they will come to Him and remain faithful to His instruction, God will always give us the victory over troubles, trials, and tribulations. Prov 21:31, “31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.” ASV --- 1 Cor 15:57-58, “57 but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.” ASV ... Garreth L. Clair - January 25, 2007

Dear brother Clair, what does Paul mean in the two verse phrase in 1 Cor 15:1-2?

“1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,

2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.” ASV

As I understand these two verses, Paul is telling those brethren that they became Christians when they obeyed the gospel which he had preached [i.e. taught] them and that they were faithfully holding to that instruction. [verse 1].

In reference to that event [i.e. verse 1 – becoming saved from sin and faithfully abiding therein] he says that “they are saved [“from sin”] if they continue to faithfully serve according to the Lord’s will.

“except ye believed in vain” --- This phrase apparently means that it as possible that some believed “only” and were not converted – example; James 2:19-20, “19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” KJV --- glclair@aol.com

3. Brother Clair, I know that the Bible is a good book but would you say it is a perfect book?

4. Garreth, I have a question about the contents of the Bible – is it all genuine or have additions by men been added?

5. Brother Clair, does the Bible really change the lives of people or is that just a good catch phrase?