Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

In 1993, the world was shocked by a cultural phenomenon unlike they had ever seen before. Steven Spielberg’s film, Jurassic Park, shattered worldwide box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film worldwide to that point in film history. And the franchise’s significance hasn’t decreased as time has gone on. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters decided to rerelease classic movies in theaters due to the shortage of new films. In late June of 2020, 23 years after the original release of Jurassic Park, the film again rose to No. 1 at the box office. Thus far, the Jurassic Park franchise has made over $5 billion in box office tickets alone. read more

Dwight from Alabama asks, “Is there anywhere in the Bible that says we should pray for faith and for our faith to increase?” read more

Nancy from Michigan asks, “What is the significance of the transfiguration?” read more

James from Alabama asks, “How does the Bible define hope?” read more

While the rapid, exponential growth of Islam is a fascinating subject both historically and geopolitically, it is a tragedy spiritually. read more

Abraham is the only man in human history credited with founding three distinct religions. Jews, Muslims and Christians all claim Abraham as their founder and refer to him as a “spiritual father.” But since these religions worship different gods, believe in different doctrines, and essentially practice different beliefs, Abraham can’t be the founder of all three. read more

In the early seventh century, Muhammad—a Saudi Arabian tradesman with wealth and prominence—first announced that he had received a message from the angel Gabriel and was called to be the next prophet of God. Few could have imagined the international significance Muhammad’s prophecies would have today. read more

Patricia asks - I have been introduced to a view that says that the word "homosexuality" is a mistranslation of a Greek word that really means 'pedophilia.' We know that people have used the bible to push their own personal agendas, so what does the Bible really say? read more

Kimberly asks: “What is your opinion about the possibility of losing certain freedoms (traveling, dining out, keeping your job) if you choose not to get vaccinated?” read more

Should the church condemn the COVID vaccine? Let me begin my answer by unequivocally affirming the premise of your question: yes, abortion is evil. It is sin in God’s eyes, and I believe human life begins at conception. Let me also tell you, as I told my church several months ago, I did receive the COVID-19 vaccination. read more

Debra asked: What does it mean when the Bible says God knows the number of hairs on your head? ... read more

Every culture accepts the reality of some type of spiritual world beyond our physical senses. The Bible is the correct source to learn about this reality and as we’ve drawn back the curtain on the angelic world, we’ve learned that a battle is underway for the hearts of mankind. read more

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? Maybe at work, you promoted someone, or gave them a special project, and they let you down or even stabbed you in the back. Perhaps you trusted a close friend with confidential information, only to find out that your friend had used that information to spread rumors about you to others. read more

Unlike Mary, or Zechariah, you’ve probably never been visited by an angel. You’ve never seen one either. Then again, you might be like that quick-witted and very wise husband who once told me—in his wife’s presence—that he had married one! read more

You may have heard the well-worn joke that marriage is a fine institution, as long as you’re willing to be put in an institution! Unfortunately, this joke has become the dominant view of marriage in our generation. By the year 2011, 40 percent of poll responders agreed with the statement: marriage has become obsolete in American life. Now, in the year 2021, more Americans age 18 to 44 have lived with a partner outside of marriage than lived with a spouse. read more

Kevin asks: If the children of Israel were eating manna in the wilderness, where did they get their bread for the showbread in the... read more

Just because you are not reading the Bible in its original languages does not mean you are missing out on some secret insight or further communion with God. The best English translations are perfectly adequate to commune with God and understand His meaning and intention in His words. read more

Much of New Testament biblical teaching on marriage comes from 1 Peter 3. Many believers who read through his third chapter are immediately struck by the fact that Peter writes six verses instructing wives and one verse instructing husbands. read more

Spend five minutes surfing the Internet and you’ll discover how the world views marriage. Rather than buy a wedding ring with no return policy, a couple can now lease their rings on a month-to-month basis. The traditional marriage vow that once read, “As long as life shall last,” has been rewritten to promise, “As long as love shall last.” The Pew Research Center, which regularly polls Americans on a range of issues, reported that the marriage rate is down by almost one-third compared to 60 years ago. read more

After Jim Elliott and four other missionaries were brutally speared to death while trying to make contact with the Auca Indians in Ecuador, Jim’s wife Elisabeth returned to the United States with her young daughter Valerie, where they grieved the loss of their husband and father and reflected on the suffering they were enduring. read more

Often overlooked in the dramatic suffering of Job is the unnamed, second-hand sufferer — Job’s wife. In the space of one day, Job’s wife — let’s call her Mrs. Job — watched her husband lose his businesses, social status and wealth. Together, they witnessed the tragic deaths of their ten children. Following that, she would helplessly attempt to comfort Job when his body was covered with unimaginably painful boils. read more

A few months ago, you may have participated in a much-loved Christmas tradition — a white elephant Christmas party. If you have never participated in this gift exchange, let me briefly explain. Every person invited to the party brings one present, and one-by-one, people pick out a present and open it. The twist is that each person can choose to either keep their present or trade it for someone else’s gift if they prefer. Eventually, some poor soul, out of options, is left with the least desirable gift under the tree, having been forced to give away what they originally wanted. read more

Donna asked, “Is the morning after pill the same as an abortion?” ... read more

Vance from North Carolina asks, “What is the difference between natural desire or attraction and lust?” ... read more

At the end of 2020, Stephen Davey’s home church in Cary, North Carolina underwent a significant name change, from Colonial Baptist Church to The Shepherd’s Church. This change was the result of prayer and conversation between Stephen and his elder team, and as they continue moving forward with this transition, we wanted to sit down with Stephen to find out more. read more

Dwight asked: In Leviticus, Moses describes someone who is unclean who disobeys God’s commands as being “cut off” from the people. Does that mean he/she is to be banished from Israel, ex-communication or is it a sentence of execution? read more

Gracie asked: I know I’m saved, but where will my soul go when I depart from this life? Will I stay asleep in the ground until Jesus comes, or will I go straight to Heaven? read more

Marie from North Carolina asked: “When we pray, who are we supposed to pray to? Growing up I was taught to ask the Holy Spirit for... read more

One of the most serious dangers is for the church to believe that evangelism is the first — and last — step in our mission. We often forget that discipleship and spiritual growth are essential to the health of every Christian. read more

Our world today is more desperately in need of the gospel than ever before. In the October issue of this magazine, I focused on the relationship between Christians and politics, the growing moral decay in our culture and the need for believers to shine a light into that darkness. I want to elaborate on that subject and suggest another critical resolution for you to consider in this New Year; in a word — evangelism. read more

Christine from North Carolina asked: Why did Jesus tell people not to let others know what He had done for them? ... read more

A listener from Georgia asked: Why didn’t Paul mention Mary as a witness of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8? ... read more

Thomas from Virginia asked: Was Phoebe an ordained deacon? ... read more

Gary from North Carolina asked: Will people die during the Millennium? ... read more

Terry asked: “Are there errors in the Apostolic Church Denomination?” ... read more

Ruth from Alaska asked: Can Christians defend themselves and their families? ... read more

Barbara from Florida asked, In Rev. 5:5, why is Jesus called “the Lion of Judah”? ... read more

Joyce from Florida asked: Will everyone hear the sound of the trumpet at the rapture? ... read more

Gloria asked: Can we eat pork or does the Bible forbid eating pork? ... read more

Arlis asked: Who was Cain’s wife Who was on the earth for him to marry? ... read more

Robby from South Carolina asked: What is “soul sleep”? ... read more

Many parents of young adults have experienced the conflicting emotions involved in sending a son or daughter away to college. In those final hours before separation, parents tend to give “final” instructions like, “be careful, study hard and make good friends. read more

Carolyn from Kansas asked: How were people in the Old Testament saved? ... read more

Have you ever traveled on a road trip and gotten completely lost on the way? Back before we all had a personal navigator in our pockets, travelers had to use a book of maps, called an atlas. Even then, one might have to admit to being lost and, regardless of embarrassment, stop and ask for directions. read more

Vincent from Georgia asked: “If a Christian is addicted to alcohol, pornography, or drugs, will God still send them to hell, even though... read more

Rhonda from North Carolina asked: Does having so many Bible translations lead to disunity and confusion?” ... read more

A listener asked: “Where in Revelation does the Rapture occur?” ... read more

Jim from Virginia asked: “Since Lord knows the beginning from the end, why did He create Lucifer when He knew that Lucifer would... read more

Danny from Tennessee asked: “I was taught that the two witnesses who were killed in Revelation were an allegory for the New Testament and... read more

The Bible teaches that salvation is available during the Tribulation, even though the church will have been raptured. Learn how the Holy Spirit will continue to work on earth during this time, and how people can come to faith in Christ. read more