Subject

Questions

I have been here in this church [Grace Community Church] for quite some time,  and I remember back when we used to call the Sunday that Jesus rose from the  dead "Resurrection Sunday," and I would like to know why we went back to  using the name of a pagan goddess?

Where is the current ecumenical trend leading the church?

Can women serve as elders in the church?

In the standards for a deacon or an elder, in Timothy and Titus, are those things that are given as standards there, things that have to be true of a man’s whole life, or just the present?

What does the Bible teach about election?

Why didn't God choose everybody to be saved?

I wanted your opinion on a specific doctrine that you hear both teachings. You hear the free-will doctrine verses the election doctrine as far as salvation is concerned. And, I wanted your thoughts on that.

The Bible speaks of vessels of mercy and vessels of destruction, which God specifically made for His purpose (Romans 9:21-23). Does that mean people like Judas were made by God for destruction?

I just have a brief three-part question. It’s concerning Revelation. The first part is, almost every biblical scholar at this point and time believes that the economic community, which is beginning next week, is the second Roman Empire. And, the antichrist is supposed to arise out of that. Is there any hints to where he’s going to come from? And also, will the rapture happen before these events take place or will we see the antichrist come to power?

What is the abomination of desolation in the holy place and how will it affect us, or will it?

Many nations are mentioned in the prophecies of the end times.  Is there any indication of what will happen to America?

My question is in regard to the latter half of the tribulation period, when men would be required to have the mark of the beast in order to buy or sell. My question is: once a person takes the mark, is there any possibility of him coming to Christ?

There’s a group of people today on the radio that are contending that Daniel 7’s description and Ezekiel and various others all tie together with today’s world powers, the Russian Bear  and various others. And I’ve been studying back through chapter 7 of Daniel, and I don’t see what they’re alluding to. I can see they’re taking something out of context, because the last part of chapter 7 explains the vision and it doesn’t fit with what they’re saying. And I’m wondering why their taking this view at this time.

There seems to be a big problem in the church today, concerning the doctrine of eternal security. Most Christians, Charismatics, and even Evangelicals, believe you can lose your salvation. Now, one of the arguments they use is Revelation 3:5, could you please comment on that?

In chapter five, which I was teaching a couple of weeks ago, we came to Galatians 5:2 and 5:4, which talk about the consequences of accepting circumcision or coming under the Jewish law, or doing anything legalistic. Paul writes in verse two that “Christ is of no benefit to you that were severed from Christ,” verse 4, “you are fallen from grace.” I got into quite a discussion with a fellow in the class about whether this meant you could lose your salvation, which was the position he took. I just wanted to ask how you would have dealt with that situation? What would you suggest to me?

"When Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses come knocking at our door, should we greet them and have them come into our homes?  I know we are not supposed to be cordial to them." 

You have always taught here that the purpose of the Church was to "equip the saints," yet recently you stated that the main purpose of the Church was to "reach the lost," and if that is true, then why don't we have more emphasis on evangelism here at Grace Community Church?

What should be our responsibility relative to evangelism? What is the priority of evangelism in the Christian life? How does it fit in with the priority of Fellowship, Bible study, and Prayer? It can be very confusing if a person tries to run around doing everything. They often are sort of intimidated into evangelizing, jumping into the world to preach the Gospel, and not meditating on the Word in preparation.

I would like to ask you what you think about “Friendship Evangelism,” and, what I mean by that is, forming close friendships with non-Christians. I know there is a verse that says, “that we should love all men, but especially those of the household of faith.”

Among Evangelicals who profess some version of the gospel, how do you determine when you roll up your sleeves and join with them and when you just say, “I can’t do that”?

I tell people they can be saved if they believe in Jesus Christ.  Faith plus nothing else—not works.  My question to you is that I don’t explain to people justification by grace through faith—that takes some time—and I can go into when necessary, but I don’t.  I just give them some basic stuff.  My question to you is this: in regards to a person’s religious persuasion or denomination, can they be saved with just John 3:16, Romans 8:8-10, Ephesians 2:8-10?

"In 1 Samuel 18:10 it says, 'Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul.'  The question is about the 'evil spirit,' since there is no evil coming from God, it only comes from Satan." 

"How important is a good example?"