The Bible Line - January 14, 2020

Warren, Raleigh, NC: - My wife and I are born again Christians who are guided by God's Word and have experienced the joy of giving our tithes and offerings. As we approach the final chapter in our lives, what biblical advice do you have about dealing with our estate? We have seen money received as a poison in some people. We have observed foundations go astray as culture creeps into and poison its original intentions over time. And, we have experienced the legacy of our own loving parents as the remainder of their estates were passed onto us. We are open to what God will have us do with His blessings beyond our lives on earth.

Kirby, Beaufort, SC - I have been studying baptism quite a bit lately, mainly to research how it is used by certain organizations such as the Church of Christ as a necessary act for salvation, Verses like Mark 16:16, acts 2:38, Romans 6:4, 1 Peter 3:21, etc. I know that water baptism comes after salvation as public confession of Christ. In my research; however, even some that do not use scriptures such as Acts 2:38, and Mark 16:16 as reason for water baptismal regeneration say that those two scriptures are both are examples of Spiritual Baptism and not water baptism at all. I have absolutely understood those to mean water baptism after salvation, (for meaning because of remission of sins in Acts 2:38). Furthermore, I have heard through researching that because Acts is a transitional book that and the passage Acts 2:38 is referring to only Jews and that is why they had to be baptized in water before receiving the Holy Spirit, but that it changed only when the Ethiopian Eunuch and Cornelius with his family received the Holy Spirit before baptism as salvation came to the gentiles. I understand the doctrine of new testament baptism, I understand spiritual baptism, but I cannot understand the thought process here in these two scriptures specifically as examples as Spiritual Baptism. I have also never heard that the 2nd interpretation of Acts 2:38 that I discussed above. Have you ever heard these interpretations before? Can you shed some light on why people may interpret these scriptures like this? Thank you very much.

Pierce, Beaufort, SC - Why do Christians worship on Sunday and not Saturday? Wasn't the change initiated by the Roman Catholics? Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 state the apostles came together to break bread, take up a collection, and Paul preached on the first day of the week, but it doesn't directly say they worshipped the Lord. Did the apostles keep the Sabbath? Does that mean Christians are still required to keep the Sabbath? Should Christians work on the Sabbath? Thank you, Pierce S.

Germaine, Augusta, GA Question: Good Afternoon, If a pastor commits adultery, is he allow to ever pastor again? One denomination just moves their fallen pastors to another church. I believe that a pastor disqualifies himself. Yet, two arguments that have been used to refute my position are: 1. King David's adultery and being able to remain as Israel's king (even after God for forgave him) has been used to justified a pastor being restored to the pastorate over time, if during that time he lives above reproach. 2. It is also said that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, meaning that once God's calling is on a man he can never lose it. Thank you

John, Hallowell, Maine - Pastor, I’ve been reading lately of Muslims in the Middle East who have had no access to the Gospel, yet are coming to the Faith as a result of dreams or actually having visions of Christ. Praise God if this is true, and it seems to align with what Peter said in Acts 2:17 (quoting Joel). Now admittedly some of these claims are fraudulent, but some appear genuine. Do these claims align with what the Scriptures teach? Thank you

Tina, Leamington, Ontario - Hi Pastor Broggi, my question is, can Christians eat halal food, or should we abstain from food offered to idols? I always thought no, based on acts 15 but someone pointed out 1 Corinthians 8 and now I'm not sure what to believe. I know the bible doesn't have contradictions but I'm confused with this.

Denise, Bluffton, SC - Can you help me understand election, predestination, and foreknowledge? If we have free will; but, God already chose us, then how free is this will? I know it is God’s will for “…that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” If God’s foreknowledge only means that He saw what choice we would ultimately make in choosing His Son as our Lord and Savior; therefore, He accepts us on that basis, wouldn’t that mean we are actually acting like god and as a result we would then be directing His will and wish for me? (Heaven forbid!). Or is this verse speaking directly to the O.T. Israelites whereby God chose those people through which to reveal His glory? I am a God-fearing woman who knows His word is without error and it is only my lack of knowledge and weak understanding that causes me pose this question.