The Bible Line - September 8, 2015

It was announced last week that Pope Francis has given priests the right to formally forgive women who have had an abortion during the "year of mercy".  Can't these woman repent directly to God? We know there is forgiveness for all sin that is truly repented. Also, the Pope as now said he is in favor of a path to annulment of a marriage.

Jessica, Beaufort, SC - Who wrote the part of Deuteronomy after Moses'  life was taken for striking the rock and prior to his entering the Promised Land.

Our next caller would like to know when elders pray over a sick person is it scriptural to pray in tongues?

How do we know when God has opened a door for us and when He has not?

Our next caller says that she has heard people in different denominations and religions who say that we dishonor God the Father and God the Son by not calling them certain names, e.g. Yeshua for Jesus. Is this true?

An Islamic acquaintance is having difficulty understanding the Trinity. 

Mike, Branford, CT:  Hello, I have been very confused over what appears to be a different gospel preached on most Christian radio stations. The majority of ministries seem to say we must repent (turn from sin) all sin, accept Jesus as Lord of life, and be practicing righteousness to be saved (seem to imply conditional salvation). This appears to be another gospel (Galatians 1:8). Do you agree this is a false gospel? Why is this message so popular today? I became a Christian 2.5 years ago by faith through the finished work of Jesus, but after a while I fell under an online preacher that teaches the above doctrine. Over time this had me questioning my own salvation and if I was ever saved (did I repent enough etc.). The Lord highlighted the following scripture that is not my righteousness but his: Ephesians 2: 8-9, Romans 5:1, Colossians 2: 11-14, Galatians 3:3, Titus 3: 5-6, and 2 Corinthians 5:21. This showed me the error of the previous teacher and I stopped listening to him. Shortly after I found your ministry and have been greatly blessed. I have been listening to the back to the basics series. Thank you so much.

We have adopted two of our children from Uganda and are in the process of adopting another little girl from there as well. For our last adoption, we fundraised every cent. We had yard sales, dinners, made and sold things, did all kind of things and the money came in (we also received grants). Last week you mentioned a little about fundraising (about fundraising not being God's plan because the congregation should be giving to fund the Lord's work). We just wanted to seek your advice on fundraising for adoption, because we certainly believe that it is the heart and work of the Lord but not many people have $35,000 in an account to pay for adoptions. Should we not be fundraising and just trusting the Lord to provide? 

Jacob , Waco, Texas - We are currently praying and looking for a new church home. We understand the principle taught in 1 Timothy 2:12, but our question is an applicational one. It seems like every church we visit has what seems to be an unbiblical model for the ABF/small group ministry. The teachers are always a husband and wife, where the wife shares in the teaching role. It is frustrating to see this when we are trying desperately to honor God and His Word. Can you offer some advice as a pastor on what we should do? We need and want to be members of a healthy local assembly, and would like to become plugged in, so do we just skip the ABF hour/life group since they're violating scripture? We just don't see a church changing their model because we come along and say it's wrong, especially since most churches have adopted this model and think nothing of it. Any advice/encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your ministry!