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Is tithing still required in the Church Age?

Question:

Is tithing still required in the Church Age?

Answer:

In the Old Testament, the tithes were used to sustain the work of God (providing for the priests, needs for the Tabernacle or Temple, etc.). Nehemiah 12:44 says, “And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for THE TITHES, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities THE PORTIONS OF THE LAW FOR THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.”Continue reading

Why did Jesus say to make “friends of the mammon of unrighteousness?”

Question:

In Luke 16 the steward of the first seven verses is commended by the lord (small “L”) for his worldly wisdom, it seems in verse eight.  Then in verse nine it is stated by Jesus, it looks like (because He is speaking), to make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Am I misreading this? If not, can you please help me in resolving what feels like a conflict of the usual character of instruction from our Lord?  Because the best I can make of it is advice to have a rich friend or friends for ‘insurance’ in time of trouble which, of course, just doesn’t sit well. (nothing against friends that are well off – just for the wrong reasons).Continue reading

What Rules Were Negated By The New Covenant?

Question:

I’m kind of confused. The other night I mentioned to my sister over the telephone that I was trying to learn more about Judaism and some of the traditions, because I feel they may play a larger part in a Christian walk then most people think. She asked, “like what?”. My example was that the Old Testament says we should not eat unclean meat. Her response was that the New Covenant changed all of that. My question of course was “what exactly does the new covenant negate?” Her response was that it negated the rules of the Old Testament, and that the OT should be used for historical reference and for helping us to understand traditions. I however strongly disagree, because if what she is saying is true, Levitical Law, The Ten Commandments, etc: would be meaningless! Continue reading

Twelve stars & seven crowns

Question:

What did the twelve stars on the crown represent? What did the seven crowns on the red dragon heads represent? I am doing a study on crowns and am unable to get answers to these questions.Continue reading

Judge not….?

Question:

I have a friend that I like very much who is as lost as a goose flying north in a snowstorm. He talks about how he went forward and was congratulated (by Billy Graham personally) on his salvation but his life bears no “Christian Fruit”. He is a super nice guy, but that is not based on Biblical teachings. I recently mentioned a pastors convention and the question was asked, “How much percentage of your parishioners are saved?” This guy says, “Who are they to judge?”, etc.

My question is this, what does the verse, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” Matthew 7:1, and the several other like verses mean to Christians? Am I not allowed to see a man with no Christian fruit (who is currently living in sin with a women, but not being convicted) that claims salvation and talk to him about his need for salvation? I’m somewhat confused because I see so much of this type of “Christian” today. Continue reading

Is it wrong for a man to have a beard?

Question:

I would like to know what is the big debate over preachers having beards? I have asked several seasoned and God loving pastors and they said it was an issue to them even when they went to school. I have looked over the bible from front to back and cannot find nothing biblical wrong with it. I believe that men should keep a neat and clean appearance. This is an issue that man has made a big deal over. Please give me bible reference.Continue reading

Are all Baptists Calvinistic?

Question:

WHAT’S UP WITH THE MANY DENOMINATIONS? I ATTEND A BAPTIST CHURCH. I LOOKED UP BAPTIST, AND IT MENTIONED CALVINISM. OF WHAT I HEARD, CALVINISM IS NOT ALL GREAT. DOES MY CHURCH AND CALVINISM BELIEVE THE SAME THING? EXPLAIN CALVINISM.Continue reading