The BIG Picture (Q&A)

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT AND QUESTION: John 3:7 paraphrased - “… I said unto you that everyone must be born again”. Everyone is everyone - not just Jews being born again. Remember what Jesus said in John 3:3? “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Here Jesus is talking about the “kingdom of God”. So, is this a Jewish kingdom or a heavenly and eternal kingdom of God message? MY REPLY: Everyone must be saved, yes. But we must understand the different plans of salvation in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus was only to the Jews. In the KJV the word “Ye” is not a reference to 'everyone' (as you suggest), but a reference to Israel exclusively. Jesus never addressed Gentiles , Matt.15:24. Prophecy even dictates that it is Israel first that must be saved so that they would be a light unto the Gentiles. This is the reason why Jesus said to that woman, Matt.15:26 “But he answered and said, it...

There are only two things that God wants us to do today: (1) to be saved, and (2) to come to a knowledge of the truth, [which is the written Word of God]. We are informed of this in 1Tim.2:4. Although various afflictions and sufferings can come at any time as a believer stands up for their faith in a faith-hostile environment, the predominant form of affliction and suffering we learn of in scripture is concerning a mature believer who has grown up in the faith and doctrine. It is not common for young believers to have matured in the faith to readily suffer for the Lord, and even more so to give thanks to God and count it joy to suffer for His name. The point I’m attempting to make is that suffering for the Lord is something that comes not by one’s willpower or choice, but more by circumstance or happenstance. Suffering comes to you if your faith is strong and is evident in the world. The world hated Christ, and it will do the same to you if Christ is evident in you. It is this very suf...

QUESTION: Do you teach that the Jews of the Old Testament were saved by works of a combination of faith and works, and if so, do you argue that from James 2? ANSWER: I’m glad that you say Old Testament Jew and distinguish their salvation as different from today. It is important to clarify that in this grace dispensation today, under the grace gospel, there is no Jew or Gentile, Gal.3:28. We are all the same and people of all nations have access to God and salvation though the gospel of Christ. Now, concerning Old Testament, from Moses to Jesus, I can answer your question by referring to this verse: Rom.3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision BY faith, and uncircumcision THROUGH faith. As the verse identifies, today, Gentiles obtain righteousness THROUGH having trusting in what Christ has done for them, or in other words, NOT BY THEIR OWN FAITH but through the faith of Jesus Christ, Gal.2:16; Phil.3:9. It is the righteousness of Christ that is imputed to Gentiles...