The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Why are Christians upset about protesters disrupting a church service in Minnesota when Jesus Christ itself went into a temple (a house of worship) and overturned tables and drove people out (Mathew 21:12)? NOTE: This response focuses strictly on sound doctrine and the conduct derived from it. We do not engage in political commentary or civil disputes. While I will not address the specifics of any secular event, the Word of God provides a definitive answer regarding the conduct of believers and why the actions of Jesus Christ in the Temple cannot be compared to the disruptions of the world today. I add this question to our space solely due to educating in sound doctrine and to promote the value of our Grace doctrine. REPLY: The Standard of Conduct in the Dispensation of Grace Under the Mystery Doctrine revealed to the Apostle Paul, the believer is called to a standard of conduct that transcends personal grievances or social disagreements. Whether one agrees or disagrees with...

QUESTION: Gal.4:10 — Paul telling the Galatians not to observe days and events etc. There are some in the Mid-Acts Grace circles that intimate that we should not celebrate our birthdays, as neither Jesus nor Paul did. What is your take on this? MY REPLY: Paul writes to the Galatians: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Gal.4:10–11). The context of this passage is critical. Paul is not addressing personal celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries. His concern is that the Galatians were returning to religious observances tied to the Mosaic law and pagan calendars — feast days, sabbaths, ritual cycles, and annual observances that were being treated as necessary for righteousness . In doing so, they were undermining the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work . The issue here is legalism , not personal joy or cultural custom. Some within Mid-Acts circles argue that because Jesus and Paul did not cele...

QUESTION: Who decides what is morally right—God or people (like: Thomas Aquinas)—and why do Christians sometimes disagree about what is moral, especially when reading passages like Judges 11? ANSWER: When people ask whether morality is defined by man or by God, they often assume that morality is a universal system that applies the same way in every age, covenant, and dispensation. But Scripture shows something far more precise. God Himself defines what is right, but He does so within the framework of His revealed will for each people and each program. What was moral for Israel under the law is not the same as what governs the Body of Christ under grace. This is why trying to force all morality into one timeless category leads to confusion, disagreement, and contradictions. The word “moral” simply refers to what is right or wrong according to a standard. The real question is not what the word means, but whose standard applies. Thomas Aquinas and other theologians tried to build universa...

This question reveals a common confusion between two categories of spiritual gifts: sign gifts and functional gifts . To answer it clearly, we must rightly divide what Scripture says about each—and understand their purpose within God’s unfolding plan. Sign Gifts Were Temporary and Confirmatory In the early church, God gave miraculous gifts—tongues, healings, prophecy—not as permanent features of Christian life, but as signs to confirm the gospel and authenticate the apostles. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” — 2 Corinthians 12:12 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…” — 1 Corinthians 14:22 These gifts were foundational. Once the full revelation of Scripture was complete and the apostolic office fulfilled, the need for signs ceased. “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it s...

Why It Matters: Rightly Dividing and Spiritual Maturity A common misunderstanding about rightly dividing the Word is the belief that it’s optional—or worse, that it’s merely academic. Many believers assume that all Scripture applies equally to all people at all times. But Scripture itself warns against this approach. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim.2:15) When believers fail to rightly divide, they often mix law with grace, Israel with the Church, prophecy with mystery. This leads to confusion, misplaced expectations, and spiritual instability. They may claim promises not given to them, fear judgments that don’t apply, or pursue experiences that belong to another dispensation. The result? A distorted view of God’s character, a fragile sense of assurance, and a walk governed by contradiction rather than clarity. Right division isn’t about intellectual pride—it’s about spiritual heal...

Romans 8:4 — “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  But what does that mean for us today? To walk in the Spirit is to walk in agreement with what God has already done—not to chase what He might do. It’s not a mystical journey or emotional high, but a doctrinal reality. The Spirit doesn’t lead us into signs, wonders, or vague impressions. He leads us into truth. He testifies of Christ (John 15:26), teaches us sound doctrine (1 Corinthians 2:13), and strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). His ministry is not external but internal—not circumstantial but spiritual. He doesn’t stir our flesh; He renews our mind. When we walk in the Spirit, we’re not trying to be spiritual—we’re yielding to the Spirit who already dwells in us. We’re not striving to overcome sin—we’re reckoning ourselves dead to it (Romans 6:11). We’re n...

As we navigate the complexities of Christian living, we often find ourselves at crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the nuances of faith and practice. In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul addresses a crucial aspect of Christian relationships, urging believers to walk in love and unity amidst differing convictions. As we explore this chapter, we're reminded that our faith is not only a personal matter but also one that requires consideration for others. In this lesson, we'll dive into the heart of Paul's teaching, culminating in the profound statements in verses 22-23, which serve as a guiding principle for navigating disputable matters. The context of Romans 14 is centered around the issue of "weaker brethren" (Romans 14:1), those whose faith is not as mature or robust as others. Paul exhorts believers not to "despise" or "judge" these weaker brethren (Romans 14:3, 10), but rather to receive them with open arms, just as Christ has received us (Roma...

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION: Why do Christians fall for Paul, who openly admitted that he was a liar (Rom 3:7), crafty (2 Cor 12:16), chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15), a blasphemer (1 Tim 1:13), a murderer (Acts 22:4), preacher of his own gospel (Rom 2:16) who never even met Jesus? MY REPLY: Paul, like every one of us, is a sinner. His self-admitted flaws—being a persecutor of Christians (Acts 22:4), a blasphemer (1 Timothy 1:13), and the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15)—highlight the universal truth that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23, KJV). Even Peter, James, and John were not without sin. Peter, for instance, denied the Lord three times (Luke 22:61-62), yet millions 'fall for Peter' as a saint. Despite these shortcomings, God’s grace transformed their lives and used them mightily for His purposes. Similarly, Paul’s violations you mention are no different from those of any of us. We are all in the same boat as sinners needing a Savior, and ...

Online Question: I want to know the difference between living by law and living by grace. What are the works that come under law? How does the grace of God through His Son Jesus supersede law? Jesus came to fulfill the law. Can you explain this? My Reply: Living by law (or by the letter of the law) is an act that you do by your strength and ability. It does not take faith to obey the law. You know what the law is, since it is defined, and you labour to obey the law by strict adherence and discipline. The law can be the moral law, the Mosaic law, or your own made-up laws to appease your conscience. Though following the law can have an outward appearance of righteousness, there is no change in the inner man. The law cannot make you righteous and it cannot save you. In addition, the law condemns one because it gives power to sin that resides in the nature of man. Rom 7:21-24 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after ...

Social Media Statement: Paul told us there is no division in 1 Corinthians 3. We are to submit to Christ above all teachers, including Paul himself. I have an issue with the claim that we are not expected to follow the commands Jesus himself spoke in Matthew. Are you saying we can ignore the law because Paul said we are free from the law. If I am not accurately reflecting your post, please elaborate. My Reply: The Bible clearly tells us that the earthly ministry of Jesus was to Israel only, as mentioned in Matt.15:24 and Rom.15:8. Jesus, a minister of the circumcision (Jews), promoted and taught according to the Mosaic law, which is a doctrine and dispensation we are not under today. Consider that we do not sacrifice animals. We do not have to do ritual washings. We are not under the Sabbath law/covenant. We do not have Kosher dietary limitations. All these and more are what Jesus taught during His earthly ministry. On the other hand, Paul was called and separated by God to be the apos...

The Bible defines faith with the following statement, Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In the physical realm, faith means placing your trust in something that belongs, or operates, in this realm, whether it be an object or a person, and hoping that your belief or trust will be validated through physical evidence or manifestation. For example, to sit on a chair, you need to believe that the chair will support you. Your faith in the chair, the substance of your hope in it, will become evident when you sit down, and the chair supports you. Faith that operates in the natural realm is limited to the constraints of this realm. But what about spiritual (or biblical) faith; which is the specific focus of this article? Well, spiritual faith means placing your trust in something that belongs, or operates in the spiritual realm, and hoping that your trust in it will be validated through evidence, or manifestation, of biblical truth...

TRUE or FALSE: Dispensational changes between Kingdom and Grace doctrine. God spoke doctrine to Israel by the prophets, and He speaks to us today through the mystery doctrine penned by the Apostle, Paul. All scripture is inspired by God and are words of truth and life, and although all scripture is for our learning, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that not all scripture is for our application. With this in mind, is the following passage doctrine for us today? True or false. Mar 11:25-26  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  (26)  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. See the answer here:  Why do some feel like Christianity is contradicting?

Reconciled AND saved by his life are different parts of God's salvation Read this verse in Romans chapter 5 and take special note of the tenses used to describe reconciliation and salvation by his life. Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Let's take a deeper look at what it is saying: --being reconciled Reconciliation is the first part of our salvation. It is the part that the majority of believers understand and relate to. Reconciliation comes about by being justified through the hearing and believing of the grace gospel. In simple terms, Romans chapters 1 to 4 educate us on God's righteousness, man's unrighteousness and ungodliness, God's wrath upon those who reject Him, and God's grace upon those who believe in His Son. It is through this grace of God, by means of the cross of Christ and His resurrection, that God can be just and the justifier of...

The following discourse is commentary from a social media site based on reactions to one of my posts. The main context of this Q&A is concerning hearing God's voice and walking in righteousness. There are some important lessons to learn regarding how we hear God's voice and how we walk according to the Spirit and not according to our own 'works' or efforts. Questions or comments in the post are bulleted. "John 10 says “My sheep hear my voice and follow me.” Do you hear his voice and obey him?" The only way to 'hear' His voice is through the written word of God. It is the word of God within you, acquired through reading and studying it and gaining understanding in it that embeds God's Spirit within you. Jesus says in Jn6:63, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." So, to get God's Spirit in you, you need to get into the written Word of God and get it into you. It is through the knowledge and underst...

What is it about two programs, two agencies, two doctrines, and two destinations? I want you to spend a bit of your time considering these two bible passages, when you have a quiet moment to contemplate them. Read them carefully and attentively and see if you can spot the points of interest that I highlight in the small list below. First, read the passages....slowly 😉 Acts 3:19-25 (This is the apostle Peter speaking to Israel (Jews) on the day of Pentecost) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to...

This post is not a lesson, but simply an indication of the level of ignorance or disregard of Bible truth. The intention for posting it is not to smear the person or their comment, but to highlight the need for sound doctrine and proper instruction in God's Word. There is a great need out there on social media for sound, rightly divided truth. Every bit of truth out there helps those who are truly seeking it. INITIAL POST: … but when God converted Paul on the Damascus Road, God gave him a completely new gospel and doctrine for the Gentiles. The above quote comes from this source post . COMMENT ON THE SOURCE POST: God gives a complete stranger who was taught by GAMALIEL a new Gospel and doctrine, whilst the disciple of Jesus who were blessed with the holy spirit where deprived of this message. Hmmm, makes you think who the antichrist actually is. Who was it that Paul claims to have seen; the one who came to him in the form of light. Then Paul goes to the Jews to preach the new Gospe...

QUESTION: Why can’t I take the words of Jesus and ignore those of Paul? I’m on my way back to Jesus after a long separation and Paul is the main barrier. ANSWER: The Lord Himself chose and separated Paul for a special ministry. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: The 13 epistles that he wrote contains information that is relevant for the Body of Christ today. This is important to realize as the contents of the Bible, outside of Paul’s epistles are written to Israel and is doctrine for the Jews under Law. Even Jesus ministry was towards the Jews. This is why Jesus Himself said, Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. and… Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law [as a Jew], 5 to redeem those who were under the law [Jews], When Jesus appea...

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT: I’ve read some of Martin Zenders books and one of them, called, ‘The First Idiot in Heaven’ speaks of the differences of these two ministries. Martin is a Bible scholar and is well learned. He teaches that the gospel of the circumcision (given to Peter) v the gospel of the uncircumcision (given to Paul) was both separate and quite different. The Bible seems to distinguish between these two gospels. interesting as I’ve never been able to understand the book of James against the pure grace spoken of by the Apostle Paul. I'm unsure about all of Martin’s teachings but I do enjoy reading some of his literature. MY REPLY: When one studies the scriptures, rightly divides between these two programs, it is plain and clear to see in the scriptures for oneself that Peters ministry and gospel to the circumcision was very different to Paul’s ministry and gospel to the uncircumcised. The bible, and all characters and the things they did and taught become clear and simple....

Paul was indeed a Jew and devout Pharisee, but when God converted him on the Damascus road, God gave him a completely new gospel and doctrine. Have you ever considered why Paul never references anything of Jesus in his epistles? No teachings, no parables, no miracles. This is often a surprise to people! The ONLY thing Paul brings across into his epistles and into the grace gospel is the CROSS, which for the Kingdom gospel was a contentious issue according to Peter. Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 2Co 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.