The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Dispensational models have a tendency to falls apart. There is no agreement on the number of dispensations. What is the full set of proposed dispensations with the triggers for their start and end points? ANSWER: I can agree that there are arguments on dispensational models; some say this, and others say that, but that doesn't mean that there aren’t dispensations. I too disagree with some over-the-top models where too much is read into scripture and things are twisted to fit man’s imagination, but again, even though some of these models are out these, it does not disqualify the fact that the bible does clearly mention dispensations, (as per the verses below). When God judged humanity and set up a covenant with Abraham, a new dispensation began. In other words, God would reveal Himself through a nation that He would raise up through Abraham. When God called Paul to go to the Gentiles, a new dispensation began where God would save Gentiles without the means of Israe...

Asking for forgiveness... There is nothing wrong in asking for forgiveness if you know you have fallen into sin or had a moment of weakness. It is completely natural to want to apologize for your wrongdoings, but, realize that this does NOT ever affect your positional stance with God. Through a faith response to the grace gospel of Jesus Christ, and His cross work, you are once and forever cleansed from sin. As grace believers, our sins have been nailed to the cross of Christ, and we have, by the grace of God, received in its place, the imputed righteousness of Christ. Nothing can change our position in Christ and before the Father, so asking forgiveness, or not asking forgiveness, does not change or affect our standing before God. The grace believer's salvation is forever secure and they are "sealed with the Spirit." (Rom. 5:1-2, 8:29-39, 6-8; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30; Phili. 1:6; 2Tim. 1:12). "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of ...

Why did God send us the Holy Spirit in the first place? I answer this question by posting an article written by Arthur Licursi which perfectly lays out the role of the Holy Spirit in this age of grace, as compared to the role of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in the Kingdom program. Also, Arthur clarifies how we interact with the Holy Spirit today and what it means to be ‘filled with the Spirit’. I encourage you to take the time to carefully read through this well-written and highly informative article: The Holy Spirit Today Paul exhorts the grace believers of this age to  “be filled with the Spirit.”  This is because today the  filling with the Spirit  is now a  goal , an  attainment ,  as Paul here, by inspiration, sets before the church. “Be filled with the Spirit”  (Eph. 5:18);  “be filled  with the fruits of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11); “ be filled  with the knowledge of His will” (Col. 1:9); “ be filled  with all ...

Answer Request: Since we have so many denominations, and so many different ways of worshipping within Christian world alone— which one is doing it correctly? The Worship that the bible speaks of— God is looking for worshippers who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. All denominations think they are correct, but what does God say? This is a sensitive question because everyone trusts and believes they worship correctly, but let us not focus on the many voices and opinions, but rather the that REALLY counts ... what does God's word say about it? The following content is compiled from a larger online study by Arthur Licursi and can be found on his website here . What does Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (us), write about worship? It might be surprising that in his 13 epistles he only mentions the word "worship" 3 times. 1 Cor. 14:25 (KJV) And thus are the secrets of his (the unbeliever's) heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face...

There are two things to understand concerning this question, ~1~ A man can NEVER be free from guile, falsehood, and wickedness, since the state of man in the flesh is unsalvageable! "The flesh", even as it  remains in the believer after salvation , is that which is "begotten [ birthed ] of the flesh" (John 3:6)  from parent to child tracing all the way back to Adam by whom  "Sin entered the world" (Romans 5:12). It is called ,  "the flesh," "the old man," "the natural man," "the carnal mind" and "the old Adamic nature". With respect to "the flesh" in the believer, the Apostle Paul declares that in it "dwells no good thing" (Romans 7:18), that it is "carnal, sold under sin" (Romans 7:14), that it is "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4:22), that it is at "enmity against God," and it is "not subject to the law of God, neither inde...

QUESTION: Salvation is about grace, but to say that, "once saved is always saved" denies Scripture and Christ's own words along with the words of St. Paul. Is this correct? ANSWER: I agree with you 100% that the verses you reference speak of the ability to lose salvation. But the key is that  this is salvation that was offered to Israel.  Their salvation is based on faith in their Messiah as well as in  their  works. This is why it is mentioned over and over that they had to endure to the end, they had to pick up their cross and follow the example of their Messiah, they had to  "not love their lives unto death",  (Rev.12:11). The doctrine pertaining to our salvation is different from that of Israel. Our salvation (as members of the Body of Christ) does not depend on our performance. It is the perfect work of Christ that is imputed to us, so we are not judged by our works but by Christ's works. The following is an extract author...

My response to this question is specifically in context to judging others (especially believers) by your own standards. Many of us know the concept that when you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you. The moral is that we are never in the position to judge a person based on their moral actions because if it were not for the grace of God and personal circumstances or choices, we would be in the same boat as they. We all belong to the human race and we all are ravaged by sins imperfections. Paul says it well, Rom.14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. The problem with judging others is that we can never know the true circumstances that drove that person to do what you judge them for! What motives did that person have to do that deed? What desperate situation was that person facing? Are your moral standards truly of higher value than theirs ...

Answer Request: How would it be possible to understand the Bible if a person hasn't been born again of the spirit? You are correct. A person who is not regenerated (made alive) in the spirit, who does not have the Spirit of Life within them, received when they respond in faith the tot Gospel of Grace, can never understand the true meaning and intention of the scriptures. The following scripture confirms this, 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Here is a simple analogy to try to put it into human terms, You can watch a person on the television drinking a cappuccino. You can see the beverage, you can describe the cup and the foam, you can see them enjoying each sip. You can take in ALL the details and visual pleasures of this cappuccino, but you will never be able to smell it or taste it or experience the fullness of that e...

Answer Request: I wanted to hear what your take is on 1 Cor 11 - (head covering when praying). This was a letter written to the church of Corinth by Paul in particular to those Christians - but the way Paul speaks about how the woman came after man, for man, and about dishonour for not covering your head - What is your view on this? Although there are churches today that are practicing this 'rule', it is sad to say that they are not doing it because scripture commands it, but because they are stuck in a man-made system of tradition and/or denominational entrapment. However, for the majority of churches today, this practice is not adhered to and not enforced, and rightfully so. This is not a blatant rejection of scripture today, because when one digs deeper into the truth, one finds that this is more of a cultural issue in Paul's day than a direct command from the Lord that required women to cover their heads ...

Back in the day, I can recall praying and asking God to reveal His will to me; to reveal His will in my job, to show me the way to go in my Christian walk and in my ministry. I don't doubt that God led me and guided me in His own way, and I certainly do not doubt where I am today in my relationship with Him and my family, but I have also learned over time that the options in life and the decisions you face is ultimately your will and in your control. God is not going to tell you what job to choose, or if you must marry or not. He is not going to tell you to buy a house or in what stocks to invest. He is not going to reply to those fleeces you put out or use booming billboards to answer your prayers. This is  YOUR  life and the decisions you make are your own, and the direction you choose is yours to make.  God entrusts you with the power to choose your path, but where your path ends up will be by how much of that powe...

The bible clearly lists various things as sins and therefore it is easy to know that these things are morally wrong. Things like, idolatry, greed, covetousness, lying, gluttony, complaining, murder, bribery, stealing, gossip, jealousy, adultery, etc. These and many more are either a violation of God's moral laws or a violation of moral and ethical laws set out by an authority like a government or ruling entity. Violating these causes you to fall into sin and probably face some form of consequences. But what about things that are not so obvious? Is smoking a sin? Is drinking a sin? What about anger, or not giving to the needy, or hurting someone's feelings? Do I sin if I choose not to go to church or if I want that extra piece of cake? What happens if I get a speeding ticket? Have I sinned in God's eyes for violating a law on the road? The list can go on and on, so the question remains, how do I know when something is a sin, especially if it is not as obvious, and not necess...

Answer Request: Can the evilest person alive be forgiven and saved? What about a traitor can they be forgiven and saved? It says God can save the vilest person, is that true? The salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ is unconditional. Please note what I say. God's grace is only available through Jesus Christ, BUT when we receive that grace, it is unconditional. This grace is free and given in unlimited amount irrespective of who you are and what you have done. This means that if a person (irrespective of their life; how good or bad they were, what their crimes or sins were, or what they have done) makes a choice to respond to the grace gospel and believe that Jesus Christ is their ONLY hope, they will be saved and come into right standing with God. It is important to understand God's grace, and what His grace means, in order to comprehend this. God's grace is so far above what we as people can understand based on what we see and experience in the wor...