The BIG Picture (Q&A)

When we read that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35), and that “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6), it may seem unnecessary for Him to be baptized to receive the Spirit. But a rightly divided view of Scripture shows His baptism was not for personal cleansing or regeneration, but for obedience, consecration, and manifestation. Water baptism under John was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). It was a washing, a cleansing of Israel in preparation for their Messiah (Acts 22:16). All Israel had to be baptized because they were sinners in need of washing. But Jesus was without sin (Heb.4:15; 1Pet.2:22). He had no need of cleansing, for He was holy from conception, born of the Spirit and untouched by Adam’s fallen nature. His baptism therefore was not for washing, but for fulfilling righteousness (Matt.3:15). Christ’s baptism served several divine purposes. First, it was the means by which He was publicly manifested to Israe...

Emotions are part of our humanity. God created us with the capacity to feel joy, sorrow, fear, compassion, and even disappointment. These are not sinful in themselves, for they belong to the soul—the realm of mind, will, and emotions. Yet Scripture warns us that the motions of sins, which are by the law, work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death (Romans 7:5). This shows that emotions, though natural, can be stirred by the flesh and lead to sinful outcomes when not governed by the Spirit. Faith, however, is of another order. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). It is not emotion, nor is it feeling—it is trust in what God has spoken. Faith rests on the certainty of His Word, while emotions fluctuate with circumstance. Without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), which means that God is not pleased with our emotions in themselves, but with our trust in His truth. Yet emotions, when submitted to the Spirit, can reflect His own hea...

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...

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...

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION: What do I do if I’m far from God? MY ANSWER: Assuming you have received and trust in the gospel of Christ: that Jesus died for your sins and was raised again for your justification, then the following scriptures will increase your relationship with God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. In order to come to God, to grow in Him, to trust Him, and to fall in love with Him, you have to come in FAITH. You do not form a relationship with God in your flesh. God is not a human and a relationship with Him does not work on a human level with touch and feelings and emotions. You cannot see God and be swept off your feet by His charming looks. The only way you can connect with God is through FAITH; believing that He is, and diligently seeking Him. Colossians tells us that as we initially received Christ, in like manner we must walk in Him, C...

ONLINE ARTICLE (OF FALSE) ADVICE You can express your desire to follow the Holy Spirit’s control through prayer. Here is a prayer that has often been helpful to me: “Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”1 If you prayed that prayer, desiring the Spirit’s control, then the Holy Spirit fills you now—even if you don’t feel like it. It is a decision of faith: a response to what God says in His Word, His desire to fill you with His Spirit. SCRIPTURAL ANSWER: There is absolute...

Even after justification, the soul of the believer continues to indwell a body of sin and death. Sin and death continue to be a functional law within our mortal body. The issue moving forward now is not your justification; that is a done deal. Nothing can change our justification and peace with God through Jesus Christ. The issue moving forward is whether you're going to live under God or under sin. Paul draws attention to this choice by saying, Rom 6:11-13  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Notice that Paul is not yet even talking about law. At this point in Rom.6, it's not ...

Yes. That is correct for that time. Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The advice Jesus gives Nicodemus does point to water baptism, and spirit baptism. There were conditions for salvation in the Kingdom gospel. In Acts, we see Peter preaching the same thing, Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. So, for salvation in the Kingdom gospel, it required faith in Jesus as Messiah and also to be water baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. These were requirements to enter into the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus would come again in the Second Coming. The reason for these requirements is because of their significance for Israel. In Deut. and Lev., priests were washed to cleans them of sins before the ministered to God on behalf of the people....

What does the "spirit of your mind" mean in Ephesians 4:23? All humans are made up of spirit, soul, and body, 1Th 5:23. The 3 circles represent the default template of the 3 parts of a human being. Spirit is the breath of God that fills a person with life, Gen 2:7. Soul is the essence of the person, their persona (mind, will and emotions), and the body is the outer shell of flesh. Though you might be familiar with these 3 circles, these are NOT the parts that Paul is referring to when he speaks of the ‘inner man’ (or new man) and the ‘outer man’ (or old man) in Eph.4:17–24. If you look at the image below, the grey hexagonal is the ‘outer man’ (or old man) and the blue hexagonal is the ‘inner man’ (or new man). These are the two parts that Paul refers to in most of his writings. The grey outer man connects the soul (or persona) of a person to the flesh. In other words, the thick red oval is the part of a human that functions in the world, ie: the carnal man with his 5-...

Paul's epistles should be understood spiritually. Thus, 'vanity of mind' is not natural futility but rather spiritual futility. So, to provide life examples is not to list useless things men do in their mortality, or man’s inept activities or knowledge in his natural state, but to perceive it in view of his eternal existence. For an example of Paul's spiritual context, notice his attitude towards natural things and their futility, compared to the worth and significance of knowing Christ, here: Php 3:7-11  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)...

QUESTION: Wouldn't you say that before I was a Christian, I was a slave to sin, but now I am a Christian I can overcome sin in my life through the power and grace of God. Not to be saved but because I am saved by grace. God loved me enough to die in my place and forgive my sins. He also loved me enough to dwell in me through the Holy Spirit so I can have a new life and not be a slave to sin. For example, before I was a Christian I was addicted to drugs, after I'm a Christian Jesus not only saved me but delivered me from drugs. Now my desire is to obey and follow Jesus because I love Him. ANSWER: We learn from scripture that the flesh is unsalvageable. Even Paul, our apostle and example in the faith, cries out at the end of Romans 7, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Sin is inside the nature of man. The flesh can never be saved. This is ultimately why we get a new body at the rapture/resurrection. What God has saved and regener...

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified , them he also glorified . Paul tells us that if we truly believe in Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the grace gospel, we are freely justified by the ‘decree’ of God, and we can have peace with God, and access to the grace that He provides, Rom 5:1-2. Through faith in the gospel of grace, we are transferred from the administration of death, which is in Adam, into the administration of life, which is in Christ. When we belong to Christ’s administration, we are now identified with righteousness, peace, and life, as Paul continues to tell us, Rom 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the...

QUESTION: Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments but don't say what they are (other than loving God and neighbor)? Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way? ANSWER: This is an excellent question and one that many people might ask. The key to answering this question is knowing what the law is and what is commanded of us to obey. So, let me start with the following. Paul clearly tells us that we (as grace believers) are not under the law, Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What does Paul mean by this? What law is he referring to? Paul is not referring to the 10 commandments. These are the basic moral laws that apply to all humanity. These are the values written in our conscience. It does not matter what nation or language you are from; your conscience will testify to these actions. You will know it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, etc. Thus, Paul is not referrin...

Salvation has NOTHING to do with you. Ask yourself these simple questions. Do you believe that the cross work of Jesus is your only hope? Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and was resurrected for your justification? Do you truly trust that you cannot do anything to save yourself and are wholly dependent on what Jesus did for you? If you say yes, THEN YOU, my friend, ARE SAVED! …. And there is NOTHING you can do to ‘unsave’ yourself because God has sealed that contract in heaven. Your righteousness and justification are not dependent on your performance or choices. Your righteousness and justification are settled because of the performance and obedience of Jesus. I’m sorry to say, but once you are saved, you, my friend, CANNOT get out of it, whether you want to or not. Have you ever seen a baby get ‘unborn’. It is physically impossible. Likewise, it is spiritually impossible to become ‘unsaved’. Just make peace with it and continue to grow in the only other instruction th...

In this dispensation of grace, a person is not baptized WITH the Holy Spirit (Act.1:5) as what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. In this grace age, a person is baptized BY the Holy Spirit, (1Cor.12:13), thus sealing them into the Body of Christ the instant they are saved. I mention this because the Holy Spirit does not come upon us to empower us like in Pentecost. Today, we are filled with Christ (Gal.2:20) by taking in (receiving into us) the written Word of God. The true spiritual ‘fruit-bearing’ capacity we have is in direct relationship to the capacity of the Word in us. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is the outward manifestation of our obedience to the living Word of God working inside us. If a saved person does not have the Word of God within them, then they are not walking by the Spirit. In actual fact they cannot. Thus, the fruit they will produce is of the flesh, which is emotional, fickle and selfish. If a saved person spends time in the Word, allowing ...

The moment one quotes scripture, like, “we are not under law but under grace”, Rom.6:14 , you get people defending the law with all their might, rejecting the post, and calling one a heretic. The typical defense will come in arguments like, the law is our tutor, or the law upholds morality, or they claim you're saying the law is sinful. The most common argument is when they say, even though the law cannot save one, it does not mean we do not have to practice it. Arguments like these are typically raised by believers, — yes, you read that correctly, believers . Either believers who lean too much upon a legalistic faith, or uninformed believers who have a carnal opinion of spiritual things without having studied the Word to discover the truth that is presented clearly and concisely in its pages. So, how does one correct such carnal thinking? Tutorship of the law:  The tutorship of the law aims to justify us, and it accomplishes this with little empathy. It brings us to ...

READERS COMMENT: You read scripture as if it’s something magical. That we will be changed if we increase our knowledge. Scripture has no power; it points to Him who does. The people we read about in scripture “HAD NO SCRIPTURE”, just a living relationship with God. That’s the only function of scripture, to remind us of the fact that when those who went before were obedient, not to scripture but, to the rhema word of God, they grew beyond their problems. It points not to itself but to a living relationship with God as the only true source of life that can include scripture but doesn’t require it. If we believe that we are having relationship with God because we read scripture, then we are busy with idolatry. MY RESPONSE: The Bible is just a book. It is made up of paper and ink. Throw it in the fire and it burns up like any other piece of paper. To this point I agree with you. However, when it comes to the actual “words” printed on that paper, that is a WHOLE different story.  You ca...

The Word of God is the only way to mortify the flesh. Romans chapter 6 is Paul’s advice on how to overcome sin. The chapter in essence tells you to “know a few things”. Paul says. “Know ye that…” , and “Know ye not…” . The idea here is that we have things to learn. We need to get into the Word so that the Word can get into us. We need to study it and saturate ourselves with it. Basically, the more Word you have inside you and allow to influence you; your thoughts, behaviours, actions, and speech, the more that Word will subdue the flesh. You cannot kill sins by your own power, because sin is within you. The only way to mortify the flesh is to live by the spirit. How does one do that? Well, in John 6:63, Jesus says, “My words are spirit and they are life” . So, by getting the Word (which is the Spirit and life of Christ) into you, and allowing it to influence your living, then you will be living by the spirit of Christ in you. If sin is in your flesh, but you choose to live by the Spiri...

Pentecost (in Acts 2) was a precursor to the fulfillment of the New Covenant which will happen at Jesus second advent to fulfil the verses below, Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: What is the New Covenant for Israel? The pouring out o...

Question about Spiritual Understanding So, someone who is “saved” and accepted Jesus as his Savior can understand the lessons taught in the Bible, right? Now, if that same person snaps out of the trance of indoctrination and realizes that it is false and is now a devout atheist, does that mean that he forgets what was taught when he was a believer?  Scripture: 1 Cor.2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerne...