Pastor Doug Batchelor: Would you like to hear an amazing fact? Back in 1956, Harry de Leyer, a horse riding instructor from Long Island went to a horse auction. Because of his late arrival he missed all the best horses. All that was left were the rejects being sold to the slaughterhouse. That's when Harry spotted a thin, filthy, plow horse already loaded on the truck. Pleadingly, the gray horse looked into Harry's eyes and something clicked. Harry offered its owners $80 and then the 8-year-old horse, he named, Snowman, he began to use as a training horse.
Snowman regained his health under Harry's tender care and was eventually sold to a neighbor for $160. However, the horse missed his redeemer so much he could not be contained. He jumped any obstacle to get back to Harry's farm. That's when Harry finally realized, Snowman had an amazing jumping potential and he took the horse back. This began Snowman's wildly successful Show-Jumping career. The former plow horse went on to beat all of the thorough breds, even winning the triple crown.
He was beloved by riders of all ages and skill levels. Once winning two major Jumping championships in the same day. He became famous for his willingness to work with children and easily jump over the backs of other full-sized horses. You can see why he was called the Cinderella Horse. After being saved from the slaughter house in the nick of time, Snowman became incredibly famous and lived another 22 years. He appeared on numerous television shows and was featured twice in Life Magazine.
In addition, Snowman had three books written about him as well as a documentary film. This Cinderella horse went from being a doomed plow horse to an international champion, because someone had mercy and redeemed this dirty horse from death. You know, the Bible says that someone has paid a great price to redeem you from a hopeless-end and give you an endless-hope. Stay with us friends. We're going to learn more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of Bible Answers Live. [music]
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome listening friends to Bible Answers Live. It is always good to be back on the air and live with you to talk about the word of God. Nothing is more important than that GPS that tells us how to get to the kingdom and receive eternal life in the future peace in this life. You like to know more about that book and you have any questions about the Bible, we've got lines that are wide open. Here's the number one more time 800-GOD-SAYS that's (800) 463-7297,, (800) 463-7297. We'll bring your questions into tonight's program. As always the beginning of the program is a great time to call and get your question on tonight's broadcast. My name is, Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jean Ross: My name is, Jean Ross. Good evening friends and Pastor Doug, let's start the program with prayer. Dear Father, in Heaven, we thank you that we can open up your word and study together. We want to ask the Holy Spirit as always to come and guide our hearts and minds. Lord, we realize that the Bible is your book and we need the Spirit of God to understand it. So bless those who are listening and be with us here in the studio, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Jean: Well, Pastor Doug you opened the program with one of those great comeback stories of a horse and that was really doomed for the slaughter. Then somebody had compassion on the horse and this horse turned out to be this great champion horse. Those stories are great, they're heartwarming and they're several of them were famous horses that seem to come from nowhere and do great things. But this one in particular, here was someone who had compassion and just a no-good horse and that horse returned his act of compassion, it seems with just a devotion and a commitment. It's a neat story.
Pastor Doug: Yes. When you read up on it, it looks like there was a bond between Harry. Matter of fact, one of the books is called, Harry & Snowman. There was a bond, the horse seemed to know that he had been saved, and who knows what kind of life he had before when he was a plow-horse. Must not have been very good if he was all dirty and he was ready to be sold for virtually nothing. But that person totally missed the potential of this horse. He had him hooked to a plow and he was a champion, and but Harry spotted that.
The horse when you read about it, it was willing to do anything that Harry-- He would jump as high as Harry try to get him to jump, because he always wanted to please him. Also, very gently he used him to train children and yet he could jump, you know, six and half, seven feet, it was just an incredible jump-horse. Anyway, but the story reminds me about redemption. Here is this horse with a death sentence and he's not only saved from death he ends up having an abundant life.
Now, that's really the story of the Gospel. Here we are on death row, the penalty for sin is death but because of Christ redeeming us, and he didn't just redeem us with $80. Jesus redeemed us with his own life and his own blood. You can read about this in Galatians 3:13. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."
When Jesus died on the cross it was a curse of a piece of a tree they cut down. He took the curse that we deserved to give us the life that he deserved. Everyone out there can have that life. You can have that joy, that new beginning. You can be a winner instead of a loser when you accept Jesus. You accept the redemption that he's offered. We have a book we'd like to offer to you tonight for free to tell you about how to accept and experience that new life and that life of success.
Pastor Jean: Yes. The book is called, Riches of His Grace, and we'll be happy to send this to anybody who calls and asks. That is our free offer for this evening. The number to call is (800) 835-6747. All you have to do is just ask for the book called, Riches of His Grace. We'll be happy to send this to anybody who calls and asks.
For those who would like to read the book right now, you can go to the Amazing Facts website, at amazingfacts.org, and you can read the book for free right there online. If you have a Bible question our phone line here in the studio once again is (800) 463-7297. It's 800-GOD-SAYS 463-7297. Well, Pastor Doug, I think we're ready to take our first call of this evening. We'll start withm William and he's listening in New York. William, welcome to the program.
William: Yes. Hello Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross. How are you doing? I hope everything is good with you.
Pastor Doug: Yes. Thank you for calling.
William: [chuckles] Thank you. My question is how long should a person pray for another person. Jesus said men to always to pray and the question is, not only like for somebody's sick but like say somebody say, sowing discord in the Churches something like that, you know, I reference to that context. The thing is that, what if you can't monitor whatever results of what's going on? In other words, they are in I don't know New Jersey and you're in Connecticut or something. So that's my question, how long should a person pray for a person who turns out intercessory prayer?
Pastor Doug: Well, you know that's a good question because first of all keep in mind the Bible tells us that where there's life there's a hope that a living dog is better than a dead lion. You got a lion, king of beast, but if it's dead there's no hope. But a living dog at least there's hope. That's by the way in Ecclesiastes, I don't remember the verse for that. Pastor Ross may look it up, but theoretically, if you got a prayer list and you say, "I'm going to pray for this person," and through your life, you keep adding the list.
I knew one person that had like 2,000 people on their prayer list and they would pray for each of them every day. Your list could get pretty long, so you just need the spirit to guide you. That doesn't mean if you stop praying for them that their case is hopeless. I believe the prayers are actually stored in Heaven. What I mean by that is, many times I've known a grandmothers, and mothers, or parents that pray for their children and the children end up being converted.
But it's years after the parents died and their Earthly prayers stopped, but somehow the prayers were not forgotten. There's many prayers you can see in the Bible, in history that are answered long after they're prayed. As long as the Lord and the Holy Spirit lays someone on your heart, keep praying for them. If your list gets too long just say, "Hey, Lord, you stored these prayers. I don't know how the person's doing, I can't track him and I put them in your hands."
Pastor Jean: You know the verse you’re referring to, it's Ecclesiastes 9:4. It says, "A living dog is better than a lion. So where there is life there is hope."
William: Thank you so much, and God bless both of you.
Pastor Doug: All right. Thank you, William. I appreciate your call. And Pastor Ross, that opens up and another line. Actually we’ve got several lines open. If you’ve got a question give us a call here’s the number again you ready, 800-- free phone call (800) 463-7297,, with your bible question, anywhere in North America, and of cause all around the world via the internet. We’ve sometimes get calls from, all the way from, Europe to the Caribbean, to Australia, and Gwong. And we invite you to call in as well. One more time North America (800) 463-7297.
Pastor Jean: Our next caller is Stephanie listening from New Mexico. Stephanie welcome to the program.
Caller: Yes. Hi, my name is Stephanie. How are you doing?
Pastor Doug: Doing well,. Thank you for calling.
Caller: Good. Thanks. I hope you are blessed. So my question is regarding Ephesians 4:26-27, "Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." And it kind of coincides with 1st Corinthians 10:13, for me, where it talks about, "No temptation is common to man but God is Faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. But with the temptation will also make way of escape that you may be able to bear it." I have verbally assault and I’m sinning in my anger. So I’m trying to find out how to not do that maybe perhaps scriptural references, or how to learn how to not do that.
Pastor Doug: So you struggle with losing your temper?
Caller: Absolutely.
Pastor Doug: Now there is a couple of issues that could be there. First of all, typically when a person losses their temper, they have been offended and they’re retaliating somehow. Whether it’s the persons actions offend them. You’ve probably never seen a person at a funeral that’s in the casket get upset, because of something that is done to them or said about them.
The reason they don’t get upset is because they’re dead. And when we are crucified with Christ, and we really give up our lives to Jesus, and we realized how much Jesus suffered for us, then it’s hard to be offended, it’s hard to get upset like that because you just have this peace that comes into your life that passes understanding. There’s patience, that doesn’t mean the old nature will never be a challenge. But if that is a habit, then you need to just really be praying and say, "Lord, take this from me, give me your peace. Help me to be crucified with Christ."
And if you do fall, go to that person and apologize. Of cause, apologize to the Lord, repent, apologize to the person. Every time you do that, you are programming yourself that this is not appropriate behavior. And so be very quick to acknowledge when you lost your temper and to the person and to the Lord. And you’re going to be reminding yourself and the Holy Spirit, you are giving the Holy Spirit permission to change your heart.
Stephanie: Absolutely. And my Christian therapist mentioned that the core of it may be unforgiveness.
Pastor Doug: Well, that’s a good point. You know, the parable in, Mathew 18, said this man that was forgiven by the king, he went out and found someone else that owed him 100 pence and took him by the throat. And the reason is he didn’t really believe the king had forgiven him. And so if you believe that Jesus has forgiven you, and how much he’s forgiven you, it becomes easier.
Now, I’d like to recommend something Stephanie I don’t know if we’ve recommended this in years, we have an article on Amazing Facts website called, The Age of Rage. And it talks about how to deal with anger. So if you go to the Amazing Facts website and you type in anger, and you type in the Age of Rage, I've preached a sermon on it and we have an article on it. And there is a lot of scripture that I think that will make sense to you and give you a lot of peace.
Stephanie Okay. Thank you so much for your help.
Pastor Doug: Alright thank you so much Stephanie, we’ll be praying that God does give you that peace.
Pastor Jean: You know, we do have a book, Pastor Doug, also called-- that you wrote called, Tips For Resisting Temptation. Of course, anger is a temptation that comes to everyone at some form or another sometime, and we’ll be happy to send that to you Stephanie. All you’ll have to do is just call and ask for it, a book written by, Pastor Doug, called, Tips For Resisting Temptation. And the number is (800) 835-6747 that is the resource phone number. And again you can ask for the book called Tips for resisting temptation, anybody can call and ask. If you have a question, our phone number here to the studio is (800) 463-7297,, (800) 463-7297. Our next caller is. Joseph. listening in Queens, New York. Joseph welcome to the program. Joseph, you are on air.
Joseph: Hi, pastors. Great to talk to you again. Thanks for your word.
Pastor Doug: Thank you. Thanks for calling.
Joseph: Okay, my question is in Genesis 43. It starts off with, "Now, the famine was severe in the land." But then in chapter 11, Israel is telling his sons to take the best fruits, nuts and almonds as a gift to Egypt to Joseph. So if there is a famine in the land, where did the fruits and the nuts come from?
Pastor Doug: Well, that’s a very good question. I’ve read that before. And even in the famine, some trees will do okay. What typically happens in these famines is the rains, they don’t supply the crops that give the grain. The principle food of any country is going to be some form of bread. Weather it's rice, corn, wheat, and in the land of Israel they grew barley, and they grew wheat, and if the weather messed up the crops, it didn’t mean that none of the almond trees would be producing or there’ll be no fruits or no honey. I think that they send down some of the honey.
So basically we’re saying, when he said the best, he didn’t mean that they had a lot, he meant what is the best that we can give as a gift to this man? And it may have been very expensive for them. Sometimes this special fruits were actually brought by traders that came from countries were there was no famine and so the caravans will bring things and they will buy them with their sheep and goats. So what they brought to Joseph as a gift may not have locally. So when he said the best in the land, he meant the best that we’ve got.
Joseph: I see. I was under the impression that famine was no nothing at all grows in the land.
Pastor Doug: No. Yes, some things will survive, but the main thing is that if there is no grain, if there is no grass, the sheep, the cattle start to die. There’s no bread, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing. Then usually there’s some vegetables and things that you can water by hand and keep a few things alive.
Joseph: That one makes sense. Can I ask another quick question.
Pastor Doug: Sure.
Joseph: Very quick. Okay. I was at work the other night. I work in a Hospital and a woman was praying aloud. And she was-- every sentence she would start off-- you know, her prayer she will start off with, “I prophesy.“ I prophesy that my son is going to pass that test” “I prophesy that so and so is going to be healed.” Just caught my attention. I never heard anybody pray that way. Is it proper to use the word I prophesy in prayer? Was that okay?
Pastor Doug: Well, you know, of cause even prophets did not say I prophesy. My guess would be based on my worshiping with Christians from many different denominations, this person is part of a prosperity evangelical congregation. And they often-- preach that you declare what you want and by saying, "I’m promising this is going to happen," by your declaring that it will happen. That is usually associated with some of the ministries like Kenneth Copland and some others. That’s my guess, but I don’t know for sure. But I have heard that before.
Joseph Yes. It just didn’t sound proper to me, I kind of kind of figured along those lines. I've just never heard it before. [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: Yes. We need to humbly ask the Lord. We don’t tell the lord what to do.
Joseph: Yes I mean it sounded a little blasphemy, I mean, kind of declaring yourself as a prophet, I guess if I say , "I prophesy." [laughs]
Pastor Doug: Well, you know, some people go to churches were the pastor will say, "You’ve got the gift to prophesy," and a person thinks everything they say is going to come to through. And it could be a form of self deception.
Joseph: All right. Cheers, Pastor.
Pastor Doug: Hey, I appreciate your question, Joseph. You have a good evening.
Joseph: Okay. Thank you pastors. Have a good evening.
Pastor Doug: Thank you. God bless.
Pastor Jean: You know Joseph there might be a book that I think you’d find interesting. It’s called, Teach Us To Pray. And we’ll send this to you if you just call and ask.
Pastor Doug: Absolutely.
Pastor Jean: The number is, (800) 835-6747, not only for you, but for anyone wanting to learn more about how we pray and we’d be happy to send you the book. (800) 835-6747. The book again is called, Teach Us To Pray. And if you have a Bible question, good time to pick up the phone give us a call, we have some lines that are open. The number here to the studio is (800) 463-7297. That's (800) 463-7297,, if you call now, there's a good chance we'll be able to get your question on the air before we take a break halfway through the hour. Our next caller is, Richard, listening from Illinois. Richard, welcome to the program.
Richard: Thank you. Thank you for taking my call, and God's blessings to you, sir.
Pastor Doug Thank you.
Richard: I am a chaplain with the sheriff's department. I kind of struggle with John 3, where it's talking about Jesus, is talking to Nicodemus, about being born of the water and of the spirit.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Richard: I have been-- I;m on LOGOS as we speak, LOGUS, and I see all different kind of commentaries here, from, unintelligible 00:20:55] to New Pillar Testament, [unintelligible 00:20:58] Commentary, Teachers commentary, and I've got all different kinds of answers. So I want to pose that question to you and see what your thought of what Jesus was exactly referring to when he said water and the spirit.
Pastor Doug: All right. Well, we're happy to throw our hat in the rain, [laughs] with the other commentators.
Richard: Sure [laughs]
Pastor Doug: I have studied this verse, I'll just say for our listeners benefit, let me read the verse-
Richard: Oh, yes.
Pastor Doug: "Unless a person is born of the water and the spirit," and this is, by the way John 3:3. "Most assuredly or truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the spirit," actually, it's verse five, "He cannot enter the kingdom of God." Some believe when it says, born of the water there, it's talking about when a baby is born naturally, meaning in an envelope of water, born of the water, and born of the spirit, of course, the spiritual birth. Others believe born of the water means, baptism.
Richard: Exactly. That's there I was at.
Pastor Pastor Doug: Yes. I'm of that second group. I believe the when you read John, in John 1:2, there's a great emphasis on the ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus is introduced to the disciples in the ministry of John the Baptist baptizing. Mathew and Luke talk about the birth of Christ, John begins his gospel by going right into the subject of baptism right out of the gate. So there's that heavy emphasis. The other thing is, if Jesus was to say, unless you're born of a woman and born of the spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
That's, sort of, a redundant thing to say, because who listening to my voice was not born of a woman? Everybody's born of a woman. Now, when the children of Israel came out of Egypt, Paul says, they went through the Red Sea and they were baptized in the sea, and that was John-- or rather, Ist Corinthians 10. And then they were baptized in the pillar of fire, the cloud. So they were born of the water baptism and they were born of the spirit. You've got both baptisms happening. Baptism of water is your choice, baptism of spirit is God's choice. We choose, "Lord I want to follow you," it's a public declaration, I want to be washed away from my sins, and then God baptizes us with the spirit in His timing.
Richard: Right. Well, that's exactly what I thought. It's more like a baptism and so I'm glad that I asked that question, just I want to make sure I'm clear up on that as well.
Pastor Jean: I think there's another added component of baptism in the Old Covenant, in the Old Testament, circumcision became the sign of the old covenant, and baptism becomes the sign of the new covenant. So when someone surrenders to Christ, Jesus said and we need to be baptized, that is a public declaration that we're-
Richard: Correct.
Pastor Jean: -entering into the new covenant relationship with Christ.
Pastor Doug: Yes, and these are the last word of Jesus, "Go therefore teach all nations, baptizing them." So it was obviously a priority to Christ and then it was His last word as he ascended to heaven.
Richard: And then also, I wanted to comment on that book of rage, I went to-- I think it was, Age of Rage, or whatever.
Pastor Pastor Doug: Oh, the article? Yes.
Richard: Yes. I'd like to get more information on that because I deal with a lot of people with those issues.
Pastor Doug: Yes, you can--The magazine is actually a magazine article, you can download for free at the Amazing Facts website which is simply, amazingfacts.org, and the article's called, The Age of Rage. But if you even type that in, you'll probably get a sermon that I preached, so you can either listen to the sermon, read the article. There's things in the sermon that aren't in the article but you'll get them both. Hey, thank you very much for your call, Richard. We're going to try to get one more call before the break and we do still have our lines open, so give us a call.
Pastor Jean: Next caller is Resner, listening from North Carolina. Resner, welcome tot he program.
Resner: Hi, how are you doing?
Pastor Doug: Good.
Resner: Thank you. I've been reading one of your books and it's talking about the four empires that rose, Babylon, Media, Greece, and Rome, and you can see where the Lord kind of spoke to Babylon and Media. But later on when Greece and Rome come into power, He doesn't really talk to them. And I want to know, what happened? What changed between those two nations? Because he talked with, Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, over the Babylonians and Persians but you don't really see any interaction with the Greeks and Romans, am I right or wrong here?
Pastor Doug: Well, I think that-- I see what you're saying, I do think that the Lord tried to reach both those other kingdoms. Because you have in, Josephus history; he says, "When Alexandra the great came to Jerusalem, the priest came out to him and read to him the prophecies of Daniel that talked about Greece ruling the world. Alexandra did not attack Jerusalem, he showed great favor to them. He came into their temple and worshiped God, and then pretty much left them in peace."
So there was some influence between the Jews on Alexandria the Great, and of course, the Romans, they were ruling the world. When Jesus was born, Jesus himself spoke to Pontius Pilate and some of the other Roman leaders, some of them did believe, Paul preached to Nero as did Peter. I think Peter, at least, had an audience with them before he was executed. So they were representatives from all those empires that did interact with the leaders.
Pastor Jean: And of course, the reason they're specifically mentioned is because of the role that they had with reference to God's people, Israel. And it was, of course, during that time period, you have Babylon, the Jews are captives in Babylon, they were the Medopersian empire, the Persians in the particular that allowed them to go back and restore and rebuild Jerusalem.
Then you have the story of the Greeks and their influence that they had on the people of Israel, and then, of course, Rome. Then you have the whole experience with Jesus and the apostles, and the preaching the Gospel. So those four empires are connected with God's people and with the promise of the coming Redeemer.
Pastor Pastor Doug: Yes. And ultimately, if you track the history down, Christians did have some influence on Roman leadership. Now, Constantine at least professed to be a Christian and legalized it in the kingdom, so that it was able to spread, of course, it brought up other problems. But hey, friends, we're going to take a break, we do still have lines open, that number again, 800-GOD-SAYS, (800) 463-7297. Got more Bible questions on the way, and sometimes we save the best for last, so stay tuned, listen to these important announcements.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: We are back, and if you’ve tuned in a long the way, this is Bible Answers Live. We really enjoy this because we meet new friends. We’re able to do bible studies with people around the country, other parts of the world as well. You have a bible question? We still have some lines open, here is the number for your phone call, 800-God-says, and that’s an acronym for 463-7297. (800) 463 7297 will bring your bible question into our studios here, in the capital of California. Give us a call, my name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Jean: My name is Jean Ross, and we’re ready to go back to the phone lines. We’ve got, Steve listening in Michigan. Steve, welcome to the program.
Steve: Salaam-Alaikum, brothers. How are you doing this evening?
Pastor Doug: Doing well thanks, and you?
Steve: I’m blessed and highly favored. Thank you very much. My question tonight is the infamous difference of opinion between Mathew 28:19, which you somewhat alluded to with one of the previous caller’s questions, about John 3 and Acts 2:38. Then in addition to that the fact that I’m curious as to why churches today are leaving it up to parishioners, or whatever you want to call them, to make a choice to be baptized, when indeed the bible clearly indicates that is a command not a request.
Pastor Doug: Well, first of all I agree with you that baptism in the bible is not a suggestion, it’s clearly commanded. When Jesus told his disciples both in Mathew 16 and Acts 2, several times in Acts actually, Mathew 28 and throughout the Gospels, that when people were to repent and be baptized. Yes, it is a priority. Baptism is as important to a Christian as a wedding is to a marriage. Baptism is the ceremony by which we publicly say we are accepting Christ. It's very important.
When you talk about Mathew 28 and Acts 2, I think you might be asking about why does Jesus say in Mathew 28, “Go be baptized in the name of the father, son and the holy spirit,” And in Acts 2:38 it says, “Be baptized in the name of the lord?” Is that what you’re wondering, on the baptize in the name of Jesus Christ?
Steve: Well, yes, actually both, because here is where I find a lot confusion, when I’m talking to people out on the streets and what not, is the fact that, if you break it down Mathew 28:19 is very point it at the name, its not the names or the tittles, it is “The name of”. You see obedience to Mathew 28:19 when indeed you obey Acts 2:38.
Also then you get into the other portion of where his disciples they re-baptize other ones. The confusion comes in, I guess, is it versatile to the totalitarian version, or the one that’s version, which is actually the correct-- I’d say that’s actually correct, but I’m saying which is the correct more? It would seem that as I say, obeying Acts 2:38 is a fulfillment of Mathew 28:19.
Pastor Doug: In other words you’re saying that because Jesus gives the matching orders in Mathew 28, but you see how they fulfill it when you get to Acts?
Steve: Correct.
Pastor Doug: Well, let me explain the oneness to our listeners, just because some -- I know what you’re talking about. Some might wonder in the oneness teaching, and there;s a group of Christians known as, Oneness Pentecostals. They believe that there is one God who manifests himself in three different modes. Sometimes He is seen as the son, sometimes as the Father, sometimes as the Spirit, but he’s really they’re all one and the same. I respectfully disagree with that teaching.
One reason that I think is a strong argument, is that the baptism of Jesus, you have Jesus in the water, you’ve got the Father speaking from heaven. And unless Jesus is ventriloquist, you’ve got at least a couple of beings in different places. Then you’ve got the spirit coming down in a third form simultaneously as a dove. You can see the three different persons of the God head in different locations in that verse. Then of course it does say in Genesis God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Elohim is using the plural form.
While I agree about the importance of baptism, I think it’s important that we’re baptized in the name of the father, son, and the spirit. If a person is baptized in the name of the lord, in the name of the lord Jesus Christ, that I think is just as valid. Because in Acts there are three different phrases that are used, one time it says in the name of the lord, one time it says in the name of Jesus Christ, and one time it says in the name of the lord Jesus.
Its clear to me if it’s mentioned four different ways in the gospels, or in the New Testament, the exact wording of the baptism declaration was not a priority, in that it’s almost never mention the same way. It's like with the wedding, there are certain components in a wedding that need to be followed, when the-- Pastor Ross and I’ve done several weddings, and when you do a wedding it can be very formal. You can say the bride and the groom’s full names, or you can say, do you Bill take Sally?
It can be more informal, but as long as you are making those vows to individuals in the presence of witnesses, those are the things that make a covenant binding. Baptism as long as you get the elements of the covenant, that you’re declaring your allegiance to the God of the bible, accepting Jesus as your savior in the presence of these witnesses, if the pastor ellipsis when he says the baptism is not invalid. Does that make sense?
Steve: Yes. Going along at same sense, what in your estimation then is the correct or biblical correct way of baptism? Is it sprinkling, is it immersion?
Pastor Doug: Any one of the four ways-- the correct method is baptism by immersion. The only example in the bible that you see, it says, "Jesus went down into the water. John the Baptist baptized in a river, it wasn’t with a canteen, he could have done it Jerusalem."
Steve: Sure.
Pastor Doug: Then when Philip the -- Philip baptizes the Ethiopian treasurer they go down into the water, they come up out of the water. The very word baptize is from the Greek word, “Baptizo” it means to immerse. I tell you what, Steve, we’re going to run through another call, but I want to send you a free book and it's on baptism, its called, Baptism is it Necessary? It answers all these questions.
John: The number to call is (800) 835-6747, and the book is called, Baptism is it Necessary? We’re happy to send it to you Steve or anybody who calls and asks. Next caller is, Mark, listening in Sacramento, California. Mark, welcome to the program.
Mark: Thank you very much pastors. God bless you a lot, and thanks for taking my call.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Mark: I have a question, there is a book in the New Testament, there is chapter and verse which I don’t know the name of, written by Paul, Which says and I paraphrase, that women should not speak up or act up in church. I just have no idea what that really means. I was hoping you could clarify that for me.
Pastor Doug: All right. Pastor Ross is looking up. There is a few different versus you could be referring to and he’s going to be looking those up for us. If you look in the 1st Timothy 2:12, he says, “But I suffer not a woman to teach or to use up authority over the man, but to be in silence.” Is that the one you’re talking about?
Pastor Jean: Well, there is another one in 1st Corinthians 14:34, it says, “Let your women keep silence in the churches, for they’re not permitted to speak, but they are to be submissive as the law also says.”
Steve: I believe is the one that I’ve been wondering about.
Pastor Doug: Those are the two versus. Yes, I don’t think-- and some have wondered, and there are very few Christians, there are some, but there are very few Christian churches that take this verse to mean that a woman is not to open her mouth and say anything in the church. Because -- I know there are. I’ve been in some churches where they do take a pretty strong stand that women should not speak in the church, but that’s rare.
Most understand that this is addressing a particular problem that they were having, principally in the Corinthian church, men and women didn’t sit together.
I’ve been in many churches, pastor Ross has to in India or other parts of the Middle East, where the men and women don’t even sit together. In orthodox Jewish congregations its that way. The women over there they were calling over to their husbands and asking questions, or explaining things their husbands didn’t seem to understand. It was embarrassing the husbands that their women were teaching them in front of everybody. Paul said don’t do that, you’re supposed to respect your husband, let him be the priest of the family and discuss these things at home.
But you have example in the Bible of women filled with the spirit speaking in church. You've got, Anna, when Jesus was born who prophesied in the Temple. You've got, Hanna who goes to the Temple and she prays, she declares His prophecy. There are a number of women prophets in the Bible. I don't think I would ever take these verses to mean that a woman can not teach or speak in the church.
Steve: Perfect. That answers the question for me, Pastors. Thank you so much for taking my call. I really appreciate it.
Pastor Doug: Absolutely. By the way, Mark, we do have a book. We'll send you a free copy if you'd like it. I wrote it a couple of years ago and it's called Women in Ministry. It answers a number of these verses and other questions.
Pastor Jean: The number to call for that is (800) 835-6747. You can ask for the book called, Women in Ministry. Again, it's (800) 835-6747. We have, Terry, who's listening from Michigan. Terry, welcome to the program.
Terry: Thank you so much. God bless both of you, Pastors. I tune in every week to get knowledge and learning of the Bible. I also tune in to Amazing Facts, because I really, really love your teaching. It's just fine, simple, biblical, and easy to understand. God bless both of you on this evening.
Pastor Doug: Bless your heart. Thank you.
Terry: This is my question. Yes. This is my question. What does "anointed" mean? I hear the term used so much. "He's anointed to speak." "He's anointed to teach." "He's anointed to think." Part true to that is, is it possible to lose your anointing? I just started in ministry myself and actually that ran across my mind all day yesterday. It's on my mind all day today. You go through trials.
You go through tribulations. Sometimes you're afraid, you don't think that the power is with you anymore for whatever. Still, light remain in your life, whatever type of thing might be holding you back. My question is, what does it mean to be "anointed"? Is is possible to lose that "anointing"? God bless both of you on this evening and continue to do the work of Christ. God bless you.
Pastor Doug: All right. Thank you, Terry.
Terry: Don't hang up on me.
Pastor Doug: I won't hang up on you. Let me do my best to try and answer your question. First of all, what does "Anointing" mean? The word "Anointing", it means-- If you are going to the beach and you're really afraid of being burned, you might have someone slather you with suntan lotion, they would anoint you. Anointing means to-- Some people before they cook their turkey, the baste it with butter or something. That means they try to saturate it and spread something all over.
It means "to slather", "to cover with oil". When a high priest was chosen, they put oil on his head. When a king was chosen, they used to pour oil on him and they called it, "Anointing the king". The word, when you christen a ship, this is where you get the word, "Christos". "Christos" is the Greek word for anoint. "Messiah" is the Hebrew word for anoint. Jesus was anointed, the Bible says, with the Holy Spirit. That means he was filled, he was covered with the Holy Spirit.
When someone is saying they've been anointed to this ministry or with the spirit, it means that basically the Holy Spirit has been poured on them. Those are what the words mean technically. Can a person lose the anointing? Yes. You have examples in the Bible of people that grieved away
the Spirit of God. Even Paul warns us in Ephesians. I think it's Ephesians Two, Pastor Ross. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit that anoints us." We can hurt the Spirit and drive it out of our lives by-- You've heard of the unpardonable sin. If we plug our ears to the ongoing pleas of the Spirit, then we could drive that Spirit away.
Terry: Would you know for yourself if you're actually doing some degree to the Holy Spirit, because you feel convicted? In that stays, it can keep going on?
Pastor Doug: Yes. One of the things the Holy Spirit does for you is He brings conviction. The danger is when you get to the point where you continue to ignore the Holy Spirit and you don't feel the conviction anymore, because you've turned down the volume so low by resisting, that you're kind of wearing out the Spirit.
Terry: Right.
Pastor Doug: We've got a book that talks about the Holy Spirit. We'll be happy to send you a free copy. It's called, Life and the Spirit.
Pastor Jean: I think the verse you're referring to, Pastor Doug, Ephesians 4:30. It says, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you are sealed or anointed for the day of redemption." That's Ephesians 4:30. If you'd like to receive that book that we just offered you, the number to call is (800) 835-6747. That's (800) 835-6747. We'll be happy to send that to anybody who calls and asks. Our next caller is John listening in Canada. John, welcome to the program. [silence] Hi, John. You're on the air. Alberta, Canada.
John: Hi. Thanks for having me. Sorry I'm driving to the mountains, you might have a hard time or I may get cut off.
Pastor Doug: Well, do your best to state the question real quick.
John: Very well. I will. I guess I got a minute up and struggling with my faith of lately. I watch a lot of debates on atheists versus some of the better religious minds out there. I'm sure you've probably come by some of the ones that I-- you know, the more popular ones. Anyways, my struggle is, why should I trust the Bible? I can't really read the Bible and say, "The Bible tells the truth. That must be true." I was brought up in the church. I've always had that religious foundation but that's what I'm struggling with lately.
Pastor Doug: I'm with you, John. I don't want to believe the Bible because the Bible says, "Believe the Bible." This is a pretty weak argument. I came at the Bible believing it was a fairy tale. Before I started believing it, I was amazed by the evidence-- When the Bible foretold things years in advance and then they happen. You know, from history that the parts of the Bible that it prophesied were written years before the events were fulfilled very precisely. The evidence that there's a supernatural influence in the Bible, I think, became overpowering.
Look for instance in the Book of Daniel, that we know was written many years before Christ from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Daniel lays out four major kingdoms of the world and even names them as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and the fourth one he doesn't name right away but he does name the first three. They all happen in that same succession. Greece was just warring tribes when Daniel says, "They're going to rule the world and they'll have one great king and it's Alexander the Great."
John: Sorry to interrupt. Did they know when Daniel was written?
Pastor Doug: Yes. We're pretty sure Daniel was written-
John: Does it happen again? [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: I think there's a lot of substantiation in history.
Pastor Jean: Yes. We know for a fact that Daniel was written prior to Christ because of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We know that's been David. Then there's prophesies given in the Book of Daniel, that met their fulfillment exactly after-Christ. The Babylonian captivity was some 600 years BC. Daniel was a captive in Babylon. We have archaeological evidence to testify of the truth of Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and the Babylonian captivity, the rebuilding of the Temple.
With the archaeological evidence as well as the historical files, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and alike, it's pretty clear that, yes, the prophesies of Daniel were written before they occurred. Especially the ones relating to after Christ and the dividing up of the Roman Empire, the 10 Germanic tribes that invaded and curved up Western Europe. It's just remarkable how accurately they're being fulfilled.
John: Okay. That sounds great. Can I ask-- This is the first time I've heard your show. I don't know your beliefs, but are you, I guess literalists, with the Creation Story?
Pastor Doug: Yes. We believe-- I figure I can speak for Pastor Ross. We do believe that the Word made the world in six literal days. Do you struggle with that?
John: Very much so.
Pastor Doug: I wanted to be a paleontologist. I believed in the evolution all my life until I started reading the Bible. Boy, I wish I had more time with you, but we probably can't go deep into it. There's science to-- The reasons I believe the world was made in six literal days are scientific reasons. They're not just because the Bible says so. Hey, you know, we've got a free book that we can send you. It's called, Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? We'll send you that study guide. It gives practical reasons why the Bible is a supernatural book that you can believe.
Pastor Jean: Again the number to call is (800) 835-6747. You can ask for the study guide called, Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? Also, John, a couple of that resources you might find helpful if you go the Amazing Facts website. Just amazingfacts.org. We have some articles you can read. We have some videos that you can watch dealing with the trust written as a scripture. Also some videos and sermons that recount history. I'm thinking of the new DVD we did-
Pastor Doug: Evolution, yes.
Pastor Jean: -The Bride, The Beast, and Babylon. We're coming up with a brand new documentary DVD, hopefully by the end of the year, that looks at 40 of the most compelling prophesies in the Bible that have been proven true from history and archaeology. And I think anybody who's wondering about the trustworthiness of scripture will be encouraged if they take a look at that video. And hopefully as a said check back with the website. We hope to have that done by the end of the year. Yep.
Pastor Doug: Thank you for your call, John, and we'd love to hear from you again.
Pastor Jean: Next call is, Ronnie, and he is listening in Illinois. Ronnie, welcome to the program.
Ronnie: Hi. Doug and Pastor Jean Ross. How are you doing tonight?
Pastor Jean: Good.
Pastor Doug: Doing good. Thanks for your call.
Ronnie: Thank you for taking my call. I've been listening to you guys for like seven years now. I had a question for you. Now, Moses, Elijah, and Enoch had went to be with Jesus in heaven. My question is, do you believe that they are working with Jesus to build heaven for us?
Pastor Doug: Well, there is a story in, Mark 9, where Moses and Elijah come and speak with Jesus when he was here on Earth. I'm sure when Christ is in heaven, He's in regular communication with these three humans who have been resurrected and taken to heaven. Whether they're actively involved in helping him build the mansions or something like that, I don't know that would just be speculation.
I'm sure they're deeply interested in the plan of redemption and what's happening here on Earth, and the work of Christ. Because, yes, the work of Moses, Elijah and Enoch was all about preparing people for eternity. They were all interested in God's work and His people, saving His people. Today they might be interested in seeing the church succeed.
Ronnie: Yes. Okay. I think Jesus said that one of his last words was to us is that He would leave and going prepare a place for us. They all left before Him. I was just wondering if maybe they were working with him or not. You're in California right now right?
Pastor Doug: Correct.
Ronnie: Yes, I was born and raised out there.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Ronnie: I think it's like a spiritual warfare front line out there.
Pastor Doug: Yes. They need the gospel here just like everywhere, but California is its own country [laughs].
Ronnie: Yes. It is. Well, thank you for taking my call tonight
Pastor Doug: Hey, thank you Ronnie. I appreciate your call.
Pastor Jean: All right. next caller is Gina, listening from Rio Linda, California. Gina Welcome to the program.
Gina: Thank you so much, Pastor Doug and Pastor John. Please, my question is about, please you explain end-times last plagues?
Pastor Doug: What’s dealing with the seven last plagues in Revelation?
Gina: Please.
Pastor Doug: Yes. Pastor Ross, you want to take a stab at that? I need-- because I'm not- [crosstalk]
Pastor Jean: Yes. You find Revelation talks about seven last plagues that occurred just before Jesus comes. First of all, we know that the plagues, the seven last plagues really affect the wicked and not the righteous. It's referred to as the wrath of God that is poured out upon the week just before Jesus comes. During the time of the plaques, God's people, the righteous, they will be protected. You have, Psalm:91 that speaks about no plague coming near your dwelling. So Gods is going to take care of his people, but the plagues do serve an important purpose.
They ripen the harvest, the second coming of Jesus referred to as a harvest. You got the harvest of the wheat representing the righteous. You got the harvest of the grapes representing the wicked and this, Revelation 14. Just before Jesus comes the plagues will actually reveal the hardheartedness and rebellion of the wicked without actually curse God, because of the plagues. It’s a clear evidence that they have committed the unpardonable sin. They have hardened their hearts against God and that's important in the great controversy theme that occurs. In a real quick nutshell that's a little bit about the seven last plagues..
Gina: Thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: Absolutely. I'm just trying to think if we don't really have a lesson that talks about the seven last plagues.
Pastor Jean: Not specifically, no.
Pastor Doug: Not too many people want a lesson on the plagues. [laughter] We do have great material at our website that talks about-- matter of fact we have some sermons that deal with it online?
Pastor Jean: Yes. Deal with that.
Pastor Doug: Thank you very much for your call, Gina.
Pastor Jean: Next caller is, Rick, listening from Maryland. Rick, welcome to the program.
Rick: Hi, Pastor Doug, Ross. The other guy was talking about the creation being six literal days. I recently just returned from a trip to the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky and Noah's Ark, which is are two separate museums but they're connected. They started by 10:00 AM. Are you familiar with those museums?
Pastor Doug: Yes. Ken Ham. Yes. I've never been to the museums but I know a lot of people have been there really enjoyed it.
Rick: It was fantastic. My wife and I loved it. The question I have the emphasis to have this regular good argument about the earth being thousands of years old as opposed to millions or billions. And of course there is a famous debate between, Ken Ham and Bill Nye the science guy. And I'm in the process of listening to those CDs. I was always taught that the earth was billions of years old and not billion. Now away from there. I tell you really this argument Ken Ham presented that were blowing to me. I know it flies in face of science but yet, you know, but by faith- [crosstalk]
Pastor Doug: It really doesn't fly in the face of science. I think that the scientific evidence is for a short history on Earth. I think there's a lot of good support for that.
Pastor Jean: You know, we mustn't forget, Pastor Doug, that some of the most well educated and well-studied professionals and professors and scientists, many of which recognize creation as being the evidence leaning more towards creation by design, God being involved the earth being made in six literal days. So, yes, we don't want to get the idea that somehow the Bible is opposed or fighting the science, we need to look at the science and compare that with scripture.
Pastor Doug: Absolutely. Hey, thank you very much for your call. Rob, we do have a book called ,The wonders of creation that you'll find encouraging also one called, When Evolution Flunked The Science Test. Hey, listening friends we are running short on time for the Bible question part, we do still have some important announcements to share with you. Keep in mind, Jesus is the truth that sets you free. We'd love to hear from you. Go to amazingfacts.org and let us know you enjoy the program. God bless.