You asked for it…so we are continuing to provide answers until every question is answered.  Visit princetonalliance.org/worship/online to hear some of the topics already discussed during weekend services.

How do you reach a child who is unlovable and says, ‘I don’t think there is a God?’

I believe by you asking the question, you still love them (even though they are unlovable). So, that’s where we’ll start. In spite of poor behavior (and there should be consequences for that), in spite of their lashing out, in spite of them declaring there is no God, you still love them. And if you are at the point where the pain is so severe that you are struggling to love them, give them over to God and His love for them, which is perfect, everlasting and complete. And do that through prayer for them. If the child is old enough to be on his/her own it may include the possibility of them moving out of the household in order to protect the rest of the family and in order for you to be able to manage your emotions and response to him/her. But it never includes cutting all lines of communication.

Do all you can to love them with the love that God has shown you. But remember that there should be standards set and maintained by the parents. In the book of 1 Samuel the priest Eli was reprimanded because he did nothing to turn his children away from their sin.

1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God sent His only son, not to condemn your unlovable child (even though right now they are rejecting Him), but to love and save them!

John 3: 16 – 17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 8: 38 – 39 (read Romans 8: 28 – 39 for the whole story)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I struggle with one major element of Christianity. How am I to worship a GOD that sacrifices loved ones?

I am not completely sure I understand your question. If you are referring to God’s sacrifice of his Son remember that God sacrificed His loved one to save you. Romans 5:8 says, But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us and John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The sacrifice was huge but was also temporary in that Jesus was then raised from the dead to return to the Father.

And remember that Jesus’ death was in replacement for mine. I was supposed to be judged for my sin. One sacrifice cleared the way for all of us to be saved from it. Isn’t it amazing that God loves me and you so much that he would send His only Son to die for us? He loves us so much to do that. I see that as amazing. He sacrificed His Son knowing that it would be hard and painful just so that He could spend eternity with you and I. He also knew that because Jesus is God that He would conquer death. What other god expresses His love for you and I in this way. There is no other. Why would you not want to worship a God like this?

I hear people say God only did miracles in the days of Noah and Moses but if we don’t expect God to do miracles why would He do them in our day?

To say that God only does miracles in the days of Noah and Moses is somewhat short-sighted. There are miracles throughout the Scriptures. Jesus did many in the Gospels. The apostles did even more in the book of Acts. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” And 1 Corinthians 14:5b and 13 says, “He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.” For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.”

This 1 Corinthians passage is clear that there are miracles that are included in the gifts of the Spirit. Our pastor of Spiritual Development Matt Murphy had a miracle happen to him in the healing of his knee. Jesus also said that we could do greater works than He did. I always wonder if that refers to the miracle of leading someone to Christ. You are right, though, in that there is an element of faith or expectation involved. Jesus says in Matthew 17:20 that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. We need to expect and believe for anything to happen in God’s Kingdom. In the practical realm, we do seem to see fewer miracles today. I am not sure why but it may be because in those early days it was necessary for everyone to see God’s power through Jesus. Now we have His Word as well as the testimony of millions who have had their lives transformed.

Why did Jesus put a curse on the fig tree? Matthew 21:18-21

There is no reason given but in looking at the context, we can see where there might be several reasons for this. First, Jesus wanted to show the disciples that with a little faith they can do great things like move a mountain (v21-22). Secondly, there are many parallels in this passage. In the Old Testament, judgment on Israel is described in terms of the land producing no fig trees. (Micah 7:1-6 and Jeremiah 8:13) Jesus may have done this to help His disciples remember this comparison. Now was the time of judgment for Israel. Mark also shares this same story in Mark 11:12-25 and has it in the midst of Jesus condemning what was happening in the Temple. Right after Jesus turns over the tables in the Temple in the Mark passage, Peter remembers what Jesus did when they saw the fig tree. The imagery comes together for Peter. This would lead us to believe that it came together for the disciples as well. He cursed the fig tree to show that the unspiritual exercises in the Temple were to come to a cease. But remember, the bottom line is that we do not know for sure.

You asked for it…

so we are continuing to provide answers until every question is answered.  Visit princetonalliance.org/worship/online to hear some of the topics already discussed during weekend services.

How do I keep God first in my life ALWAYS?

It begins with a choice. “Whom will you serve, God or man?” We must choose this as a priority in our life. If He is a top priority, we will continually look for ways to understand Him, to seek Him, and to discover what He has in store for us. It can be simply divided into 6 categories (which spell out HABITS). H stands for hang time with God, this is our prayer time, discovering who He is, worshiping Him, finding a quiet place to hear His voice and discovering answers with His guidance. A stands for accountability – we need other people in our lives that will help keep us on track. This can also be someone who is challenging us when we get off track, or just someone who asks ‘are you keeping God first in your life?’ B is Bible memorization – this may seem like it is for kids, but scripture tells us to hide God’s word in our hearts, so when we are at a place where we don’t have support, or we feel distant from God, we can remember the promises He gives us. Often, He will use the memorized scriptures to speak to us right when we need it. This is a great way to keep God first all the time. Choose to take time, choose to learn His words, and constantly roll them over in your mind. When we get into a questionable situation, what will come to mind first are the verses we have memorized. I stands for involvement. Part of staying connected with God is to be a part of where He is working. Finding a ministry, or an opportunity to serve either in the church or in an area where God is working, we will continually be able to see Him, and also be able to experience Him in a new and fresh way. For example, if you go on a retreat with students or children, you will have a whole weekend in which you can see God changing lives. It not only encourages you, but also inspires you to be further involved in what God is doing. T is tithing – this is not only with money, but also with time. S stands for Scripture – it is important to continually be in God’s word, discovering the truths He gives us.

These are tips to strengthen your relationship with God but human nature and circumstances will play into this as well. Some days (or weeks or months) will be more successful than others. So it may take a recommitment to these principles every once in a while. That is what Romans 12:1-2 is all about. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. This is not a one time “offer.” You should ask yourself every six months, “How am I doing on my H-A-B-I-T-S?

How do you avoid gossip or topics you do not want to discuss with other people?

You can excuse yourself politely, or say no. Avoiding gossip seems to be the most difficult because it feeds off of other people, especially those who you consider friends. However, it is also wrong if you speak of someone while not in their presence and certainly if it is not for the “building up of the body.” (Ephesians 4:16) Philippians 4:8 also says to concentrate only on those things that are pure, noble and good. My advice would be to say ‘sorry, I would rather not talk about that’, or simply excuse yourself. And if you do hear of something, make sure you do not become a conduit by repeating it to anyone else. In the case where someone has a grievance toward another and brings it to you, refer them back to the person that has offended them. Matthew 18:15, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.”
Is it possible for the Bible to be wrong? How do all the people who preach about the Bible know that they are correctly interpreting the Word?

For the first part of this question, please listen to the message from May 2, 2010 (last weekend). As far as question 2 is concerned, obviously I cannot speak for ALL those who preach. I can speak for myself. First, some passages are clear and the literal sense is always the best first choice. Second, I study. I read the passage in context. Why were these verses originally given in the context of the passage in which they are placed? How have others interpreted them over the years? There are commentaries on these passages written by scholars who know their trade. In my case, I have also studied for years in formal institutions, including the backgrounds of the various books of the Bible and the original languages in which they were written. I use that in my preparation. Lastly, I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help me to understand what it means, how to apply it today and how to communicate it to others. In actuality, you can do the same. You might lack the formal study in languages but the rest of this process is available to you. Don’t just read the Bible quickly. Take time to study. 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

How do I be there for my sister when I do not agree with her actions? I believe her loneliness leads her to make poor choices.

There are at least 2 parts to the question: How do I be there for her, but make sure she knows I don’t agree with her actions? Galatians 6:1-2 reads, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” The first part is in the being there – Even though it’s often very difficult, when we see those we love hurting themselves, you should make sure that God’s love for your sister and your love for her continues to shine through. You need to keep the lines of communication open, which means she has to hear your concern/love for her as a sister and not just your opinions on what she is doing wrongly. And especially since you believe loneliness is one of her root issues, all the more reason to make your presence felt in her life.
The second part is that you don’t have to agree with her actions. Galatians tells us to be gentle but to work at restoration – getting her back to where she should be and away from lifestyles that damage what God wants to do in her life. So in fact you have a responsibility to not support her actions, if they are hurting her. If she is hurting herself, she is accountable for destroying the body that God has given her.
But, I’m sure there are underlying reasons that she is behaving this way. So, you should speak to her in love, the love of Christ. Pray for discernment in responding to the day-to-day behavioral issues, and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work in her.

Love her as God loves you…

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Romans 15: 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But, be strong and courageous in standing against her actions if they are hurting her…

1 Corinthians 3: 16 – 17
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1 Chronicles 22:13
Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

What do you do when your husband lifestyle does not line up with Word of God?

First of all, I’m assuming that your husband’s behavior is not putting you or any family member at safety risk. If there is risk of injury or safety, then you need to get immediate help. We, as the Church, are there if you need us in this situation.
If the issues are those of obedience to The Word and your husband seeking God’s direction and will in his life then…
You should focus on your relationship with God and allow your husband to see that as an example of how God is doing a work in you. Let the fruit of the Spirit shine through you.

You should not support or ignore poor behavior, but let God do the work of convicting your husband of the lifestyle issues (sin) in his life. Pray that you might both live in relationship with Him, through His Spirit! Spend some time on the following verses.

Galatians 5: 16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Galatians 5: 22 – 26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1 Peter 2:1-2
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

More answers to questions you always wanted answered – Part 4.  Every question we received is important to us. Each week we are continuing to answer additional questions outside of weekend services to insure no question goes unanswered.

What is speaking in tongues and what is PAC’s stance on tongues?

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.”

Then in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Paul asks some rhetorical questions. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” The answer is no.  As a body, we all have different gifts.  That allows us to understand that speaking in tongues is not a gift or sign of everyone who is baptized in the Spirit.

But 1 Corinthians 14:5b and 13 says, “He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.”  “For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.”

Speaking in tongues seems to be the miraculous ability to speak in another language that you never learned.  We believe these passages explain that if someone is to speak in tongues to communicate something then there needs to be an interpreter. In Acts 2, the disciples were speaking in tongues so that the Gospel may go out to people whose language they did not know how to speak and no interpretation was needed. However, when speaking in tongues that no listener understands, Paul’s writings indicate that there needs to be edification for the body of believers and it needs to be interpreted.

What about tongues in private prayer?

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 says, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” Based on this passage it would seem that there is nothing wrong with praying in tongues in a private setting. But it also says your mind is unfruitful in that prayer because you do not understand what you are praying. Paul is cautioning that you should not limit yourself to just praying in tongues but you should pray with your mind as well.

Why do some speak in tongues and others do not?

1 Corinthians 12:14-20 says, “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

Each of us has a different role in the body and are given different gifts so not everyone will get the gift of tongues.

Why doesn’t PAC allow women to speak about Bible stories?

We do allow women to speak about Bible stories. The only office that a woman cannot hold in our denomination is the role of elder/pastor based in part on Titus 1:6 “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife.”

However, here at PAC we believe a woman has all the rights to all the gifts of the Spirit as men do.  As such, they can be team leaders, ministry heads, and department leaders.  They can teach in all settings, including from the stage on weekends (as you will see happen on Mother’s Day in a couple of weeks).  Any ministry opportunity open to men is also open to women, including holding a position on the governing board.

Why doesn’t the Jewish Passover date coincide with Christian Holy Maundy Thursday?

This is actually a bit complicated.  Probably the easiest way to explain this is to understand that the two holidays are celebrated by different religious groups using a different calendar system.

Easter, celebrated by Christians, is the first Sunday after the 14th day of the lunar month (the nominal full moon) that falls on or after March 21 of the Gregorian calendar (nominally the day of the vernal equinox).  Maundy Thursday is the Thursday prior to that Sunday.  Maundy Thursday is so named after the latin word “mandatum” from which we get mandate or command.  It was in the upper room on that first Maundy Thursday that Jesus left his disciples with a new command to love one another.

Passover, celebrated by Jews, begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan of the Jewish calendar, which typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. In accordance with the Hebrew Bible, Nisan is the first month of the Hebrew calendar’s festival year. Passover is a spring festival, so the 14th day of Nisan begins on the night of a full moon after the vernal equinox.

We are on to Part 3 – More answers to questions you always wanted answered.  We are continuing to answer additional questions outside of weekend services to insure no question goes unanswered.

What about taking medication for a bio-chemical depression?

There are no clear directives in scripture for when to and when not to use a physician or medication. You will see physicians mentioned many times, and in fact one of Jesus’ disciples Luke, was a physician.

But there is also clear evidence, on many occasions, that miraculous healing takes place and the concept of seeking God’s help in your healing becomes critical. So there is no directive to not ask for all the help that physicians can give, but the process should begin with asking for Jesus to heal you.

2 Chronicles 16:12
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.

Mark 5:26 & 34
She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had yet instead of getting better she grew worse…He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

James 5: 13 – 16 – The Prayer of Faith
Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

Is gambling a sin?

There is no clear directive on gambling in scripture. The question can be answered in where and how you are spending your resources; time and money.

If we agree that all that we have is ultimately belongs to God (answered previously in questions regarding New Testament view on tithing), then the question becomes whether you believe God would want you to spend your time and money in this way. If gambling distracts from you spending time and money on kingdom work or relationships, then it can become a barrier or sin in your life. If it then escalates into an addiction or obsession (as it is proven that it has the potential to be) then you can become consumed by its hold on your life.

Do you want to focus on being transformed into all that God has in His plan for you, or are you continuing to conform to what the world has to offer? This can apply to gambling or to any other worldly distraction. Whether something becomes a sin or not, depends on how much of you it consumes, and is it driving you to focus on yourself more than God and others.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Peter 1: 13 – 15
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.

What do we believe about “speaking in tongues” and “being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues”? Thoughts on it in personal prayer, and also as a gift to the church. Why do some people do it and others don’t?

This is a mammoth question that needs to be broken down into smaller bites.

To answer this question we need the answer to: What is being baptized in the Holy Spirit and what is the evidence of it?

1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” Later in the same book, in 1 Corinthians 12:13 we read, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” We believe that everyone who has believed in Christ’s work on the cross and accepted it on their behalf has been reborn In Christ and is baptized in the Holy Spirit at that moment. That baptism is the proof of real conversion and should begin to show itself in a transformed lifestyle. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is the ultimate sign of true conversion. Some believe that speaking in tongues is the evidence of this experience. I will address more on that below.

However, Scripture also speaks of being filled with the Spirit. Paul in Ephesians 5:18 says, “be filled with the Spirit.” Since Paul is speaking to Christians then it is clear that you can be a Christian and baptized in the Spirit without being filled with the Spirit. We believe that being filled with the Spirit is an ongoing commitment that takes daily attention. It is the process of becoming more like Christ and what the Bible calls sanctification. Ephesians 5:18 literally means to continue (daily) to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Since that entails an act of the will it is what our denomination, Christian and Missionary Alliance, terms the “crisis sanctification.” It is subsequent to salvation and takes a decision of will on your part that leads to a lifestyle change.

What is the evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?

As you read the Acts 2:1-4 passage, it is easy to deduce that we will speak in tongues at the baptism of the Spirit. But that is not necessarily true. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the fruit of the spirit as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Another key passage for the use of tongues is 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.” If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Speaking in tongues is just one of the gifts of the Spirit and it is clear from scripture that Love is the greatest gift and Love is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit not tongues. Scripture does not point at all to speaking in tongues as the only evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Can Christians be possessed by evil spirits?

1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” If our bodies as Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit then how could any other spirit also dwell in us? As Christians, we can be influenced by evil spirits but we cannot be possessed since God, in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit, cannot dwell together with demons.

More answers to questions you always wanted answered – Part 2.  Every question we received is important to us. Each week we are continuing to answer additional questions outside of weekend services to insure no question goes unanswered.

Why can’t we eat meat on Good Friday? What do vegetarians give up? Does He care if we eat meat? Why can you eat fish on Good Friday, but not chicken? Aren’t they both poultry?

Both questions are derived from church tradition and not directly from Scripture. There is no Scriptural support for abstaining from eating meet or eating fish, etc. on Good Friday. The practice is related to the Catholic rule of fasting on that day. In 1966 Pope Paul VI reorganized the Church’s practice of public penance in his”Apostolic Constitution on Penance” by declaring that all adults fast, specifically meaning that only one meal should be eaten and that meal should be void of meat. Chicken (poultry) is actually not included in the definition of “meat.” You are allowed to eat chicken, although the tradition may vary in different cultures and churches. Fish is also excluded from the fast although it is not poultry.

Why do we not take communion every week?

The choice to take communion every week is based on the church and the pastor. During the early church, they would gather together weekly and as time progressed it became a choice.  Denominations and individual churches differ as to frequency. At PAC we usually observe communion about once a month. Since our desire is to make it meaningful rather than routine, we try to incorporate it into services that bring significance to the elements. We also vary in the way we actually receive the elements in order to assist everyone in getting the most out of the experience.

Can you please explain how the church decided, since it was not Christ that decided, that communion would only be given to believers?

Communion was set up to remember what Jesus did for us. So for a non-believer it has no purpose or meaning. Jesus also did this with his disciples, the closest to him. He say’s “do this in remembrance of me, this is my body, this is my blood.” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:29 – “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” This has been interpreted over the centuries as meaning only those who understand and accept the story behind the elements – the death of Christ on the cross for our sins – are those who “recognize the body of the Lord.” Thus we make clear that communion is for believers only.

Why was the Lords’ Supper a feast and the churches have reduced it to a crumb and a little juice?

We are not sure it was a feast, although it was observed during the first church as a meal. As a meal, there were indulgences that distracted from the true meaning of the event. See 1 Corinthians 11:17-33. It eventually evolved into what we observe today through bread or cracker and juice or wine. We are not really sure when it started.

Why aren’t we Jewish? The people in Jesus time were Jewish, so why aren’t we?

All the people in Jesus’ time weren’t Jewish. The Jewish people (or Israelites) functioned as a nation and a people with a clear blood line. In fact from then to now, the ability to become ”Jewish” is limited to those with that blood line or that convert to that religious belief system (which stops short of accepting Jesus as the Messiah). Some of what God had to say to this nation early on is found in Exodus 19: 5-6:

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Every question we received is important to us. Each week we are answering additional questions outside of weekend services to insure no question goes unanswered.

Here we go…

If I live with God in my heart, am I less of a Christian if I donʼt attend church regularly?

Interesting question: a simple statement is “going to church makes you a Christian the way sleeping in a garage makes you a car”. Once you have asked God into your life, thatʼs it, itʼs not about checking a list of when and where you go to church. See the first message of this series, given last week for an abundance of Scriptural support on this. However, I would argue that it would be extremely difficult for you to maintain your relationship with God if you don’t have other people in your life helping you out. That can happen through groups, neighbors, etc. Thatʼs why the first church was created as a fellowship of believers who supported, encouraged, held each other accountable, and continued to challenge each other in their walk with God. Secondly, the mission of the church is to reach to the ends of the earth with the message of freedom. You canʼt possibly do that alone. Weʼre called to know Him; but we are also called to make Him known. That takes the church. Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

If Jesus died on Friday & rose on Sunday, how is that 3 days?

Mark, Luke, and John all make it clear that Jesus was buried after his death on the day of “preparation” (Friday) before the Sabbath (Saturday) – Mark 15:37-47, Luke 23:53-56, and John 19:31. In order for Jesus to have been buried just before the Sabbath (Saturday), Jesus’ crucifixion had to have occurred only on Friday.
The Bible is clear that Jesus was crucified on the Passover, as a substitute for the sacrifice that normally happens, Friday, then buried later that (Friday) afternoon or evening before the Sabbath (Saturday) began, and then rose from the dead the first day of the week (Sunday). How could there be a
1fulfillment of Jesus’ prediction that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth? What exactly does this mean? 3-literal, 24-hour days or a statement related to a certain time period. In the Old Testament the expression “one day and one night” was an idiom used often by the Jews for a day, even when it was applied to only a part of a day. The Jewish reference to this period as three days and three nights is strictly in accordance with the Jewish mode of reckoning. Evening and morning, or night and day, is the Hebrew phrase for a natural day. It was a maxim among the Jews in computing time, that a part of a day was to be received or computed as the whole.
Jesus died on Friday afternoon, making it a part of the first day. Jewish days go from 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm, so Friday afternoon would have been the first day. The second day would have been from 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, and then the third day would have been from 6:00 pm on Saturday through Sunday. The concept of three days would be an idiom, not necessarily meaning 3 full 24- hour periods.

Can children ask their parentsʼ to do what they want them to do?

Of course a child can ask, but deference and honor is to always be given to the parent. The age of the child as well as culture plays into this answer.
The greater the age the more opportunity we want to give our children and each culture has certain standards that need to be addressed. Here are some principles to consider:
o Definition of the word “honor” – to esteem and show respect to one another
o The way “honor” is used in Exodus 20:12 is in verb-form that is a direct command towards our parents so we will have “long life in the land”. If one can learn to honor his or her parents, it seems every authority relationship flows from that relationship. There will always be an authority in our life to honor and we learn it first by how we treat our parents.
Having said that, there are some additional principles that parents should consider. Children are not to be lorded over but to be taught to be independent eventually all the while the parents are protecting them. Jesus
said in Matthew 18:1 “Let the little children come to Me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” It seems that Jesus wants to bless children but this is also a word of “honor”. Parents should be careful not to completely shut down communication, which is a two-way street. Remember that our role as parents is to teach children to think for themselves and to be critical thinkers making choices based on what they have been taught.

Do I have to honor my mother even if she is abusive to me? Do I have a relationship with her even if she continues to hurt me emotionally even when I am a married adult?

Not all family relationships are as God wants them to be. When there has been pain and abuse, God always seeks reconciliation. His desire for us is to forgive. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter is seeking a lid on the level of forgiveness that we offer to others. When he suggests that seven times be the limit, Jesus’ answer is that it should be seventy times seven. In other words, there is no lid or limit. God always seeks reconciliation, and forgiveness is the first step in that process. That is as much (or more) for the freedom of the forgiver as it is for the one forgiven. In times when abuse is involved, however, you probably need to get other people involved in the healing process. This is again where the church should fill a practical role.
And you need to hear me say that although honor and deference can be given to parents, that does not mean we let people abuse us or take advantage of us. We are not required to have a close relationship with those who seek our destruction. And for those who may know about the situation, please understand that abuse should never be tolerated. We have the right to protect ourselves and those we love from people who seek to harm us.
There is one more piece. In speaking of marriage, Genesis 2:24 says, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” In essence, this relationship takes precedence over all others. If one is forced to choose between parents and the one to whom you now belong, so strongly that God calls you “one flesh,” the one you can no longer be separated from, then you must protect your relationship with your spouse as your first priority. Remember that reconciliation offers the only possibility that allows you to maintain all relationships. If thatʼs not possible, seek counsel and the Lord in finding a way to prioritize your marriage and shield the relationship with your spouse.

Is it wrong to choose not to involve yourself in family membersʼ troubles when you are already going through your own, especially knowing your help or input is unappreciated?

God calls us to love others and that means sharing in their problems. However, if something falls on deaf ears, it is not worth sharing. We are to look for open doors to share with people. Many times it isn’t what you say but how you say it, at what time, and the heart and motivation behind it. We must pray for our families. It is also scriptural for us to go and show our brother his fault in a loving and credible way. Everything starts with a relationship and intentions that are pure. “The words of a wise manʼs mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” Ecclesiastes 10:12 Lastly, make sure you have the support you need from others in the church that you trust both for your struggles and your families.

What does the Bible say about giving money to the church? How much is enough both money & time)?
Does charitable giving count as tithing (giving of yourself to things other than the church)?

We had a sermon dedicated to tithing and giving on March 14, 2010 that will answer these questions in more depth. To hit on a couple of the points above, the Bible is clear in the Old Testament about bringing a portion of your “first fruits” to the temple (Lev. 27: 30 – 32). It goes on to identify 1 out of every 10 of the flocks and herds to be brought. It also speaks of the tithe “belonging to The Lord and being holy unto Him”. This indicates that giving
to a “favorite charity” is not the intent. However, in the New Testament the spirit we should have toward our money is that it all belongs to God. Jesus interacts with a rich, young man asking him to sell what he has and give it to the poor (Matt. 19:16-20). He also tells us to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). These are the charities that are supported in scripture. As far as time goes, the same attitude and approach should apply. When we are pursuing “life to the fullest” (John 10:10), we should be in a position of giving all of who we are to Him, and pursuing a life that was like that Jesus exampled to us.

Is it ok to go out and drink? What does the Bible teach about alcohol? What is PACʼs stance on it?
Is alcohol a sin?

Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit. Many refer to this verse in declaring alcohol to be forbidden. However, the passage is actually communicating that anything that you put in your body that controls you other than the Spirit of God is a sin. There are passages in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that indicates that alcohol was permitted. Jesus turned water into wine in John 2. Paul tells Timothy to use wine for medicinal purposes (1Timothy 5:23). In Deuteronomy 14, God wanted the giving of the tithe to be a celebration that included drinking fermented drink. However, there are also words of warning concerning alcohol. The Ephesians passage above speaks to the danger of alcoholic consumption that it can easily lead to abuse. In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, Paul warns church leadership not to be given to drinking alcohol. Although this seems not to completely forbid it, it certainly means that we should be cautious. Lastly, Romans 14 speaks to the principle of giving up permitted lifestyles if it causes others to stumble. It specifically refers to drinking in verse21. ItmaybeokformetohaveaglassofwinebutifIdothatwithmy alcoholic friend, I violate Romans 14:21. Lastly and obviously, if you are under 21 you are breaking the law when you drink. Romans 13:1 says, “You are to submit yourself to the governing authorities.” so at PAC we uphold Romans 14 as the highest standard. Some of our attendees are recovering alcoholics. Others have that potential. So although individually, concerning this issue, we allow each one to decide for themselves, we are driven to make sure we cause no one to stumble. So we do not allow alcoholic beverages on campus nor do we allow alcohol at any official church function.

Are drugs a sin? Why did He give them to us? What is Godʼs view of marijuana?

We will answer this question from a recreational drug-use perspective. In the same way that we look at alcohol use, we need not use something for recreational purposes that control us other than the spirit (Ephesians 5:18). In addition, since all recreational drug use is against the law, any drug use for recreational purposes is illegal (Romans 13:1). Ultimately, you have to ask yourself if you want all of God and His holiness and if you want Him to be “your high.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.”

How can I know my gift in the Spirit?

Make sure you read what Scripture has to say about the gifts, both what they are and how they are to be used. The key passages are 1 Corinthians 12- 14, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4. Next, pray, asking God to reveal to you what your gifts are and how He wants you to serve him. Try out different areas of ministry where different gifts are needed. The idea is to see what you are good at, what you enjoy doing and what you are passionate about. Also, get input from others on where they think you are gifted. Choose people who will be honest. We hope to offer a course in the fall that helps you through this process so stay tuned.