Q: Would you please address the question of the use of instrumental music within worship? A: According to the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical literature, instrumental music was not introduced into the church until pope Vitalian did so in A.D. 660. Even after this point, the instrument was not used in various places to […]

In Genesis 1:26 it says, “Then God said, Let us make man in our image…” Who is “us?” Was God talking to himself or someone else? The context is the creation of man. God’s creation of the rest of the natural world was complete and now He turns His hand to the creation of His […]

Is it the work of the church to provide secular education and give money for secular education? The primary work of the church is to serve as Christ’s bride in the grand purpose of saving souls (Luke 19:10). Within this great purpose, there is a three-fold division of work to be done. First the church […]

One of the guys at work will become a woman next week. Is this wrong in God’s eyes? Many people who change gender have more chromosomes of the opposite sex than of the sex they are. People I work with compare this to birth defects. I need some scriptures and help with this issue. There […]

Is it right for a preacher to preach his opinion as Bible doctrine? No. I have included this question because I want to go on record as stating that I have no right to teach my opinion as Bible doctrine and neither does any other person have the right to so do. The Bible says […]

If a Christian falls away to sin and it is known both within the church and outside, is it necessary for that Christian to repent before the church? Could you please give some scriptures in answer? I have always been taught that the repentance should go as far as the sin, in other words, if […]

If baptism is necessary to salvation (meaning you cannot get into heaven without it-even though you believe, confess, and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and ask him to live in your heart) then why did Jesus tell the thief on the cross that he would be with him in heaven? The thief was […]

As a juror, how should a Christian consider “capital” punishment? The basic idea behind capital punishment is that it is the government that is imposing the punishment on individuals in society that have failed to respect the laws of our society. However, the term “capital punishment” has come to refer to a sentence and ultimate […]

Would you please explain Romans 9:18? Romans 9:18 states, “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” The context of this particular passage is in the midst of Paul’s expressed desire for the salvation of the Jewish people. He says in Romans 9:3, “For I could wish […]

As a Christian, what Bible version should I be using? If a version is doctrinally unsound should we refrain from using this in a public way? Is there anything wrong with the NIV? In Deuteronomy 4:2 we read, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from […]

A querist asks, “In simple terms, can you please define the term “providence” and how it relates to God?”

A querist asks, “In Leviticus 27:30-33, we notice that one tenth of the Hebrew’s annual harvest was to be devoted to the service of God as a “tithe” offering for the support of the Levites and priests in their religious duties (Numbers 18:24; Numbers 18:28). The Israelites of Malachi’s day were violating this law. As […]

A querist asks, “Could someone please explain Luke 19:27 to me? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard this verse expounded upon at all.” The text reads, “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” The “enemies” Christ refers to in this verse are […]

Why did Jesus turn water into wine? I suspect the questioner has a little more in mind than this. The question is not one of why did Jesus turn water into wine, but rather, why is it that Jesus chose wine as the beverage into which to turn the water and is this the same […]

We most always read the scripture in Luke 22 before we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Shouldn’t we also read scriptures that we should do this on the first day of the week? I sometimes wonder if we have non-Christians in our audience that we should include these scriptures also. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul […]

When we come across a passage within the Bible that is difficult to interpret or seemingly means something that contradicts another plain teaching of scripture, we must look at it through our understanding of the plain teaching of scriptures. Many choose to interpret the difficult passage first and then take perfectly plain scriptures and twist […]

If the steps to salvation are understand, believe, confess, repent and be baptized… does that mean that if these steps were done but not in that order that one will not find true salvation? Is infant baptism invalid? Thanks for your question. In order to be saved, one must follow the order of salvation that […]

Okay I know you are suppose to get baptized,but if you don’t and it is a sin but sins can be forgiven so even though it is a part of salvation it is necessary,but you can be forgiven for not being baptized right? Will God forgive you for anything no matter how great the sin? […]

If upon death the spirit is returned unto God then are the Christians in Heaven prior to judgement day? Please explain “Paradise” and purgatory. Thank you. Thank you for your question. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Ecclesiastes 12:7 means that we return to the presence of God, just to His care. I.E. He controls our […]

SUBJECT: Church Organization/Leadership

TITLE: Why Do We Have Elders?

PROPOSITION: We have elders to 1) Oversee 2) Counsel 3) Shepherd.

Objectives: That each would understand the role elders have in the local congregation.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Acts 20:28

2. About the Text:

1) This context is the only passage of scripture in which we have all three words used to describe the office of the elder.