If the only way you can be saved is through Jesus’ blood, then how were people saved previous to Jesus?  I understand the Jews had animal sacrifices which rolled their sins forward.  But what about the non-Jews?

Sincerely,
Who’s Paying For This?

Dear Who’s Paying For This,

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the Gentiles that lived before Jesus, but what little we do know tells us that God didn’t forsake them.  When God called Abraham out from amongst his people (Gen 12:1-2), everyone that wasn’t descended from Abraham became a ‘Gentile’.  The Old Testament follows the descendants of Abraham and God’s covenant with them; that is why there isn’t much said about the other nations that lived on this planet.  Here is what we know:

1. God praised and blessed honest Gentiles.  Melchizedek is called a ‘priest of God’ (Gen 14:18), and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was the priest of Midian (Ex 3:1) and worshipped God.  We don’t know exactly what arrangement God had with these men, but we know that they were pleasing to God and not a part of the Jewish nation.  Another great example of a godly Gentile was Cornelius.  God blessed and heard Cornelius’ prayers (Acts 10:1-4).
2. Some Gentiles were blessed by God through conversion to Judaism.  Rahab and Ruth were both Gentile women that turned to God by becoming Jews.  Both of these women are mentioned in the lineage of Christ (Matt 1:5).
3. We have a single statement in the book of Romans that hints at what kind of law the Gentiles were under.  Rom 1:14-15 says that the Gentiles had a law of conscience written by God on their hearts.  This doesn’t tell us much, but it does point out that God had a system for judging the Gentiles… it was just different than the system He used for judging the Jews.

All of this just gives a glimpse at the pre-Christian Gentile world, but it is enough to paint a picture that God had a plan; we just don’t know exactly how it worked.

Does the Bible say hell is for real?

Sincerely,
Afraid Of Fire

Dear Afraid Of Fire,

Mk 9:47-49 says that hell is a place where “the worm never dies and the fire is not quenched”.  Jesus also told the story of a rich man that died and went to torments (Lk 16:22-23).  In torments, the rich man was in constant burning anguish without relief (Lk 16:24).  Abraham told the rich man that he would remain in anguish and that there was a great gulf eternally fixed between those in Paradise and those in torment (Lk 16:25-26).  Though some good brethren believe that hell is not an eternal location and that the wicked are destroyed at death, we don’t believe that this holds up to biblical scrutiny.  Hell is a real place, and you really don’t want to go there.  Examine yourself and ask, “If I died today, would I be ready to meet God?”  If you aren’t sure, read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”

Why do people want to be satanic?  What exactly does it mean to be satanic?  About what percentage/number of people are satanic?

Sincerely,
Weirded Out

Dear Weirded Out,

It is an infinitesimally small percentage of Americans that specifically refer to themselves as “Satan worshippers”… less than one percent.  Satanic cults have existed in small pockets around the globe for years and have varying practices and beliefs that differ widely.  Satanic practitioners hold one common belief – an admiration for rebellious and anti-establishment religious figures.  Obviously, this religion is totally wrong and destructive to those who practice it.  Satan is not a hero; he is the great villain and adversary of mankind – the word ‘satan’ actually means ‘adversary’.  The Bible describes him as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8).

I saw a vision when I gave my life to Jesus that I was preaching to millions of souls on a stage and crusades.  I praise the Lord who used me to bring at least sixty souls.  When will my whole vision come to pass?

Sincerely,
Visionary

Dear Visionary,

The days of dreams and visions have passed.  In the past, God spoke to various people through dreams, visions, and prophecy, but today He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2).  Now that we have the complete and perfect Bible – there is no need for God to give people individual dreams or visions.  It is through the Word of God that we learn how to live faithfully (Rom 10:17).

We are sure that your dreams mean something, but they don’t mean anything supernatural or prophetic.  What you had was not a vision.  Prophets have visions, and there are no more prophets since we have the perfect and complete Word of God (1 Cor 13:8-10).  The human mind is a complex and wondrous thing (Ps 139:14).  It is perfectly normal for our minds to make mental connections as we pray, study, sleep, etc.  Those mental images aren’t visions; they are just your own thoughts as your mind meditates upon what you have said, read, or heard.

We recommend you read “I Dreamed A Dream” for more information.

Is it a sin to work on Sunday?  I want to go to church, but I have to work to support myself.  I tried to get off, but my job won’t let me.

Sincerely,
Employed

Dear Employed,

It isn’t a sin to work on Sunday, but it is a sin to forsake the assembly of christians (Heb 10:24-25).  Many christians face the same issue that you do – balancing work and worship.  We are commanded to worship God on the first day of the week so that we can take the Lord’s Supper (Act 20:7) and remember His death (1 Cor 11:20-26).  Sunday is the Lord’s Day (Rev 1:9-10), and we can’t neglect it.  You have a couple of options.  One option is to find a way to work and still make it to services.  Some christians find ways to come in early, take midday shifts between services, etc.  Others, after becoming christians and realizing that their job now conflicts with their spiritual goals, have started to look for employment elsewhere.  It has been our experience that when people prioritize the spiritual over the physical, God provides (Gen 22:14).  If your job consistently forces you to miss services – the job isn’t really supporting you.

Where in the Bible does it say it is wrong to use tobacco?

Sincerely,
Fired Up

Dear Fired Up,

Anything that purposefully poisons our bodies is wrong to use.  There was a time where the facts were not clearly known about the effects of cigarettes, pipes, and cigars on human health.  Those days are long since gone.  The data is exceptionally clear that smoking is always harmful to the human body and that smoking has no positive health benefits.  God tells us to treat our bodies as a temple (1 Cor 6:19).  Our bodies are a gift from God, and life is something to be cherished.  When we purposefully abuse our bodies with unhealthy lifestyles, we rebel against God and show ungratefulness for the life He has given us.  Present your body as a living and holy sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1).  Who knows what work He has prepared for you in the days and years that would be lost if you died from the effects of smoking?