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Exploring the Word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.
Alex McFarland This is the day the Lor rejoice and be glad in it. That's Psalm, 118, verse 24. And with that wonderful scripture, we welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word. And this is Friday, and we call this show Fire Away Friday. In other words, your questions are welcomed. All questions all the hour. And Bert Harper and I will do our best to give you a biblical answer. Bert, are you having a good day, brother?
Bert Harper It's a good day. It's a hot day, but it is a good day. Here in northeast Mississippi, headquarters for afr and, we thank God for people listening all over the United States and because of Internet, parts of the world. And, we just are excited about doing Fire Away Friday. And again, that number, triple 858-98840. Right now you have plenty of room in the queue to get your question in, so call now, triple 858-98840.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Why does sometimes God seem distant?
You know, Bert, we've been very blessed to do seven youth camps this summer. And we've got one more coming up Sunday in Pennsylvania, Sunday through Thursday. And, then I was at the COVID the Billy Graham Conference Center. What a great honor that was. And I've got a stack of questions that, I'm typing in, trying to, you know, create a spreadsheet that I'm going to share with you. And Brent, let me ask a question. And this was from a high schooler, if I could, at camp just two weeks ago. and I don't know, Bert, maybe people of all ages might relate to this. But this student, ah, asked, why does sometimes God seem distant? Why does, why does sometimes it seems that God seems distant? I've got some thoughts, but, you pastored for many years. You yourself, you've been a believer for many years. has God ever seemed far away, Bert?
Bert Harper Well, I think he has for a lot of people. But it reminds me of a story about this couple that were, had been married for 20 years. And this is before bucket seats. This is when it was just a bench seat all the way across. And the wife said, well, I just don't feel loved the way I used to. And, the husband said, why? I said, well, man used to. When we were driving in the car, it was hard to separate us. We were right there together. And now I'm over here, you're over there. And the husband looked at the wife and said, I hadn't moved. I've been behind the wheel. So God is there. Does he seem distant? Yes, he can. And I would say this. Most of the time, it is us, not being in tune with him. my sheep hear my voice, and they follow me. So, Alex. Yes, he seems distanced, but sometimes it's us. Oh, God, where are you, when I needed you? Well, he's there all the time. When we don't know. Is there? He's there, Alex.
Alex McFarland He really is. You know, Bert, I was going through my devotions. Let me read a scripture. And the number, by the way, is triple 858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840. And we'll take your calls. this. I don't know. This might be an encouragement to somebody. We've probably all heard Isaiah 40:31. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength like eagles. Let me go back to verse 29. This is our God. Isaiah 40:29. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and. And not be faint. That hope in the Lord, that. That drawing close to Christ, it always bears fruit, doesn't it?
Bert Harper It really does walk with the Lord. Listen, he is there. And just, call on him. Early will I seek thee. Let me get. Okay. Distant. Early will I seek thee. every morning. Every morning, Check in, report in for duty. And I, believe that all my heart. He'll make himself known to you.
Bert MacArthur: Question today concerns the doctrine of atonement
Well, Alex, we got people who have called in, and our first caller today from Texas is our friend Barry. Barry, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hello, Bert and Alex. Yes, my question today regards the doctrine of atonement. Now, I've been under the impression that the universal application of atonement for, everybody, is without, Without, anything being taken away from it. In other words, it's available to all who, who choose to call on the name of Jesus. Now, this being the case, I'm a little confused because, I might Be wrong here, but if one looks at the five point doctrine of Calvinism, the L, I believe stands for limited atonement. I heard recently a discussion between two formidable, and well known Calvinists. And the one claimed, to all hear is that he was a far point Calvinist. So I'm just wondering whether atonement, universal atonement, is one of those non negotiable doctrines of Christianity.
Bert Harper Okay, Barry, thank you. The grace of God. This is in Titus has appeared to all men. Alex, the what in the world does that mean? Well, God's grace is that you're living. That's part of it. You've been born. But we, and we talk about this quite a bit and I'll set it up and you take it away. We talk about conscience and creation. If in my heart, in my mind, conscience, I recognize there's a Creator and he's God and I want to know him, in creation, I see his handiwork. As it says in the Scriptures. There seems to me we respond to the light that we have been given. He gives more light in the sense of God making himself known. it's not limited, is it?
Alex McFarland No, no, I do not believe in limited atonement. And let me say before, before I say too much. Look, we love the whole body of Christ and we all agree Jesus, the son of God, died for our sins, rose from the dead. His blood was shed as the payment for our sins. We put our faith in Jesus and we are forgiven. On that we all agree. And these are points of theology related to salvation that I want to just say with humility and love and respect for those that believe in the five petals of the tulip. I just humbly but respectfully disagree. let me give a little backstory and let me say there's limited atonement. The assumption that Christ died just for the elect and where they get that. And I'll give a little bit of backstory here, but like in Jon 10:15, Jesus said, I lay down my life for the sheep. Okay? So the limited atonement advocate might say, well, he didn't lay down his life for those who weren't sheep. Now, limited atonement versus full atonement or universal atonement. Now, universal atonement does not mean universalism. but here's the thing, bert. in 1619, there was a gathering called the Synod of Dort. Dort. And that's really the five points of the tulip. That's where it came out. And Even at the Synod of Dort, there was a pretty formidable outcry from those that said, no, no. All right. Christ died for the whole wide, world. The universal atonement or full atonement. Jon 3 says, God so loved the world world that he gave his only Son. Jon 1:29. Christ is the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. Romans 11:32. God will have mercy on all who call on him. And so one more verse, and, Bert, I'll move on. First Jon 2:2 says, Jesus, quote, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Now, hang with me, folks. the limited atonement person will say, but. But this is what Jon MacArthur would say. And I love Jon MacArthur. He's in heaven. But. But he would say, well, the most precious commodity in the whole universe is the blood of Jesus. Was the blood of Jesus wasted? Well, first of all, Bert, we don't drive our interpretation based on assumptions. We shape our assumptions in light of what the Bible says. And, yeah, the most precious commodity in the universe is the grace of God, the blood of Jesus.
But the.
Alex McFarland The Bible says he gave his life for whosoever would come. Last thing I'll say, and I'll hush. Christ's death on the cross makes salvation possible. Our response to it makes salvation actual. And the Holy Spirit, maybe even somebody is listening, even right now. And you want to put your faith in Jesus. Jesus said, whosoever will may come. And I truly believe that, Bert.
Bert Harper I do, too. And again, if you know, about him, it's not knowing him. We're talking about that personal relationship that only comes through a surrendered life of turning from your sin and turning to him. I pray that you have done that. If not, I pray you will.
Some say the Rockefeller family took a Biblical verse out of the Bible
Let's go to Dale. Is it Dale in Mississippi or Dahlia down Dow? Okay, Dal, go right ahead.
Okay. Yes. Ah, a friend of mine, she listened to a real. And they, were saying that the Rockefellers got a verse taken out of the Bible. It was Matthew 17:21. And. Because in some. I know in my new international Bible, it is not in there, but it is in King James. And I. I was telling her that I thought that it was, a, discrepancy of where it came from in the whole, you know, in old scripture. And I didn't know what to tell her, so I. I told her I'd call and see if y' all could answer.
Bert Harper Okay. Thank you. It is in some Manuscripts. It was left out in some. We have that a few times, in the manuscripts that we have available, don't we, Alex?
We do.
Alex McFarland And let me just say that, it's really kind of an urban legend or Internet conspiracy theory that the Rockefeller family did this. no, what it is, there are ancient manuscripts and there is. Sometimes they'll talk about what's called the majority text, and then sometimes they'll find a minority text, less manuscripts. But the assumption that maybe they were older manuscripts and so many, it's really an academic debate. And I want to say this, by the way. I had a class on paparology, the papyrus, the study of papyrus, with a dear, Dr. Brent Sandy, incredible man, Ph.D. and he was one of the fellows of the Society of Paparologists. And he said this, that you could count on basically five fingers or less the passages where maybe one group of manuscripts has a verse and another group of manuscripts doesn't have a verse. And none of the three or four discussed passages, I'm not even going to say contested passages, none deal with any salvation or deity of Christ. But it's noted in the margin, hey, a few manuscripts don't have this verse. Many manuscripts do. But the Matthew 17:21, I think it's part of the original text and we need to keep it.
Bert Harper I do as well.
Alex McFarland Prayer and fasting.
Bert Harper Even in my Bible. I've got that note. And it just says in one or two of those manuscripts, it's omitted. And so follow through. And you can see even in all these. We'll be back right after the break.
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American Family Radio wants people to call in for prayer this weekend
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3American Family Radio.
Alex McFarland Lord of all creation, Of water, earth and the sky. The heavens are your tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high. God of wonders beyond our galaxies.
Bert Harper Okay, I was waiting on that line. He is. He is holy and we worship him. We're praying this weekend. You will be in church with fellow believers, lifting up the name of Jesus Christ, praying with one another, fellowshipping with one another under the word of God, singing and praising and praying. And so I hope that happens in your life. Well, Alex, that number that we're wanting people to call in and we do have callers, but we got room for others is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. So while we're waiting for others to call, let's go to ark, to Iris. Iris, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Thank you. Thank you.
Wayne: To recommit your life to Christ or to rededicate
I, wanted someone to talk to me about rededicating one's life. I tried talking to my pastor, and I don't understand him or he's not understanding me. I want some scriptures, scripture examples or references if you can give them to me, please.
Bert Harper Okay. let me give you an example and scriptures. It's in the Book of Acts. Do you remember the young man named Mark? He went on the first mission missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. When he got into Turkey, we don't know what happened, but things got a little more difficult than he wanted, and we don't know what happened. He fell out of, He fell out of fellowship with them. Let me tell you that. Probably with the Lord at that time. He heads back home. Okay? They go and they come back. And then it's time for Paul and Barnabas to revisit those churches and go a little further. And Barnabas has seen Mark. He thinks Mark is now ready. And I'm going to throw that word in because he's probably rededicated his life to the task. God's called to him. But Paul says, I don't want to do that. So they split. And you know that. Barnabas and Mark, they go to Cyprus. Paul and Silas, they head out to Turkey. But later on in second Timothy, Paul says, bring Mark with you. He would be edifying to me. He would be helpful. So, Alex, I think that is an example with some scripture to back it of, quote, rededication. What do you think?
Alex McFarland I think that's wonderful. listen, I really think it's wonderful. And, ma', am, God bless you. To recommit your life to Christ or to rededicate is very biblical concept. Now, let me give you some scripture verses. and, one is first, Jon 1:9, that says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And that's written to Christians, you know, to confess our sins and turn back to Christ. And, Bert, the concept of rededication goes all the way back to the Old Testament. you know, rededicating lives, dedicating and rededicating the temple to God. But let me. Let me give you a couple of more verses. Like in Galatians 6:1, it says, Brethren, if anyone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness and meekness, keeping watch on yourself, lest you, too, be tempted. And so, Bert, I believe a saved person can, Their heart could grow cold. you know, God told the Laodicean church, repent and seek the first works. And so, ma', am, rededication. I'm going to assume there's a time that you've already trusted Christ and you've been born again. But you. Very often, I've had people come to the altar and they want to pray, and they'll say, afresh and anew, I'm, giving my heart to Christ. I'm already saved, but I just need to come back and be restored to my relationship with Christ. And I think that's what it is. It's repentance, renewal, return back to the fire of commitment that we had when we first got saved.
Bert Harper Alex, you said it's in the Old Testament. Think of David in Psalm 51. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your generous spirit. Alex, that's rededication. That's restoration. And, it's not necessarily a restoration of the position we have, the relationship we have, but it is rededication, and it is restoration of the fellowship we should have in Christ. And so, as you said, as you talked to Iris. Iris. Iris, have you been born again yourself? Just let me ask you that.
Yes, I have.
Bert Harper Okay. Well, see you. You're. You can Be restored. You can be, you know, rededicated, but a person who's never come to Christ, they. They need to be born again. So we hope that helps, Iris, and thank you. That was a good question. I'm not sure we've ever had that one before, Alex. That I can remember.
Alex McFarland I know.
Bert Harper So. So, Iris, thank you. That numbers, triple 858-98-8840. If you got a question. And let's go to Alabama and talk to Wayne. Wayne, thank you for calling today.
Hey, Bert and Alex, good to see. Good to talk. We all.
Bert Harper Yes, sir, brother, glad to. Glad you called today.
Do we actually know where the kings of Judah were buried
Okay. My question is, I went to Israel in 2018, and, on my, tour, I don't remember, going to see where any of the, or whether maybe traditional site was of where the kings of Judah were buried. for instance, David and that sort of thing. Do we actually know where the kings were buried? You know, the kings that were favorable, I guess.
Bert Harper Well, hey, I went there. We didn't cover that either, Alex, did you, in your trip?
Alex McFarland No, we saw the tomb of Samuel. but no, we didn't see where the kings were buried. And I, have to confess ignorance. I don't know. I've not read that in any books on archeology.
Bert Harper Well, Alex, you're going. Is it in November when you're going?
Alex McFarland Yeah, with Tim Wildmon.
Bert Harper Put that ahead and say, I want to visit the tomb of the kings and bring us word again, man.
Alex McFarland All right.
Bert Harper All right, Wayne, that's a question we haven't had either. We don't have an answer for you either. Thank you, brother. Keep listening and thank you for calling again. That number, triple 858-98-8840. Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Bill. Bill, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Bill, are you there?
You got a Bill from Alabama?
Bert Harper Yeah, that's. That's who we're waiting on. What part of Alabama you from, Bill?
I'm in Daphne Crossing Bay from Mobile.
Bert Harper Okay. Down in the southern part. Well, Bill, I've been down there.
Alex McFarland That's a beautiful place.
Bert Harper It is, Bill. Go right ahead.
We need to pray for some, especially the elderly, Bill says
It's hot. 100 degrees today. In our, heat index, it's hot.
Bert Harper We do. Seriously, we need to. Do we need to pray. There are some very, people that are having some real difficulties, with the heat, and so we're praying for m. Go ahead, Bill. I'm sorry, interrupted, but that did remind me. We need to pray for some, especially the elderly. Check on them and make sure their Their air conditioning is working. Go ahead, Bill.
Bill: Question about the original Passover in Egypt
well, my question is about the original Passover in Egypt, where if the blood was applied to the doorpost and the, angel would pass over and the firstborn wouldn't die, but if it wasn't there, then the firstborn would die. And of course, the Egyptians were hit hard with that. But my question, I've always thought, or had in mind that it was like babies and children and, those are the ones that were passing away. But then I thought about it more and, there's no age limit. would this include firstborn all the way up through the elderly in the. Like Pharaoh happened to be firstborn, Would he be one that could be killed by the angel of death passed in the Passover?
Bert Harper That when I read it, that's what I understand. Alex, what about you?
Alex McFarland Yeah. Exodus 12:12. God, says, I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike all the firstborn. And so, you know, the word there for the angel of death is also, sometimes translated destroyer. So the blood of the Passover. And let me just say this. if all the firstborn would die, if the blood were not on the doorpost, I think it would. Would truly mean all. And I'll tell you why. Because the blood put on the doorpost of the house represents the blood of Jesus, being shed for us, put on our heart. all who have the blood are spared the death. All who did not died. And in a similar way, Bert, with the blood of Jesus, all in Christ are saved. All not in Christ are not saved. So I think the death angel of Exodus 12, it couldn't have been a partial. Just as the blood of Jesus and either salvation or condemnation, it's either you have him or you don't. You know what I mean?
Bert Harper I do. I agree. You are right on. According to the Scriptures. Alex, I'm gonna call up one of your favorite, if not your favorite movie, the Ten Commandments by Cecil B. DeMille. That scene of them in the house on that night is gripping. I remember watching it and, what it must have been like that night. And I, mean, I don't. I know reason representing Christ, but how that memory, if you were old or young, of how people were gathered there and what all was taking place, that that movie is worth watching just for that scene, in my, my opinion, but indeed it is. Okay, thank you, Bill.
The Epoch Times is owned by a religious movement called Falun Gong
Let's go to Oklahoma. Jamie, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, hi there. someone had mentioned to Me, the Epic Times. It's a newspaper, and she was concerned about me reading it because. I'm not sure. I think she's thinking they have ties to China, I don't know. But it's basically saying that they're a media organization dedicated to seeking the truth through insightful and independent journalism. But, I just don't know how to research it to see if she's correct.
Bert Harper Jamie, thank you for calling. I. I have read it. I don't receive it on a regular basis. Alex, Jan and I have received it. I, know Sandy Rios that used, to have the Sunday morning. I'm, not Sunday morning. Every morning. television. I mean, here I am mixing it up. Bad radio program here on afr. She would refer to it quite often had. Do you know, can you help Jamie any with that?
Alex McFarland yeah. This is one of those things where you've really got to use, discernment. The Epoch Times by Epoch. I was interviewed by them about four months ago, Bert, and I'll tell you about it in a minute. some have enjoyed it because it's generally conservative, and some, you know, think it's way too far. Right. the good news is, and I think in general, in general, it's pretty reliable, they are not owned by the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party. But let me tell you who they are, and they were started in Atlanta. But the Epoch Times is owned by a religious movement, and I'm probably not going to pronounce it correctly. Falun Gong. F, A, L, U, N, G, O, N, G. And it's kind of a NewSong Agey movement that believes in laws of the universe that have existed for millions of years and kind of almost like the yin and the yang. Bert. that is really very Buddhist. But here's the thing. When they interviewed me, the Epoch Times interviewed me, oh, I don't know, four months ago. And the lady, we were on Zoom, and she said, I'm a Christian. And I said, oh, that's. That's great, because I had always heard that the, the religion behind the owners of Epoch Times was kind of karma and Dharma. Well, as we talked, and I said, well, tell me about your relationship with Christ. It became very clear that she did not know Jesus. And I shared the gospel, and explain what it really means to know Jesus. And I guess my point is. Bert, I'll throw it back to you, folks. Be careful. the Epoch Times is. Is pretty good. Certainly better than USA Today or the NewSong York Times. But, understand There is a religious worldview behind the owners of that paper, and it is not a Christian worldview.
Bert Harper Okay, Jamie, thank you for your call, and we hope that helps. We're going to go ahead and go to the next caller. We may have to hold it over, but we'll see how far we get. Patrice in Louisiana. Patrice, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi. thank you for taking my call.
Why is glorify this your son all capital and then glorify you
I have a question. it's in Jon 17. And, I've read this scripture several times, but I never noticed this before, and I noticed it this morning when I was reading it. But in, verse one, it says, father, the hour has come. Glorify your son. And that's in capital. Glorifies capital, your and son. It's all capital. that your son also may glorify you. I was wondering, why is glorify this your son all capital and then glorify you? Only the U is capital.
Bert Harper Okay, this is grammatical, and I'm not the English expert. Alex is. But if you notice, Patrice, a period comes after the father, the hour has come. So glorify is the first word in that sentence. So it would be capitalized. Alex, is there any other reason why it would be capitalized?
Alex McFarland no. you're right. It is a new sentence there. And, I'm looking at it now. and by the way, I Love, Jon 17.
Bert Harper We were talking about that earlier today. You and I were. We really were.
Alex McFarland I mean, I. You just can't get enough of that. It is such a great chapter, but, I hear that music. Bert, let me, can we wrap this up? Because there's a little more I want to say on this. Maybe after the break.
Bert Harper Let's do that. We'll come back. Patrice, hang on. we got people who are calling in. That's. So we'll try to answer all your questions that you call in today. But we'll get back to this one. Glorify your son. Listen. The father was glorified through obedience. Let's obey him as well.
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Patrice calls in with questions about the Rapture and children
I know that my redeemer lives I
know that my redeemer lives still keeping
all his promises the same Jesus.
Alex McFarland The same Jesus. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Our redeemer lives. Praise God. the number is 888-589-8840. But as that break came upon us, we were in the middle of a question about, Jon, chapter 17. And, Bert, I think you nailed it. You know, where Jesus lifts his eyes up to heaven, and he says, and if we were writing this in English, comma, quotation, father. Ah. And it's capitalized, actually, in the Greek. It's P, a T or pater. the hours come, glorify your son. And, you know, really, your is like, the, you know, the personal pronoun really your son for God, that the son might glorify you. So it's a sentence within a sentence, isn't it, Bert?
Bert Harper It really is. And, Patrice, I understand you had a second question since I answered that about English language. you've earned that privilege. I just tell you. Go right ahead, Patrice.
I'm sorry about that first question. I feel silly. But, anyway, my second question is about the Rapture. If, and children. If there are children that, have parents that are not, born again, would the children of those parents, go in the. Be, taken up in the Rapture, or would they have to stay with their parents? I was.
Bert Harper Okay, Alex. Teresa, I don't know of a scripture that exactly answers that, but the character of God. Can we reach a judgment on that, Alex?
Alex McFarland based on the character of God? And remember, he said nothing, would harm these little ones, and if anybody harmed a child, it would be better that a millstone be put around their neck. you know, I believe children are going to get translated into the presence of God now. there's going to be unsaved parents left behind. And there's going to be parents. Maybe one parent is a believer and one isn't, but children would instantly be. And by the way, the word, actually the word, where we get the word rapture is from the Latin translation of Ah, first Thessalonians 4:17. but it means to catch away, snatch or seize. And so children will go up in the rapture.
Bert Harper I really believe that. Patrice, thank you for your, calling in today.
John: Am I on the air? Yes, you're on
Let's go to Tennessee. Jon, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Yes, sir. Am I on the air?
Bert Harper Yes, you're on. Welcome, everybody in America's listening. Jon, go ahead.
Alex McFarland No pressure.
That's a scary, that's a scary feeling. I just want to say real quick, I love you guys and listen to your show every chance I get, which is about every day because most of this time of the day I'm driving back home.
Every believer has some spiritual gifts, Alex says
But my question is, and going to Pentecostal Church for 30 plus years. And I've never, I've never understood this whole thing of evidence, of speaking in tongues. Receive after you receive the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Of course, I've heard the book of Acts preached frontwards and backwards. So that, that's where I'm at. I just don't see, I don't see that, you know, we have to have that in the Pentecostal Church or any other church to make it into heaven. What's your guys take on that? I'm. Be quiet and listen.
Bert Harper Hey, Jon. You got it, man. I just want to tell you it is a gift according to what Paul lists the gifts. And the gift of salvation is through the Holy Spirit of God. Him coming in the evidence. With all my heart, Alex, is a changed life. Go ahead.
Alex McFarland Yeah, well, speaking in tongues goes all the way back to the early church. It's in Acts chapter two. And the thing about it is like in Acts two eleven, where the crowd said, we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own language. Now, so there at Pentecost, I mean, depending on how you count it there, there might have been as many as 16 known languages mentioned that the, the spirit of God was giving the disciples the, the ability to share the gospel in an unknown language that they, you know, they didn't know, but they could share the language so people could hear the gospel. Now, in our lifetime there has been much said about a prayer language. and Bert, it is listed in the spiritual gifts as the gift of to some are given A gift of an unknown tongue. But that's, in First Corinthians 12 through 14. I want to say I don't think Christians should stress over this or burn bridges. I know plenty of people that absolutely love Jesus that speak in tongues. I know plenty that don't. And, but I think the best understanding is that, not every believer has every single gift. every believer has some spiritual gifts. And a spiritual gift, by the way, being a supernatural ability that is imparted to you at the moment of salvation. Your spiritual gifts might take years to really manifest themselves or be honed and sharpened, but God gives us spiritual gifts for the, proclamation of the gospel, the edification of the body of Christ. And, not everybody has every gift. And if you're a born again believer and you've never spoken in tongues, don't sweat it. Don't worry about it. Keep on loving Jesus. If you're a believer and you do speak in tongues, praise God, keep on loving Jesus. But what I don't think we should do is burn bridges or break fellowship with each other over this.
Bert Harper Good answer. Let me give you one thing here. Talking about Acts, preaching through. Notice the three times it's talked about in Acts about the tongues. It was at Pentecost. That was in Jerusalem. Here the Holy Spirit comes and falls. On the other time is Acts, chapter 10. And again, it's a new group. there they go, and they're in Samaria. And then in Acts 19, as they get into Europe, the Holy Spirit of God. And it was evidence, in other words, these were always at the point of frontier areas launching out into a new territory or a new people. With all my heart, I believe God. Let's be on mission for God. That's the whole idea, Alex. God will give us what we need when we are on the Great Commission carrying it out. You've experienced that. Was it in South America where you experienced? We don't have to go through that, but God will do for going into mission fields. God will give us what we need in order to do it. But the word of God is the main thing we'll have through the power of the Holy Spirit, isn't it?
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Sharon says she thinks the New International Version is a reputable translation
Bert Harper Okay. let's go to Pennsylvania and talk to Sheri. Sheri, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi, I just wanted to inquire, about the lady earlier who was talking about, the attack on the Word, about how, the NIV didn't have the same translations as the King James.
Bert Harper Okay.
I was wondering. My Pastor back in 1986 told us that God told him there's going to be an attack on the word, that Satan and people would take stuff out of the Bible. And there's a scripture in Revelation that says that do not add or do not take from this word.
So do you think the NIV is something that a young Christian should read?
Bert Harper Alex, go ahead, Sharon. Thank you for your calling. We need clarification. Alex, you did that, try to do it. this is so important and people are asking, we're getting this question quite a lot.
Alex McFarland And yeah, I think the NIV is a reputable translation. I really do. I, also think there are many others. the New American standard, the English standard. Let me say this. The way translation works there is what's called the donor language. D O N O R the donor language and the recipient language in the Bible, you know, the Hebrew and the Greek, those are the donor languages. Old Testament, NewSong Testament. In our case, the recipient language is english. and 400 years ago it was Victorian English. Nowadays we have a more, you know, modernized vernacular English. But in the niv, NewSong American, I'm sorry, NewSong International Version, which Billy Graham was very much behind that. in the 70s it was the, the NewSong Testament was finished first and then the whole Bible. And I'll tell you a really great Bible, a study Bible is the NIV. Study Bible that came out, from about 1978 to 1985 was a good study Bible. Now, without belaboring the point too much, let me say this. the pastor's right. There has been and virtually always is an attack on the Bible, in that people twist it and try to deny it. there have been a number of books written like the Battle for the Bible by Harold Linzel, and she is right, Revelation 22 says we're not to add or take away. the good news is that we have the complete total content of the Old Testament and we have the complete total content of the NewSong Testament. one thing that I would say, one book. Bert, do you ever remember the book by D.A. carson?
D.A.
Alex McFarland Carson wrote a book. It's a small book, it's a very easy read. And it was called the King James Version Debate. A plea for realism. And a lot of people, and I remember in the late 80s when I was a brand new Christian, I was, I heard this a lot. The only way the Bible can be or should be rendered in English is the King James Bible and D.A. carson and many people, Billy Graham among them. Wrote and said. Look, God's word wasn't originally in English. It was originally in Hebrew and Greek. And you can translate. And translation is a word swap, you know, for God, so love the world. Well, in the original language, it means, for God, so love the world. So I don't mean to be long, but you, can trust your NIV Bible. It is a little more conversational, and a translator always has to make some grammatical decisions. It doesn't change the meaning. The Son of God shed his blood to wash our sin away. But, whether you're trying to translate it very, very rigidly or somewhat conversationally, one last thing, and I promise I'll throw it back to you. What I don't like to see people read in church only is the message or the story. Those are paraphrases, and it might be fine to study, but everybody should be reading a Bible translation and. And the message or the story. Those are. Those are not translations. It's, well, in fact, the living Bible that Ken Taylor did in the 70s was really a paraphrase. Now they eventually did the NLT, the new living translation, but get yourself a Bible translation. And, Bert, I'm sorry to be so long, but maybe we need to do a whole show.
Bert Harper We probably do. We're getting a lot of questions about that and the Ethiopian Bible and the Book of Enoch. So many that. That. And it's important. So, Alex, let's do that. We need to do that.
Rosa calls with a question about what happens when we die
Let's go to Texas. Rosa, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, hello. Hi, Alex and Burke. My question is that what happens when we die? I recently lost the sun, and last night my husband and I were talking about it. So he says, you know what? They're in heaven. And I was thinking, you know what? I don't know if that's the process of how it happened. So I really need a clarification of, what happens when somebody dies.
Bert Harper Thank you, Rosa. What a great question. It'll be the last question of the day. Marianne, we won't get to you today, Alex.
What happens when a believer dies depends on whether Jesus is in their life
One of the greatest things in Rosa that I heard, I forgot where I heard it. It was at a funeral and someone else said it, but I loved it. While we're saying goodbye down here, we're saying hello up there in heaven. I believe that with all my heart to be absent from the bodies, to be present with the Lord. I've been at the bedside of a lot of dying Saints, pastoring for 50 years. I've been there. Know that I'VE seen it, the peace that's on their heart. And I've seen it as they've looked up and they're looking, and they're seeing either an angel or a glimpse of heaven. And I've looked up to see what they were looking at, and all I would see was the ceiling. But they were seeing something else.
Alex McFarland Oh, man.
Bert Harper We have the assurance of heaven, don't we?
Alex McFarland We really do. thank you for your question. And I want to say it in the strongest possible terms. What happens when we die? Well, it's completely dependent on did we or did we not have Jesus in our life? And to everybody listening, Jesus is the son of God. He died on the cross and rose again. And if you call out in prayer, no matter who you are, you could pray right now, today, and say, dear Jesus, please save my soul. Dear Jesus, please forgive my sins. I believe in you. I believe you died for me. Save me. And, we'll say more about that. But what happens when you die? Those who have accepted Christ? 2nd Corinthians 5:8. This is beautiful. 2nd Corinthians, 5:8. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and birth. That word present there. some translations rightly say it's endemio. It means at home with the Lord. And one lexicon even says this. To be absent from the body, to be. It says, to be back in one's home country.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Our home country. It's in the presence of Jesus. That's what happens when a believer dies, Rosa.
Bert Harper We have that assurance. Honestly, it could not be plainer. And then Jesus telling the thief that had received him today, you will be with me. Now, I know it says paradise, but I can tell you, Alex, wherever Jesus is, that's where I want to be. How about you?
Alex McFarland Ah. Hey, that's where I want to be. With the Lord Jesus. That's paradise.
Fire Away Friday is America Family Radio's answer to prayer
Bert Harper Well, you've been listening to Exploring the Word. This has been Fire Away Friday. We've had an awesome week. Alex and Brent and I are talking about this week. And you, you've done it by your questions and keep praying for us that, we'll stay on track and that Jesus Christ will be glorified.
Alex McFarland The views and opinions expressed in this
Bert Harper broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of
Alex McFarland the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Fire Away Friday is your chance to ask us your Bible question
it's Fireaway Friday. Fire Away Friday on Exploring the Word.
This is your chance to ask us
your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840.
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Exploring the Word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.
Alex McFarland This is the day the Lor rejoice and be glad in it. That's Psalm, 118, verse 24. And with that wonderful scripture, we welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the Word. And this is Friday, and we call this show Fire Away Friday. In other words, your questions are welcomed. All questions all the hour. And Bert Harper and I will do our best to give you a biblical answer. Bert, are you having a good day, brother?
Bert Harper It's a good day. It's a hot day, but it is a good day. Here in northeast Mississippi, headquarters for afr and, we thank God for people listening all over the United States and because of Internet, parts of the world. And, we just are excited about doing Fire Away Friday. And again, that number, triple 858-98840. Right now you have plenty of room in the queue to get your question in, so call now, triple 858-98840.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Why does sometimes God seem distant?
You know, Bert, we've been very blessed to do seven youth camps this summer. And we've got one more coming up Sunday in Pennsylvania, Sunday through Thursday. And, then I was at the COVID the Billy Graham Conference Center. What a great honor that was. And I've got a stack of questions that, I'm typing in, trying to, you know, create a spreadsheet that I'm going to share with you. And Brent, let me ask a question. And this was from a high schooler, if I could, at camp just two weeks ago. and I don't know, Bert, maybe people of all ages might relate to this. But this student, ah, asked, why does sometimes God seem distant? Why does, why does sometimes it seems that God seems distant? I've got some thoughts, but, you pastored for many years. You yourself, you've been a believer for many years. has God ever seemed far away, Bert?
Bert Harper Well, I think he has for a lot of people. But it reminds me of a story about this couple that were, had been married for 20 years. And this is before bucket seats. This is when it was just a bench seat all the way across. And the wife said, well, I just don't feel loved the way I used to. And, the husband said, why? I said, well, man used to. When we were driving in the car, it was hard to separate us. We were right there together. And now I'm over here, you're over there. And the husband looked at the wife and said, I hadn't moved. I've been behind the wheel. So God is there. Does he seem distant? Yes, he can. And I would say this. Most of the time, it is us, not being in tune with him. my sheep hear my voice, and they follow me. So, Alex. Yes, he seems distanced, but sometimes it's us. Oh, God, where are you, when I needed you? Well, he's there all the time. When we don't know. Is there? He's there, Alex.
Alex McFarland He really is. You know, Bert, I was going through my devotions. Let me read a scripture. And the number, by the way, is triple 858-98-8840. Triple 858-9840. And we'll take your calls. this. I don't know. This might be an encouragement to somebody. We've probably all heard Isaiah 40:31. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength like eagles. Let me go back to verse 29. This is our God. Isaiah 40:29. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and. And not be faint. That hope in the Lord, that. That drawing close to Christ, it always bears fruit, doesn't it?
Bert Harper It really does walk with the Lord. Listen, he is there. And just, call on him. Early will I seek thee. Let me get. Okay. Distant. Early will I seek thee. every morning. Every morning, Check in, report in for duty. And I, believe that all my heart. He'll make himself known to you.
Bert MacArthur: Question today concerns the doctrine of atonement
Well, Alex, we got people who have called in, and our first caller today from Texas is our friend Barry. Barry, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hello, Bert and Alex. Yes, my question today regards the doctrine of atonement. Now, I've been under the impression that the universal application of atonement for, everybody, is without, Without, anything being taken away from it. In other words, it's available to all who, who choose to call on the name of Jesus. Now, this being the case, I'm a little confused because, I might Be wrong here, but if one looks at the five point doctrine of Calvinism, the L, I believe stands for limited atonement. I heard recently a discussion between two formidable, and well known Calvinists. And the one claimed, to all hear is that he was a far point Calvinist. So I'm just wondering whether atonement, universal atonement, is one of those non negotiable doctrines of Christianity.
Bert Harper Okay, Barry, thank you. The grace of God. This is in Titus has appeared to all men. Alex, the what in the world does that mean? Well, God's grace is that you're living. That's part of it. You've been born. But we, and we talk about this quite a bit and I'll set it up and you take it away. We talk about conscience and creation. If in my heart, in my mind, conscience, I recognize there's a Creator and he's God and I want to know him, in creation, I see his handiwork. As it says in the Scriptures. There seems to me we respond to the light that we have been given. He gives more light in the sense of God making himself known. it's not limited, is it?
Alex McFarland No, no, I do not believe in limited atonement. And let me say before, before I say too much. Look, we love the whole body of Christ and we all agree Jesus, the son of God, died for our sins, rose from the dead. His blood was shed as the payment for our sins. We put our faith in Jesus and we are forgiven. On that we all agree. And these are points of theology related to salvation that I want to just say with humility and love and respect for those that believe in the five petals of the tulip. I just humbly but respectfully disagree. let me give a little backstory and let me say there's limited atonement. The assumption that Christ died just for the elect and where they get that. And I'll give a little bit of backstory here, but like in Jon 10:15, Jesus said, I lay down my life for the sheep. Okay? So the limited atonement advocate might say, well, he didn't lay down his life for those who weren't sheep. Now, limited atonement versus full atonement or universal atonement. Now, universal atonement does not mean universalism. but here's the thing, bert. in 1619, there was a gathering called the Synod of Dort. Dort. And that's really the five points of the tulip. That's where it came out. And Even at the Synod of Dort, there was a pretty formidable outcry from those that said, no, no. All right. Christ died for the whole wide, world. The universal atonement or full atonement. Jon 3 says, God so loved the world world that he gave his only Son. Jon 1:29. Christ is the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. Romans 11:32. God will have mercy on all who call on him. And so one more verse, and, Bert, I'll move on. First Jon 2:2 says, Jesus, quote, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Now, hang with me, folks. the limited atonement person will say, but. But this is what Jon MacArthur would say. And I love Jon MacArthur. He's in heaven. But. But he would say, well, the most precious commodity in the whole universe is the blood of Jesus. Was the blood of Jesus wasted? Well, first of all, Bert, we don't drive our interpretation based on assumptions. We shape our assumptions in light of what the Bible says. And, yeah, the most precious commodity in the universe is the grace of God, the blood of Jesus.
But the.
Alex McFarland The Bible says he gave his life for whosoever would come. Last thing I'll say, and I'll hush. Christ's death on the cross makes salvation possible. Our response to it makes salvation actual. And the Holy Spirit, maybe even somebody is listening, even right now. And you want to put your faith in Jesus. Jesus said, whosoever will may come. And I truly believe that, Bert.
Bert Harper I do, too. And again, if you know, about him, it's not knowing him. We're talking about that personal relationship that only comes through a surrendered life of turning from your sin and turning to him. I pray that you have done that. If not, I pray you will.
Some say the Rockefeller family took a Biblical verse out of the Bible
Let's go to Dale. Is it Dale in Mississippi or Dahlia down Dow? Okay, Dal, go right ahead.
Okay. Yes. Ah, a friend of mine, she listened to a real. And they, were saying that the Rockefellers got a verse taken out of the Bible. It was Matthew 17:21. And. Because in some. I know in my new international Bible, it is not in there, but it is in King James. And I. I was telling her that I thought that it was, a, discrepancy of where it came from in the whole, you know, in old scripture. And I didn't know what to tell her, so I. I told her I'd call and see if y' all could answer.
Bert Harper Okay. Thank you. It is in some Manuscripts. It was left out in some. We have that a few times, in the manuscripts that we have available, don't we, Alex?
We do.
Alex McFarland And let me just say that, it's really kind of an urban legend or Internet conspiracy theory that the Rockefeller family did this. no, what it is, there are ancient manuscripts and there is. Sometimes they'll talk about what's called the majority text, and then sometimes they'll find a minority text, less manuscripts. But the assumption that maybe they were older manuscripts and so many, it's really an academic debate. And I want to say this, by the way. I had a class on paparology, the papyrus, the study of papyrus, with a dear, Dr. Brent Sandy, incredible man, Ph.D. and he was one of the fellows of the Society of Paparologists. And he said this, that you could count on basically five fingers or less the passages where maybe one group of manuscripts has a verse and another group of manuscripts doesn't have a verse. And none of the three or four discussed passages, I'm not even going to say contested passages, none deal with any salvation or deity of Christ. But it's noted in the margin, hey, a few manuscripts don't have this verse. Many manuscripts do. But the Matthew 17:21, I think it's part of the original text and we need to keep it.
Bert Harper I do as well.
Alex McFarland Prayer and fasting.
Bert Harper Even in my Bible. I've got that note. And it just says in one or two of those manuscripts, it's omitted. And so follow through. And you can see even in all these. We'll be back right after the break.
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American Family Radio wants people to call in for prayer this weekend
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3American Family Radio.
Alex McFarland Lord of all creation, Of water, earth and the sky. The heavens are your tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high. God of wonders beyond our galaxies.
Bert Harper Okay, I was waiting on that line. He is. He is holy and we worship him. We're praying this weekend. You will be in church with fellow believers, lifting up the name of Jesus Christ, praying with one another, fellowshipping with one another under the word of God, singing and praising and praying. And so I hope that happens in your life. Well, Alex, that number that we're wanting people to call in and we do have callers, but we got room for others is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. So while we're waiting for others to call, let's go to ark, to Iris. Iris, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Thank you. Thank you.
Wayne: To recommit your life to Christ or to rededicate
I, wanted someone to talk to me about rededicating one's life. I tried talking to my pastor, and I don't understand him or he's not understanding me. I want some scriptures, scripture examples or references if you can give them to me, please.
Bert Harper Okay. let me give you an example and scriptures. It's in the Book of Acts. Do you remember the young man named Mark? He went on the first mission missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. When he got into Turkey, we don't know what happened, but things got a little more difficult than he wanted, and we don't know what happened. He fell out of, He fell out of fellowship with them. Let me tell you that. Probably with the Lord at that time. He heads back home. Okay? They go and they come back. And then it's time for Paul and Barnabas to revisit those churches and go a little further. And Barnabas has seen Mark. He thinks Mark is now ready. And I'm going to throw that word in because he's probably rededicated his life to the task. God's called to him. But Paul says, I don't want to do that. So they split. And you know that. Barnabas and Mark, they go to Cyprus. Paul and Silas, they head out to Turkey. But later on in second Timothy, Paul says, bring Mark with you. He would be edifying to me. He would be helpful. So, Alex, I think that is an example with some scripture to back it of, quote, rededication. What do you think?
Alex McFarland I think that's wonderful. listen, I really think it's wonderful. And, ma', am, God bless you. To recommit your life to Christ or to rededicate is very biblical concept. Now, let me give you some scripture verses. and, one is first, Jon 1:9, that says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And that's written to Christians, you know, to confess our sins and turn back to Christ. And, Bert, the concept of rededication goes all the way back to the Old Testament. you know, rededicating lives, dedicating and rededicating the temple to God. But let me. Let me give you a couple of more verses. Like in Galatians 6:1, it says, Brethren, if anyone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness and meekness, keeping watch on yourself, lest you, too, be tempted. And so, Bert, I believe a saved person can, Their heart could grow cold. you know, God told the Laodicean church, repent and seek the first works. And so, ma', am, rededication. I'm going to assume there's a time that you've already trusted Christ and you've been born again. But you. Very often, I've had people come to the altar and they want to pray, and they'll say, afresh and anew, I'm, giving my heart to Christ. I'm already saved, but I just need to come back and be restored to my relationship with Christ. And I think that's what it is. It's repentance, renewal, return back to the fire of commitment that we had when we first got saved.
Bert Harper Alex, you said it's in the Old Testament. Think of David in Psalm 51. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your generous spirit. Alex, that's rededication. That's restoration. And, it's not necessarily a restoration of the position we have, the relationship we have, but it is rededication, and it is restoration of the fellowship we should have in Christ. And so, as you said, as you talked to Iris. Iris. Iris, have you been born again yourself? Just let me ask you that.
Yes, I have.
Bert Harper Okay. Well, see you. You're. You can Be restored. You can be, you know, rededicated, but a person who's never come to Christ, they. They need to be born again. So we hope that helps, Iris, and thank you. That was a good question. I'm not sure we've ever had that one before, Alex. That I can remember.
Alex McFarland I know.
Bert Harper So. So, Iris, thank you. That numbers, triple 858-98-8840. If you got a question. And let's go to Alabama and talk to Wayne. Wayne, thank you for calling today.
Hey, Bert and Alex, good to see. Good to talk. We all.
Bert Harper Yes, sir, brother, glad to. Glad you called today.
Do we actually know where the kings of Judah were buried
Okay. My question is, I went to Israel in 2018, and, on my, tour, I don't remember, going to see where any of the, or whether maybe traditional site was of where the kings of Judah were buried. for instance, David and that sort of thing. Do we actually know where the kings were buried? You know, the kings that were favorable, I guess.
Bert Harper Well, hey, I went there. We didn't cover that either, Alex, did you, in your trip?
Alex McFarland No, we saw the tomb of Samuel. but no, we didn't see where the kings were buried. And I, have to confess ignorance. I don't know. I've not read that in any books on archeology.
Bert Harper Well, Alex, you're going. Is it in November when you're going?
Alex McFarland Yeah, with Tim Wildmon.
Bert Harper Put that ahead and say, I want to visit the tomb of the kings and bring us word again, man.
Alex McFarland All right.
Bert Harper All right, Wayne, that's a question we haven't had either. We don't have an answer for you either. Thank you, brother. Keep listening and thank you for calling again. That number, triple 858-98-8840. Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Bill. Bill, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Bill, are you there?
You got a Bill from Alabama?
Bert Harper Yeah, that's. That's who we're waiting on. What part of Alabama you from, Bill?
I'm in Daphne Crossing Bay from Mobile.
Bert Harper Okay. Down in the southern part. Well, Bill, I've been down there.
Alex McFarland That's a beautiful place.
Bert Harper It is, Bill. Go right ahead.
We need to pray for some, especially the elderly, Bill says
It's hot. 100 degrees today. In our, heat index, it's hot.
Bert Harper We do. Seriously, we need to. Do we need to pray. There are some very, people that are having some real difficulties, with the heat, and so we're praying for m. Go ahead, Bill. I'm sorry, interrupted, but that did remind me. We need to pray for some, especially the elderly. Check on them and make sure their Their air conditioning is working. Go ahead, Bill.
Bill: Question about the original Passover in Egypt
well, my question is about the original Passover in Egypt, where if the blood was applied to the doorpost and the, angel would pass over and the firstborn wouldn't die, but if it wasn't there, then the firstborn would die. And of course, the Egyptians were hit hard with that. But my question, I've always thought, or had in mind that it was like babies and children and, those are the ones that were passing away. But then I thought about it more and, there's no age limit. would this include firstborn all the way up through the elderly in the. Like Pharaoh happened to be firstborn, Would he be one that could be killed by the angel of death passed in the Passover?
Bert Harper That when I read it, that's what I understand. Alex, what about you?
Alex McFarland Yeah. Exodus 12:12. God, says, I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike all the firstborn. And so, you know, the word there for the angel of death is also, sometimes translated destroyer. So the blood of the Passover. And let me just say this. if all the firstborn would die, if the blood were not on the doorpost, I think it would. Would truly mean all. And I'll tell you why. Because the blood put on the doorpost of the house represents the blood of Jesus, being shed for us, put on our heart. all who have the blood are spared the death. All who did not died. And in a similar way, Bert, with the blood of Jesus, all in Christ are saved. All not in Christ are not saved. So I think the death angel of Exodus 12, it couldn't have been a partial. Just as the blood of Jesus and either salvation or condemnation, it's either you have him or you don't. You know what I mean?
Bert Harper I do. I agree. You are right on. According to the Scriptures. Alex, I'm gonna call up one of your favorite, if not your favorite movie, the Ten Commandments by Cecil B. DeMille. That scene of them in the house on that night is gripping. I remember watching it and, what it must have been like that night. And I, mean, I don't. I know reason representing Christ, but how that memory, if you were old or young, of how people were gathered there and what all was taking place, that that movie is worth watching just for that scene, in my, my opinion, but indeed it is. Okay, thank you, Bill.
The Epoch Times is owned by a religious movement called Falun Gong
Let's go to Oklahoma. Jamie, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, hi there. someone had mentioned to Me, the Epic Times. It's a newspaper, and she was concerned about me reading it because. I'm not sure. I think she's thinking they have ties to China, I don't know. But it's basically saying that they're a media organization dedicated to seeking the truth through insightful and independent journalism. But, I just don't know how to research it to see if she's correct.
Bert Harper Jamie, thank you for calling. I. I have read it. I don't receive it on a regular basis. Alex, Jan and I have received it. I, know Sandy Rios that used, to have the Sunday morning. I'm, not Sunday morning. Every morning. television. I mean, here I am mixing it up. Bad radio program here on afr. She would refer to it quite often had. Do you know, can you help Jamie any with that?
Alex McFarland yeah. This is one of those things where you've really got to use, discernment. The Epoch Times by Epoch. I was interviewed by them about four months ago, Bert, and I'll tell you about it in a minute. some have enjoyed it because it's generally conservative, and some, you know, think it's way too far. Right. the good news is, and I think in general, in general, it's pretty reliable, they are not owned by the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party. But let me tell you who they are, and they were started in Atlanta. But the Epoch Times is owned by a religious movement, and I'm probably not going to pronounce it correctly. Falun Gong. F, A, L, U, N, G, O, N, G. And it's kind of a NewSong Agey movement that believes in laws of the universe that have existed for millions of years and kind of almost like the yin and the yang. Bert. that is really very Buddhist. But here's the thing. When they interviewed me, the Epoch Times interviewed me, oh, I don't know, four months ago. And the lady, we were on Zoom, and she said, I'm a Christian. And I said, oh, that's. That's great, because I had always heard that the, the religion behind the owners of Epoch Times was kind of karma and Dharma. Well, as we talked, and I said, well, tell me about your relationship with Christ. It became very clear that she did not know Jesus. And I shared the gospel, and explain what it really means to know Jesus. And I guess my point is. Bert, I'll throw it back to you, folks. Be careful. the Epoch Times is. Is pretty good. Certainly better than USA Today or the NewSong York Times. But, understand There is a religious worldview behind the owners of that paper, and it is not a Christian worldview.
Bert Harper Okay, Jamie, thank you for your call, and we hope that helps. We're going to go ahead and go to the next caller. We may have to hold it over, but we'll see how far we get. Patrice in Louisiana. Patrice, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi. thank you for taking my call.
Why is glorify this your son all capital and then glorify you
I have a question. it's in Jon 17. And, I've read this scripture several times, but I never noticed this before, and I noticed it this morning when I was reading it. But in, verse one, it says, father, the hour has come. Glorify your son. And that's in capital. Glorifies capital, your and son. It's all capital. that your son also may glorify you. I was wondering, why is glorify this your son all capital and then glorify you? Only the U is capital.
Bert Harper Okay, this is grammatical, and I'm not the English expert. Alex is. But if you notice, Patrice, a period comes after the father, the hour has come. So glorify is the first word in that sentence. So it would be capitalized. Alex, is there any other reason why it would be capitalized?
Alex McFarland no. you're right. It is a new sentence there. And, I'm looking at it now. and by the way, I Love, Jon 17.
Bert Harper We were talking about that earlier today. You and I were. We really were.
Alex McFarland I mean, I. You just can't get enough of that. It is such a great chapter, but, I hear that music. Bert, let me, can we wrap this up? Because there's a little more I want to say on this. Maybe after the break.
Bert Harper Let's do that. We'll come back. Patrice, hang on. we got people who are calling in. That's. So we'll try to answer all your questions that you call in today. But we'll get back to this one. Glorify your son. Listen. The father was glorified through obedience. Let's obey him as well.
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Patrice calls in with questions about the Rapture and children
I know that my redeemer lives I
know that my redeemer lives still keeping
all his promises the same Jesus.
Alex McFarland The same Jesus. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Our redeemer lives. Praise God. the number is 888-589-8840. But as that break came upon us, we were in the middle of a question about, Jon, chapter 17. And, Bert, I think you nailed it. You know, where Jesus lifts his eyes up to heaven, and he says, and if we were writing this in English, comma, quotation, father. Ah. And it's capitalized, actually, in the Greek. It's P, a T or pater. the hours come, glorify your son. And, you know, really, your is like, the, you know, the personal pronoun really your son for God, that the son might glorify you. So it's a sentence within a sentence, isn't it, Bert?
Bert Harper It really is. And, Patrice, I understand you had a second question since I answered that about English language. you've earned that privilege. I just tell you. Go right ahead, Patrice.
I'm sorry about that first question. I feel silly. But, anyway, my second question is about the Rapture. If, and children. If there are children that, have parents that are not, born again, would the children of those parents, go in the. Be, taken up in the Rapture, or would they have to stay with their parents? I was.
Bert Harper Okay, Alex. Teresa, I don't know of a scripture that exactly answers that, but the character of God. Can we reach a judgment on that, Alex?
Alex McFarland based on the character of God? And remember, he said nothing, would harm these little ones, and if anybody harmed a child, it would be better that a millstone be put around their neck. you know, I believe children are going to get translated into the presence of God now. there's going to be unsaved parents left behind. And there's going to be parents. Maybe one parent is a believer and one isn't, but children would instantly be. And by the way, the word, actually the word, where we get the word rapture is from the Latin translation of Ah, first Thessalonians 4:17. but it means to catch away, snatch or seize. And so children will go up in the rapture.
Bert Harper I really believe that. Patrice, thank you for your, calling in today.
John: Am I on the air? Yes, you're on
Let's go to Tennessee. Jon, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Yes, sir. Am I on the air?
Bert Harper Yes, you're on. Welcome, everybody in America's listening. Jon, go ahead.
Alex McFarland No pressure.
That's a scary, that's a scary feeling. I just want to say real quick, I love you guys and listen to your show every chance I get, which is about every day because most of this time of the day I'm driving back home.
Every believer has some spiritual gifts, Alex says
But my question is, and going to Pentecostal Church for 30 plus years. And I've never, I've never understood this whole thing of evidence, of speaking in tongues. Receive after you receive the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Of course, I've heard the book of Acts preached frontwards and backwards. So that, that's where I'm at. I just don't see, I don't see that, you know, we have to have that in the Pentecostal Church or any other church to make it into heaven. What's your guys take on that? I'm. Be quiet and listen.
Bert Harper Hey, Jon. You got it, man. I just want to tell you it is a gift according to what Paul lists the gifts. And the gift of salvation is through the Holy Spirit of God. Him coming in the evidence. With all my heart, Alex, is a changed life. Go ahead.
Alex McFarland Yeah, well, speaking in tongues goes all the way back to the early church. It's in Acts chapter two. And the thing about it is like in Acts two eleven, where the crowd said, we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own language. Now, so there at Pentecost, I mean, depending on how you count it there, there might have been as many as 16 known languages mentioned that the, the spirit of God was giving the disciples the, the ability to share the gospel in an unknown language that they, you know, they didn't know, but they could share the language so people could hear the gospel. Now, in our lifetime there has been much said about a prayer language. and Bert, it is listed in the spiritual gifts as the gift of to some are given A gift of an unknown tongue. But that's, in First Corinthians 12 through 14. I want to say I don't think Christians should stress over this or burn bridges. I know plenty of people that absolutely love Jesus that speak in tongues. I know plenty that don't. And, but I think the best understanding is that, not every believer has every single gift. every believer has some spiritual gifts. And a spiritual gift, by the way, being a supernatural ability that is imparted to you at the moment of salvation. Your spiritual gifts might take years to really manifest themselves or be honed and sharpened, but God gives us spiritual gifts for the, proclamation of the gospel, the edification of the body of Christ. And, not everybody has every gift. And if you're a born again believer and you've never spoken in tongues, don't sweat it. Don't worry about it. Keep on loving Jesus. If you're a believer and you do speak in tongues, praise God, keep on loving Jesus. But what I don't think we should do is burn bridges or break fellowship with each other over this.
Bert Harper Good answer. Let me give you one thing here. Talking about Acts, preaching through. Notice the three times it's talked about in Acts about the tongues. It was at Pentecost. That was in Jerusalem. Here the Holy Spirit comes and falls. On the other time is Acts, chapter 10. And again, it's a new group. there they go, and they're in Samaria. And then in Acts 19, as they get into Europe, the Holy Spirit of God. And it was evidence, in other words, these were always at the point of frontier areas launching out into a new territory or a new people. With all my heart, I believe God. Let's be on mission for God. That's the whole idea, Alex. God will give us what we need when we are on the Great Commission carrying it out. You've experienced that. Was it in South America where you experienced? We don't have to go through that, but God will do for going into mission fields. God will give us what we need in order to do it. But the word of God is the main thing we'll have through the power of the Holy Spirit, isn't it?
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen.
Sharon says she thinks the New International Version is a reputable translation
Bert Harper Okay. let's go to Pennsylvania and talk to Sheri. Sheri, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Hi, I just wanted to inquire, about the lady earlier who was talking about, the attack on the Word, about how, the NIV didn't have the same translations as the King James.
Bert Harper Okay.
I was wondering. My Pastor back in 1986 told us that God told him there's going to be an attack on the word, that Satan and people would take stuff out of the Bible. And there's a scripture in Revelation that says that do not add or do not take from this word.
So do you think the NIV is something that a young Christian should read?
Bert Harper Alex, go ahead, Sharon. Thank you for your calling. We need clarification. Alex, you did that, try to do it. this is so important and people are asking, we're getting this question quite a lot.
Alex McFarland And yeah, I think the NIV is a reputable translation. I really do. I, also think there are many others. the New American standard, the English standard. Let me say this. The way translation works there is what's called the donor language. D O N O R the donor language and the recipient language in the Bible, you know, the Hebrew and the Greek, those are the donor languages. Old Testament, NewSong Testament. In our case, the recipient language is english. and 400 years ago it was Victorian English. Nowadays we have a more, you know, modernized vernacular English. But in the niv, NewSong American, I'm sorry, NewSong International Version, which Billy Graham was very much behind that. in the 70s it was the, the NewSong Testament was finished first and then the whole Bible. And I'll tell you a really great Bible, a study Bible is the NIV. Study Bible that came out, from about 1978 to 1985 was a good study Bible. Now, without belaboring the point too much, let me say this. the pastor's right. There has been and virtually always is an attack on the Bible, in that people twist it and try to deny it. there have been a number of books written like the Battle for the Bible by Harold Linzel, and she is right, Revelation 22 says we're not to add or take away. the good news is that we have the complete total content of the Old Testament and we have the complete total content of the NewSong Testament. one thing that I would say, one book. Bert, do you ever remember the book by D.A. carson?
D.A.
Alex McFarland Carson wrote a book. It's a small book, it's a very easy read. And it was called the King James Version Debate. A plea for realism. And a lot of people, and I remember in the late 80s when I was a brand new Christian, I was, I heard this a lot. The only way the Bible can be or should be rendered in English is the King James Bible and D.A. carson and many people, Billy Graham among them. Wrote and said. Look, God's word wasn't originally in English. It was originally in Hebrew and Greek. And you can translate. And translation is a word swap, you know, for God, so love the world. Well, in the original language, it means, for God, so love the world. So I don't mean to be long, but you, can trust your NIV Bible. It is a little more conversational, and a translator always has to make some grammatical decisions. It doesn't change the meaning. The Son of God shed his blood to wash our sin away. But, whether you're trying to translate it very, very rigidly or somewhat conversationally, one last thing, and I promise I'll throw it back to you. What I don't like to see people read in church only is the message or the story. Those are paraphrases, and it might be fine to study, but everybody should be reading a Bible translation and. And the message or the story. Those are. Those are not translations. It's, well, in fact, the living Bible that Ken Taylor did in the 70s was really a paraphrase. Now they eventually did the NLT, the new living translation, but get yourself a Bible translation. And, Bert, I'm sorry to be so long, but maybe we need to do a whole show.
Bert Harper We probably do. We're getting a lot of questions about that and the Ethiopian Bible and the Book of Enoch. So many that. That. And it's important. So, Alex, let's do that. We need to do that.
Rosa calls with a question about what happens when we die
Let's go to Texas. Rosa, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, hello. Hi, Alex and Burke. My question is that what happens when we die? I recently lost the sun, and last night my husband and I were talking about it. So he says, you know what? They're in heaven. And I was thinking, you know what? I don't know if that's the process of how it happened. So I really need a clarification of, what happens when somebody dies.
Bert Harper Thank you, Rosa. What a great question. It'll be the last question of the day. Marianne, we won't get to you today, Alex.
What happens when a believer dies depends on whether Jesus is in their life
One of the greatest things in Rosa that I heard, I forgot where I heard it. It was at a funeral and someone else said it, but I loved it. While we're saying goodbye down here, we're saying hello up there in heaven. I believe that with all my heart to be absent from the bodies, to be present with the Lord. I've been at the bedside of a lot of dying Saints, pastoring for 50 years. I've been there. Know that I'VE seen it, the peace that's on their heart. And I've seen it as they've looked up and they're looking, and they're seeing either an angel or a glimpse of heaven. And I've looked up to see what they were looking at, and all I would see was the ceiling. But they were seeing something else.
Alex McFarland Oh, man.
Bert Harper We have the assurance of heaven, don't we?
Alex McFarland We really do. thank you for your question. And I want to say it in the strongest possible terms. What happens when we die? Well, it's completely dependent on did we or did we not have Jesus in our life? And to everybody listening, Jesus is the son of God. He died on the cross and rose again. And if you call out in prayer, no matter who you are, you could pray right now, today, and say, dear Jesus, please save my soul. Dear Jesus, please forgive my sins. I believe in you. I believe you died for me. Save me. And, we'll say more about that. But what happens when you die? Those who have accepted Christ? 2nd Corinthians 5:8. This is beautiful. 2nd Corinthians, 5:8. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and birth. That word present there. some translations rightly say it's endemio. It means at home with the Lord. And one lexicon even says this. To be absent from the body, to be. It says, to be back in one's home country.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Our home country. It's in the presence of Jesus. That's what happens when a believer dies, Rosa.
Bert Harper We have that assurance. Honestly, it could not be plainer. And then Jesus telling the thief that had received him today, you will be with me. Now, I know it says paradise, but I can tell you, Alex, wherever Jesus is, that's where I want to be. How about you?
Alex McFarland Ah. Hey, that's where I want to be. With the Lord Jesus. That's paradise.
Fire Away Friday is America Family Radio's answer to prayer
Bert Harper Well, you've been listening to Exploring the Word. This has been Fire Away Friday. We've had an awesome week. Alex and Brent and I are talking about this week. And you, you've done it by your questions and keep praying for us that, we'll stay on track and that Jesus Christ will be glorified.
Alex McFarland The views and opinions expressed in this
Bert Harper broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of
Alex McFarland the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Chapters:
(00:00) Fire Away Friday is your chance to ask us your Bible question
(01:33) Why does sometimes God seem distant?
(05:00) Bert : Question today concerns the doctrine of atonement
(11:08) Some say the Rockefeller family took a Biblical verse out of the Bible
(14:01) Preborn Network helps women choose life through a free ultrasound
(15:26) American Family Radio wants people to call in for prayer this weekend
(16:57) Wayne: To recommit your life to Christ or to rededicate
(22:05) Do we actually know where the kings of Judah were buried
(23:44) We need to pray for some, especially the elderly, Bill says
(24:12) Bill: Question about the original Passover in Egypt
(27:01) The Epoch Times is owned by a religious movement called Falun Gong
(30:42) Why is glorify this your son all capital and then glorify you
(32:27) Preborn Network offers free ultrasounds to women facing unplanned pregnancies
(34:01) Patrice calls in with questions about the Rapture and children
(37:04) John: Am I on the air? Yes, you're on
(37:28) Every believer has some spiritual gifts, Alex says
(41:52) Sharon says she thinks the New International Version is a reputable translation
(47:33) Rosa calls with a question about what happens when we die
(48:14) What happens when a believer dies depends on whether Jesus is in their life
(50:48) Fire Away Friday is American Family Radio's answer to prayer
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://afr.net/
PreBorn Network
https://preborn.com/
The Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com/
D.A. Carson
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/d-a-carson/
Billy Graham
https://billygraham.org/
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