The number to call with your Bible question is 888-589-8840
>> Bert Harper: It's Thunder Thursday on Exploring the Word. The number to call with your Bible question is 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your question to
>> Alex McFarland: wordfr.net or visit facebook.com exploringtheword.
>> Bert Harper: It's Thunder Thursday on American family Radio. We don' very often, but on this Thursday, we do. Thunder Thursday. You can make that call right now. We're going to answer questions that are asked the whole hour. That number I want to give it right now. And we're ready to receive those calls. 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. And the verse that I wanted to use on this Thunder Thursday is this. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. That's in Psalm 56, verse 3. And I thought of that verse, Alex, because I have to admit, when I was a child, thunder and lightning was a frightening experience. So I thought, well, thunder Thursday. I'm going to use that verse. But that verse is good. Anytime, whenever I'm afraid, I will trust in you.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, praise the Lord, and it's great to be with you. I'm going to give the number, everybody, because we are going to take questions for the entire hour today. and the number is 888-589-8840. Bert, I know we're kind of hitting the pause button on Ephesians, and we'll pick that up next week. Ephesians chapter two. But let me just read a, scripture from Ephesians 2. And we're not there yet, but we'll get there. But it's talking about through Jesus in verse 18 through 20 through we have access by one spirit unto the Father. Now, therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Isn't that wonderful? Not strangers, not orphans, but citizens of the kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And, when we have this access, we are come boldly to the throne of grace. That doesn't mean arrogantly. It doesn't mean with a self sufficiency, but it does mean that we do not need to put it off. We need to come quickly to him. don't wait. Do it now. Pray about everything. A great Christian author, Evelyn Christensen, a great lady. She said if she had one regret about her life, she said, I should have prayed and gone to God earlier with everything.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, is anything so trivia To God that, you know, trivial to God that it's not important, you know, what
>> Alex McFarland: the Lord cares about. The big things, the quote, small things and all things. One of my favorite verses, one of the early memory verses I Learned was Luke 18, verse 1. Jesus taught his disciples that men ought to always pray and not faint or give up. But we're going to go to calls and, we're going to, all this hour take your calls and questions. Triple 858-98-8840.
Barry from Texas asks question about love and obedience to God
We begin in Texas with Barry. Barry from Texas. Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Caroline: Thank you. my, question today is regarding love. Now, in Greek, we all know that, there are four, at least four different words for four categories of love. In English, we only have the one word for love. Now, when it comes to loving God, I'm, just wondering whether you could shed some light on that. I've been looking through the NewSong Testament, and it seems to me that there's an argument that to love God is synonymous with, being obedient to God. For example, in 1 Jon 5, 3, we read, this is love for God to, obey his commandments. And then in 2 Jon 6, and this is love that we walk in obedience to his commands. So in other words, my question is, is loving God synonymous with obedience to God?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, go ahead, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Wow, Barry. sir, you get an A for the day. I do think that if we love him, we keep his commandments. And, you know, the four Greek words. And of course, perhaps nobody ever unpacked this more eloquently and better than C.S. lewis himself. He wrote a book called the Four Loves. And by the way, among the only recordings of him, he did for the BBC, and then it was aired in America on a Methodist radio network. the CS Lewis lecturing on these, these four loves. there's of course, phileo, which is like brotherly love. And there's eros, which is like love between husband and wife, wife and husband. And then there's, of course, ah, agape or agapeo, which is the divine love of God. But then there's S, T O R, G E, storge, which is like love for an inanimate object. Like, you know, I love Tupelo, Mississippi, or I love peanut butter. But, Bert, I really do think that we, demonstrate our love for the Lord by obedience. Would you agree?
>> Bert Harper: I'd agree. Let me add one thing, and I thought of this, and when I saw Barry's, questioner, we get a little bit of a hint On a screen, we don't know the entire question. We get a little hint. When I first saw that, the first word that came to mind was obedience. Barry. So I agree with you. But I would add this obedience, with a right heart attitude is love. The Pharisees supposedly obeyed God. And Paul even, talked about, how he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees before his heart was changed. We had the rich young ruler coming to Christ. All these things I've kept from my youth up. obedience, can on the outside surface can look like it, but God looks straight on the heart. But I agree they go together, but it comes from the inside out. Alex, you catch what I'm trying to say?
>> Alex McFarland: I really do. And I was thinking about this, and this is worth talking about. I mean, really to understand, not only our heart, but the work of God in our heart. I was thinking about Romans 5:5, which says, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit or poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And, it is in the Greek, agape, and has been poured into our hearts. So, you know, I've always heard it said that we can't show agape love. Only God can show that divine love. But, Bert, you know, I think by the work of the Holy Spirit in the converted person, yes, the love of God is put in our heart, and it's not from us. It's not the world, the flesh, or the devil, obviously. But, you know, Romans 5:5, the agape. The love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. That's just a beautiful, miraculous transaction beyond description, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is. And, Alex, hey, that is the highest calling. we're to love God with all the heart, soul and mind. all now, all means. All right.
>> Alex McFarland: hey, the late Dr. Paul Fink. If you ever went to liberty, you know who I'm talking about. He said means all. That's all. All means.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you. Barry. Great question.
>> Alex McFarland: What a great question. Okay. In Mississippi is Kendra. Kendra, thank you for holding, and welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Caroline: Hey, this is my first time calling.
>> Alex McFarland: well, thank you.
If the Antichrist is alive or when he gets here, is he gonna know
>> Caroline: I was just wanting to know, you know, how Jesus, as he was growing up, he knew that he was the son of God. Well, the anti. Does. If the Antichrist is alive or when he gets here, is he gonna know he is the Antichrist?
>> Alex McFarland: Wow.
>> Bert Harper: Wow.
>> Alex McFarland: That is a great question. You know, the Bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. And you know, Bert, I've often not only doing like prison ministry and you know, we've seen God do a lot of great works in the lives of, of inmates. I've, I've witnessed to some people that just seem to be, you know, irreparably given over to evil. If the Antichrist is just the antithesis of Jesus in every way, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. Well, this person that Satan ultimately possesses to the degree that he will be the Antichrist, he will embrace falsehood, he will embrace darkness rather than light, just sin and iniquity rather than redemption and righteousness. At what point will he realize what he's going to do with his life and destiny? I don't know. But, the Bible warns this and Bert, I'll throw it to you, but the Bible warns about crossing a line. And it says God gave them over to a reprobate mind, a mind that can no longer understand good versus evil. And the Antichrist will be the son of perdition, the absolute embodiment of evil, won't he?
>> Bert Harper: He will be. And Jesus grew, at what point in time did he know all of this? Well, again, I make this point quite often. He wasn't as a baby act saying, okay, I got to act like a baby. No, he was a baby again. It is the incarnation is amazing beyond measure. God becoming flesh and dwell among us. At 12 years old there was this recognition, but it seems like even when you read that scripture, that he grew in favor with God and man. He continued to grow even after that 12 year old experience. So if the Antichrist is what we think he is, that evil, the darkness, everything, that we can see would grow beyond measure. But there's two things that he'll want. He'll want the power and the recognition. Alex. Okay, you know, the. And what was that? God has all power. And God is what, what we're to do with him. Glorify him as God.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Satan comes on. The Antichrist comes on. Desiring that things we. I, I believe. Kendra, that answers your question. Thank you for calling and asking that. Good question.
>> Alex McFarland: Okay, Joe in Louisiana. Joe, thank you for holding. Welcome to exploring the Word.
>> Caroline: Thank you. I listened to Billy for two or three years. I'm a Baptist preacher, associate pastor, living doordash and listening to you guys. And I thought of a question that I never really thought of before. during the millennial kingdom, we know that there'll be sinners, so how would they get their sins forgiven? Will they go to Jesus and ask him personally, or do you want any need to pray to him? He'll be there.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Okay, if he's here in one spot, does the whole. I don't think the ministry of the Holy Spirit during the millennial reign discontinues. Alex, you catch what I'm saying? He's still God. And what do you think?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know what? we've written about the millennium and, the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. This is after the battle of Armageddon, and there's a thousand years of peace on earth, and there will be some children born in the millennial kingdom, and they will have the highest level of revelation of any generation in history. I mean, the Bible is fulfilled and Christ is physically present here on earth, and yet there will be some rebellion, sadly. But, you know, because God is omnipresent right now, we can, within our heart and soul, say, dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. And he hears that prayer, and he does. And we could do it as we do now. Or in the millennial kingdom, somebody could go to Jesus face to face. Can you imagine that? How precious, how transformative, that would be to be able to open your heart and talk to Jesus face to face. Isn't that amazing, bro?
>> Bert Harper: It is. And we have his sweet, sweet spirit right now indwelling us where we can go straight to the Father. Thank you for listening. We'll be back right after this break. The afr, app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations.
>> Alex McFarland: You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains. It won't walk the dog won't pick
>> Bert Harper: up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content
>> Alex McFarland: through the app on your phone, smart device or Roku.
>> Bert Harper: Just go to your app store or visit afr.net Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.
>> Caroline: The Lord is my shepher, I shall not want.
>> Alex McFarland: He leads me by still waters till my fears are gone. Though I walk through the valley of
>> Caroline: the shadow of death, oh, I know
>> Alex McFarland: you are with me, my father, my friend.
>> Caroline: Your goodness and mercy will follow me. Oh, my God.
Larry from Kansas calls with a prayer request for knee healing
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Welcome back. What beautiful music. I just thought I'd let that play a little while, but we've got a lot of callers and we're glad to hear from each and every one. And, we're gonna go to Mary in Tennessee. Mary, are you there? Hey, Mary.
>> Caroline: Yes, I was calling with a prayer request.
>> Alex McFarland: Sure, sure. What's going on?
>> Caroline: Well, I saw my doctor yesterday, and they want me to have X rays on my left knee and also physical therapy. It's giving me some mobility challenges right now at the knee.
>> Alex McFarland: Bless your heart. Okay, well, we feel privileged that you would share that.
>> Bert Harper: Aren't we glad that people again. Let me restate it. We're not going to take a lot of time, and I'm going to pray. Mary, we try to treat this program a lot like we would a small group or Sunday school class. We do Bible study. We discuss, but we also, we do the prayer people in a prayer group. I've got a prayer before we start the class or something like that. So, Mary, we're going to pray for you. Father, thank you for Mary calling. Thank you for her knowing that, intercession by brothers and sisters all over the United States, even the world, makes a difference. God hears our prayers. And I'm praying, God, that you would do, the work that is needed in order for her restoration and completion of what is needed. Father, we trust you with it, and we give you glory. But in the process, while we wait, we. While we receive, and even after healing, Father, we want to give you glory in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Mary, God bless you. We hope you have a very easy, and speedy recovery. well, in Kansas. Larry. Larry, thanks for holding. You're on.
>> Caroline: Hello?
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, Larry, welcome.
Alex: Why doesn't everybody talk about John 3:16
>> Caroline: Yeah, I got a question. Why doesn't everybody talk about, Jon 3:16? They only take part of it, but they don't do the second part where he came into the world to save it, but not to condemn it.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, let's see here. yes, in Jon 3:17, of course, Jon 3:16, famously, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. And then it goes on. And this is Jesus talking to Nicodemus. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Now, there is, though, for those that reject Jesus, condemnation, because verse 18 says, he that believeth on him, Jesus is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Bert. there is the great offer of salvation to whosoever will may come, but there's the warning of condemnation for those that refuse and reject, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is. And Jon 3:16, again, we just got through with the Book of Numbers and that's where that brazen serpent was held up. And here it is a reference to that Jesus on the cross. And that's what it says in 14. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. We now see that which is before that, that sets us up because of sin coming. And then what they were experiencing in the Book of Numbers, they were experiencing immediate result of that sin, which was death. And so sometimes I think, if I understand what Larry is saying, that death, it has. You're dead, dead spiritually. You need to be brought alive. And so you trust the Lord. I believe Jon 3:16, everybody said it's the gospel in a nutshell. I agree with that fully. And so that word believe, let's make sure everybody knows it doesn't mean. Okay, yeah, I know that. No, it is trust. It is faith in Christ, Alex. And that is the story.
>> Alex McFarland: Isn't really is. And I think we do need to share the complete gospel with people. And it's not just like you say, easy belief, but there's a changed life that should follow that.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Laura in Oklahoma has a question about the Jewish people in the Bible
>> Alex McFarland: Laura in Oklahoma. We're going all over the country today. I was just in Oklahoma a month ago, but Laura, welcome.
>> Caroline: Thank you. This, I'm a first time caller. I really like your show because I've learned a lot from you guys. And I started reading the Bible more because I have a question. Me and my son love to debate. And so he's, he's telling me how do I tell my son that the Jews are the chosen people in the NewSong Testament? He says it's only in the Old Testament, not the NewSong Testament because the Jews don't believe in Jesus. How do I tell them that they still are the chosen people?
>> Alex McFarland: Great question. and thank you for addressing this because this is very, very important that we must make a distinction between the church and Israel. And you know Bert, let's go back just a little bit. Let a little bit of foundation. In Deuteronomy 7:7 through 8, God, he said, he didn't choose the Jewish people because they were the most numerous or the greatest or the strongest, but because of his love, grace and really his sovereign choice. He made the Abrahamic covenant. And in Romans it tells us that the everlasting covenant, with Abraham and that God would make of them a great nation by the way. Do you know, folks, there's maybe 15 million Jews in the world today, and there was somewhere around 18 million before the Holocaust. And you think about this. The Holocaust was 70 years ago, and yet they still are not up to the numbers they were before Hitler killed, right at 6 million Jews. But, Bert, that, covenant that they would be a great nation, they would have that land eternally, and that through the, nation of Israel, the Messiah would come. That is an everlasting covenant, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is.
Laura: When you're chosen, there's a purpose behind the choosing
And I think you need to ask the question, chosen by who and for what? When you're chosen, there's a purpose behind the choosing, Alex. And I think we get caught up on that term chosen. Oh, well, listen, you remember what God said, about Paul? I have chosen him, and God had chosen him. What? How many things he must, what, suffer for my name's sake? And so the Jewish people, the chosen people, look, yes, they were chosen of God, the apple of his eye. But look at the suffering they did in the Old Testament. Look at the suffering they've done. Now, even now, antisemitism is running rampant. And it's not for the chosen, just to, you know, God. Okay, I'm not going to work with anybody else but you guys. No, I've chosen you to demonstrate who I am by my grace and my purpose. So, Alex, Laura, if I were doing that question, I'd talk about chosen for what? And I think it does. And Alex has done that. Great. What it says in Deuteronomy, what it says in the book of Romans, it doesn't mean that excludes us, Alex, at all.
>> Alex McFarland: And let me throw this in. This is vitally important, folks. And I would refer everybody to Romans chapter 11. And, you know, God chose, singled out, called out, the Abrahamic people through whom to reveal himself to the world. I mean, one of the great things. And I've got to say this, I wrote an article, and Tim Wildmon really liked it, but I said that, you know, every year we should make May 14 global Jewish appreciation Day. And there's a list in this article. It's online. but so many contributions the Jews have made to the human race, not the least of which is the Hebrew Bible. But let me just read, Romans 11:11, because the caller asked specifically for a NewSong Testament reference. There's a plethora of Old Testament, obviously, but Romans 11, Paul says, I say, then hath God cast away his people? God forbid. And then in verse 2 of Romans 11, God has not cast away his people, which he foreknew. Now, let's do this, Bert, in the day's head. Let's do a show or two on this. and it goes on. And it says in 13 and following of Romans 11 that the Gentiles grafted in should not boast themselves above the root, which is Israel. Now, everybody still needs to be born again. Jew, gentile, there is no difference. To go to heaven, you must believe in Yeshua, Jesus. But the, the Jews, that is still their land. They are still on mission for God and more than ever are. but, I think Romans 11:2 is one of the best scriptures. God has not cast away the people he foreknew.
>> Bert Harper: Amen, Laurel. Hope that helps. And, stay on solid ground. And that is the word of God.
Willie in North Carolina. How are you doing, sir
>> Alex McFarland: let's go to my home state of North Carolina. Willie in North Carolina. Welcome.
>> Caroline: How you doing, sir?
>> Alex McFarland: I gotta ask, where in the Tar Heel state are you, sir?
>> Caroline: Longboard, North Carolina.
>> Alex McFarland: All right, well, that's good. Good to have you. What you got there?
>> Caroline: I want to know. I know y' all do a lot of talking. That's fine. I've been here a long time myself. Older than both of y'. All. y' all talk, right?
>> Bert Harper: Hey, Willie, if you're older than me, you're old, buddy.
>> Caroline: Okay?
Willie: God is eternal, and Satan is not eternal
All right, so now, who God refers? Who the oldest Jesus? I know who the oldest God? Satan.
>> Alex McFarland: Great question. Well, God is eternal. And this is, you know, God created the universe and really time. And the Greek word is chronos, and we get a word like chronology. Time only exists here on earth and in the solar system, really. in fact, what we call time is a measurement of how many times the earth has gone around the sun. You know, I'm. I've made 62 trips around the sun. I'm 62 years old. But God is forever, and Satan is not forever. I think this is clear to point out the devil is not eternal. The angels were created, and they might be thousands and thousands of years old, but they're not eternal. Only God is. So I guess it would be most appropriate to say God is the oldest.
>> Bert Harper: Good answer. Hope that helps. Willie.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, thanks for listening, sir. God bless you.
First Corinthians chapter 15 deals with the baptism for the dead
Let's go to Texas. Rusty in Texas.
>> Caroline: Well, thank you, Alex and Bert. I'm a first time caller. I listen to AFR a lot. I really enjoy almost every program you have. So let me give you a little backdrop. 33 years ago, I was with Andrew Wommack in his office. And I asked him this question, and he said he took a stab at it, but he didn't really know. First Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 29. Want me to read it?
>> Alex McFarland: is that the one that says, and. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Is that the one?
>> Caroline: Well, that's the verse before. That's 28. The 29 deals with the baptism for the dead. Else, what shall they do which are baptized for the dead? If the dead rise, not at all. Why are they then baptized for the dead? Andrew said he didn't really know, but he took a stab at it. You want to hear what he said?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, sure.
>> Caroline: Okay. He said that because believers were getting saved so fast and. And being executed, many of them, that as a memorial, they would baptize them in their name. It was just a ceremony that they did just so they'd be remembered. He said he didn't really know.
>> Alex McFarland: Andrew's a great guy. He's a. He's a close friend of mine. let me say this. and I have heard that, too. First of all, water baptism is not what saves. Now, Galatians talks about being baptized into Christ. So the NewSong Testament uses word baptism in a couple of senses. One commentator said this, that we are baptized. Our baptism, water baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. being baptized for the dead is, I know that's kind of a little bit of a clunky phrase, but we are baptized, in recognition of the fact that we have put our faith in the one that died and rose again for us and our water baptism. you know, you might have heard a pastor say, buried in the likeness of his death, raised to walk in newness of life. But here's the larger context. What Paul is talking about is, you know, those Sadducees that says there's no resurrection? How can Jesus have been risen if there is no resurrection? And how can there even be everlasting life if there is no resurrection? So, part of what's going on in 1st Corinthians 15. In the larger context, Paul's making an argument for, the resurrection and eternity. And so, you know, why baptize anybody if there is no such thing as the resurrection? Since baptism is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection. Bert, would you agree?
>> Bert Harper: I, agree. Now, Paul is not recommending this. He's not. He's using this that Corinth is doing, it's mentioned nowhere else in any other of the churches. Only in Corinth. And I don't know how to say this other than speak it. Corinth had more issues to deal with than any other church that we know of in the NewSong Testament. And he's not recommending this. He's not saying this. He uses this practice that they're doing to prove that the resurrection, verse 20, which starts this conversation that we have here about baptism. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and he's become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. He is sharing that the Corinthian people, they were wondering about the resurrection, where they stood. And so he said to them, what you're practicing, what you have heard shows this demonstrates, I would say, that you can depend on the resurrection. Well, we're going to be back with more questions here on Thunder Thursday here on afr.
Preborn Network aims to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn clinics
Right now, the voices in our culture are loud, but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity, and hope. But I refuse to be silent, and I'm asking you to join me. At preborn Network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial pound250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound250, baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host. You are the light so when the darkness falls the greatest heights they never
>> Caroline: seem so tall I'm not at all
>> Bert Harper: your right it's my roots that you're growing don't want to miss what you're showing Ain't no doubt about you Okay, I was waiting for that. Ain't no doubt about it. I'd love to hear it.
Alex: Kirk, how do you explain unequally yoked marriage
We'd love to play longer songs, but we got question after question after Question. And, Alex, I believe Brent from Mississippi has a question. Is that right, Brent? Never heard of him. Actually, I have three or four, but I'll just give you one. Ursula on Facebook says, how do I explain to someone how not to be unequally yoked? Okay, Alex, first of all, the Bible says it, doesn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, it really does. and, you know, this is very often, used, I think rightfully so in terms of, marriage. And, Bert, I've turned down a lot of weddings that I was asked to do, you know, because one was saved and one wasn't. Now, obviously, we, you know, if you are married to an unsaved person, this is not an excuse to leave, your marriage vows. But, you know, I think that because the Bible asks the question, how can two walk together except they be in agreement? And so yoke, Y O K E is to be joined to somebody in some way. And I don't think it means you can't work for an unsaved employer, or if you're an employer, you couldn't hire an unsaved person. I don't think it's saying that. But when it comes to marriage and ministry, you got to be in. You got to be in agreement.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Yoked. Treat it as a word picture. Okay. two oxen, pulling, you know, together. Now they're headed in the same direction. Now, how foolish would it be for one oxen to be hooked up to the plow or the wagon, and it was headed north, but then you turned the other yoke around, the other oxen around and headed, the other opposite direction? How foolish that would be. It's a word picture. it's kind of like the whole idea of going through a camel, going through the eye of a needle man. What a word picture that is. So what you want to gather, you're looking for someone going in the same direction toward God.
>> Caroline: You.
>> Bert Harper: You're looking at someone that would pull together, not apart. So that's. If I were explaining what it meant, that's how I would explain it. Alex. I know that's simple, but yet it's a word picture. And when you see it as a word picture, it really hits home, I think.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, and, probably the most clear verse on this is second Corinthians 6:14. and it, ah, says, do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness. and so let me just say this, especially to the young People, the most important attribute that you would ever want in a potential spouse would be that you're both believers in Jesus and followers of Jesus. And so, you know, really, if you're seriously considering somebody as a marriage partner. One of my mentors ever. Oh, my goodness. I cannot overstate the influence he had on my Life. That's Josh McDowell. And Josh would always. We. We used him in dozens of conferences, but he would talk about. He had a message on how to find a spouse. And, it was some of the most wise counsel. Isn't it, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: It really is.
>> Alex McFarland: I mean, there's 10,000 decisions in marriage, but, it goes so much better when you're in agreement m that Jesus is Lord. His Word is the roadmap for life. Things like going to church and being a tither and certainly how we're going to raise the children. I mean, your relationship to Christ and His lordship. Everything flows from this, doesn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It does. we hope that helping, rent. Thank you for finding that and asking it.
>> Alex McFarland: I think we have online. Kirk. Kirk from Arkansas. Thanks for holding and welcome to the program.
>> Bert Harper: turn your radio, off, Kirk, and then talk to us. Can you do that? Hello?
>> Caroline: Kirk, Radio off.
>> Bert Harper: okay. We're sorry about that. Put him on hold. Bran, I guess, and let's go. Who, who to next?
>> Alex McFarland: Let's try Jon in Kentucky. Jon, are you there?
>> Caroline: Yes, I'm here.
>> Alex McFarland: Okay, welcome.
>> Caroline: Oh, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
John: I'm of oneness doctrine and the Trinitarians I talked to
>> Caroline: My question. I had a question. I'm of, oneness doctrine and the Trinitarians I talked to. I don't know if all of them believe this way or not, but when I say that the Father was made flesh, you know where it talks about the Word was God, the Word was with God, the Word was made flesh. They say that the Father was not made flesh.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, let me. Let me jump in here. By the way, let me encourage you to prayerfully read an article that, Bert and I have put up on fit. Well, Brent put it on Facebook for us. But we wrote, an article called Bible Facts about the Trinity, and.
>> Bert Harper: Right.
>> Alex McFarland: Much of it is in one of our question books, maybe the first question book. But Jon 1:14 says, the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Now, monogenesis, only begotten means of the same nature. So, I do absolutely believe in the Trinity. I believe that's how God has revealed himself. God the Father, God the Son who took on a human body and God, the Holy Spirit. And that is, you know, C.S. lewis talked about all the miracles, but Lewis called the incarnation the grand miracle.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: so, Bert, Jesus was only begotten, that's monogenesis, of the same nature as the Father full deity, wasn't he?
>> Bert Harper: He really was. Let me refer you to this, Jon. Just read it. Read about Jesus baptism. The father spoke, the Holy Spirit descended separate from. And Jesus was being baptized. I. You can, that's the Trinity. And so that helped me as much as anything. I don't. I can't completely illustrate it. I've heard illustration after illustration, they all fall short of the Trinity of God. And, So, Alex, we hope that helps you, Jon. They can find that on our Facebook page. Alex, about the.
>> Alex McFarland: I believe Brent, is the Trinity article up there, brother, it was at one
>> Bert Harper: time I used to compare articles, and I can't anymore. So let me find it and I'll get it back up there for you as soon as I can. Thank you.
>> Alex McFarland: Appreciate that. Yes, thank you.
Let's go to Mississippi Cherry in Mississippi. Are you there? I am. Welcome. Thanks for calling. I usually reach out by email
Let's go to Mississippi Cheri in Mississippi. Are you there?
>> Caroline: I am. Hello, guys.
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome. Thanks for calling.
>> Caroline: Thank you. I can't believe I got this my first time to call. So I usually reach out by email, but.
>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you for calling. Go ahead.
>> Caroline: Yeah, I love y' all show.
Someone made the comment that there are no genders in heaven
this is just. This is a quick question. So, I'm in a, Bible study group, and someone made the comment that there are no genders in heaven. Is that true or false?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, Bert, you want to go first?
>> Bert Harper: I'll go first.
>> Caroline: Yeah.
>> Bert Harper: The Bible says there's no marriage in heaven. it does not say that. There's just, quote, unisex, or only male. it just says there's no marriage or given in marriage in heaven. it does not mean that there's no genders in there. When Elijah and Moses came back, they came back as men, and that's what they were when they departed this earth. Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: and they're really. This is important, folks. This is really important.
>> Bert Harper: In our day, it's important, isn't it, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: Because imago dei, we're made in the image of God. Now, we are not God, and we don't turn into God, but we are made in the likeness of God. And part of that is, that God makes us human beings, but he makes us male and female, and we do not ever lose our gender. born again men will be male in heaven. Born again females will be females in heaven. Now there's Two texts only that the, anti gender and the transgender advocates, in Matthew 22:30, where Jesus said this, it says in the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels. And so they'll say, aha, there must not be gender. But Bert was right. There's not marriage in heaven. The other. And this takes a little bit of explanation, but in Galatians 3. 28, Paul is talking about that we have equality in our salvation. And Paul says, there's neither Jew nor gentile, neither slave nor free, nor male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And some of the, I, guess you might call woke people. They try to use Galatians 3. 28 as a proof text to defend transgenderism. But no, you know, I think about this, in Luke 16, where Jesus talked about Lazarus and Abraham, Abraham was still Abraham, you know, and on the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and they were, you know, still male. And of course, post resurrection, Jesus was still a he, you know, so, bird, I think they will absolutely. Let me say this. Luke 24:27 said, and this is after his resurrection, beginning at Moses and the prophets, he interpreted to them all scriptures concerning himself.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: So gender is forever, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Jerry, thank you for asking that. What great questions we have. And Brent, do I understand you have one more that we need to.
>> Alex McFarland: I was just going to let you
>> Bert Harper: know that I do have the updated version of that article, Bible facts about the Trinity. I just posted it on Facebook. Okay, thank you, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: You're awesome.
>> Bert Harper: Don't tell him that. Yes, I know. Awesome. Austin. Okay, where we go to next, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: how about Texas? is that Raul in Texas?
>> Caroline: Hey, how you doing? My name is Raul.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, welcome. Thank you for calling.
>> Caroline: Yes, thank you for having me. God bless you both.
>> Alex McFarland: God bless.
Raoul: Some brothers don't believe in the praying in tongues
>> Caroline: I have a. I have a question. I, it's in reference to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I, I've encountered some brothers that don't believe in the praying in tongues. And, you know, in First Corinthians 10:12 talks about the nine gifts. 13 says, you know, praying in tongues, there's no love. It's like clanging. It's like noise, right? And if there's prophesying and there's no love, you know, it basically, if you don't have love, you know, of course, what does it matter, right? But 14, the last verse in 14 says, I'd rather you, Brother Paul says, I'd rather you, brethren to prophesy, but do not forbid the praying in tongues.
>> Alex McFarland: So, let me say this, and I love to, teach on the gifts of the spirit. And you've got 1st Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, and 1st Peter 4 and Ephesians 4. Those are the four places where we read. And, you know, absolutely, you know, it says there in First Corinthians 12, verse 10, you know, to discerning of spirits to another. Diverse kinds of tongues, to another. The interpretation of the tongues. Raoul, what happened largely, in the. It came to kind of the forefront in the early 20th century, there was a belief called cessationalism, as in something ceasing. And they'll, take First Corinthians chapter 13, which is the chapter about love, and it says, when that which is perfect is come, that which is, in part, will be done away with. and that is in First Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 10. And they said, oh, that which is perfect is the Bible. So now, that we have the Bible complete. Once the Bible was completed, the, works of the spirit are, you know, done away with. I don't think that's what First Corinthians 13:10 means. And, Bert, I think that the. The Holy Spirit is. Is something that Satan has used to divide members of the body.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: And that is so ironically sad, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. Yes. I. I do not believe the gifts have stopped. I believe they're still operational. But at the same time, again, when you look at those, you don't force them. They're gifts. They're not worked up. They're not. You know, it is a gift that God gives you. You've experienced that. When I won't go into that mission trip there in South America. That's one of the greatest explanations of anything I've ever heard, how God just gave someone the gift of speaking, but then the gift of interpretation of what that was in a language.
Alex: Let's try to get one more question for Sean
So let's try to get one more question. It seems like a simple question, Alex, for Shaun. Is that all right? Go to him.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And, Brent, can you bring Shaun up? Because on my screen.
>> Bert Harper: I got it. I got it. I got it. Shaun, we haven't got a lot of time.
Someone attempted to boil John in oil, and it didn't kill him
Go ahead with your question about Jon the Baptist.
>> Caroline: All right. Actually, I don't think this is about Jon the Baptist. The Baptist is about Jon the disciple.
>> Bert Harper: Okay.
>> Caroline: And, I heard it somewhere, about a story about where Jon. Somebody attempted to boil Jon in oil, and it didn't kill him. But I couldn't find it in the Bible anywhere.
>> Bert Harper: Okay.
>> Caroline: I heard Abraham Hamilton.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, we're. Alex, that's not in the Bible, but it has tradition.
>> Caroline: Ah.
>> Bert Harper: Would you say that, yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: the Roman authorities, threw Jon in a cauldron of boiling oil. You know, he was on the Isle of Patmos when he ultimately died. But, that is church tradition. And, you know, the lives of the early church martyrs. Shaun McDowell has written extensively on that. It's not in the Bible, but it is pretty solid church tradition.
>> Bert Harper: It is. And thank you guys for making Thunder Thursday a great, great day. Alex. I thoroughly enjoyed it, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. And during this Memorial Day weekend, let's reflect and pray and thank God for those who kept our nation free and are keeping it free.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you for listening. And let Jesus be known to others.
>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
