Beth-El Baptist Church

03/04/2007

Greg Tomlinson

Open Question Session

This is an open question session in which there was no prepared question.

1. What did Jesus mean when he said that we will to greater works then him?

John 14:7-17

Acts 1:15 cmp Acts 2:41 cmp Acts 17:34

Acts 4:9-14

There are multiple basic reasons why we are able to do greater works than Jesus. The primary reason, according to the scriptures, is because Jesus goes to be with the Father and he will intercede on our behalf. This indicates that he will be able to accomplish more because he is in the presence of the Father to answer our prayers while his many disciples are scattered abroad asking for Jesus’ intervention. This leads to one reason being related to economy of scale. Jesus’ many disciples can be in more physically diverse locations than can Jesus in physical form can be. The other is the profound difference that is in the lives of the disciples. Since Jesus is God in flesh, the miracles that he accomplished and the work that he accomplished is not surprising. Since his followers are human, their bold stand before the Sanhedrin is remarkable concerning the lack of education of Jesus’ disciples.

2. What is meant by ‘believeth unto righteousness’ in Romans 10:10?

Romans 10:10

James 2:18

When we believe unto righteousness, the results of true heart felt belief is a changed life that is lived out in righteousness. As a result of being a believer, our behavior changes so that we desire and actually do good works for the glory of God and not for ourselves. We desire to please God because of our salvation.

3. How can someone show their faith without works?

James 2:18

Galatians 5:11-23

Proverbs 4:26

Ephesians 4:17-20

1 Timothy 6:9-13

Mark 2:1-12

The point that James is making is that it is impossible to demonstrate true living and saving faith without it affecting our life. We will by our new nature demonstrate the love of God that we now have.

4. How long is a stay in hell?

Matthew 25:41-46

According to scripture, the damned individual will remain in hell for all eternity. The Greek word that is translated ‘everlasting’ has the meaning of ‘without end’.

5. When someone dies, the scriptures indicate that they slept with their fathers (1 Kings 2:10) when do they enter into heaven or hell?

1 Kings 2:10

John 11:11-14

Hebrews 9:27

Psalm 115:17

Revelation 20:11-15

Luke 16:20-25

2 Corinthians 5:8

The phrase ‘slept with his fathers’ is a euphemism for death. The person died. Most scriptures do not give a timeline for the transfer into the presence of God or into the presence of eternal damnation. The exception is ‘to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord’ which indicates an immediate presence. The same can be assumed for the entrance into hell from Jesus’ parable concerning Lazarus and the rich man.