I was having a conversation with a friend who believes that people can lose their salvation. I believe in once saved, always saved. She used Saul as an example of someone who was saved, then lost their salvation. I know I still believe in OSAS, but how do I explain this. Does 1 Samuel 28:19 prove that Saul is saved, when Samuel says tomorrow he will be with him “Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

Thank you for making such an informative site, I am blessed to be able read it often! I love the revelation story and think this is a perfect first person account to share with children in a way they can understand it.

My question is: What is your thought about people who are Christians but don’t attend church on a regular basis? I have found that I spend much more time learning and therefore glorifying God by all my studies on the net but several preachers tell me I am wrong and should invest in going to church…when I did that I didn’t spend near as much time studying the bible or studying online. I feel as though we do not need to be in church to worship God. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

I Just finished reading your articles on Spiritual Gifts. Please help me. I want to make sure I am not being mislead. Over the last five years my family has suffered many, many trials. I went to our church for help. But all they could do was say a prayer with me and agreed that we are dealing with more than the usual.

Recently, I was with a friend who knows of all we are dealing with and I said I was beginning to feel like we were cursed and my family was cursed. She suggested doing a corporate generational cleansing. I went with her to a meeting. They placed hands on me and prayed for repentance for me. I asked God to please give me discernment as this area I was not familiar with. They used scripture and went into generation sins, etc. and then prayed.

She prayed and said something that only God and myself knew (a prayer I had prayed to God quietly on my own for years) and just continued blessing me through Christ Jesus. When done she said it was the holy spirit leading her. Then a guy prayed and spoke in tongues – which I have never heard before.

I then received a call from one of my friend’s friends who invited me to join a prayer group that prayed together. I went and one of the members prayed in tongues from time to time, and someone else seemed to “see” things. This was uncomfortable for me and I do not know if it is God or not. Please help direct me if you can.

Please explain the meaning of this biblical verse: “Faith without works is dead”

Can you explain what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 11? It seems to be suggesting that if a christian brother is having sex outside of marriage (ie living with their partner) then no other christian should eat with them. (ie socialize with them by dining with them in their home) Can you let me know how you interpret this verse? Your website is a breath of fresh air and very welcome – thank you and praise the Lord for your work. God bless.

I have a question about our spiritual gifts, and our purpose. How do we understand what is our particular gift, and to what purpose God has given it to us? Do we have purpose beyond an intimate relationship with Him, becoming more Christ-like and serving those immediately around us? Is being faithful in every day life our purpose? And if so, why do we have specific gifts? I don’t know what mine is. I have certain bents and talents, but maybe that’s just my personality! Insight please?

What evidence do we have that Old Testament prophecies we believe to be Messianic Prophecies are also considered to be Messianic Prophecies by the Jewish people? And if our versions of them are the same what is their reasoning for not accepting Jesus?

I’m wondering what you have to say about Catholics “praying” to Mary or other saints. I understand that the first commandment tells us to have no other gods, but Catholics seem to believe they’re not praying to Mary or the other saints, but somehow praying to God through them.

This also brings another question to mind of praying for someone after they’ve died. Is there anyplace in the bible that speaks to this?

Thanks so much for your thoughtful answer.

I know that the declaration of some animals as unclean by God was to prevent disease. Is it also possible that certain animals were listed an abomination because Satan broke laws, unknown to us, when forming these creatures? Or maybe after the Flood, he continued his genetics program and the unclean animals lost their perfect assimilation of genes and therefore were declared unclean. Why do you feel certain animals were listed as unclean, or even worse, an abomination?

Our son-in-law who attends a Baptist Church said his Sunday School teacher is going to talk about the “gifts.” He believes that they were given to the early church but are not for use today.

What is a good way to respond to this teaching?

Thanks for your help and consistently excellent articles.