Bible Questions
 

I did on search on this topic and I didnt find an existing thread, but please correct me if I am wrong....

Anyway, I know that there are many religious people on Greekchat and many of you have a great knowledge of the Bible. Now I was raised in the Pentacostal and Full Gospel Church but although i was in church there were a lot things that I didnt quite understand and I dont have the gift of interpreting the Bible. I know that sometimes I have a lot of questions about the Bible or what certain things mean and because I havent found a permanent church home in Columbus I dont have a close relationship with a Pastor/Bishop. I know that there might be others like me who may be afraid to ask questions in person with someone so i thought this thread could help shed some light on questions that we might have pertaning the Bible or some interpretation of the scriptures.

Ok enough of the preface...

My questions: 1. Is there anywhere in the Bible that says that tatoos and piercings are wrong?

2. When the Bible commanded wives to submit to their husbands what exactly does that entail?

I remember asking these same questions a while ago. If my memory serves me correctly:

1. There is something in there, although I can't remember where I think in the New Testament, in Matthew. The loose translation is that the body is a temple and there shouldn't be anything that is done to cause the body harm or pain.

2. The husband is the head in everything. Then, the wife is second. I use to believe that the husband and wife were equal, but that's not what the bible says. I don't think it says being submissive though.

Hope this helps. If its not correct, at least its something along these lines.

Q

Re: Bible Questions
 

EDITED to provide correct verse:

Leviticus 19:28 " 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD .

good topics
 

Quote:

My questions: 1. Is there anywhere in the Bible that says that tatoos and piercings are wrong?

I can try to answer this question for you. I'm not that deep in the Bible either but this questions has come a few times in my Women's Bible Study so I can only give you the information that was given to me in that study.

In the old testament Moses does command the Israelites not to carve or engrave any permanent markings in their skin and not to pierce body parts. He said this because in that time those who marked their skin and wore exotic piercing were those who practice witch craft and worshipped evil spirits. However in the New testament Jesus said that we are no longer under the old law but the law of grace. That is why we don't follow all the rules and customs in the old testament because those were commanded to the Israelites doing that time. In the New Testament I dont believe that there is a scripture that forbades tatoos or piercing. But Jesus does command us to be modest in our dress. There was a time where tatoos were a symbol of evil things, bikers, gang members and etc. But now that stereotype has change and tatoos are becoming more and more popular and socially acceptable. Therefore, remeber that whatever you do, you are a witness for Christ and if it causes someone to stumble then it is a sin. But to answer the question I don't believe that getting a tatoo is a sin.

I can't answer your question about marriage because I am not married so I havent really done any research in that area. But I'm sure there are others on this board that can help you with that.

If I didnt answer your questions fully then maybe someone can do a better job. Be Blessed!

My Question
 

This might be a lil personal but hey i need help...

I am a new Christian, I have only been saved for about 3 years. I wasnt raised in the church or anything like that. But lately I have been in Bible Study and i am really trying to be a good Christian so i need some help.

I know that the Bible says that one should abstain from sex before marriage. So what do you do when you are older and you may have experienced that act prior to your commitment to Christ? I mean a lot of things are easier said then done if you feel my drift. So if someone can give me some encouragement of some personal advice I could sure use it. thanks

If you dont feel comfortable answering this question then please PM me. Cause im fo-real serious.

Re: Re: Bible Questions
 

Thank you all for your answers.

QUESTION CT4: I see you referred to two scriptures in Leviticus. I read Leviticus before and is everything that is commanded in that book still laws/rules for today?

Re: My Question
 

You ask for forgiveness for your past sins and then you become celibate from that moment forward. Yes I am celibate, 17 months.
It is hard.

The Bible says no fornication PERIOD. No matter how much it feels good. I am not preaching at you, Soror, or trying to condemn you. It's just what the Bible says.

Good think I looked it up

Leviticus 19:28 " 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD . (NIV translation)

Re: My Question
 

I appreciate your spirit and thirst for knowledge. On GC, you're going to get a lot of "information" tinged with people's "opinion." Be real careful about what you take to heart from anyone here (myself included). Basically, the Bible says that sex (I'm assuming you're talking intercourse) should be reserved for a marriage relationship. You say you're a new Christian, so first I say to you, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Second, I'd suggest you speak to the pastor, or a lay minister at your church about your questions. Their answer should have some scriptural basis, as well as an explanation of the spiritual context in which the passages they reference come from. With that information, hopefully you'll be able to see some linkage between your quest for information and what they have to say.

Then, I'd get away by yourself and pray; pray for spiritual discernment and guidance about what you've just been given. Continue to read and study and dialogue with others that you believe are walking in the faith. (II Timothy 2:15).

I hope I've helped a lil' bit.
peace. :)

Re: Re: My Question
 

I wholeheartedly agree with Tony. I am at work and cannot get really in depth with any of my responses.

I am NOT a Biblical scholar nor do I ever really get into Biblical, religious, spiritual debates either on GC or in real life. Consult your minister, Sunday school teacher, Bible Study leader, etc. etc. There are lots of books out that discuss these things and can give better answers.

Thanks CT4 for the scriptures, i truly appreciate it.;)

However I am still confused because....

In Levitivus 19:19 when it says "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." or in Levitucus 11 it says that we shouldnt mix meat and dairy products. (I know that the Orthodox Jews still believe this)

But in our society today we do both of those things mentioned so are we sinning? We eat cheeseburges and wear cotton blend clothing so is this wrong? Again how much do we take/follow from the Old Testament? Only things that were repeated in the New Testament? Or all of them? Also were these the laws for the Jews or for all people? That is what i am confused about:confused:

Again i do appreciate everyone responses and im just getting information im not trying to start a debate or discredits anyones answers. I just watned to get some dialouge because we can all learn from each other.

Re: Re: My Question
 

I agree with you, Tony, for the most part. You said that o2bame should be careful as to what people on here have to say because it could be tinged with their opinion. I totally agree with you on that. Then you go on to say that she should ask a pastor or minister to dig a bit deeper. However, you said that they should have some scriptural basis, but the scary thing is that even men and women of God who are in positions as what you stated could 'tinge' those kinds of things with their own opinion. And some of them may not even use scripture at all. So, when you ultimately ended your statement saying that she should pray and as the Lord for guidance, that's where I got back on board with you. Yes, one should be able to trust the pastor and other people in a 'high' position as such in the church, but the true answer lies with the Lord and what is spoken into one's heart by Him. Now, that is 'MY OPINION.' :D

Re: Bible Questions
 

Me and my mom just saw a preaching on this. The reason why the Bible says that the husband is head of the wife is because according to the scriptures, the husband is represent God and the wife as the church.

According to be preacher that God entered a covenant with the church--as did a man with a woman--to form a marriage. So in essence God leads the church as a husband is to lead his wife.

I hope this helps.

Re: My Question
 

When we seek forgiveness for our sins, God wipes the slate clean - as if it never happened. And you go forth believing and conducting yourself as someone who has been set free and cleaned from sin.

II Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if you have sought forgiveness for the sin of fornication, then God has no memory of the past. Its as if you never had sex. You whould then remain celibate until you are blessed with husband.

Hope this helps..

Re: Bible Questions
 

Ephesians 5:22-33 explains this further...

So in a nutshell, our husbands should love us in the same manner and with the same lovingcare that Christ has for us.

This thread may provide more insight as well. Its goes into some specific detail.

Obey? Submit? What do you think?

Because this question/answer will actually cause debate, I will PM you later. ;) I'm a t work right now. :(

edited to state..this is a quick synopsis of a 10 week intensive course...I can't emphasize enough the importance of attending a biblicly based church that encourages bible study-if your church doesn't offer any please look for one that does. I was raised in church but did not know the intricacies of the Bible until I started reading for myself as an adult.

This is what I've learned and gathered from classes at my church ..

The old testament is a written work of the old covenant - God gave man rules and regulations to follow - throughout the old testament you see over and over again how man displeased and disobeyed God & through His infinite love He didn't want to destroy us - so He created a new way for man to be forgiven and to follow Him (the sacrifice of His son) - through the New Testament & the New covenant we are no longer required to follow all the rules and regulations to receive His blessings...so NO you do not have to follow the rules as listed out in Leviticus.

Most people who practice the Jewish faith still practice these rules and regulations listed in the Old Testament (including Rosh Hashana, Passover etc) because they do not believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and are still waiting for Him to come. Actually what Jews use as their holy books do not contain all the books of we call the Old Testament - they refer only to the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,Numbers,Dueteronomy). Some say Jesus was a prophet others say a charlatan, however there are now some Jews (Jews for Jesus) who say that Jesus was the Mesiah although I haven't had the opportunity to speak or research to see how they reconcile the different practices.

I just wanted to recommend a VERY good bible for further reference on any of the scriptures or questions presented here.

The Life Application Study Bible
http://store3.yimg.com/I/lifeapplica...e_1732_1207456

Wow this is good, thanks everyone and please pray that my husband and i find a church home. we moved about 4 months ago to another city so its been hard to get connected to a church family. again thanks to everyone who responded. Please if anyone else has any questions please feel free to post.

Good information, makes things a lot clearer!

My home church in Columbus aided tremendously in my spiritual growth. New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, big church but I did not mind that. They have the BEST BIBLE STUDY I have ever experienced and I miss my all women's Sunday School class taught by the pastor's wife. :(

The Salem church in Chicago is huge too, I wonder if they are connected.

Re: Bible Questions
 

Praise God for you o2bame for wanting to get deeper in the word. I agree with Tony's statement in that you should be very careful who you allow to pour into your spirit. Some popular interpretations of biblical passages are, in my opinion, more man than God.

The Bible does say "study to show thyself approved (2 Timothy 2:15)

So I'd like to recommend a few resources to use in your studying.

Kay Arthur who wrote the EXCELLENT "Power of a Praying Wife" among other books, has a book that teaches the inductive study method. It's call "How to Study your Bible" It is available on Amazon.

In addition, one of the authors of the popular Left Behind series, Tim LaHaye wrote another good book about studying the bible called "How to Study the Bible for Yourself". It is also available on Amazon or probably any Christian bookstore like LifeWay.

I actually enjoy doing word studies, even though I do not read the bible like I should. There are a number of online tools that are very helpful to me, including the blueletterbible.org which provides commentaries, lexicons and concordances and www.biblegateway.com, which is a quick way to find a scripture. For instance, if you had just placed "tattoo" in their search, all of the scriptures with tattoo in it would have come up.

Regarding the wives "submit" scripture, the same Greek word is used as used with Jesus in talking about his relationship with God, the Father. Scripture tells us that the 3 persons of the trinity (God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son) are co equal in creation. Even though Jesus is equal to God, he made himself "subject" or he submitted to God the Father because of his position--not because he was better or more powerful.
1Corithians 15:28 says
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [Eclipse's note: God the Father] that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

The original Greek word for submit-- hupotasso (Strong's 5293)-- in the Ephesians 5 scripture is the same as subject in the 1Corithians scripture above. Modern day language has made submit a bad word, when it should not be. It's also interesting to note that Ephesians 5:21 talks about "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God".

I've been working on this answer all afternoon between meetings, so I know there are probably a lot more posts with information so I will just close it out now :)

Hope it was some help.

I actually enjoyed New Salem Baptist Church a lot! We visit there quite a few Sundays. I think Pastor Troy is amazing. However, my husband and I werent raised in a Baptist church therefore our views and mindset are a little different than that of New Salem. Not saying that one way is right or wrong but it's just different.

I enjoy going anywhere where the word of God is being preached. But as a married couple I want to join a church where him and I are both comfortable.

wanted to add the book we used was How to Read the Old Testament by Etienne Charpentier (ISBN 0824505417). You can order on amazon.com

Re: Bible Questions
 

I will PM you cause I don't want the word to be tainted by liberal views and folks who are determined to make the word adapt to their lifestyle....and there's much too much of that..not only on GC..but among so called Christians as well..

PM on its way!!

Honeykiss and LoveSpell:

I know you said you would PM, but why not post your interpretations on GC so that everyone can read it? Some other folks may learn something too, and for those that are saved who may have a different interpretation, remember "iron sharpens iron"!

E