Bible Questions with Andrew Farley

Witnessing (or evangelism) is often held up as the ultimate in Christian experience or duty. While witnessing (sharing the Gospel) can be a great thing, problems can arise when we make witnessing into a duty, obligation, or measure of spiritual maturity. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do...

Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to “neglect” meeting together. This does not mean we must meet with other believers for a formal church service on a Sunday morning, but we are designed to live in community with trusted Christian friends. We gather for the purpose of receiving encouragement in the truth of the Gospel.

Scripture does not say gambling is sinful. All things are permissible, however, not all things are beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). This means we need to determine whether gambling, or any activity, is mastering us or if we are simply doing it for enjoyment (like other activities that cost money). If we have any history of gambling addiction, godly wisdom and discernment would have us steer clear...

Some have interpreted Leviticus 19:28 to mean that Christians cannot get tattoos. This was just one of many prohibitions in the Law (including the avoidance of pork, shellfish, and clothing spun of more than one linen). However, Christians are dead to the Law (Romans 7:4), not under the Law (Romans 6:14), and Christ is the end of the Law for all those who believe (Romans 10:4). Therefore, believer...

While many see pain as an instrument given to us by God for spiritual maturation, God is not the cause of this fallen world. God uses pain for our good, but He does not send it (Romans 8:28).

The Biblical perspective on alcohol is found in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Believers are free to drink alcohol, always being wise and avoiding drunkenness.

We compare ourselves when we forget our righteousness and our new identity in Christ. Scripture says we are the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We cannot improve upon this!

God’s love for us is expressed perfectly in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 5:8). We may not always feel this love, but over time we can know God’s love more deeply and comprehensively as we set our minds on all that Jesus has done for us (Ephesians 3:19).

Our worries are often the result of “what ifs” that penetrate our minds. We can only overcome worry when we realize we’re not in control of these “what ifs” or any other potential scenarios in our lives. All we can do is trust Christ as our life and allow Him to carry us through.

The reality is we believers are already set free from the power of sin, including pride, at the moment of salvation (Romans 6:2). As we fix our eyes on Jesus and bear the fruit of His Spirit in our lives, we won’t satisfy the desires of the flesh, including pride (Galatians 5:19-23).

While we are often tempted to label anger as a sin, the Bible does not make this statement. In fact, Scripture teaches that we can be angry while making the conscious decision to not sin (Ephesians 4:26).

We know God loves us, but what if we are faithless to God? We may worry that our doubts will somehow disconnect us from God. But any Christian can experience any thought at any time, and this includes thoughts of doubt. And God is clear that if we are faithless, He remains faithful to us, no matter what (2 Timothy 2:13).

If so, why do Christians need to fast? Some teach that fasting is required for spiritual growth, yet this is not Biblical. In the days of the early church, eating food was the main form of entertainment. So, believers might fast in order to regain focus on God’s grace. But this was not a spiritual mandate that made prayers get answered or helped believers get closer to God. Fasting was employed me...

Many interpret Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 to mean Christians have the power to be successful at anything in life. However, the passage is actually talking about contentment in any circumstance, whether difficult or easy. Paul speaks of having little (poverty) versus having much, and going hungry versus being filled. His point is that Jesus Christ is our life in every circumstance we face. Th...

James 2 is talking about living faith (which includes a decision) versus dead faith that even the demons have. James is encouraging his readers to be like Rahab and open the door to God’s message. James is instructing his readers to imitate Abraham by offering themselves to God just as Abraham offered Isaac. Faith without decision is dead faith.

While the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, Scripture is clear about the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three coequal persons in one Godhead. As human beings with finite understanding, we can believe in the Trinity without fully comprehending it.

James 5:16 says the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective. While this is often interpreted as we need to live righteously for our prayers to be heard, the passage actually speaks to the righteousness we received as a free gift from Christ at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17).

Whenever disasters occur, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often used as a proof text to argue God is sending disasters because of the world’s sins. But this is an Old Testament passage aimed at Israel before Jesus died for our sins to bring us total forgiveness and salvation through Him. Today is the day of salvation – not the day of judgment. God’s agenda is to save the world, not to punish it. And the kind...

Some believe 1 Peter 3:19 teaches that Jesus went to Hell for three days to preach to demons or the unsaved before His resurrection. Some even claim this trip to Hell was necessary to complete Christ’s work on our behalf. However, Peter was simply saying that Jesus (long ago, through Noah) had preached to the people of Noah’s day (in that day!). The people of Noah’s generation heard Jesus’s messag...

The prosperity gospel teaches that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection brought every believer the ability to activate earthly blessings such as monetary riches and good health. Scripture, however, teaches that Christ achieved spiritual blessings for us such as forgiveness, righteousness, and a new heart (Ephesians 1; Hebrews 10:16-17). These are the true gifts of God which belong to every bel...

Some claim the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible. However, this is simply not the case. In fact, it’s not even based on the earliest manuscripts we have today.

Is it biblical? Lordship Salvation teaches that individuals are saved when they surrender and submit fully to Christ’s Lordship. This is contrasted with so-called “easy believism” or the concept that salvation is offered freely and needs only to be received (Romans 6:23). Jesus did tell us what He offers is “easy” and “light” and brings “rest” (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition, He told us that whoev...

Some argue that we should adhere to what the “early church fathers” taught during the first few centuries of Christianity. While this might sound like a noble idea, it is problematic in that the early church fathers did not even agree with each other about key issues! Furthermore, many of the so-called “early church fathers” promoted unfounded (even heretical!) ideas. In short, it is not the age o...

Is Catholicism the purest form of Christianity? While one can be an earnest believer in Jesus and be part of the Roman Catholic Church, it is erroneous to state that it is the one true expression of the Christian faith. It is also highly problematic to affirm that God saves through the Roman Catholic religious system.

While Isaiah 53:5 is sometimes interpreted to mean that Christians have guaranteed physical healing through the finished work of Christ, the passage is actually speaking of a spiritual healing which occurs at salvation because of Christ’s removal of our sins (1 Peter 2:24).