Get your dialing fingers ready because this hour we open the phone lines so that you can ask any question you have about the Bible or Christianity. Questions like: Do you have to be baptized to be saved? Does the Bible contradict itself? Does God ever change His mind? Dial in early because the lines are filled with great questions for the entire hour.
Hi friend, thanks so much for downloading this podcast and I hope you hear something that will edify, encourage, enlighten and get you out there into the marketplace of ideas. But before you listen and before you go, let me tell you about this month's Truth tool. It's a classic. It's written by doctor Josh McDowell and was updated by his son, Doctor Sean McDowell. It's called More Than a Carpenter and I love this classic book. There's about 15 million copies in print around the globe right now, and what this powerful book does is answer some of the basic questions that are being asked constantly by people who are seeking, who want to know who Jesus is. Questions like, Jesus had to be a liar, a lunatic, or he's exactly who he said he was, which is Lord, how do I put science in relationship with my faith? Ah, the Bible records reliable. Who would die for a lie? And isn't there some other way besides Jesus? Those questions and more are answered in this wonderful book called More Than a Carpenter. It's yours for a gift of any amount. When you financially support in the market with Janet Parshall, ask for your copy of More Than a Carpenter. When you call 877 Janet 58. That's 77 Janet 58 or go to in the market with Janet parshall.org for a gift of any amount. We'll give you a copy of this Christian classic that will help you know the answer. So in turn you can go and tell somebody who Jesus is. 87758877 Janet 58 or go to in the market with Janet parshall.org. And while you're there, consider becoming a partial partner. Those are people who give every single month at a level of their own choosing. They'll always get the truth tool. But in addition, my way of saying thank you is offering you a weekly newsletter that includes some of my writing and an audio piece just for my partial partners. So again, 877 Janet 58 or online at in the Market with Janet parshall.org ask for your copy of More Than a Carpenter and now please enjoy the broadcast.
Do you have a question?
Question I've always had about the Bible is our miracles and the ability to perform miracles possible in this day and age.
Do you Do you have a question?
Is the Bible inerrant? Can we trust the Word of God?
What did Jesus mean when he said, judge not that you be not judged.
What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Does God know with absolute certainty what will be the free will choices of men and women?
What is legalism?
Can a Christian lose their salvation?
Can God ever change his mind?
Could Jesus have sinned.
If and when a baby dies? Do they go to heaven?
Are Christians obligated to tithe?
Should all Christians speak in tongues?
What can we know about the existence and activity of Satan?
Are demons real? What can we know about angels?
Can a Christian be demonized? Will people that have.
Never heard the name of Jesus be condemned for not believing in him? Are miracles and the ability to perform miracles possible in this day and age? Do you have a question?
Oh, I hope you do. And that montage was filled with great questions. Questions like that are the kinds that are going to get answered this hour. Welcome to In the Market with Janet Parshall. That special opening goes to one person and one person only among our cadre of guests, and that's Doctor Sam Storms. And we're going to let you do just that. Ask any question you have about the Bible or Christianity. I'm giggling because I can't tell you how many times I'm in the word, and I want to put the initials SS next to a passage. In other words, to ask Doctor Sam Storms about this the next time we're together. And then I think if I've somehow missed that, and the Lord calls me home to glory, and my kids take my Bible and they're going to see SS next to it, they're going to have some serious conversations among themselves about exactly what was mom referring to. And I don't want to confuse them as they inherit my Bible. So there are so many questions that we've got when we read the word, or how that word translates into how we live as followers of Christ or Christianity. And Doctor Storms does a marvelous job of answering your question. So here's what you need the phone number and questions only this hour (877) 548-3675. That's 77 5483675. And I wish I could tell you I came up with this idea all by myself. But imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and I'm imitating what Sam did in two of the multiple books that he's written. And he's such a prolific author. So he took 25 challenging questions, and then he answered them in a book called Tough Topics. And the response was so overwhelming that it his second book called Tough Topics Two Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions. So altogether, the two books cover 50 challenging questions. And often in our conversations, as we take your questions, Sam will say, and I wrote about that in either tough topics or tough topics too. But just be aware that if this kind of a conversation is one that particularly ignites you, I want you to know there are two books on this from Sam Tough Topics and Tough Topics. Two he pastored in Oklahoma City for over 14 years. He is the founder of Enjoying God Ministries. He has so many names on so many organizations that he has or does serve with. Currently, he's a member of the Council of the of the Gospel Coalition. He's past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. He was a professor for years, a professor of theology at Wheaton College. And again, as I say, book after book after book after book, one of my favorites is a dozen Things God Did with your sin and three things that he'll never do. And I have to tell you, that's a fabulous book, by the way. Another one is the Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts, the Singing God. Feel the passion God has for you just the way you are. And the list goes on and on and on. So one of the joys of this conversation is that if you don't know who Doctor Storms is, you are introduced to him and his wealth of knowledge. He just makes theology. I'll use the term because he was a prof of theology at Wheaton. I want it to be more palpable and more understandable. It's knowing the word and how to apply it to the world around us, and these conversations are exemplary of just that. So again, questions only (877) 548-3675. And it is the privilege of the chair, as we say here in Washington DC. I get one question. Well, I'll probably do more based on some of your questions, but I get to start this off by giving an example. So dear Sam, this is one of my SS passages okay? And I'm giving it from the NIV version. Therefore, my dear friends, it's Philippians 212. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence. Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, continued to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. I know there are people who hear that part and say, wait a minute, it's faith that we're saved. You're not by works, lest any man should boast. It's that the gift of God. So how do I work out my own salvation? If what my salvation is, is what Christ did for me, not what I have to do for him. So how do I work out? It's either a faith and a grace experience or somehow it's a works related. And this is where the conundrum gets created for people who read Philippians 212. So how do we break that apart?
You know, Janet, there are a few things in life that scare me that really terrify me. One of them is when I hear this program open opened with the privilege of the chair, because I know that your question is going to be a challenging one. And once again, you haven't let me down. Yeah. There is yeah, there is a world of difference. And let's just say an eternity of difference between working for your salvation and working it out. So obviously Paul is talking here about the unfolding, if you will, or the development of the grace of salvation that has come to us through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's similar to what Paul said in Ephesians two 8 to 10. We're saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, not by works, lest anyone should boast. And then he goes on to say in verse ten, we are to walk in those works which God prepared beforehand, that we should, so that we should walk in them. So I think the idea here is Paul is saying, look, you have been graciously and gloriously saved by faith alone in Christ alone. And now you have this deposit of new life in you. The Spirit of Spirit of God dwells in you. Avail yourselves of that power and begin to work out and develop and unfold, and go deeper in your understanding of who Christ is. Deepen in your intimacy with him, more committed to zealously obey all that he has commanded. And then, of course, the very next verse, verse 13 has to we have to bring that in, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. So even the working out or the flat, if I can put it this way, the seed of salvation has been planted within us. We're saved. The flowering of that salvation, the seed coming to full expression in all the ways that will honor the Lord is something that God operates in and through us, according to his will and good pleasure. So that's how I understand that passage. Always read the verse 13 in light of 12 and 12 in light of 13. But also remember that the difference between working for salvation, which Paul repeatedly says, you can't do. It's not by your works, but working it out. That is, like I said, the seed of salvation is there. You're justified by faith alone. And now water the seed, water the soil. Cultivate the life that is in you. Read your word. Uh, stay in prayer, fellowship with others. Uh, you know, unite with the local church. Do all the things that God has told us to do that will develop and enhance the salvation we already have.
Fabulous explanation, Sam. Thank you so much for that and it gave you a chance to get your calls on the line. Thank you for your patience while we get your call. Stack. Doctor Sam Storms is now going to take your questions when we come back. Any question you have about the Bible or a particular passage or about the Christian life, this is your opportunity to talk to a man who really knows the word and teaches us how to apply what we know and what we believe. (877) 548-3675. We'll take your calls right after What makes Jesus so different? Is the Bible reliable? Who would die for a lie? Those questions are why I have chosen more than a carpenter as this month's truth tool. Get answers to tough questions so that you can share the good news about Jesus without hesitation. As for your copy of More Than a Carpenter, when you give a gift of any amount to in the market, call 877858. That's 877858 or go to. In the market with Janet parshall.org. Doctor Sam Storms is with us. And he's going to answer any question you have about the Bible or Christianity. When you call 87754836758775483675. And Carlene in Wisconsin, we're going to start with you. Welcome to the program to our conversation. And we'd love your question please.
Hello. I was reading in Second Kings 1321. It says that the Israelites threw a dead man's body into the Elisha's tomb, and the man came back to life. Just one verse. And what? What am I to glean from this verse in the Bible?
Uh, Janet, this is one of the things about live radio. My two year old grandson came bursting into my office with his cries for me to pick him up, and so I didn't hear the question or the verse. Could you repeat it for me?
I would be happy to. But, Carlene, you did it better. You're referencing second Kings 13, I believe. Correct?
Yes. Second Kings 1321. The Israelites were burying a dead man into a tomb, and it was Elisha's tomb. And when this dead man touched Elisha, he came back alive. I was just wondering, what am I to glean from this in the In the Bible to understand it? Or why would God even put it in?
Yeah, that is a very good question. Let me say, first of all, I do not believe that this passage or this event is designed to be repeated in the present day. And I'm going to say that because I think some errors that people have made, I think possibly what we're reading here is the fact that because of the extraordinary prophetic anointing that Elisha had, that there was a considerable presence of the spirit who worked through him, that it in some way. And I know this sounds bizarre, but let's be honest, it's in our Bibles in some way. That anointing power remained in his body even after he was dead and buried. And when this man touched that body, the presence of the spirit that was still there affected this this resurrection of this man, he revived and stood on his feet. Now, again, it's one of those really weird situations, but I think that's probably the best explanation. The problem is, you may well know, is that some people today have used this to justify what's called grave soaking. And what they have done is they have gone to the graves of great evangelists or great Christians in the past, or those who seem to have a real powerful ministry of the spirit. And they have laid down on the the gravestone or on the ground, hoping to soak up whatever anointing of the spirit is still left there. I don't think that that is a legitimate practice that has no justification in the New Testament. We don't see anywhere where a connection is made between what happened here in Second Kings and what people are seeking to do today. In fact, I think it's very dangerous for people to engage in grave soaking. There's just no biblical precedent for it. So again, we have to remember the difference between what happened under the old covenant with God's prophets like Elijah and Elisha as over against what happens in the new covenant in which all God's people have the presence of the spirit.
Wow. Um, let me just go back to this grave soaking thing, because I've never heard of it before. But exactly what do you do with the declaration that you're absent from the body and present with the Lord? The body stays behind, becomes food for worms. The spirit is in the presence of the Lord. There'd be nothing left if you apply scripture.
I agree totally with you, Janet. Um, and again, that's why the only justification that they have made for this practice, which I think is bizarre and unbiblical, is this story in Second Kings. And again, I think we have to recognize that there are some unique what we might call anomalous events that are one time occurrences that are not designed by God to give us a pattern for how we are to live. And I think this is one of them. So I would caution against anybody thinking about going out to, you know, I can imagine somebody saying, oh, you know, I'm Visiting North Carolina and the home of Billy Graham. And I'm going to go to his grave site and try to soak up a little bit of the anointing of the spirit. No, that is not how God operates with us under the terms of the New Covenant, because we all have the spirit in complete and full power because of what happened through Jesus and at Pentecost.
Well, so just give me the skinny on this and I'll break it to my husband. So you're saying it's probably a really good chance that none of my donkeys are going to be talking to me any day?
I think you can count on that.
Okay. Thank you. Wanted to clarify that. Thank you. Sherry. Let me welcome you from Minnesota. Thanks for joining us. Your question please.
Hey, quick question. I get so confused about Melchizedek and he just seems to appear. Is he an angel? And about the tithe?
Sure. Um, by the way, I preached a sermon and you can access it on my website called who the Heck is Melchizedek? I thought that was a pretty catchy title.
That's great.
And you're right. Some would argue that he was an angel. There are some who contend that he was the pre-incarnate Christ, that the Son of God, before he took on human flesh, was manifested as Melchizedek. I think he was a literal human being, a normal man. He's called King of Salem, priest of the Most High God who met with Abraham. And the reason why there's so much confusion about it is because it says in verse three of Hebrews seven, he is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning nor of days, nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God. He continues a priest forever. I don't think the author is saying he didn't have a mother or a father or a genealogy. I think it's saying that there is no record of it. And the absence of any recording of who his parents were or from whom he descended, or the date of his birth, or the date of his death, that he is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. So again, I don't think. Or excuse me. The type of the Son of God, the pre-incarnate Christ. So I don't think he is the pre-incarnate Christ. I think he is typological of him that the details concerning his life, death and burial, so forth and so forth, uh, display characteristics that we know to be true of the Son of God himself. So that's what I understand that to be. And then, of course, the issue you asked of tithing, um, he's saying that, uh, I'm. Do I hear sounds coming. Music coming.
Janet.
You do, you do. Do you want to answer that on the other side, Sam?
Sure. Let's come back to that.
Terrific. We will share. Thank you for the great question. I appreciate that. (877) 548-3675. And we will get the rest of the answer to your question. Sherry. Dealing with the tithe part when we return. Doctor Sam Storms is with us. I want you to know what his website is, because you're going to hear a lot of references over and over again. Great stuff there. It's a treasure trove of sound theology. Sam storms.org. Real easy to remember. Sam storms.org. (877) 548-3675. More of your questions right after this. Doctor Sam Storms is with us. He is the founder of Enjoying God Ministries. He has been a prolific author, continues to be. And let me just give the website again. It's his name. Sam storms.org. And there's just a wealth of information and articles there, and you will often hear Sam in his response to you reference that website. I want to make sure you have it because even if you don't get on, don't have a question. There's still a ton of great stuff for you to review there. Don't forget, also the the representation of what we're doing here with your Q&A can be found in two of the books that he's written. One is called Tough Topics, the other is Tough Topics. Two, they're all together between those two books. 50 Challenging Questions That Have that have biblical answers. Sharing Minnesota has joined us and she started out by asking about Michelle. Michelle. Well, you get it. I'm not going to say it again. But there was a second part to the question, and that was about the tithe that's referenced in that passage as well. Sam, you wanted to answer that, please?
Sure. Well, I'll go back to one other thing I want to say in verse three. It says that he resembled the Son of God, not that he is the Son of God. So I don't think this was a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Son of God, but rather a man who, by virtue of the fact that we don't have record of his birth or his death or his genealogy, resembles the Son of God. Now, the issue, of course, is that the author of Hebrews is trying to demonstrate the superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham, and he does it by saying Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, not the other way around. Also, Melchizedek blessed Abraham, not the other way around. So the point simply is that Jesus is a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, and since Melchizedek is superior to Abraham, so too is the priesthood of Jesus, superior to all those that preceded him. Now, I think the verse he's talking about is verse verses nine and ten, which says, one might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. So the idea is because Levi is present physiologically, you might say, in the loins of his father Abraham, that when Abraham tithed the Melchizedek, there's a sense in which Levi could also be said to have done so. Now, one more thing I want to say here, Janet. Some people point to this passage to justify tithing today. The giving of strictly 10%. But notice something very significant. There's nothing here about a human being paying a tithe to God or to the church. This is Abraham paying a tithe from the spoils of war to another man, Melchizedek. So again, this text cannot be used to somehow justify the idea of tithing being binding and obligating on Christians today. Now, certainly we are to give and you know this generously. I think 10% really is just a good starting place, but it's certainly not the ceiling of our giving. It might just be the floor, if that makes sense.
Yes. Yeah. Well said. Thank you Sherry, so much. Appreciate your being with us. Abby, I welcome you from Indiana. Thanks for being here. Your question now, please.
Thank you so much for taking my call. My daughter is a freshman in high school, and she and her friends were discussing at lunch today whether or not God loves Satan. And we were just curious if you have some scripture that points you to an opinion on that.
Well, the first thing I would say is no, there is no Scripture that says he does love Satan. Um, we do know that God has a Benevolent attitude toward all of his creation. In other words, he. Everything he created, he did so for a good purpose, with the opportunity. For each and every one, both angels and humans, to to reap the benefits. And the blessings of knowing him. But sadly and tragically, as we know, Satan rebelled and took many. Angels with him. I don't think I can't think of a place where it specifically says that God hates Satan. But certainly when Jesus, I think in Matthew is in Matthew 25 or 26, said that the lake of fire has been prepared for the devil and his angels. So Satan, who is the devil there and his demons? And by the way, demons are angels. They're just fallen and rebellious angels. They are all destined for eternal judgment in the lake of fire. So if somebody tried to make a case to say that God loves Satan, um, in a way other than the benevolence that God feels toward all his Was creation, you would have to define what does love mean? I mean, what content can you give to a love that would consign the object of it to eternal damnation? So I don't think that Satan, that God loves Satan, um, and certainly has no intention of redeeming him, although there were some in the history of the church, the church father origin, for one, believed that Satan would eventually be redeemed and reconciled, as would all people. But we don't have any biblical basis for believing that. So my short answer is no. There is no text that explicitly says God does or does not love Satan. But when you take into account the eternal destiny of Satan and his demons in the lake of fire and the judgment that they will incur, it seems very clear that God is opposed to Satan. And if I can say this without being misunderstood, there is a holy hatred in God's heart towards Satan and the demons. It's not the kind of hatred that you and I experience that's born of bitterness and resentment and jealousy and, you know, a wounded heart. Um, God's hatred is an expression of the holiness of his character and his opposition to all that Satan is and does.
Wow.
Abby, thank you so much. And, boy, I'll tell you what. How wonderful a conversation at lunch hour today among your daughter and friends. I would love to have been sitting at that table. Thank you so much for the question. I really appreciate it. Let me turn to Terry now. Terry, thanks for joining us and your question, please.
Yes. My question. I'm confused by Matthew 27, and I believe in acts one, the two different descriptions of the death of Judas, one by hanging and the other something about he falls on Potter's field.
Hmm. Terry, you hear the music playing, and I know that you and I both want Sam to be able to take all the time he needs to answer your questions. So if you don't mind, I'm going to put you back on hold. And when we come back, we'll talk about whether or not there is a discrepancy in the death of Judas found in scriptures. Again, you reference both Matthew and Acts (877) 548-3675. That's our number here on In the Market with Janet Parshall. It's one of our favorite hours of radio where Doctor Sam Storms answers any question you have about the Bible or Christianity. Let me give you his website again. Sam storms.org. Org. A treasure trove of all kinds of excellent articles and materials for your perusal. When we come back, we're going to learn the answer to your question. Terry. Thanks for being with us back after this. What's the goal of in the market? I'll tell you in the market equips men and women to think critically and act biblically. Why do we do this? So that we can be confident when speaking the truth in a confused culture. Are you willing to stand with me? Become a partial partner today and enjoy exclusive benefits only my partners receive while making an impact for the Kingdom. Call eight 7758 or go online to in the market with Janet parshall.org. If you are joining us, welcome. We're visiting with Doctor Sam Storms, who is the founder of Enjoying God Ministries, a wonderful teacher, prolific author, and we're taking any questions you have on the Bible or Christianity at (877) 548-3675. And if you want to hear any of the questions asked before you are able to step in, you didn't miss a thing. Just go to your favorite location for podcasts and look for in the market. With Janet Parshall in the market with Janet Parshall, we save both of the hours we do every day, going back a full year. So that way at your convenience, you can listen anytime, anywhere you want to. So again, in the market with Janet Parshall, wherever podcasts are found and you'll catch this conversation in its entirety. But in the meantime, we're going to go back to Terry, who joined us from Illinois, who has a question, Sam, about what our perceived distinctions in the description of the death of Judas found in Matthew and in acts.
Sure. Yes. We must remember that rarely does a biblical author claim to report in exhaustive detail everything that might have occurred. And I think that's the case here. We do know in Matthew 27 that it says that he hung himself. But here in acts chapter one, it says that he fell headlong, burst open in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out. Isn't that a lovely picture? Um, I think there are two ways of understanding what is going on here, and I think they are. They make Matthew 27 and acts one perfectly complementary. It may be that the field overlooked a cliff, and as Judas hanged himself, the rope or the branch may have broken, and his body fell headlong over the edge of the cliff onto jagged rocks and burst open, as the text says. I think, however, the more likely explanation is Jesus, excuse me, Judas, Jesus! Judas did hang himself, and his body in all likelihood remained on in that posture for a day or two, maybe even three days. And over the process of those days. His body decayed and decomposed, eventually falling to the ground and bursting open in its decomposed condition. So in either case, I don't think there's any contradiction. I think think they are focusing on complementary details of the same event.
Yeah, yeah.
Thank you, Terry, very much for that question I appreciate that. Jerry, let me turn to you now. Thank you for your patience and your question for Doctor Sam Storms. Jerry, are you there? Jerry, I'm going to give you one more chance. You were so patient. I'll put you back on hold. Maybe my team will see if you're still there. (877) 548-3675. Kristen. Welcome. And likewise, I thank you for your patience. You all are so patient getting on to talk to Doctor Storms. Your question. Kristen, please.
I was just wondering, um, in the Bible, it seems like the sin of homosexuality is treated differently or seen differently than, um, other sins. And I was wondering if those that are practicing that lifestyle are going to be able to go to heaven?
Yeah, that's a great question. A very controversial topic to say the least. Um, first, let's acknowledge that all sin is an offense against God. That includes gluttony, selfishness, jealousy, anger, theft. Um, are there gradations of severity among the sins? And the answer to that is yes. We read in the Old Testament about sins of commission and sins of omission. We read about sins that are high handed. Uh, we read in First John about the sin. There is a sin unto death, and another sin that's not unto death. Um, you know, when, uh, when Pontius Pilate was commenting on, uh, the on the betrayal of Jesus, we read in John's gospel that Judas had the greater sin. So we can differentiate in terms of severity between sins, for example, I think common sense would tell us that when my granddaughter tells me a little white lie, that that's a whole lot different from a man who abducts a child and murders and rapes it. I mean, there's just obviously common sense would tell you that. And I think God recognizes that doesn't mean that either sin is unimportant or insignificant. But there is a difference. Now, the question you ask is homosexuality of a different category? I personally think that it is because, as Romans one says, it is a very conscious violation of the creation order. God created man and male and female. And when a person of the same sex engages in relations with another person of that same sex, that it's crossing a boundary that violates the creation ordinance of God and the way that he has made male and female. Now it is true, on the other hand, that you know, Paul very clearly talks about he lumps homosexuality in with a number of others. For example, in First Corinthians six nine, he says neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. So he includes homosexuality in with all these other sins that exclude somebody from the kingdom. But that doesn't necessarily mean that all of them are of equal, um, evil, or they are equally offensive in the sight of God. Um, I think getting I think being a drunkard is a very serious sin. Um, on the other hand, I don't necessarily think that it is as offensive as chronic adultery. Uh, so we could argue the the various degrees of evil in all the sins. But I do believe that Paul's telling us here that those. And let me make this very clear, because this is this is a distinction we have to keep in mind. He's talking about chronic, unrepentant practice of homosexuality. He's not saying that men and women who experience same sex attraction are, for that reason, condemned. He's talking. I know a number of people in my own church who struggle with the temptation to engage in same sex relations, but they don't buy the power of the spirit. They resist it. They are saved, and they're on their way to eternal eternity with the Lord Jesus. I think Paul's talking about in the case of all these sins. So take, for example, adultery or thief or thievery, because I happen to have stolen some baseball cards from a convenience store when I was eight years old, which I confess I did. That doesn't mean I'm going to hell. We're talking about chronic, prolonged, unrepentant defiance in the sin that one has chosen. That is an indication that the person does not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. And by the way, I thoroughly repented for taking those baseball cards from that convenience store.
There you go.
Kristen, thank you so much for a very important question. I appreciate it a lot. Gary, thank you for calling back. Forgive me. I had identify you as Jerry. That's probably why he didn't respond. But it is Gary. And I thank you that you're here. And your question, please.
Well, thank.
You very much. So my question comes, I believe it's revelation 118 where Jesus says, I have the keys of Hades death. I believe that means he has the authority. And I've heard many preachers, uh, expand it, that they thought that Jesus went down to hell and took the keys from Satan, but I don't think that's correct. Can Sam speak into that?
Sure. No, I agree with you. I do not think that's what that text is talking about. It certainly is saying unmistakably, that Jesus is the Lord over both life and death. Um, and he is the sovereign over, those who have been consigned to Hades. The idea that Jesus descended into hell between his death and resurrection is based on a couple of texts that I think have been misinterpreted. One of them is Ephesians four, where it says that he descended into the lower parts of the earth. And the other is first Peter 318 and following. I think what first Peter three is describing is what happened when Jesus ascended to the father after the resurrection. It's not talking about a descent. In fact, the word that says he went uh and proclaimed uh and proclaimed truth to and judgment to the spirits in prison is the same word that's used a couple of verses later to describe his ascent, or his going up to heaven to be with his father. In Ephesians four, I think it's saying, if we read this correctly, he descended into the lower parts, which are the earth. It's talking about the incarnation of Christ, not his descent into hell between his death and resurrection. So, yeah, I don't believe that that happened. I believe that Christ, when he rose from the dead. First Peter three, he proclaimed judgment to the spirits that were incarcerated there as a way of reminding the people to whom Peter is writing. Look, you don't have to fear them. Christ has conquered them. He has proclaimed judgment over them. You are set free from their influence.
Gary, thank you so much, and I'm thrilled we were able to get your question into this conversation. Thank you again. Gage in Michigan. Welcome. Your turn. Now. Your question please.
Hi. Yes. So my question has to do with, you know, is there any scripture that kind of specifically states where we go when we pass? So I know throughout the Bible it talks about how when Jesus went to raise Lazarus, it said that he is sleeping. And then there's also Scripture that says that the dead know nothing but Jesus, when he was on the cross, also said to the thief, you know, today you will be in Paradise with me. So can you elaborate on where it is we go when we when we die.
Sure, I'd be happy to do that. I think the the metaphor of sleeping is used to emphasize that for Christians there is no pain in death. It's not punitive. It's for a Christian to die is as if I can say it this way is as tranquil and peaceful as falling asleep and taking a nap. I think also the imagery of sleep is used because when you look at a person's dead body, they look like they're sleeping. They are in fact asleep to the life in this world, but they're very much awake and conscious in the next. So I would add, obviously, you mentioned the thief on the cross today you will be with me in Paradise. I think also second Corinthians five eight through ten is very important. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So to be absent from the body, he's talking about physical death. He says when you're absent from your body, there's no other alternative. You're present with the Lord. Philippians chapter one Paul talks about. Um, I would, uh, I'm torn between two things. On the one hand, I want to stay alive, and I can minister to you people. On the other hand, I want to depart and be with Christ. How can he say that if he didn't go into the immediate presence of Christ? Then there's a verse in Hebrews 12 and also in revelation chapter six that describe the spirit or souls of the departed dead being with Christ. But we don't have time to read those. You can look them up. Revelation 12, uh, Hebrews 12 and revelation chapter six.
Thank you so much for the question. Christ in us, the hope of glory, I tell you. Thank you so much. That's a question a lot of people think about. And you just got a very reassuring answer. We all did. Thank you for that. (877) 548-3675 doctor Sam Storms is our guest. When we come back, guess what we're going to do. You got it right back to the phones. More of your questions for Doctor Storms. (877) 548-3675. That's (877) 548-3675. That's the number you call when you want to ask. Doctor Sam storms a question. That's what we've been doing. All our. Any questions you have on the Bible or Christianity? Doctor storms excellent author, pastor, teacher, theologian and a lot of people like to talk to him, which is why so many people are online right now. Samuel, I'm going to turn to you next in Georgia. I thank you for stopping by. And your question, please.
Yes. Thank you for taking my call. I would just like to get Doctor Sam's perspective on the the closure of the canon of Scripture. And one scripture that comes to mind is, I believe it's in Colossians, where, um, Paul did did encourage that church to read the letters that he wrote to another church to them. And I imagine that that would mean we can consider that as Scripture. So I just wanted to hear his thoughts about the closure of the canon of Scripture And potentially what else could be on earth in terms of God's message to us?
Thank you.
Sure. That's a very good question. I hope I've got a good answer. First of all, we do know that Paul wrote letters to churches that were not finally and ultimately included in what we call the canon, or the final list of 66 books. Most scholars believe, and I would agree with them, that Paul wrote at least four letters to the Corinthians, and yet only two of those were deemed by God to be essential for the life and health and growth of the body of Christ, uh, during the last 2000 years. So we have the same thing you mentioned in Colossians, where Paul instructs them, um, when he said, when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. So yes, Paul wrote other correspondence, but our confidence in that we have every book that God wanted us to have is the fact that we have every book that we now have. I know that sounds kind of redundant, but my point is, God determined in his infinite wisdom what he wanted to be the foundation for the life and the beliefs and the behavior of his people throughout this present church age. So it was the Spirit of God who closed the canon. It wasn't any counsel. It wasn't any church father. It was the Spirit of God himself working in the hearts and minds of God's people to acknowledge and recognize this. This is the voice of the spirit. This is the voice of God. And they concurred that this is what the that God wanted in the included in the final canon of Scripture. So again, it was the sovereign work of the spirit that closed the canon and excluded some books, but included others. If you are really interested in this, and there is a tremendous book written by Michael Krueger Krueger, he's the president of president of Reformed Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's called Canon Revisited, published by Crossway. Canon revisited. And he goes through all of these issues and he answers all the questions. Why this book and not another? And what was the process by which God sovereignly orchestrated the books that he desired to be in the canon, and why he excluded others? So if my answer isn't good enough for you, go get Michael Krueger's book. It is superb.
Thank you.
Sam, so much for the answer. Johnny in Minnesota welcome. Your question please.
Yes, it's true that people who have not heard the word are doomed to go to hell. How do you handle a nation like North Korea?
Yeah. First of all, let me respond very lovingly with a little pushback to what you said. I don't believe that it's the case that everyone hasn't received sufficient revelation to make them accountable before God. Paul says in Romans chapter one he says, what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. His invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. And in this profound statement. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking. So Paul's point here is this if there are people in regard, regardless of the time, whether it's 3000 years ago or 300 years ago or three years ago, who have never heard the name of Jesus or never heard the gospel, they are still accountable to God for how they responded to the revelation he made of himself in the natural order in creation. And so Paul is saying here, he said, God made it plain to them. It's Unmistakable. His eternal attributes and his divine power are seen in the things of nature and of creation. That renders them without excuse. So the point simply is this no one will ever be condemned for rejecting Jesus, having not ever heard his name or the gospel. They will be held accountable and condemned for their having received the revelation of God in both creation and in their conscience, and having rejected that. And as Paul says, they became futile in their minds, and they turned to idolatry. So it isn't that people in places like North Korea or regions of, you know, the innermost areas of India have not received revelation from God. They have. God made it plain to them, and it has rendered them without excuse. So they are judged on the basis of that revelation. They're not judged on the basis of how they respond to the gospel of Christ, which they have never heard.
Thank you Johnny. Appreciate the question. Shoshana in Florida, thank you for being with us. Your question please.
Yes. Hi. Um, in reference to John 1413 to 14, how come God didn't resurrect a loved one who had been dead in the hospital for about a few hours, even though I had asked this request in Jesus's name as a believer? Or was this one of the Last Supper promises only available to disciples, since they had been given the commission to immediately begin spreading the gospel?
Janet, we've run out of time, haven't we?
No. You still have a good minute.
And a half.
Okay, give me again the clarification on the question. It was breaking up a little bit.
She wanted to know why, when she prayed that a friend who had died in the hospital, that they would be resurrected. Why? That prayer wasn't answered.
Sure.
Well, there are numerous. By the way, Janet, my book on prayer, where I answer that in detail, will be out this spring. It's called Understanding Prayer. But just very briefly, there are numerous reasons why God says no to no to a request. It may well be because he has something greater in mind for you than the answer to your prayer. It may be that he has ordained that woman's days, and she had reached the extent of the time God had given her for life on earth. It may be that he has designed to glorify himself and build you up in faith, in spite of the no answer to your request. There are all sorts of explanations for why God seems not to answer prayer. I think he always answers prayers. Sometimes it's yes, sometimes it's no. Sometimes it's wait. But God is always good. And his response to the prayers of his people.
Mm. Wonderful answer. Shoshanna. Thank you. I hope that clarifies things a bit. And thank you for the heads up, Sam, about your new book On prayer. First in line. I want to talk to you about it as soon as it's hot off the presses. In the meantime, friends, you can talk again about all the treasure that's at Sam storms.org. A wonderful way to learn more in between our conversations with Doctor Storms. Thank you, Doctor Storms. Thanks friends. We'll see you next time.