QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (104)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We say there are no dumb questions. 

 

B.   Is this really the case?

1.    Some have actually asked:  “Do we really exist?”

2.    Others have asked:  “Does evil really exist?”

3.    Still others are asking:  “Can boys become girls? Or, vice versa?”

 

C.   It might be possible to ask a dumb question about the Bible or a religious matter.  However, we have not had this to happen with the questions you ask for our Q&A Lesson on the first of each month.

 

D.   Today is our Q&A Lesson for the month of November. 

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Death as Sleep

 

A.   Stated:

1.    When a person dies, do they sleep?

2.    When Christians die, do they know what is going on in the world or are they asleep and unconscious?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The Bible often refers to death using the word “sleep.”

a.    David’s death is described as sleep (Acts 13:36).

 

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.

 

b.    Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary died. When Jesus was ready to depart to go to Lazarus, He said to the disciples:  “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may wake him out of sleep” (John 11:11)

 

c.    Paul tells us that not all will be asleep, that is, dead, when the Lord returns (1 Cor 15:51).

 

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

 

d.    This same apostle refers to death as sleep in 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

 

2.    The Seventh-day Adventists teach a doctrine known as “soul sleep.”  The soul, they say, remains in a state of sleep until the Second Coming of Christ and the Resurrection.

a.    Answer #1:  The Bible often uses figurative language to describes things.

1)    One figure of speech it uses is a metaphor.  This is a comparison that is made without using the words “like” or “as.”

2)    Example:  Jesus refers to Herod as a fox in Luke 13:32.

 

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox…

 

3)    When death is described as sleep, the Bible is using a metaphor to describe it. 

-      The eyes are closed.

-      The body is reclined.

-      A pillow is often put under the individual’s head.

-      Often the individual looks very peaceful.

-      The individual is unaware of the things happening around him.

-      Those in the room will often speak in a low voice.

-      Many will even comment:  “He/she looks like he/she is sleeping.”

b.    Answer #2:  When Jesus died, His soul did not remain in a state of sleep.  (NOTE:  This refutes the doctrine of “soul sleep” taught by the 7^th-day Adventists).

1)    On the cross, Jesus said:  “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:36).

2)    Peter, however, quotes David regarding the Lord’s resurrection, saying:  “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell…” (Acts 2:27).

3)    NOTE:  Jesus’ soul was not sleeping within the body in the grave.  His soul went into “hades” translated “hell” in Acts 2:27, that is, the unseen realm of dead.

c.    Answer #3:  Luke 16:22b-24 clearly teaches us that upon death a person is still alive and aware of his situation in the unseen realm of the dead.

 

…the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

 

1)    The rich man could see.

2)    The rich man could speak.

3)    The rich man could feel.

3.    There is nowhere in the Bible where there is any indication that the dead can see the events that are happening on earth at this present time.  They are aware of their past life (See Luke 16:27-28), but they are not cognizant of people and events on earth following their death.

a.    An argument:  The cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 12:1

 

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

 

Some believe that the inspired writer is saying that those mentioned in Hebrews 11 are literally looking at us from above as we run the Christian race at this present time.

b.    An answer:  The persons found in Hebrews 11 are not said to be literally looking at us right now.  Instead, they are surrounding us by the examples of faith set in the past.  Considering their faithfulness, we should run with patience the race that is set before us.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  An Apparent Contradiction, John 8:15-16

 

A.   Stated:  Please clarify Jesus’ “seemingly” contradictory statements in John 8:15-16, 26.

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

a.    2 Timothy 3:16

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…

 

1)    The word “inspiration” means “God-breathed.”

2)    The words found in the Biblical text were recorded by men, but all of them originated in the mind of God and were revealed to man by Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12-13).

 

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

b.    If the Bible is inspired…

1)    It is true.

2)    It is accurate.

3)    There are no errors.

4)    There are no contradictions.

c.    The enemies of the Word of God know this. 

1)    Thus, they seek to find errors and contradictions in the Biblical text.

2)    When they find a “contradiction,”: we label it an apparent contradiction because it only appears to be a contradiction.  There is always a way to explain the verses so they do not contradict.

2.    John 8:15-16

 

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.  And yet if I judge, my judgment is true:  for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

 

a.    In John 8:12, Jesus declared:  “I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

b.    The Pharisees immediately countered Jesus’ words in John 8:13.

 

The Pharisee therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

 

1)    The Pharisees immediately judged Jesus.

2)    They declared Him to be a liar.  This would have made Him a false prophet.

c.    Jesus asserted that His record is true in John 8:14.

d.    In John 8:15, Jesus confronted their judgment.

 

Ye judge after the flesh…

 

1)    These men judged Jesus by such things as His parents, His city, and His occupation.  These were fleshly things.

2)    They rejected such things as His pure character, His teachings, and His works (miracles).

3)    Their judgment was partial.  It was incomplete.  It was in error.

e.    Jesus, then, make this statement:  “I judge no man.”

1)    Jesus’ words can be taken literally. 

a)    Jesus did not come to judge.

b)    Jesus came to this world as the Savior of mankind.

c)    NOTE:  However, Jesus often said individuals were wrong, foolish, or hypocrites.  Don’t these words indicate a judgment?

2)    Jesus’ words can also be looked upon as an ellipsis. 

a)    Definition:  the omission of one or more words from a statement that would clarify or make the statement more complete.  (NOTE:  These words are not said at the time because they are understood).

b)    Here is how Jesus’s words could be meant:  “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man in that manner.”

c)    Jesus contrasts His judgment with the judgment of the Pharisees in verse 16.

 

And yet if I judge, my judgment is true…

 

                                      +  Jesus did not judge according to the flesh.

                             +  Jesus judged according to that which is true, that which is                                         according to the facts and evidence.

3.    With these thoughts in mind, we can easily understand Jesus’ words found in John 15:26.

 

I have many things to say and to judge of you:  but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  Mission Works, Spiritual Sword, GBN, Apologetics Press

 

A.   Stated:  What mission work will we be supporting in the month of November?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    We will not be supporting just one work.  We will be supporting three works.

2.    A brief description of each work.

a.    The Spiritual Sword

 

 

1)    The Spiritual Sword publication began in October 1969 under the oversight of the Getwell church of Christ eldership in Memphis, TN.

a)    It is a quarterly publication.

b)    Each issue has several articles addressing relevant topics by several different authors.

2)    Since 1989, brother Alan Highers has been the editor.

 

 

3)    The Spiritual Sword also has a yearly lectureship featuring 40 to 50 topics by different gospel preachers in the brotherhood.

a)    The speaker is required to write a manuscript of his lectures.  All of these are put into a Lectureship Book.  The theme of this year’s lectureship was:  “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises.”

b)    The lectures are also taped and can be ordered from Spiritual Sword.

4)    The East Ridge church of Christ  in Chattanooga, TN is now the overseeing congregation of the Spiritual Sword.

 

 

b.    The Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN)

 

                            

1)    Gospel Broadcasting Network is a non-profit organization that provides Bible-based and unbiased resources from the Word of God seven days a week, 365 days a year to teach and share with believers and potential believers.

2)    Since 2005, we’ve provided ongoing resources to share the truth of the Gospel 24 hours a day…We offer free radio, live steam videos, Bible correspondence courses, audio podcasts and daily devotional resources to all viewers.

3)    This work is under the oversight of the Southaven church of Christ in Southaven, MS.

 

4)      The Executive Director of GBN is Don Blackwell.

5)      www.gbntv.org is their website.

c.    Apologetics Press

1)    In the late 1970s, there was a need to make available more scripturally sound and scientifically accurate materials in the field of Christian apologetics.  The idea for Apologetics Press was born – an idea that soon became a reality.

2)    In 1985, Apologetics Press moved into its own custom-built, 11,000-square-foot building that was debt free upon completion.

3)     Eric Lyons is the Executive Director of Apologetic Press.

4)    Apologetics produces a monthly publication entitled, “Reason & Revelation.”  Another monthly publication called “Discovery” is produced for children.  They produce books, videos, tracts, VBS material, and other information about apologetics.

5)    The word “apologetics” comes from a Greek word that mean “to give an answer.”  Apologetics Press, therefore, addresses, the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, Creation, the culture war, and ethics. 

6)    The AP website is: www.apologeticspress.org

CONCLUSION

A.   We have looked at the subject of death being called sleep in the Bible.

 

B.   We considered an apparent contradiction regarding Jesus’ statement about judging.

C.   We have briefly described the mission works we will be supporting this month with all of the contributions over budget.