Transcript

This is your chance to ask us your Bible question on American Family Radio

>> Bert Harper: It's fireaway Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your question@wordfr.net or.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Visit facebook.com exploring the word. Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio. Fire. Trying to get everything ready. We have to have someone to screen the calls. We got them, and that's Richard. We got somebody to do the live streaming, and that is Marty. And we have Brent at the board, telling us that Alex is at the COVID and we may have a great connection. We're praying that we do. But if you have a Bible question, we want that number that you call to let you know what it is. 888-589-8840. Trip 8840. And, we're just so excited that you could call in and ask that Bible question that you've been wondering about. And Alex and I will do our best to give you a solid, solid biblical answer. Alex, are you at the COVID Well, I am.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Can, can you hear me?

>> Bert Harper: I can hear you, man. We're going to pray that it'll stay that way. Go ahead, man. Make, make use of your time that you got anyway.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, if anybody can see behind me, it's the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. And, I'm here at the Billy Graham Training center, and I've already met listeners of Exploring the Word, American family radio listeners from around the country, and asked, for everybody's prayers. I'll be teaching God's word this weekend, the Book of Job. So we're praying for God to do a great work in the lives of a lot of people.

>> Bert Harper: We are. And Cove is a beautiful place, a great place. And you get off the interstate there and you just drive a little piece and you're there and you, I, I. Every time I've been there, you sense the presence of the Lord. So, Alex, we're going to be praying for you, but, we're excited about that. And I just want to tell you, people are already calling in, so we're going to try to get to a lot of calls. Some of them will be prayer requests. We invite both and ask God just to bless. So we're going to start out with prayer today, and I, I'll lead us in prayer, Alex, and then we'll go to our first caller. Father, I pray that you would bless the day. I pray that People would be encouraged. I pray they'd be challenged to live for you. And, we are praying for the connections to work there at the COVID to here in Tupelo, Mississippi, throughout all the nation. And I pray, God, that you would be glorified in it all. In Jesus name, amen. Well, Alex, are you ready to go?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Let's go. The number is Triple 858-98-8840 with your Bible questions.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Mildred from Arkansas. Mildred, thank you for calling today.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Hi. Hi, Burton. Alex. I've called before, a couple times, actually, but today. But today I've got a special request.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, go right ahead. Mildred.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I need you to pray for my older sister. She's in horrible pain.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. What is her name? Mildred.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Her name is Reba Rita.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Reba. Reba.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Re.

>> Bert Harper: B A, Reba. Okay. A little difference there. Thank you so much. Thank you for being a listener. Thank you for being. Being a good sister that would want to pray for your sister. That's awesome.

Would you mind be praying for Reba, Mildred's sister

Well, Alex, we're going to start out with prayer. I started out with prayer, and the first one is a prayer request. Would you mind be praying for Reba, Mildred's sister?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Let's do that. Can you hear me?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you're breaking up, but go ahead. And we're going to trust it to get cleared up.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. Let's pray. Father God, we pray for Ruba. Lord, we pray that you'll intervene. she's in terrible pain. Lord, we're, all concerned for this individual. So, dear Jesus, we lift Reba up to you. We ask for healing and your intervention. And, Lord, give her good medical care, but especially the touch of the great physician, you, Jesus. And we lift her up to you in your name, Lord. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen again. Thank you, Mildred. And others are praying for Reba as well.

Olin calls with question about mental illness. I was told there's no such thing as illness

Well, let's go to Texas. Olin, thank you for calling. Exploring the word today.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yes, I got a question. I was told that there's really no such thing as mental illness. Where I've been on medication for anxiety disorder for years, and I'm wondering, am I just not following the word good enough so I can get off of that, or is there something to it?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Olin, thank you for calling. Alex, your wife being, in the medical field, my wife being a researcher of those things, I'm telling you, yeah, mental illness is a reality. And, Alex, they found out now, again, that doesn't mean healing can't take place, but it may mean that there's some, things you do it can Sometimes be medication. But go ahead and answer, Olin. And we want to, help him, don't we?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: We do. And first of all, I would say that neither Bert nor I are medical doctors and we don't give medical advice. And when it comes to, you know, medical advice, seek the care of a professional physician. But Bert, let me say this. Human beings are very complex. We are physical, we are intellectual and emotional, and we are definitely spiritual. And mental illness is real. Now there are, spiritual, factors that can contribute to depression and confusion. But Bert, there is something called the law of entropy. And this world is digressing. And I think a lot of even born again believers. Now I'm not talking about salvation or lostness, but born again believers that have trusted in Jesus can be victims of mental illness and not necessarily through any fault of their own. It can just be part of this fallen world. And Bert, let me just say this. We would not, we would not blame a Christian who had a broken bone or a tumor, for spiritual things. Physical maladies are not necessarily due to sin or disobedience. And I think in a similar way, mental illness, we shouldn't just assume that it was sin or something. It's part of a fallen world. But praise God, there's the redemption and restoration of Jesus and there's also good medical care and good psychological.

>> Bert Harper: Amen there. And Olin, Yes? do not let unnecessary, I would say comments people make about that drive you, but trust the Lord, depend upon him, Obey him as much as you can, and just trust the Lord. I want to tell you in the medication, if it's helping, praise the Lord for that. A good thing. Just like, a lot of other things. As Alex said that medical issues, we know that, man's discoveries has helped in many of them. So we're praying that God would help you in that area. That number is 888-589-8840. People are calling in, but we have lines that are open. If you have your Bible question, we would love to hear from you today.

Jim wants you to pray for his wife because she's having trouble

Well, next, let's go to Arkansas and it's Jim. Jim, thank you for calling.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yes, I do want you to pray for my wife. She's having trouble. She's so weak and she's old.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, listen, let me stop you just a minute. Jim, I want to tell you something. My mother in law, one of the greatest women, godly women I've ever met in my life, as she was getting older, she said, bird, I want you to know getting olds, not for wimps. It's, it's. It's. It's tough. So we will pray. Go ahead. Jim.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: What? I get angry. I get mad. when people think it's okay to have a boy marrying a boy and a girl marrying a boy, girl, and, and, to change their sex, it gets mad. What do you really feel like Jesus would say about this?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jim, the Bible does say be angry and sin not. so do not let anger come to the point of you, losing control. It's called self control. That's one of the things. But it is all right to speak out in love. It's all right to do that. And, I get angry at what it causes, Alex. You know what I mean? It causes this bad information. And what's happening is causing all kind of havoc in people's lives, isn't it?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, Burt, my heart grieves because people are dying in sin. And this world that has embraced what the Bible says is detestable, it's costing more than money and physical issues. It's costing some people their soul. And, brother, I would just encourage you to, turn that anger into intercession. And please pray. only, only the Holy Spirit of God can change a world that loves darkness rather than light.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And, Jim, again, do that. Seek the Lord. Pray for him. if you know someone personally, man, just make yourself intercessor, for them. For them to turn and turn to the Lord. So, Jim, thank you for calling. Pray for your wife as well.

Alex: Suppose somebody goes to heaven and then their loved ones are left

Next, we want to go to Texas and talk to Gary. Gary, thank you for calling.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Hello?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, go right ahead, man.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Oh, right, man. This is. Okay. Anyways, say, somebody goes to heaven and then their loved ones are left. Are we going to miss them in heaven?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, we've had this before. the Bible says he's going to wipe away every tear. The possibility of some of those tears being loved ones that we left not right with the Lord, I think is a possibility. But then God will wipe it away and he will make things right there in heaven for us. One.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, you know, heaven is going to be great Joy. And, you know, John Rice, he was a great Christian leader of times past. Bert, did you ever know that name?

>> Bert Harper: I did. I got. I got the magazine or newspaper, Sword of the Lord. And I got several of these books about heaven. Great, great man of God.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, he had a sermon he preached called Tears in Heaven. And he said if Jesus is going to wipe away every tear, it must Mean there, there had been some tears. And maybe in the initial, we don't know, we don't know. I mean, the joy of heaven is to be with Christ. And like the gospel song, says, one glimpse of his dear face on all sorrows shall erase. But here's the thing. maybe momentarily we lament the loved ones that did not believe and are not there. Maybe we lament a life that we, we realize we could have, we could have done more for the Great Commission. But Christ wipes away every tear. And I want to say what, what CS Lewis said. CS Lewis was commenting on Revelation 3:20, and CS Lewis said, the door of hell is locked on the inside because Christ had said, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens, I'll come in and they can have relationship with me. And as sad as it is, Bert, I've known some people that died that I suspect were unsaved. And it, I've wept for the unsaved. But I will say this. everybody that wants to come to Jesus can come to Jesus. And I'm firmly convinced those that rejected Jesus, they did it of their own choice.

>> Bert Harper: sorry to say I am convinced of that. I want to tell you, for you yourself that is listening today, live your life that your walk and your talk are consistent. That you're bound for heaven. And you act like it and you know it and you share it. Live that life that Christ would be glorified. Well, we're going to take more questions right after this break. That number 888-589-8840. We have room for your. Will you take a moment and celebrate life with me?

Last year Preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion

Last year PreBorn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion. Hi, this is Burt Harper and I want to thank you for your partnership. Think about what you did. 67,000 babies are taking their first breath now because of you. Your $28 sponsored one ultrasound that was given to a woman as she was deciding about the future of her child. Once she saw her precious baby for the first time and heard that sweet heartbeat, her baby's chance at life doubled. But preborn's mission is not only to rescue babies lives, but also to lead women to Christ. Last year PreBorn network clinics saw 8,900 women receive salvation. Your help is crucial to continue their life saving work in Him.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: We were also chosen as God's own, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything by the counsel of his will. In order that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 11 and 12.

>> Bert Harper: American Family Radio. Every second of our lives.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Lives. We are precious in his sight. We are children to a father Gave his all to give us life. It don't matter where you are.

>> Bert Harper: It don't matter who you been.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Oh, and if you ever got to.

>> Bert Harper: Let me tell you once again. The count People like you. Cause God loves people like me who are lost in hope.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: The sinner.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. M. I hate to cut into that song. I had to get out to that. He loves people like me. If he loves me, I want to tell you, you who are listening have no trouble being loved by God. He loves you. And we thank God for his love that is immeasurable. And I hope you've experienced it through the relationship with Jesus Christ where it's personal and you know it. Alex, it's so good to do this radio program where we get to talk to people and answer, their questions and have prayer requests. And, sometimes we get testimonies, too. Those are awesome as well, aren't they?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. They really are. And, folks, on Fireway Friday, we'll get to as many calls as as we can. The number 888-589-8840.

Bert: I want to know where the gentile nations came from

Where do we go next?

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Arkansas. Phyllis, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Yes, sir.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I want y' all to kind of help me figure out, like, where the gentile nations came in. We're all descendants of Abraham, but were they the nation that just chose not to follow Yeshua or.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, yeah. Where did they come from? Well, if you remember, you got to go a little bit further back than Abraham. You got to go to a man called Noah who had three sons. And after that, you'll find out that each one would go in different directions, and different gentile, nations would come, but from one would be Abraham, and from Abraham, the Jewish nation. Alex, help fill us out.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, you know what, Bert? I got a National Geographic book a few years ago, and even in National Geographic, it mentioned Shem, Ham, and Japheth that were the sons of Noah. And they said that according to the Bible, all the ethnicities of the world are descended from those lines. And so the Shemites, if you've heard of, anti Semitism, really, that's a variation of the phrase anti shemites. In other words, people that are against the line of Shem, because from Shem came all of the Jewish people, and the non Jews are the Gentiles. And Bert, my point being, even secular historians basically say, look, this is a good. As good an account as we can find that genetically, the human race came from three forebears, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

>> Bert Harper: And that's where it is, Phyllis. And, from. From that Shem would come Abraham. Out of that, and out of Abraham, if you remember, he had an. Another son, and the other son, not Jacob, Isaac. Isaac would be a son, and then from Isaac would be Jacob, and he'd, have two son sons, which one was Esau. And so we have this. This group of people, the Jewish people, that God has purposely given them so that we could get our Savior, the word of God, what a blessing it is, and praise the Lord. Phyllis, look at that. We are grafted in by faith. And so, Phyllis, hope that helps. Thank you for calling. Let's go to Georgia and talk to Nicole. Nicole, thank you for calling, exploring the Word. Thank you for having me.

Alex: When a husband and wife divorce, does the marriage covenant still stand

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: so my question is, when a husband and a wife divorce, and they haven't married anyone else in between that time, but they reconcile, are they required to remain, to remarry, or does the marriage covenant still stand?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me just share with you the God. God gave us a law. Gave us law. He, before he sent the children of Israel into the promised land, he gave them the law and the marriage that was part of it, about what God had done. Husband, and wife. So, yes, legally, it would be wise to marry again. And I think it would be. Not only legally, I think it would be right, Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, I agree. Because a marriage is a spiritual union. It's a covenantal spiritual union. But it's also a legal union, too, isn't it? You know, by God's grace, we've seen a number of couples reconcile, even after having been estranged for a while. And, let me just say, if your marriage is in a rough patch, prayerfully, patiently work on it. Bert, you remember several weeks back, I did an event with Dr. Gary Chapman. And by the way, to any couple anywhere, that is having a rough spot, read Gary Chapman's book, the Five Love Languages. Dr. Gary Chapman said to me, he said, Alex, since 1968, virtually any and every marriage could be saved if the couples would know each other's love language and intentionally invest and speak to it. But I would encourage, be, very patient and think long and hard before walking away. Because, Bert, I'll tell you this, I'll throw it back to you. I've literally hundreds of times been at the altar to pray with people, and they said, you know, 10 years ago, I got divorced, and, at the time, very frustrated. But I surely wish I could go back and undo that. And I know some relationships seem irreparably broken, but Bert, our God raised the dead. He can resurrect relationships, can't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really can. I've seen it as well, and I've heard some regret what they have done. And I've heard others say, if I'd have read, the Five Love Languages before this divorce and we started working on it, we would have salvaged our marriage. I agree with you. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. What a valuable tool it is for marriage. And let me remind everyone, the marriage that you're in is the marriage God wants to work. Work on it hard on both sides and ask God to cement you together. So thank you, Nicole. We hope that helps. Let's go to Florida and talk to Sherry. Sherry, thank you for calling. Thank you so much for taking my call.

Sherry calls with a question about alcohol in the Bible

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And, I have a question about alcohol in the Bible. I understand that 90% of, the verses in the Bible are negative towards alcohol. And so I'm confused about, what we're to make of Jesus turning water into wine and how that relates.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. thank you for calling, Sherry. By the way, what's your dog's name? We might could introduce your dog to Alex's dog, Esther. Sure enough. Watch your dogs.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: He's been quiet. this is Rory that's barking. He's been quiet for 15 minutes waiting for you to answer.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, Roy is barking, so you won't forget. Esther. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. Amen. Well, kudos to Rory. And, yes, my dog Esther enters into the show frequently. You know, let me say this. Bert, just yesterday I was looking at an old commentary from about 75 years ago, and it was very much about, anti, anti, anti alcohol. And it said Jesus turned water into grape juice. Now, with all due respect, I believe Jesus really, really did turn water into wine. And Paul told Timothy, take a little wine for your stomach's sake. let me just say this, that the Bible has much to say about self control, and it also has a lot to say about our witness. And like Paul said about meat offered to idols. Paul said, I'm free in Christ, but I don't want to do anything to cause somebody to stumble. And also, much has been made about the fact that back in Jesus time, there was not a lot of pure drinking water. And it may have been that fermented juice. Yes. Actual wine. Fermented was a beverage, not so much to abuse. Although certainly some did. Drunkenness goes back to time immemorial. It was wrong then, it's wrong now. But maybe, some, even the observant pious Jews, they drank wine, because that was better to drink than polluted, water, you know. And then, of course, there was the medicinal use of it. I think the principle. The principle is self control, being holy spirit controlled, not controlled by distilled spirits. Right. But, we are under grace, not under law. But at the same time, all in all, I think it, you know, it's. To abstain completely is a wise thing to do.

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. pastoring as many years as I have. 40 years full time, over 50 now, all together. The damage that alcohol has done is unbelievable to families. I'm. I'm just telling you time and time again. I know that abstention from the Is wise to. The book of Proverbs talks about it being a wise decision, and I believe it is. Every alcoholic I know started with one drink. So if you never take the first one, you don't have to be in danger of that. That's just a, thought that I had. Sherry. We hope that helps. Thank you for calling. Let's go to Texas and talk to Michael. Michael, thank you for calling. Exploring the word today.

Early Christian theologians vehemently denied the Trinity and deity of Christ

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Thank you. I'd like to ask Dr. McFarland this because he probably knows, and maybe you do too, this history of the heresy of something called Nestor Indianism. have you heard of it? I have. And by the way, there. There's a really good little book. there are a lot of good books, but, a book, InterVarsity, put out some years ago by a man named Dr. Rick Cornish, c o r n ish, called the Five Minute Theologian. Ah, it's a good book. early in the church was a man named Nestorius. And Nestorius vehemently denied the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Ghost. and he also, denied the deity of Christ, that Jesus is God incarnate. Now, these two things are pillars. They're some of the foundations of orthodox Christian truth. No matter what strata of Christendom, Protestant, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, we all affirm the Trinity and we all affirm the deity of Christ. Well, interesting. Fascinating. Bert. There are two groups in the world today that basically set forth the doctrine of Nestorius. One is Islam, the other is Jehovah's Witness. Now think about this. Nestorius was condemned by the early church as a heretic. And really in Jerusalem and Rome, Nestorianism kind of died out. denial of the Trinity and denial of the deity of Christ. But guess where there was the last little enclave of Nestorianism around 600 AD was around Mecca. And Muhammad's uncle was a guy named Waraka IBN Nawfal. And I'm probably not pronouncing that right, but, Muhammad as a young man was ejected from a Catholic orphanage. even Islamic historians think that he might have had, epilepsy. But at any rate, he went to live with this uncle who drilled into him denial of the Trinity, denial of the deity of Christ. And Christians are bad. They threw you out of the orphanage after all. Well, anyway, Islam, started around 610 A.D. the Jehovah's Witness started in the late 1800s. But really Nestorius, was, a heretic. And interestingly though his unbiblical views live on in both Islam and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

>> Bert Harper: It goes, and Satan will use any false doctrine and make it spread. He, you know, and that's what you do. So. Denying the Trinity in that one. Michael, thank you for that good question and show your reading and keeping up with it. But Alex, thank you for your help. Let's go to Ohio. Jeff, thank you for calling.

Jeff: Can you remember when Paul confronted Peter about not eating

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, hi, I have one, question, but it's one, item of.

>> Bert Harper: A, general question.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: In, Galatians 1 and 2,

>> Bert Harper: Paul has a, fight with Peter about the inclusion of gentiles.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And, you know, there's a lot of discord among the apostles. But in Acts 15, for example,

>> Bert Harper: It says that the apostles are unified and there's no mention of any dispute with Peter.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And. And that's not the only place where Acts and Paul's letters, diverge in.

>> Bert Harper: Terms of expressing unity among the Gospel apostles.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And, just. So that's my question.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jeff, thank you. Yes, Paul would confront Peter, face and. But Acts 15 is a line that needs to be said because this is after Paul's first missionary journ. He comes back and he tells these people about what God has done to. For the Gentiles. And after they got through, it was, I think, you know, set. And I think that's the last before he confronted Peter. Was that earlier or later? Alex, can you remember when Paul had to confront Peter about not eating? you know, because this was not clean. Was it after Acts 15?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I think it was kind of later because, when Paul, it seemed to me like when Paul was away on one of his missionary journeys. That's kind of when the Judaizers influenced Peter. And it's almost like Peter sort of, acquiesced to their pressure, maybe out of fear, I don't know. But when Paul came back and heard about it, and, I thought it was boldness on Paul's part or maybe good Holy Spirit courage. That even though Saul of Tarsus had persecuted the church and Peter was one of the true first apostles, but yet Paul withstood him through his face, didn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really did. And, again, some getting off track. Satan wants that. You remember Peter rebuked Jesus. Even when Jesus said, I'm going to go to Jerusalem, die, but rise again. And, God says, no, no, Peter, get behind me. I know what God wants. We know where God is. Let's stay with him. We'll be back with more.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: AFA action takes attacks on the family seriously. The enemies of the family constantly employ.

>> Bert Harper: New tactics to try to sneak past our radar.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: They know if we stand together, their.

>> Bert Harper: Evil plans will fail.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Your gift to AFA action allows us to stay vigilant against their onslaught. And if you give this month, you'll receive access to the Cultural Institute video when your faith is illegal by Frank.

>> Bert Harper: Harbor on AFA stream as our thanks.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: You can make your gift today@acaaction.net I know the only reason I can stand here unashamed. It's not because I'm worthy. It's all because of mercy. There's no way that I could earn it. Praise God, my debt is paid. It's not because I'm worthy.

>> Bert Harper: It's all because of mercy. all because of mercy. Amen. I pray that you've experienced that in your life, that God has come into your life through Jesus Christ as you received him and your sins have been forgiven. You've turned to him and you're going in his direction, and following him now and forever. I pray if you've never done that, you would do that today. And there's some friends that you can call. You can go to them. Triple 8 need him, and they will help you. They'll pray with you. And we thank God for them.

Alex: Within the first 200 years of Christianity, there were a dozen heresies

Well, Alex, you said something about another book that you wanted to, let our listeners know about.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah. and before the break, there was a question about the Trinity. You know, it's fascinating, Bert. Within the first 200 years of Christianity, there were a dozen heresies, and in one degree or another, they linger around till this day. things that got, facts wrong about who God is, the atonement, how we get from forgiven of our sins, God's written word. And what's interesting is we try to stay pure and biblical today. Even the early church, and I believe they were led by the Spirit of God, basically dozen distortions of the gospel. The early church had answered these and they kept pure to the message. There's a book I got a couple years ago, published by Zondervan. The author was a person named Justin Holcomb. Holcomb. And it's funny title, Know the Heretics. K N O W. Know the Heretics. And it's very good. It's very biblical. you know, we don't recommend that many books, but the ones that we recommend, we feel would be a good addition to your library to build a biblical worldview. And that book by Justin Holcomb is a really good book. And Bert, any of the false teachings you hear nowadays? really, they've been around 2,000 years. There's like nothing new under the sun.

>> Bert Harper: That's right. And that's in the Bible too. So that's amazing, isn't it? And, it is. Thank you so much, Alex, for that. Well, by the way, Brent has told me that we've been having trouble with our emails and, and some of those emails that some people have sent some problem and they've gone to junk mail. And so try to. You can go to Facebook and we're getting those. So, if you're having trouble with email and us not responding or thinking that may be a problem. So Brent wanted me to let you know that. So thank you so much for communicating with us. Let's go to Ohio. And William, thank you for calling.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Thank you for having me.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead. You hear me?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, sir. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I appreciate you all very much.

William Ship: Those who never trusted Jesus Christ have no place in heaven

I had a question about a person who professes faith in Christ. And then, eventually, after a while, they, they come to the conclusion that.

>> Bert Harper: Jesus is not the only way salvation.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: But that other sincere believers of other.

>> Bert Harper: Faiths are also can also be right with God.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Is that person. Was that a spurious, conversion or confusion or if you know where I'm going.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, William, let me just share with you. And I've had to come to this a long time ago as pastor, and as long as I've done it, so I get confused. God does not. God is the final one that says, yes, you come into the heaven that I've prepared for you, or not, it's him. Now, I know those who have never trusted Jesus Christ as savior, they have no place in heaven. Those that profess Christ and yet got off completely, I think the Bible says they were never with us in the first place. And those that deviate from doctrine to this, that and the other, Alex, I know they're wrong, but for me to say, oh, they can't be saved, is that, going a little far? Are we just leaving it up to God, or. We say, yes, they're lost. Do you have an answer for, William, on that?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, you know, only God knows another person's heart. I will say this. Whenever I've had friends or someone I knew who once professed Christ, the only savior, and then became what you might call universalists, that it doesn't matter what you believe, you know, everybody goes to heaven. I've always asked, and I said, I'm just curious. Why would you want to contradict the clear teaching of Scripture? Because, I mean, without question, without question. The Bible is clear. The words of Christ are clear. There is no salvation except through Jesus. and bird, I want to say this. Jesus is the only way to heaven because he's the only one from heaven, right?

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Mohammed, Buddha, Zoroaster, all those people, humans. Christ was God incarnate. And remember, God cannot lie. And John 14:6, Jesus said, no man comes to the Father but through me. hang with me, folks. John 8:24, Regarding Jesus, one and only Messiah, Ship. Jesus said in John 8:24, if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. So I've often asked people, some famous people, I said, Jesus claimed to be the one and only Savior. Was he right or was he wrong?

>> Bert Harper: Good question.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: You know, because. And I've. I've had one or two people, I've had college professors say to me, he was wrong. I'm like, really? Okay, let me see you walk on water. Because the only man that ever did said he was the only way to heaven Now. And, Bert, I'm not trying to be flippant, but one. One last thing I'll say is in ministering to somebody. Listen up, folks. Generally when someone is lowering their colors or compromising on Christ is because of an emotional reason. Perhaps somebody they loved died in unbelief. And be very careful, folks. Be true to the Word of God, regardless of what your emotions or feelings say. we must trust. We must trust the Word of God and the Son of God, both of which proclaim one means of Salvation, a relationship with Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Jesus really meant it when he said, I am the way, the life, the only way is through Christ. And, not one of, but the. And we need to stick to that. And that person that would say, hey, I've evolved. I've, grown. They really haven't. They've devolved, from truth. And that's the whole thing. The truth is Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. He is the way. Thank you so much, William. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Matthew. Matthew, thank you for calling. And come, to the Father. Turn your radio off, Matthew, and speak to us, man. Okay, sorry about that, Matthew. We got to go somewhere else and let's go to Shelly in Oklahoma. Shelly, thank you for calling.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Hi, Burton, Alex.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, well, thank you for calling today.

Charles in Mississippi asks question about Ezekiel 36:22-28

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Hey, my question is about Ezekiel 20, 36, 22 to 28. So, my church is a great Bible teaching, preaching church, but we had an associate pastor stand up and call to worship using these verses. And then after he read them, he said, these verses are for you. These promises are for you, church. And I about fell out of my seat because I'm like, these promises are to Israel, you know. And so I didn't understand why he didn't mention Israel when he read all those verses. And I just wanted to know, should I be concerned about that? And.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, there's some concern there, Shelley, I can tell you, because God's promised to the Jews is still real to the nation of Israel is still real. Alex, I'm going to make a statement. I'll turn it over to you time wise. But it's, it's. God's got one track of salvation. It's through Christ alone. But far as the nations and the church, God, I mean, they're heading in the right direction. But while he's working here, he's also working there. It doesn't mean he dropped one and, taken up the other, does it?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: No, it really doesn't. You know, one of my professors in graduate school was the late Dr. Harold Wilmington. And some of you might know the name of H.L. wilmington. Wilmington's guide to the Bible. Brilliant guy. Dr. Wilmington used to say this. Bert, I Love your response. Dr. Wilmington said, all of Scripture is equally inspired, but not all of scripture is equally applicable. For example, and it's all God's word, and there's inspiring truth to glean, but, you know, God is never going to tell any one of us to go fight the Canaanites. You know, our assignment will never be to go fight the Edomites or the Amalekites. Now, in the Ezekiel 36, especially like in Ezekiel 36:24, I will take you out of the nations, I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. Bert, I believe that's been fulfilled, really, since the late 19th century, the dawn of the 20th century, how Israel has been regathered. And while Ezekiel 36 is absolutely the word of God, just like John 3:16, I, really think that the Ezekiel 36:22 and following, about which the caller asked, taking out of the nations, regathering Israel to their land. The land that was laid waste has bloomed. The desert has bloomed. I mean, I think clearly this is not applicable to an American Christian today. I mean, it's God's inspired, infallible word. We learn from it, we read it, and we say, wow, praise God. he fulfilled a prophecy, a miracle. But, you have to look at context. Is this Old covenant, new covenant? Was this written to Israel? or is this written to me as an individual believer? And, Bert, I'll say this, I'll throw it back to you. I think that is one of the great joys of, Bible study is, from every verse on every page, there's truth and inspiration to be gleaned. But in terms of my walk and my witness and the development of my character and my relationship with Jesus, it takes diligent study to handle the word of God correctly, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. If it's talking about the land, you know, Alex, you know, oh, that's got to be Israel. But when it talks about my people and it speaks to it, you look at it to see what it's referring to. Is it the Canaanites, or is it the Spirit of God always working? The Holy Spirit of God does work in our lives, as he does there. So, what you said, the context, looking at it and looking and seeing, I think it is applicable. I. I really do. So thank you. Thank you, Shelly. Charles in Mississippi. Charles, thank you for calling. Charles, your radio. Can you turn it off real quickly and answer? Okay. Sorry about that. Yeah, go ahead.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah.

Alex: How do we get on God's right side through Jesus

Can I ask one of the questions that, we're getting from our youth camps this summer? Do we have time for a question from one of the teens?

>> Bert Harper: Let's do it real quickly. We got one more we want to get to Albert in, Mississippi. Go yours first. Real quickly.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Do that one.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Go to Albert first.

>> Bert Harper: Albert, are you there?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, I'm here.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Hey, thank you, brother. Go ahead with your question.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I wanted you to compare two scriptures for me.

>> Bert Harper: The first one is John 14, verse 2.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And the second one is Matthew 25, verse 34.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. 14, 2 of John. Right. Okay. Let me read that, Alex. Okay. And then turn, to Matthew 25:34. 14:2 is. In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. The other one, Alex, is Matthew 25:34. You have that.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my father. Take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. well, clearly, the thing about Matthew 25, if he says, enter in and take your inheritance to those on the right, the question is, how do we get on God's right side?

>> Bert Harper: And it's only through Christ, isn't it?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: I would say so. Albert, do you have a specific question about these? Okay. In my father's house are many mansions. So he's. Christ has gone to prepare a place for us, for those who are.

>> Bert Harper: On the right side. Right? I mean, you know.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah. Well, Jesus said to Nicodemus in John chapter three, if any man would enter the kingdom of heaven, he must be born again. And, mansions in heaven, the multitudes on God's right hand, the inheritance, it is all predicated on us being born again. And, Bert, I want to say this. When somebody says, why Jesus? Well, According to Matthew 5, 17, only Jesus fulfilled all of the law. Let's say you got the greatest people that ever lived. Let's say you got Billy Graham and Mother Teresa or the apostle Paul. As much as we might revere people like that, they were still sinners themselves. a sinner can't save a sinner. We needed a sinless savior. And only Jesus had no sin nature. He completely fulfilled the law. He possesses the righteousness of God, which he can and will grant to all who believe in him.

>> Bert Harper: Abraham needed a savior. As great as he was, he believed God and was counted to him for righteousness. Moses, the Lawgiver. An humble man. There's never been anyone more humble than Moses. Needed a savior, David. A man after God's own heart needed a savior. John the Baptist. Jesus said, there's never been a greater one born to a woman. He needed a savior. It's only Jesus, isn't it, Alex? Only Jesus.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: That's true. Hey, folks, we thank you for listening to this edition of Exploring the Word. And we're almost out of time. and, Bert, I can't hear that music, so I'm going to throw it to you, okay? Encourage people. Be in church on Sunday. Tell somebody about Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Be in the house of God. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Bert Harper: The American Family association or American Family Radio.