I don`t understand Romans 13:3. It says rulers hold no terror for those who do right, yet there have been rulers that have tortured and killed Christians simply for being Christian. Why does it say that?

First we must consider the historical context when apostle wrote Romans 13:3. Paul wrote this letter during the "Pax Romana," a long period of peace during the reign of the Roman Empire when they used minimum military force in expanding their empire throughout the known world. This is the kind of rulership that Apostle Paul primarily referred to in Romans 13. The Romans have given their colonies the freedom to exercise their right of religion although Roman government became cruel to Christians later when Emperor Nero launched the first organized persecutions of Christians in 64 AD. As the book of Romans was written between 56-58 AD, Apostle Paul wrote his letter with the tone of "Pax Romana."

Secondly, it can be said just as Paul has written that generally speaking, "all rulers hold no terror for those who do right" with the exception of worshipping God and practicing Christian worship and service in countries where Christianity is forbidden such as in Iraq and Syria where Christian are now being killed and tortured for their faith. Generally speaking, rulers are not against those who follow government rules. They are just antagonistic to those who disobey the government rules as their job is to implement them. In countries where Christianity is forbidden, Christians must obey government rules aside from the prohibition of worship. Our obedience with our government rulers stops when our disobedience with God and His words begins.


Paul was saying here in Romans 13 that Christians should obey the government rules that are not going against the commands of God. He didn't issue a blanket command that Christians should submit to all rulers regardless of its implications to their faith. He is telling the Roman Christians to be obedient citizens so that their good testimony may be used by God for others to see the difference that their faith makes in their lives.

"How can I be saved?"

This simple, yet profound, question is the most important question that can be asked. ”How can I be saved?”, deals with where we will spend eternity after our lives in this world are over. There is no more important issue than our eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible is abundantly clear on how a person can be saved. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

How can I be saved? Why do I need to be saved?
We are all infected with sin (Romans 3:23). We are born with sin (Psalm 51:5), and we all personally choose to sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8). Sin is what makes us unsaved. Sin is what separates us from God. Sin is what has us on the path to eternal destruction.

How can I be saved? Saved from what?
Because of our sin, we all deserve death (Romans 6:23). While the physical consequence of sin is physical death, that is not the only kind of death that results from sin. All sin is ultimately committed against an eternal and infinite God (Psalm 51:4). Because of that, the just penalty for our sin is also eternal and infinite. What we need to be saved from is eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15).

How can I be saved? How did God provide salvation?
Because the just penalty for sin is infinite and eternal, only God could pay the penalty, because only He is infinite and eternal. But God, in His divine nature, could not die. So God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God took on human flesh, lived among us, and taught us. When the people rejected Him and His message, and sought to kill Him, He willingly sacrificed Himself for us, allowing Himself to be crucified (John 10:15). Because Jesus Christ was human, He could die; and because Jesus Christ was God, His death had an eternal and infinite value. Jesus’ death on the cross was the perfect and complete payment for our sin (1 John 2:2). He took the consequences we deserved. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His death was indeed the perfectly sufficient sacrifice for sin.

How can I be saved? What do I need to do?
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God has already done all of the work. All you must do is receive, in faith, the salvation God offers (Ephesians 2:8-9). Fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sins. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). God is offering you salvation as a gift. All you have to do is accept it. Jesus is the way of salvation (John 14:6).

To read the original article and ask questions: go to http://www.gotquestions.org/how-can-I-be-saved.html

Assurance of salvation is NOT assurance to salvation

Assurance of salvation in itself doesn't save any man. The Scriptures and the Holy Spirit are the only means to having full assurance of salvation NOT intuition and feelings. Many trust their feelings so when their feelings fail them, they lose their assurance.

4 kinds of people in relation to assurance of salvation
First, there are people who vehemently deny God and salvation and they are definitely not saved. These are Satanists, atheists, occultists and agnostics. They may actively or passively deny the existence of God and in the case of Satanist, even declare war against God. They know or doubt that they are not saved and they aren't saved as  they continue to deliberately deny God and fight against Him.

Second, there are people who believe that they are saved but actually they aren't saved. These are members of cult groups and false religions. Their assurance of salvation is built on teachings that are contradictory to the teachings of the Scriptures. They may deny any of the fundamental truths of the Scriptures such as Trinity, the Deity of Christ and Salvation by grace alone. Most of these people trust their religion and their own good works to save them rather than placing their trust in the finished work of Christ. Examples of these cults are the name above every Name of Apollo Quiboloy and Mormonism of Joseph Smith.

Third, there are those who don't know that they are saved yet they are saved. These are true believers that have already placed their trust in Jesus for their salvation. But they may simply lack the spiritual maturity to hold their ground and claim what Christ has accomplished for them. They may also have struggles with some sorts of sins in their lives that they can’t completely surrender to God yet.  These believers are the recipients of Apostle John’s admonition in 1 John chapter 5 verse 13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

And fourth, there are those who know that they are saved and they are actually saved. These are true believers who have already come to a point in their Christian lives that they have fully surrendered everything they hold on to for their own salvation and have recognized that only Jesus can save their souls from the fire of hell. They have fully trusted the finished work of Christ on the Cross and have learned to trust the Holy Spirit every second of their lives. They maybe just like others who are not morally perfect but they have learned to trust God’s words rather than their feelings. These are the believers who are metaphorically referred to by Apostle John as fathers and young men. “I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” 1 John 2:14

Factors that contribute to lack of assurance 

There are factors that may contribute to lack of assurance. It could be lack of sound doctrinal teachings in the church where the believer attends. Another reason is that perhaps the believer is still living in the flesh and gratifies his sensual desires. When David committed adultery and murder, he lost his joy of salvation as he suffered from guilt. After Prophet Nathan rebuked him of his sins, he uttered this prayer to God, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” Psalms 51:8-9, 12.

For those who still doubt their salvation, I have also threaded that same path. Having full assurance of salvation doesn't just come overnight. I would say, it is better to doubt your salvation and end up in heaven rather than being convinced that you are saved but end up in hell.  Apostle Peter said “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure” 2 Peter 1:10. All true believers are elected and called by God to salvation and have been given the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16), but it is their duty to make their calling and election sure.

The believer's part to having assurance

Work diligently not to be saved. Work has nothing to do with acquiring salvation. It is all done for you by the Lord Jesus Christ. But work hard so that you can have full assurance of salvation. Believers who are assured that they are going to heaven anytime the Lord call them home can triumphantly weather all storms in life and live joyfully in the midst of sickness, trials and persecutions knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of God.  “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”  Rom 8:38-39.

Read your Bible daily so that you may grow in your knowledge of God. Go to Him in Prayer not only once, twice or thrice daily but every second of your daily life. Prayer is not necessarily saying things aloud to God. You can pray silently in your mind. God is omniscient and He knows everything that you think or do (Psalm 139). Praise and worship Him together with fellow believers (Hebrews 10:25) . Commune with your fellow believers and attend the activities of your church (1 Peter 2:17). Give to the work of the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:6). Being a good steward of God's blessings enriches your faith and commitment to God. Share your faith with others (Matthew 28:18-20). Expect the Christian life to be a bumpy ride. Christian life is not a bed of roses. Tribulations and trials in your faith will surely come (2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:12). But trust God to carry you through. He didn't promise us a life without sufferings but He promised us that He will be with us as we go through them (Psalm 23:4). As you do these things, Assurance of salvation will naturally come.

If you have question/s in English please send your questions by clicking on this link: http://gotquestions.org/

If you want to send your question in Tagalog, send your question by clicking on this link: http://www.gotquestions.org/Tagalog/Ipadala-Katanungan-Bibliya.html .

Why God the Father and Jesus Christ don't speak audibly in this age anymore?

There is dispensation of God's communication to men and it is very explicit in the Scriptures. This means that God speaks in different ways in History. "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets..." Hebrews 1:1.

In the Old Testament, it was God the Father who spoke with Adam and Eve, the patriarchs, the prophets, Israel kings and other chosen men through audible voice, a burning bush, pillar of fire and cloud and through dreams and visions. Christ was not yet incarnated in the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit does not yet permanently posses the believers.

In the New Testament when Christ, God the Son was sent to the world, God the Father stopped from directly speaking to men. In fact, prior to the incarnation of His Son, he did not speak to any prophet for 400 years. And He only spoke twice in the New Testament during the baptism and the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, where in both instances, God the Father confirmed the ministry of His Son and directed men to listen to Him. These 2 instances in the New Testament where God the Father spoke audibly are Matt 3:17 and Matt 17:5. "And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17). "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"(Matt 17:5).

Notice that God the Father directs men to listen to Christ in the New Testament because Jesus Christ was the speaker of God in the New Testament. Whatever Jesus says, God the Father says. There is no contradiction. God the Father's speaker in the NT is His Son and He doesn't need to speak audibly to anybody anymore as His Son was already speaking for Him. Hebrews 1:2 "in these last days (NT times) has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world".

But when Christ was about to die and go back to His Father in heaven, He introduced the One who will take over His ministry and that is the Holy Spirit. It means that God the Father and God the Son will never speak again AUDIBLY to any person on earth after the completion of the Canon of the Scriptures because the ministry of explaining their words has been given to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's job is to regenerate the elect, posses them, sanctify them and teach them all things that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ had taught during OT and NT. The Holy Spirit WILL NOT speak in audible voice to believers but explain and illumine the written words of God in the Bible to their soul. As a believer hears, reads, and meditates on God's Words, the Holy Spirit is the One explaining God's words to them.

This truth was clearly taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. He said in John 14:25-27, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." He repeated this in John 16:13-15, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

Concerning prayer, don't expect God to speak directly to you when you pray because that will never happen. If it does, that someone who spoke to you is not the TRUE God because God will not contradict His own words that the Holy Spirit will be the one to illumine His written words. Prayer is intentionally lifting up to God the desires of your heart but it was never promised anywhere in the Scriptures that He will respond in an audible voice. One of the misleading definitions of prayer is that it is a 2 way communication with God. But it will never be. God will not reply to a praying believer in audible voice. The believer needs to go to the Scriptures and search God's will for his life as the Holy Spirit explains God's written words to him.

If you want God to speak to you, I suggest that you read the Bible aloud to yourself. He has already spoken and His words are available for us to know and understand through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical teaching on "laying on of hands"

In the Scriptures, laying on of hands was performed ONLY by SELECTED people who hold special role in God's plan and ONLY for specific reasons. This privilege is not given just to anybody in Israel or in the Church.

Laying on of hands in the Old testament and its purpose

1. Patriarchs -The patriarchs such as Jacob, Isaac, Joseph and Moses laid their hands on their deathbeds for the purpose of pronouncing blessings to their sons (Genesis 48:13-20; Numbers 27:18-20; 2).

2. Prophets -The Prophet Elisha did the same while on his deathbed (Kings 13:15-17). When Elisha was dying of an illness, Joash, Israel's king arrived and cried over him. Elisha then placed his hands on the king's hands (not on the head). Elisha directed the king to open the window on the east side of the house and shoot the arrow there as "the Lord's arrow of deliverance'. Then Isaiah prophesied that Joash will smite the Syrians in Aphek and will consume them." Elisha's laying on of his hands on the kings hands was a confirmation of king Joash's impending victory over God's enemy. No power has been imparted to Joash and his character has not been changed. He actually followed in the footsteps of his father Jeroboam allowing the veneration of the golden calves in Israel (2 Kings 13:11). Josephus even called him an "evil king."

3.  Priests and Levites - Laying on of hands was practiced by the Priest and Levites in connection with the offerings of animal sacrifices. They lay their hands on the heads of animals symbolizing the transfer of liability of sin of the offender to the animal and the substitution of an animal's death for the offender's. (2 Chronicles 29:23-24; Exodus 29:10)

Laying on of hands in the New Testament and its purpose

ONLY the apostles practiced laying on of hands in the New Testament. Some say that Jesus did practice the same but He simply did not lay His hands on people when healing the sick or when raising people from the dead. He simply touched them. Laying on of hands is not equivalent to touching a person but placing hands over the head of a person/persons. Here are 2 reasons cited in the NT for laying on of hands.

1. For the believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles laid their hands on the believers to receive the Holy Spirit. "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money" (Acts 8:18)

2. For commissioning missionaries
The Apostles laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul before they embarked on their missionary journey.
"Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:3)

Conclusion

Laying on of hands to receive the Spirit is a privilege that was only bestowed upon the apostles during the infancy of the Church. The apostles served as the foundation of the Church. Since there are only 12 apostles and there will be no other apostles to come after them as evidenced by the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem with the names of the 12 disciples written on them, ("The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" Rev 21:14) the laying on of hands to receive God's Spirit is no longer in effect since there are no more apostles today. The Spirit of God is being received today not by laying on of hands but by believing in the Gospel through hearing of God's Words.

There is also no Biblical support or mandate that laying on of hands should be practiced by believers to impart spiritual gifts or to heal the sick. It is not to be treated as a formula to claim some special powers and authority. Laying on of hands as formula for healing and anointing is not supported by the Scriptures.

Purpose of Christ's 2 Natures

Jesus Christ has 2 natures: the human nature and divine nature. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped” (Phil 2:6). This verse speaks about Christ not exercising His powers and divine nature as God being made Himself into a human being. The word “CONSIDER” means “THINK”, “DEEM” OR “REGARD AS”. Even If Christ “thought”, “deemed”  and “regarded Himself as unequal with God”, It DOESN'T mean that He is not equal with God.

The fact that God the Father and Christ are equal is very explicit in the verse. It doesn't say that God and Christ are not equal. It only says that Christ did not consider Himself being equal with God because they are equal in the first place. When he became human, He humbled Himself and submitted to the Father for the purpose of redeeming His people from their sins.  Redemption necessitates Christ’ humility for if He did not humble Himself and became human, there will be no means for man to be saved.  

Christ made salvation possible through His humility. If He remained in His original state as God (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, John 1:1), and did not become a sinless human being (The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14), there is no way for all men to escape hell “for all have sinned and fall short before the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

The “penalty of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). If Christ remained in His original state as God and remained with the Father, He can never die and pay for the penalty of sins. Christ went down from Heaven and became 100% human so that He may die and provide a way for man to be saved through faith by placing their trust NOT on what they can do but on His finished work of redemption on the cross.

It is Christ’s own decision to CONSIDER Himself not to be equal with God the Father and that did not preclude their equality. He simply did not “think of Himself” but “think of others” and it was because of this total humility that He has provided a way for man to obtain forgiveness of sins and salvation from God’s impending wrath.

God and Human Government

God and Human Government

It is assumed by many today that God has lost control over human government and believers have no business dealing with it. History tells us that seemingly, human governments are spiralling out of control and becoming more and more independent of God and His precepts. When bad leaders emerge in history such as in the case of Hitler, men are grasping for explanations if God is still able to rule over the world and if so, why is he allowing these evil rulers to wreak havoc on earth. In this post, I will talk about what the Scriptures teach on God and His dealing with human government. I will try to answer an all important question that humans ask in this age, is God able to govern history and the conduct of human governments?

Jesus attitude towards human Government
While Jesus was ministering on earth, the nation of Israel was under the rule of the Romans. Caesar Augustus was the ruling emperor and the one who issued the decree of a census to be conducted in the whole Roman Empire. This was the reason why the Jews were anticipating a king that would come from the line of David. They were expecting that this king will liberate them from the tyranny of the Romans. They have mistakenly thought that Jesus is going to establish their kingdom when He entered Jerusalem. The Jews shouted as Jesus entered the city “blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Luke 19:38). 

But as much as the Jews wanted to be liberated from the Romans, in contrast, Jesus showed His respect and obedience to Roman authorities. When the Pharisees asked Him if it is right to pay tax to Caesar, He said to them ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's’ (Matt 22:21). When the Pharisees enticed Pilate to judge Jesus with the penalty of death, Jesus meekly submitted himself to Pilate’s judgment. In his defiance to the arrest of Jesus, Peter started to draw his sword and cut the high priest’s ear in the process. But Jesus calmly told him, “no more of this” and healed the ear of the servant. He then told the arresting parties that He is not leading a rebellion and that everything must happen so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Mark 14:48-50). 

All governments and earthly leaders are appointed by God
In the book of Romans chapter 13, Apostle Paul taught that all governments and human leaders are appointed by God and believers must subject themselves to them. He said further that there is no authority on earth that God did not establish and that those who rebel against the authorities are actually rebelling against God. He encouraged the early believers to do what is right so that the rulers will be delighted and commend them. Paul even called earthly rulers ‘God’s servants’ and ‘agents of wrath’ to wrongdoers and that it is imperative for believers to obey them because of their conscience. 

The extent of the believers’ obedience to Government
Church history reveals that all the Orthodox Church Fathers have subjected themselves under human government and authorities. They did not go against any of the laws of the land and they became salt and light to the unbelievers so that they may also see the light of the Gospel. They only disobeyed government and human authorities when they were prohibited to worship God and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all people. They would rather want to be crucified upside down, like Peter; beheaded, like Paul; burnt at stake like Polycarp; stoned to death like Stephen and be exiled to a deserted island like John than deny Jesus Christ as their God, Lord and Saviour. For them, obedience to government and human leaders stops, when disobedience to God begins. Is it the same with us?