Questions and Answers

If you have a question that you want answered, send an email to us and your question and a sound, Biblical answer will be posted.

• Is it wrong for a Christian to participate in Halloween?
• How can I tell if someone is a false teacher?
• What does the Bible say about praying to Mary?
• In Revelation Chapters 2-3, why do you Interpret the word "Angel" as possibly a human messenger or pastor instead of an angelic being?

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to participate in Halloween?

Answer:
Churches vary on this subject. I grew up in a church that used to have an overnight for the kids on Halloween. It was a fun night mixed with games and food as well as practical ministry. There were no costumes allowed. It was a good diversion for the teens from the worldly celebration of this night. Later in my church experience, Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque had a gathering for the youth as well. I know of some Christians that feel it is in opposition to God to have any type of function or activity connected to Halloween.

Halloween is one of the best evangelistic opportunities of the year. Children come to our homes expecting to receive a treat. My wife and I give them a little bag that has a gospel tract that is designed for young children along with a treat and a small Christian coloring book containing the Gospel message as well as some stickers. We evangelize more children Halloween night than any other night of the year. American Tract Society has developed what they call the Halloween Rescue Kit. For $10.00 you get 31 bags, tracts, and stickers along with 62 pieces of candy. It is a great ministry.

The question for a Christian should always be; how can I best minister to my Lord, my family and my community? Some feel that turning off the porch light and abstaining from any activity on Halloween is the best way to shine the light for Christ. I believe that leaving the light on and inviting our neighbors to receive what we have for them is the best way to go. Our church hosts our annual Harvest Celebration every October 31st. We use this night to honor the Lord for His provision for us throughout the year as well as the harvest of New Believers in our fellowship. We have a chili cook off, games and treats for the kids, and we worship the Lord with guitars and singing around a camp fire. We open this event to the whole community. I have only seen good fruit come of this. The Lord is blessed and so are His people. Our desire is to redeem the night on which Satan receives so much attention.

Colossians 2:15; "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

Jewelers know that the most effective way to display their diamonds is against a dark backdrop. For many kids this is the first time they will see a clear contrast between Christianity and the World.

Suggested reading for you would be Romans Chapter 14. Take it to the Lord in prayer and "what ever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17.

I hope this has been of help to you!

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Question: How can I tell if someone is a false teacher?

Answer:
The main key in recognizing a false teacher, or false prophet is that what they declare or proclaim does not jive with the written Word of God. Here are a few things to consider from a Biblical perspective.

1.) False Teachers are present today and were already in operation in Jesus' day. Most common heresies contain 98% truth and 2% lie. Some types of rat poison only contain 1% cyanide, while the other 99% of the ingredients are not harmful and will attract the rats attention. False teaching is much like this. It has enough truth to bait you but it is laced with enough poison to harm you. Matt. 7:15.

2.) The Bible tells us that one of the main motivators for false teachers or false prophets is greed. It tells us that many will follow their false teachings. It tells us that they make up what ever will please their listening audience. Also note that the result of this is that the heretics bring swift judgment on themselves. God will not spare them unless they repent. Check out II Peter 2:1-3.

3.) We are told not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. I John 4:1.

4.) The best thing that we can do is recognize that God to make sure that we don't fall prey to the false teacher is be good bereans. Acts 17:11.

5.) Jesus commends the church that tests what it hears and will not tolerate false teachers. Revelation 2:2-3.

6.) Some people teach things that they really believe to be right in their own heart, event though it does not jive with the full counsel of God. Proverbs 16:25.

7.) As to "touching God's anointed" (1 Chron. 16:17-22); If they are truly God's anointed He will protect them, that is the context of this Scripture. If they are God's anointed, they will not contradict God's written Word. Gal 1:8.

8.) False Teaching is divisive and detrimental to the body of Christ. The Word of God tells us how to handle a divisive person. Check out Titus 3:10.

9.) Again our best protection is to know the Word of God ourselves. II Timothy 2:15.

10.) Systematic, Expository teaching of the Word of God is a key factor in not going astray. Slicing and dicing God’s Word will always lead to disaster for the believer. . Context is vital to proper interpretation of Scripture.

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Question: We have a friend who is Catholic and her priest told her it's OK to pray to Mary and other deceased people, in order to ask them for intercessory prayer. We understand that we can go directly to the throne with our prayers. Her friend thinks its OK to ask someone in heaven to pray for you just as you would ask someone who is alive to do the same. The question is: What does the Bible say on the matter of praying to the dead?

Answer:

There are really two questions here. First let's deal with praying to Mary.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES THAT MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS IS EXALTED TO A DIVINE LEVEL. THAT SHE IS SUPERIOR TO HUMAN BEINGS.