We Answer

Not every answer might comply with everybody's way of seeing things. Then I kindly ask you to hold it with Paul, who said in 1 Corinthians 13 that we now see in part. All of us answering here, stick to the basic faith statements as defined in the Apostle's Creed, yet further to that we know that there are also Biblical topics not related to salvation itself, that different people understand and see differently. So please keep this in mind in case you "stumble" over a certain answer - we would like you to be blessed by the challenge of different aspects!

Answer Set 1

Question: What does the bible say about a person who is arrogant, belittles others and thinks they know everything?

Answer: The book of Romans has a lot to say about these things starting with Romans 1:28-31 through Romans 2:1-4 telling us to retain the knowledge of God and do not pass judgment or you will be condemning yourself. Romans 12:3 says not to think more highly of yourself than you should followed by Romans 12:16 that says not be proud but willing to associate with people of low position, not being conceited. Do not speak of anything except that which God has accomplished through you (Romans 15:17-18) and let him who boasts, boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). Arrogance is pride in oneself causing one to belittle another and God opposes this (James 4:6, Psalm 101:5, Proverbs 16:5, 8). Remember that the angel Lucifer was arrogant and belittled God Himself (Isaiah 14:12-14) and thus became Satan, cast out of Heaven.

Question: What is the priesthood of Aaron’s line and Jesus’ line?

Answer: The priesthood of Aaron is a Levitical priesthood; physical requirements; belonging to a particular line of descent; mortal; offering animal blood sacrifices; a shadow of Christ (Hebrew 7:11-28). Jesus’ priesthood is based on eternal requirements and relies on no earthly line of descent; offered His own Blood as the final sacrifice; born of non-priestly tribe of Judah; a change in priesthood needed a change of Law; Christ arriving established forever, by God’s own oath, an indestructible life.

Question: Our bible study leader has recently confessed to adultery and pornography involvement. Should we continue to have him lead our study since he has repented?

Answer: There are lots of steps to this healing for all involved. The first step has been taken by this person. Repentance and asking forgiveness both from God and from all persons involved (Matthew 18:15-17, 35). Examples of people repenting and receiving forgiveness: The Jews under the preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:6); the woman who anointed Jesus with oil (Luke 7:37-48); the disobedient son (Matthew 21:29); Peter denying Jesus (Matthew 26:75). Is this person’s sin worse than these who were re-instated? Are they worse than some of yours (John 8:7)? Remember that all have sinned and fall short (Romans 3:23). The second step is to turn the bible study class into a praying without ceasing class until you find God’s will (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

God says that He will forgive their wickedness and remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12) and if you humble yourself before the Lord that He will lift you up (James 4:10). Can your class do this (1 Thessalonians 5:11)? He also tells us to leave vengeance to Him (Hebrews 10:30) since all men will give account of themselves (Matthew 12:36-37) not only for their words but for their actions (2 Corinthians 5:10). James 3:1 says that not all of us should be teachers because we will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways (James 3:1-2). 1 Timothy 3:1-7 gives instructions to the overseer and deacon that should be reiterated and reinstated into the bible study leadership. "The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him; now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him" (2 Corinthians 2:5-8).

Question: In the bible is there ever an occasion when God did for a person (believer or not) what they could do for themselves?

Answer: I know of NO occasion where ANYONE can do for themselves. The Scripture tells us that apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). 1st Corinthians 4:7 asks; "what do you have that you did not receive from God"? By the grace of God we are what we are and have what we have (1 Corinthians 15:10). Nothing comes from us (2 Corinthians 3:5) and no one can come into salvation unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). By grace we are saved and not from anything that we do (Ephesians 2:8-9), we were justified freely (Romans 3:23-24), He is your help in everything (Psalm 63:1-8) and every perfect gift comes from the Father (James 1:17). All things come from God through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6), and it is God that gives life and breath to all of creation and mankind (Job 12:10, Isaiah 42:5-7), Nehemiah. 9:6). Unless the Lord builds the house you labor in vain (Psalm 127:1), meaning if you think you are doing something without God you are fooling yourself. Even Jesus said that He could do nothing by Himself but did only what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19, 30). Therefore my answer to your question is no! God did not do for them what they could do for themselves because "they, we, you, anyone" can do nothing without Him.

Question: Is it wrong to be annoyed or to intentionally annoy someone else?

Answer: The word annoy comes from ‘lupei/lupeo’meaning to cause grief, sorrow or to annoy. To annoy or to be annoyed comes under the heading of Satan tempting you to disobey God’s commands. We must quickly resolve our differences and forgive even something as petty as annoyance so Satan cannot gain advantage over us (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). If you are intentionally annoying a brother then settle the matter quickly (Matthew 5:24) and if they have annoyed you then settle the matter just as quickly (Matthew 18:15-16), remembering that God will treat you the way you treat others (Matthew 18:35). If you are doing something that annoys a brother then do not become a stumbling block for him (Romans 14:13, 15), live by the Spirit and exercise self-control (Galatians 5:16-23). Annoying someone on purpose is cruel and you only hurt yourself (Proverbs 11:17) and God hates deliberate annoyance which stirs up dissension (Proverbs 6:19). "If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:17-18).