Q&A Column

Q. Is there a difference between "Walking in the Spirit" and "Living the Spirit-filled life"? Or are they the same? Josh A. Hello Josh, Thanks for the reasonable question. Essentially, they are the same, but in emphasis they are...

Q. Under the study of Calvinism/Arminianism, the statement is made, "Saving faith is not a gift or a work, but a choice to take God at His Word." How do you understand this statement? Buddy A. Hello Buddy, Great question! Actually,...

Q. Who will be judged on judgment day? Will it be only sinners or will the Christian be judged? Dennis A. Hello Dennis, Thank you for your question! Actually, it depends on which judgment day you are talking about. In Scripture...

Q. Brother John, Could you explain what it means to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (John 4).  These are obviously key in the worship of the living God.  In the application how does this apply to the progressive "christian" worship that many...

Q. Hey John, Great answer (see Q#24 Another Gospel).  Perhaps we could tweak Jacob’s question using the same text reference of Galatians 1:6-9 to ask, in the context of Paul’s statement in Galatians, would it not be accurate to state that “struggle...

Q. Follow up to the question about how salvation is articulated and do we associate with those of differing views (see Q&A #24 Another Gospel). You did a very good job explaining the real issue: faith in Christ not ourselves. I really appreciated your...

Q. What is the difference between soul and spirit? Trandafir A. Hello Trandafir, Thank you for asking this pertinent question. Theologians have debated this question for years. In my first college course I was taught there is no...

Q. In your article on grace (see Q#23 The Meaning of Grace) you said we can “extend grace to others.” Can you give some practical examples? Thank you, Janet A. Hello Janet, Thank you for bringing this thought to the forefront. In...

Q. How do you determine when views about the gospel are a heretical view of the gospel in the sense of Galatians 1:6-9? By this, I have in view primarily the various views about the nature of faith and of repentance or the nature of assurance. This is such...

Q. I have been meditating on the word grace.  I have heard it explained as undeserved kindness, or the power of God to do the will of God.  Could you explain grace, is gracious part of it? Joyce A. Hello Joyce, Great question! Both...

Q. Hi, I just read your Revival Focus blogpost on pastoral authority (see Leading versus Lording: An Examination of the Extent of “Pastoral Authority”) and had a question about it. Your post hit a topic that has been extremely frontal in my thinking...

Q. It seems like many "fundamental" churches lack the manifest presence of God in our services. I have been blessed to have experienced God's felt presence in prayer meetings before, and it is truly the most fulfilling experience. But when I sought to...

Q. What is the difference between being a prayer warrior and being an intercessor, if there is one?  C_____ A. Hello C_____, Thanks for your very valid question. Often intercessors are called prayer warriors. But technically intercessory prayer is a subset of the...

Q. Brother John, What do you believe are/is the "fruit" in John 15:2-5? Is it works? Is it the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5? Shawn A. Hello Shawn, This is a question many ponder. I believe the safest answer may be found by focusing on the context right in John...

Q. What is involved in humbling oneself to receive salvation?  Would Christ save one who is not willing to publicly confess Christ and be baptized? A______ A. Hello A______ , Thank you for your question. It points up what is germane as to the condition for salvation....

Q. I appreciate your explanation of faith and repentance. I had never considered the idea that faith for salvation and repentance of sin are two sides of the same coin. That raised a question regarding a believer who sins. Is there a two-sided coin of belief and...

Q. In reference to assurance, Hebrews 12:14 speaks of actively pursuing holiness.  Would you say that this pursuit of holiness is based on one's position in Christ's holiness and if so, one who is not in pursuit of holiness has never encountered the living Christ for...

Q. Is faith or grace a gift, or both? J_____ A. Hello J_____ , Great question! The answer has far reaching theological ramifications. Let’s first look at grace, and then we’ll consider faith. Grace is clearly a gift. James 4:6 says, “But he giveth more...

Q. Is repentance required for salvation? Faith and repentance? The two aspects of man’s response to God’s offer of salvation? And if both are a part of salvation, why is it we seldom hear repentance in a Gospel message? A_____ A. Dear A_____, Thanks for this question...

Q. So doesn’t the change of mind about sin, righteousness and judgment, which is repentance, also result in a change in a person’s life, a clear change that gives some evidence of his salvation? A____ A. Hello A_____, Thank you for your question. This is a common...

Q. Hi John, In repentance for salvation, is there any element of desiring to turn from sin? Thanks. Jeff A. Hello Jeff, Thanks for your question. Repentance has become a confused doctrine. Some nearly turn it into works, even though they do not believe in a...

Q. Brother, In local church prayer meetings, what level of involvement can women have when men are praying with them?  Can women lead in prayer? To further explain my question, I am preaching this week on the local church prayer meeting.  I find that women were...

Q. Hi John, Is it legitimate to pray with believers of other denominations? Malachi O’Brian A. Hello Malachi, Great question! It is amazing how much confusion pervades regarding this very matter. I’m convinced there are some who would love to join in corporate...

Q. Hi John, Just out of curiosity, do you think there are Arminians who would be totally comfortable with the Keswick definition of faith? Josh Irmler A. Hey Josh, Great follow-up question! The answer to your question is yes, some would. That is why I stated in the...

Q. Hello John, Would you please explain the main difference between the Reformed theology sanctification model and the Keswick model? Jim A. Hello Jim, Thank you for this relevant question! Much misinformation has been communicated on this subject, so I’m glad to...

Q. Dr. Van Gelderen, It almost sounds as if the one that does not abide in Christ is evidence that that person is not truly saved? Mick A. Hello Mick, Thanks for your follow-up question to last week’s Q&A (see Q#6 What Gets Burned?). When you believe in Jesus as...

Q. John, Does the branch in John 15:6 represent a CARNAL CHRISTIAN BELIEVER attached to The Vine whose works are burned...OR does it just represent the fruitless WORKS of the Believer? Malcolm A. Dear Brother Malcolm, Thanks for your inquiry. As you know this an...

Q. Hi John, In reference to assurance, Hebrews 12:14 speaks of actively pursuing holiness.  Would you say that this pursuit of holiness is based on one's position in Christ's holiness and, if so, one who is not in pursuit of holiness has never encountered the living...

Q. Hey John, I’ve read numerous places about praying for the manifest presence of God in our gatherings. But I don’t remember seeing the biblical basis outlined, especially from a NT standpoint. It seems like I’ve even read Edwards mentioning it. Any guidance on that...

Q. John, I was just working through the book of 1 John recently and I noticed as well the questions regarding assurance. I wanted to run something by you to see if you thought that it was biblical or if there is something I am missing. The Bible says that we have...

Q. John, Thank you for your insightful post (see Lordship and Assurance).  I need clarification on the subject still. If 1 John was written to give assurance, why does it have us examine our fruits and test ourselves? Does not our walk provide evidence of whether or...

Q. Dear Dr. Van Gelderen, I have a question about the title of Lord in reference to Christ. I think my lack of complete assurance hinges on the different interpretations of what it means to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. Obviously this is where lordship salvation...