Q&A Column

Q.Question: "God chooses a person to be saved whether they like it or not?"A.Valid question with all the ideas that swirl around. There are some who believe that God chooses some to salvation, but those who are not chosen simply receive the just punishment they...

Q.Question: Hello brother John. Can you please explain Romans 12:3 specifically the part where it says “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” I understand the context here when it comes to gifts but I’m missing the part of God allowing us faith. If faith...

Q.Scripture says that we are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1Peter 1:18,19).  Why is Christ's blood said to be precious? What makes His blood precious?  How could understanding this inspire us in our faith and walk in Him? Thank you, EricA.Hello Eric, ...

Q.Lately I have been seeing posts on social media regarding the "treatment" of women in especially Independent Baptist Churches.   In your estimation, have you experienced or seen the treatment of women as anything but Biblical in these settings?  What is the role of...

Q.Hi John, I am confused about the meaning of Romans 8:1. Just looking for some light about meaning. It seems to indicate a conditional salvation, if you walk in the spirit you will not be condemned but if you walk in the flesh you will be condemned. And other verses...

Q.Hello Brother VanGelderen,

 When your child makes a profession of faith and their is no change of attitude/behavior or fruit, as a parent, do you rejoice and accept they are saved? Should we move forward with baptism?A.Hello, Thank you for your practical questions....

Q.Question: Luke 15 speaks of the lost sheep, coin, prodigal son. Was the son (υἱός) lost as in a lost sinner, or does this speak of revival? Is this an application of a wayward Christian returning to his heavily father or of a lost sinner coming to Christ?...

Q.I have a question on Ephesians 4:26. Most versions say be angry and sin not. NIV says in your anger do not sin, Weymouth translation says if angry be aware of sinning, And the Living Bible says If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. In light of verses...

Q.Is it possible to not have genuine repentance because of wrong motives (e.g. getting saved just to escape hell but not have a changed life, wanting to be saved because it is popular within your family, etc.)? And also, are there certain truths that must be submitted...

Q.Can we pray directly to Jesus or the Holy Spirit or should we always pray to the Father first in Jesus’ name through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit? NancyA.Hello Nancy, Thanks for your great question. Over twenty years ago I began to maintain the...

Q.Would you please share some thoughts on what it means in 2 Corinthians 13:14 "the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all"? Thank you,EricA.Hello Eric, Thanks for the great question! The word communion means fellowship, partnership, joint participation,...

Q.John, why does the Bible sometimes seem to say different things about the same issue. For instance, sometimes Jesus says repent and other times he says believe. Also, some passages indicate that salvation results in an obedient life but other passages seem to show...

Q.I remember the day I asked Jesus Christ to save me. It was Easter 2012. I remember the conviction. It’s now 2023. I’m constantly in doubt and I try to read my Bible every day and pray. But I feel like it’s a routine anymore. I still smoke cigarettes and just get...

Q.God is sovereign and, in His sovereignty, has given man a free will to choose or reject Christ the Savior, a statement often made that seems to limit God’s sovereignty to man.
Your thoughts. BuddyA.Hello Buddy, Thanks for the intriguing question. Many have pondered...

Q.Question: John 14:15 I’m so torn by this verse and two lines of thought.  Is it something I do, or is it something I’m enabled to do. Or is it both. RandyA.Hello Randy, Thanks for your heartfelt question. In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my...

Q.For the last couple of years I’ve wondered the answer to this question. I’ve not been settled with the answers I’ve been given. John 4:24
 To me this verse when it says they must worship in spirit seems to me they must have the Spirit, but from the preaching I’ve...

Q.I John 5:4-5 says, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

 Would you please share your thoughts on...

Q.Question: What does it mean in 1 John 4:4 "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world"? Could personal revival be experienced by rightly understanding this scripture? EricA.Hello Eric, Thank you for writing and thank you for your question. “He that...

Q.Can folks simply believe on Jesus while you’re giving the gospel like in Acts where the Holy Ghost fell on them based upon their belief? RandyA.Hello Randy, Thanks for your interesting question. Acts 10 is an example. God had prepared Peter through a vision that he...

Q.I was reading in your book about lordship salvation. It mentioned that Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus and was saved. Judas was also a disciple of Jesus but not saved. How do you know for sure that Joseph was saved before he begged for the body of Jesus,...

Q.Hello Mr. Van Gelderen,Very recently I purchased your book, Assurance of Salvation. I would like to ask for your viewpoint about the verses in Hebrews 6:4-8, 10:26-29? I know the Lord's word never contradicts itself. I was wondering if you could explain about these...

Q.Hi John,What would you say are some key steps to personal revival? PhilipA.Hello Philip, Thanks for your question on personal revival. Several basic thoughts come to mind. Acknowledge your need.When the psalmist prayed to be revived “again” he acknowledged his need....

Q.Does 1 John 4:1-3 mean that any person, church, or group, regardless of standards, that claims Jesus Christ is God and came in the flesh is "of God" like it says in verse 2? And follow up question, if that is true, then why is it that we criticize those who are...

Q.Will the Holy Spirit leave a believer who contracts HIV?Do they still have eternal life or is only Jesus necessary?A.Hello, Thank you for your connected questions. I’d like to address your second question first. The Bible repeatedly promises eternal life to those...

Q.Can the Holy Spirit help you to know that someone is unsaved despite the fact that the person has given a testimony of salvation and even verbally expressed dependence on Jesus alone? And what about vice versa? AmberA.Hello Amber, Thank you for your question. It’s...

Q.Hi Brother John, Is one of the keys to revival understanding and appropriating the “identification truths” as taught by Paul in his epistles?  What are these identification truths and how might they lead one into personal or even corporate revival? Thank...

Q.In 2 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul calls the "law" the “ministry of death” and contrasts it with the Spirit as the “ministry of life.” The way I understand this is that the law can only reveal sin and condemn. However, the indwelling Spirit imparts the law-fulfilling,...

Q.John, Hello from Minneapolis! I hope you are doing great! I appreciate you!! My question is regarding separation. My desire is, "That they all may be one..." (John 17:21) and to see the Spirit of God unleashed through multiple believers in my city. I am not sure how...

Q.How do you know you have the gift of Prophesy operating in your life? MargaretA.Hello Margaret, Thank you for your question and interest. I've been studying the gifts for the last couple of years. I’m still chewing on what I’m learning. There is the prophet of the...

Q.Regarding 1 John 4: 2-3,"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God;"and 1 Corinthians...

Q.It is often quoted that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. John 15:8 says, “In this is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:5 says, “He that abideth in me and I in him , the same bringeth forth much fruit.” Are these...

Q. I would love to hear your thoughts on Jeremiah 3:10. It seems to be an indictment against Judah in the days of Josiah (verse 6) for a half-hearted revival. Have you ever seen, read about, or studied this kind of thing? The description of the revival that took place...

Q.What is the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation? Is it to illuminate and convict? What would be the difference or is it the same thing? Would it be possible to have your mind illuminated without being convicted of your heart’s need of salvation?LeahA.Hello Leah,...

Q.Brother John, great article [Reckoning and Dying Daily]. Praise the Lord for the Spirit’s daily convincing. Amazing revelation of the complete work of Christ! Can you please explain how this reckoning relates to what we read in Romans 8:13, “But if ye through the...

Q.Brother John, Over the past couple of years, I better understand eternal security because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption. However, I used to see security as conditional based on my continuing to believe in Christ. I heard a...

Q.Brother John, I have been helped much with your connecting faith as the key to accessing the Spirit for filling. I would love to hear you at some point explain the trial of our faith and patience (endurance), and the salvation of our souls. (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter...

Q. Why aren't we pointing people to read Paul's epistles once they accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior, (especially starting with Romans)? Most mature Christians point people to read John's gospel. Zack A.Hello Zack, Fair question. Thank you for bringing up...

Q.Hello, Brother Van Gelderen!What are your thoughts on whether a Christian must be completely right before God before he can come to God in prayer on behalf of others? That is, if I have not had a time of confession yet in my daily prayer time but God brings someone...

Q.  Greetings to you, John, Galatians 2:19-20 appear to be truths that if understood aright, then personal revival would be achieved if applied in our daily walk with the LORD. Would you please share your insights on these verses as to the context and meaning and...

Hi John,Can you please explain what Paul means when he says, "That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." (Phil 3:10) How could understanding these truths lead one into...

Q.John, I was reading John 12:25 and having a hard time figuring out what it means. Could you briefly explain what you think it means? JordanA.Hello Jordan, Thanks for your question on a great passage! The verse in the context will help us. Let’s consider John...

Q.I feel a need for a spiritual breakthrough. I accepted the Lord at a young age. Got married against God’s perfect will and now feel guilt and lack of freedom in the Lord. Help!A.Thank you for your honest heart cry. Jesus is the healer of our hearts. The wonderful...

Q.When or why would someone be blotted out of the book of life? Are there 2 books: the book of life and the Lamb’s book of life? I’ve had 2 people ask me these questions and I can’t answer them. Thank for your help.A.Thank you for your question. The Old Testament does...

Q.When it comes to baptism when is the right time to baptize a convert. Some teach immediately upon faith in Christ. Others teach that baptism is a ordinance of the church so the new believer must be in a right standing before being baptized because if not church...

Q.What does "The Joy of the Lord is my strength" mean?  Jasmine A.Hello Jasmine, Great question! Nehemiah 8:10 says, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This was stated to the people of God on a day when the law of God had been read and they responded under...

Q.Hello John, If faith is not a work but man's response to the divine initiative and dependence upon the worker of faith (that is God), can that saving faith ever be lost and forfeited?Furthermore, if regeneration occurs at the time of saving faith, can the miracle of...

Q. I receive God's Gift of salvation been baptized in water read and spend time with him on a daily basis. But I'm not out there speaking his word to others I try to speak it to my family members but I forget or get choked up. I know that I got to be busy speaking his...

Q. Can you explain vinedresser?Adrian  A.Hello Adrian, Simple, but great question! Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman” or in the vernacular, “the vinedresser” (John 15:1). Jesus as the true vine is the source of life. The Father as the...

Q.I have been counseling with a man who recently expressed interest in getting baptized again. He said he was saved at a young age but couldn't remember exactly when. His concern is that he was baptized before he believed. He says that he knows salvation is by faith...

Q.In Matthew 9:29, Jesus restored the sight of two blind men. He said to them, "...according to your faith be it unto you." My question is, can habitual sin stop God from fulfilling His promises in the life of a born-again child of God if he/she has the faith to...