Hello there and welcome to this page. This page will be updated every two weeks, with new questions answered my Mr. Harold Smith. This will be the first post -- March 2nd, 2006, and there will be following ones every 2 weeks after this Lord Willing. There will be a large number of topics touched on, so I pray that you will find these useful.

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March 16th, 2006

Question

When Christ died on the cross He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me" Matt 27:46 Did He not know why He was there? Why did God forsake Him?

Answer

 This is a very puzzling question to many. It would appear from face value that He did not know and was questioning the actions of the Father. However, this is far from the knowledge 4 character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scriptures bear out that at this time, He knew all things [John 19:28] & had already declared many times that He must go to Jerusalem & be killed & rise again the third day. The Lord asked many questions that He already had the answer to. i.e. Luke 24:19 when told of His own death just three days before & the events surrounding it; He asks "WHAT THINGS" He most certainly knew. It was one of His methods of teaching. Matt 27:46 is a quotation from Psm 22:1. the Heb. word for WHY could read Whatl or How! Thou has forsaken me? It is in a question form, but it is not a COMPLAINT - He is not feeling sorry for Himself. It is not a REQUEST for help. It is not a CHARGE against God. But a STATED FACT. He was LEFT ALONE (forsaken) to bare sin all by Himself, it is a wonderful DECLARATION, coming out of the darkness that enveloped the cross, that God has laid on Christ the sins of man & He has now provided a ransom & is able to forgive sinners. The term forsaken is much misunderstood. God never turned His back on His Son when on the cross Psm 22:24 In fact this offering of Himself when up to God "as a sweet smelling savour," Eph 5:2. It was well pleasing to God. Isa 53:10. For the very first time on earth the PERFECT WILL OF GOD was completed. He was never more pleased than when He beheld His Son be judged for our sins. What about you? Are you pleased with His sacrifice for you? Have you trusted Him? Your eternity depends on your repenting 4 trusting Christ as your personal Saviour from sin. It is not enough to believe ABOUT Him, you must trust IN Him. Acts 16:31, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house"
 

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March 2nd, 2006

Question

Does predestination and election mean that some people cannot be saved?

Answer

Sad to say, that it is often taught that God elects some and not others to be saved. This is not what the two words election and predestination mean and is not what the bible teaches. They are both good Bible words. The word election or chosen appears many times; but the other word only occurs in two places in the Bible, Eph. 1:5 and Romans 8:29.

The word “election” always has to do with the purposes of God. That is, God selects certain people to execute His purposes. It is good that He does, otherwise they would never be accomplished. These purposes never have to do with the destiny of people. God’s will is clear. 1 Time 2:4 “who will have all men to be saved…” To see how He did this electing look in Romans 9:11 “ For the children (Jacob and Esau) being not yet born, neither having had done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand born, neither having had done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand..” He chose Jacob and not Esau. This means that Jacob was to be the father of twelve boys who would form the nation of Israel and would eventually bring the Christ into the world. Esau could have never been this man; but it does not mean that could not be saved. Christ was chosen (elect same word) of God. Isaiah 42:1 It surely has nothing to do with His salvation. Judas was chosen (elected) yet he was not saved and had a devil John 6:64,70. So the Bible teaching on this word election simply means that God selects certain ones for certain jobs. Predestination means a pre-determined end. It is never used to unsaved people, but only believers. They are predetermined by God to be conformed to the image of Christ Romans 8:29

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