"...the more the Bible comes alive with meaning"
Reading The Bible Unlocked is an enriching journey for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture and uncover the profound truths within the Word of God. This book serves as a guide to study tools and methodologies that allow readers to navigate the complexities of biblical text. With its emphasis on research and careful analysis, it equips believers with strategies to uncover the original meaning of passages, peeling back layers of historical context and cultural nuances that often obscure modern interpretations. By delving into the intent behind God's words, The Bible Unlocked inspires a more intimate and accurate relationship with the Scriptures.
CHAPTER 12
The following sections will address some questions, presented in no particular order.
- What is the Trinity?
Refer to the diagram below for an explanation.
Simply put, God is the Father in His dimension, the Son in our dimension, and the Holy Spirit in both dimensions. However, the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father.
Understanding the Trinity – An Analogy
If this seems a bit confusing, I appreciate your patience as I explain with an analogy. The following diagram is designed to help those who may still feel unsure about the concept of the Trinity.
Imagine a woman who plays three roles: she is a wife, a mother, and an employee. Although she can fulfill all three roles, each one is distinct and serves a different purpose. Similarly, within the Trinity, God exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – each unique, yet one in essence.
- How Should I Pray?
Think of God as the closest family member you could ever have. Simply talk to Him. Thank Him for His blessings, share your thoughts and feelings, and tell Him that you love Him. There’s no need for formal or ritualized prayers – speak honestly from your heart. If you need protection, ask for it. If you desire blessings, simply request them. Always remember to pray in the name of Jesus Christ, as this affirms your request. It is important to direct your prayers to God alone – not to Mary, angels, or anyone else – as this aligns with His will. For a truly fulfilling life, consider praying something like this:
Father, I ask that everything I think, say, and do be according to Your will and not my own. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father. When you genuinely seek this, you may experience profound and positive changes in your daily life.
- Should I be baptized? If I was baptized as a baby, is that good enough? If I should be baptized, how can I be baptized?
Jesus set an example for us to follow. Was He baptized? Yes, He was. Now, consider this. When the two criminals were crucified alongside Jesus, and He said to one of them, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” did they pause the crucifixion, take the criminal down, walk him to the Jordan River to be baptized, and then put him back on the cross? Of course not. So, is baptism a requirement to enter Heaven? If it were explicitly stated in John 3:16, I would say yes, but it isn’t. Therefore, baptism is not a requirement for salvation. However, it is an important act of obedience to God, and as a follower of Christ, I choose to be obedient. The purpose of baptism is to publicly declare your belief in Jesus Christ and acknowledge that He died on the cross for your sins. Baptism as an adult or at the “age of accountability” is considered a personal, meaningful decision. On the other hand, being baptized as a baby is often seen as a christening or dedication rather than a true baptism. If you were only christened as an infant, it’s recommended to be baptized again once you reach the age of accountability. That’s when you can make the decision yourself, understanding the significance of your faith and baptism. This age varies for each person, but the key is that it should be a conscious, voluntary decision made by someone who believes in Jesus Christ and understands what baptism symbolizes.
How can you be baptized? Any Christian can baptize another Christian. After confirming your belief in Jesus Christ and your understanding that He died on the cross to forgive your sins, the baptism is performed. You are fully submerged in water and baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- I was baptized at the age of accountability, but I have backslid. Do I need to be baptized again?
No, you do not need to be baptized again. That would be like crucifying Jesus all over again. If you have sinned or drifted away from your faith, the solution is repentance. Confess your sins to God and renew your commitment to Him. If you have been baptized more than once at the age of accountability, perhaps out of misunderstanding, simply repent for the repeated baptisms and move forward in your faith. Remember, God is gracious and forgiving. You don’t need to be baptized again to restore your relationship with Him; repentance is what is needed.
- Do I need to be baptized or belong to a church to take communion? How often can I take communion? Can I take communion from home? What do I need to take communion? What do I say if I’m taking it by myself?
There is nothing in Scripture that explicitly requires baptism or church membership to take communion. In Biblical times, people typically took communion during three annual gatherings: Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. However, how often you take communion is a personal choice. I encourage you to focus on the meaning behind communion rather than letting it become a ritual. Yes, you can take communion from home, even by yourself. For the elements, I suggest grape wine if you can consume it; otherwise, grape juice is a suitable alternative. You can purchase communion wafers online or at a Bible store. When taking communion, here’s what I do and say:
- Repentance: I begin by repenting for my sins. None of us are perfect, but repentance prepares our hearts and souls to partake in this sacred act.
- Blessing the Elements: I ask our Heavenly Father to bless the bread and wine (or juice) as symbols of the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I reflect on His sacrifice, which established the eternal covenant for the forgiveness of sins.
- Thanksgiving and Petition: I thank God for His many blessings in my life. Then, I ask Him to grant me wisdom to live according to His will and to glorify His name.
Finally, I close with… Heavenly Father, I ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Is it true that once saved, always saved?
The idea of “once saved, always saved” is true in the sense that salvation is a gift of grace. However, it is possible to backslide. If you persist in sin without repentance, you risk losing your salvation. If you have been saved and baptized, but you sin, repentance restores your relationship with God. But if you do not repent of your sins, you could lose your salvation. And as mentioned earlier, for the Elect or Zadok, committing the unforgivable sin, such as blaspheming the Holy Spirit, would result in losing salvation, even if they were initially saved. Therefore, it’s crucial to remain faithful, repentant and do not give in to Satan.
- Can I anoint myself, my family, my house, or my pets?
Yes, you can. Begin by obtaining some extra virgin olive oil and a small vial. Pour a bit of the oil into the vial and ask God to bless it as anointing oil, praying in Jesus’ precious name. Remember, it is not the oil that has the power to anoint, it is God who blesses and anoints. The oil serves as a symbol of obedience to His will.
If you wish to cleanse your home of an evil spirit, place a small dab of the oil on your doorway and say: By the power of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits, including any that have entered with someone else, to leave my home immediately and return to where they came from. Make sure to issue this command in the name of Jesus Christ and specify that the spirits must return to their original place, signifying their inevitable death.
- Will I recognize my loved ones in Heaven?
Yes, you will. Scripture provides insight into this in passages like the following: ”And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.”
This verse speaks of the millennium, a time when teachers on Earth provide guidance to family members who were previously on the left-hand side of the gulf and are now being instructed. These individuals possess a spiritual body but retain a human soul, making them “unclean.” Those with a human soul are still at risk of spiritual death if they do not believe in Jesus and repent of their sins by the end of the millennium.
When a teacher interacts with someone unclean, they become defiled and must cleanse themselves for seven days and change their garments before entering the temple to receive Jesus’ teachings again. The mention of relatives in this context indicates that you will recognize your loved ones and have the opportunity to assist them.
Regarding the phrase “sister that hath had no husband,” it implies that a family member could guide her. However, if the sister has a husband, her spiritual teaching would come from someone in her husband’s family.
Why do you want to recognize your family members? The answer is simple – because you love them.I ask this question for a reason. Consider the greatest amount of love you feel for someone you hope to be with in Heaven. Now imagine placing that love on a scale of one to one hundred. In Heaven, the love you hold so dearly on Earth would barely register as a one.
What does this mean? On that same scale, the love you will experience for everyone in Heaven will reach one hundred. When you let go of human limitations and embrace your spiritual nature, you’ll begin to understand the overwhelming and all-encompassing love that awaits you in Heaven.
- What is the mark of the beast?
The mark of the beast is not a physical symbol stamped on your forehead or hand. Even if someone were to write 666 on your forehead, it would hold no power if you truly believe in Jesus. Some mistakenly think the mark is a computer chip, but this misunderstanding stems from a lack of proper teaching.
The mark of the beast is within your forehead – representing your thoughts. When your mind aligns with actions that glorify Satan, you are already carrying the mark. Similarly, the mark in your hand symbolizes your deeds. If your daily actions reflect the work of Satan, you bear his mark through your behavior.
Many people believe they are serving Jesus, unaware that they have been misled. Recognizing these errors is crucial. When you realize you’ve strayed, repentance is essential to restore your relationship with God.
- What about discrepancies in the Bible?
It is important to remember that altering the original manuscripts is considered sacrilegious. The original texts do not contain discrepancies. However, inaccuracies can arise during transcription or translation processes. Such inaccuracies may lead to misunderstandings and improper teachings. To prevent these issues, use the tools outlined at the beginning of this writing to carefully decipher words and uncover their true meanings. This will help ensure clarity and fidelity to the original intent.
