Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

>> Bert Harper: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword.

>> Alex McFarland: This sacred book is living and active

>> Bert Harper: and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Alex McFarland and Bert Harper discuss Ephesians on American Family Radio

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: It's been called Ephesians in miniature. I'm sorry? It's been called the Book of Romans in miniature. It is the NewSong Testament book of Ephesians. And that's where we begin today. Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. And you're listening to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. You know, recently we finished up a couple of books. We were in the Old Testament for a while doing the Book of Numbers, then we did a very brief book, Titus, just three chapters. And we're going to stay in the NewSong Testament and we're going to look at the Book of Ephesians. Bert and I were talking and, praying about where to go next and we just feel like this is a, a great book. Like all of God's word, it's practical, but it's very doctrinal to our redemption in Jesus Christ. And we'll look at that from the Book of Ephesians. Bert, I appreciate you so much and over the years, not only preparing for the radio and doing our best to preach and teach and open up God's Word, but I'll tell you who's been the beneficiary. I feel like myself in all the Bible studies. I feel like I've been so blessed to spend all this time in God's Word getting ready to go over it with you on the radio. But doesn't it bless your heart that, our responsibility, but our blessing is to be in the scriptures and do our best with the help of the Holy Spirit to open it up to listeners.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And we know that. And just like I used to hear teachers say, professors say, pastors say, I get more out of this presentation than you do as a student. And so, Alex, what you just said, you know, yes, we've had people to call in, say, we appreciate how you guys share the word of God. I just want to tell you we're the beneficiaries of being able to get into the word of God. And, and every time we go through a new book again, like Ephesians, I see things or I'm reminded of things that, you know, I need and it equips me. When I look at Ephesians, it's easy to divide up into two areas. And I tried to do it just in my own words. In chapters one, two and three, it's the wealth we have in Christ. And then in chapters four, five and six, it's the walk we do concerning our relationship. So our relationship brings wealth. And I'll tell you what that means in a minute. And work. We've got both of those. And Alex, I just love Ephesians. Paul was writing, seems like it was specific to Ephesians, but in verse one it says and faithful in Christ Jesus. I think he wrote this to Ephesus, but with a larger audience in mind because you know, when he writes to Corinth, he's specific in you know, what answers he questions he's answering in Ephesians. It's like you said, doctrinal and then practical. And again, it's a great study in six chapters, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. And again, this is something the Apostle Paul did while he was imprisoned, somewhere between 60 to 62 A.D. imprisoned in Rome. And yet even in that very, undesirable of circumstance, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul writes he writes Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians 4, just monumental new Testament books while he was imprisoned. And so his whole ministry, based on the commentaries that I've read maybe for three years he was in Ephesus. And so there's, I've, I've heard this about the book of Ephesians, sitting, walking, standing. The, the first three chapters are going to really talk about that we are seated with Christ, or we often talk about we are positionally in Christ, upon our faith in Jesus. And then we're walking four through six talks about walking worthy of the calling, and then standing. Ephesians 6 as the book will close out, standing firm, before God and in this world.

Alex: No matter who you are, salvation is possible through grace

So let me begin to read and we'll bring out just rich, rich, I think, life changing truth. From this letter to the church in Ephesus, the Epistle. And that's what an Epistle is. It's a letter. And it begins like many of his. It says, paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints who are in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These two verses, this is the opening salutation or greeting. Bert, let's look at verse one for a second. Paul, an apostle of Jesus by the will of God The Bible says that God is long suffering to us, not willing that any should perish. Bert, I believe it is God's will, that all be saved. Now, not all are saved, because many reject sadly. But when God says, whosoever will may come, I think Christ died for all the whole wide world to. So listen to this, folks. No matter who you are, salvation is possible. But you'll have to put your faith in Jesus to make it actual.

>> Bert Harper: And when you do that, what follows that we see this, especially verses three, and following who you are, as you said, our position where we're seated in Christ, as, I said earlier, our wealth that we have in Christ. So this sets it up, Alex, that this must be a relationship with God. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. Guess what we're talking about? A relationship that he knew Christ. We know that Damascus Road experience, but by the will of God. God's will was for everybody to be saved, but then he had a specific will, which I think is, predestination to be the apostle by the will of God. God's will to be done to who? The saints that are in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Another relationship. And that relationship is based upon what Christ did for us. And so grace to you and peace is that. Here's what I want to ask you, trying to go through all that. Is this relationship possible without grace?

>> Alex McFarland: No. No, it couldn't happen without grace. without God's grace, God's mercy. Why? Because, we deserve judgment. I mean, we deserve hell, really. And the fact that we're alive. And even if you're hearing this and you've never yet trusted Christ, but you're alive and you're at a position, you have opportunity to put your faith in Jesus. That is God's grace, isn't it? You know, the great Jonathan Edwards, he said, in all of human history, if even one person ever were saved, the grace and mercy of God would have been eminently demonstrated, said Edwards. So this is by grace. And in verse two there, I think about the, Jon MacArthur show grace to you. That's a phrase we see in the NewSong Testament. And peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. let me go on to read in verse three and talk about our redemption in Jesus. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. In Christ burnt over 200 times in the NewSong Testament, Paul writes the phrase in Christ. You know, it's Interesting. Over the weekend I was studying some of the two hundreds. Over 200 times the new Testament says that we have power. Christ said to his church, all power is given to me in Matthew 28, and that we will receive power. Acts 1:8. So 200 times God talks about the power he imparts to his church. Well over 200 times we read about being in Christ. I mean, when God says something 200 times, that M must mean it is vitally, crucially, significantly important.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And it's 35 times in the book of Ephesians itself. He will use in Christ or in Him a reference to that 35 times in the book of Ephesians. And notice who it's from. Again, again I'm mentioning it the third time. The relationship know who has blessed who? Us. Paul includes himself and, and those who were with him, those who were in Ephesus, and then those that he said, the faithful in Christ Jesus, whoever or wherever they may be, or whoever it is. And it says, who has blessed us with what? Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ. Now, Alex, what does every mean? Let me see.

>> Alex McFarland: it's kind of like all it is.

>> Bert Harper: And here it is. Who has he blessed us? And this introduces to us, those of us who are reading this, studying this, what's coming in these next three chapters, the riches we have in Christ. Let me do this real quickly because it's so important. In chapter 1, verse 7, it's the riches of his grace. And then chapter 1, verse 18, the riches of his glory. In chapter 2, verse 7, the exceeding riches. And then 2, 4, rich in mercy, 3, 8, unsearchable riches. And then in 3, 16, it says riches of his glory again six different times. And then he mentions our inheritance and our, that we are fellow heirs with Christ. this again, verse three, our richness in Christ. It's wealth beyond measure, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well. Well, it really is. You know, we did titus, which had 46 verses, very brief.

Bertrand Russell: Ephesians is three times that long

All right. Ephesians is three times that long really, with 155 verses.

>> Bert Harper: And.

>> Alex McFarland: And yet, like you say, over 30 times it mentions being in Christ, the riches in Christ, the hope of our adoption, which is, an absolute certainty. But it goes on. verse three, Blessed be God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. If you're a born again believer, you've trusted Christ. Your identity is in heaven, not earth. Now we're still in this world to live out and represent the gospel and grow in the Lord and every believer. We're doing things that counts for eternity. But, our citizenship, our identity and our security, it's in the heavenly places. Verse 3. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy without blame before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved. Now, there's a lot here. 4, 5, and 6. Let me just get something on the table, Bert, and you comment as you might feel led. One of the great things that Christians of all the centuries have pondered over is the sovereignty of God, but the responsibility of man. And the Bible tells us to repent, believe, turn from sin to Christ, and we are to respond. I mean, there's all these words, trust, believe, put your faith in Christ, respond. And then here it says that, you know, before the foundation of the world, he knew us, he chose us, we are predestined to be adopted. And verse five, according to the good pleasure of his will. Now, I'm going to say a couple of things. I'm going to throw it to you, Bert. Clearly, in the Bible, we see the providence, the authority, the sovereignty of God, but we also see the responsibility of man. So what was his good will? That you be saved. And he's calling right now to everyone to put your faith in Jesus. So, Bert, when we come back, let's unpack this further, shall we?

>> Bert Harper: We shall. And we're still in the book of Ephesians. We're glad you're listening. And this will be a study that will bless you as a follower of Christ. Don't go away. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations.

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Bird and Alex discuss the 250th year anniversary prayer meeting in Washington

Well, this is exploring the word Bird and Alex here. And it's a Monday, we're starting the book of Ephesians. But before we get back to Ephesians, Alex, I was really excited about what happened in Washington, D.C. and it's Saturday about the 250th year anniversary prayer meeting. And, I heard. I don't know if you did. I got on Google some of those prayers and read some of them. And I'm telling you, I was thrilled to do that and hear about that. And, we do need to be praying for our country, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. I mean, there were a lot of great people there. I heard that Franklin Graham was there and our friend Eric Metaxas that is going to be speaking for us later this summer in one of my Biblical worldview conferences. And, that's great. You know, I had the privilege of preaching at a church in South Carolina, and I said, look, up in Washington, they're rededicating the country to God, and we can rededicate ourselves to God right here, right now. And this is really significant. You know, our country was founded on biblical principles. You know, when, the missionaries, began to come to the North American continent in the 1500s, all up and down the Eastern seaboard, they dedicated this continent to God. Christopher Columbus did that. He said that he, wanted this country to be a, missionary light to unknown heathen lands. Now, people don't like that kind of terminology, but it. Heathen means people unreached for Christ. And Bert, you and I know that America has been at the forefront of the Great Commission like no other nation. And so I am thrilled. And I know that as much in the news, President Trump read two, Chronicles 7:14. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, God says, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and heal their land. Bert, I believe that's true. I think when a nation turns back to Christ, when, an individual does. And so this is exciting, and I think we all need to be a part of it. And thank God that he is moving in the United States of America. These are, these are tough times, we know. Spiritually charged times. I got to say this, we're going to get back to Ephesians 1. But last week, Bert, as you and I were, Dylan, and then you and I were wrapping up Titus, where it was talking about unprofitable useless ministers teaching falsehoods and, and lies. There was in the news, I'm not, I'm not going to name the denomination or the location, but very, prominently in the news over the last few days, a, female pastor telling congregations that Jesus didn't claim to be the one and only Savior, folks. He most certainly did. He most certainly did. And perhaps that's another topic for another day. But, Christ not only claimed to be the one and only Savior, he rose from the dead proving it. And so we are living in a time of a lot of spiritual, crossfire. But what we need to do is understand our place in Christ as Ephesians 1 says, and following. And if you're a believer, you're secure in Jesus. We do have an assignment though. We're to be his ambassadors at, you know, good times, hard times, at all times. We are in Christ and we are his representatives.

>> Bert Harper: We are. And that lady pastor, needs to go back and look at the definition of the I am the way, the truth, the life. No one can come to the Father but by me. It is the definite article. The not a way, but the way. One more thing and let's get back. I just got to do this. I didn't think about it until, you were talking. We celebrated 250 years with a prayer meeting. But a week or two earlier, which you participated in and AFR. Participated in the Bible reading on our 250. Now, what's happened in our society, in our schools? They've tried to take prayer out of the schools. They've tried to. They have taken Bible reading out of the schools. And look what happens. again, what happens is lawlessness. One of the things that God wanted to happen to the children of Israel when they went into their land and he gave them the ten Commandments. He gave them purpose and worship. why? So lawlessness would not reign. And so, hey, I agree with the guy who said as long as there's math test, prayer will be in the public school.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. That is true. And let me say this. America's youth do not lose their First Amendment free speech rights and freedom of conscience, freedom of religious expression merely because they're on a public school campus. They do not lose their First Amendment rights. Glory to God.

All of the core foundations of Christianity have been under attack recently

Well, before the break, we were talking about the fact that Ephesians chapter one speaks to the fact that God knows us even before we were born. He knew what our life would be like. And verse six says, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the Beloved. Now, quote, the Beloved is the family of God, the church. And it's by his grace, through his blood and upon our faith, that we are born into God's family. I love verse seven of Ephesians.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, real quickly, before you leave, verses, three, four, five and six, just notice, you know, I'm going to see some m Things that notice what it says. In verse three, he has blessed us. Verse four, he chose us. And then in verse six, he's made us accepted. That's what he's done. And in each one of those, it is again that what he has done for us and sets us. And it introduces, I think, verse 7. In other words, because he's done this for us, in him we have redemption. Sets it up pretty well, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. In him we have redemption. Now, if we have redemption in Christ, that must mean we don't have redemption outside of Christ. I mean, that's only logical in Him. And by the way, in nowhere else is redemption found. The forgiveness of sin through his blood. And Bert, isn't it interesting that. And I shouldn't say interesting, it's concerning. But all of the core foundations, the things that make Christianity, Christianity, the things that make the gospel, the good news, they've been under attack. The birth of Christ, the deity of Christ, the blood of Christ, the exclusivity of Christ, the return of Christ. I mean, basically, all of the core foundation stones of the true gospel in one way or another have been scrutinized, denied, attacked, marginalized. M. Listen, folks, for one thing, it's real simple. If it's in the book, believe it. I mean, I mean, that's a pretty, easy theology course, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is.

>> Alex McFarland: If it's in the Bible, it's God's word, and it's true. Now, we could go literally, we could go a hundred hours on the compelling lines of evidence for the Bible and for Jesus Christ. But if you just purpose in your heart. Billy Graham did. I'm sure, Bert, you've heard this story that he was a young man in the ministry and there were all sorts of voices in the wind. And one night he went out under a moonlit sky and he just. He looked up at the sky and he said, God, I am going to believe your word no matter what. And he said. Now, decades of scholarship and ministry validated that. But Billy Graham made a presupposition. He said, God, I don't understand it all at this point in my life. But I will believe your word. And that's where my heart is. And Bert would concur. I know folks trust what God's word says. And it says that the Savior not merely a savior, the savior is the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Bert Harper: And there is no other men have listen when they doubt the word of God, they've been proven wrong. The word of God has not been proven wrong. It stands today. We've talked about it several times archeology today that they discover it verifies, it validates the dates, the places, the events that took place. Again, it does that time and time again. The word of God is sure. It is settled in heaven. Verse 7, as you said. In him we have what? Redemption. Through what? Through his blood. There is again. There it is again, Alex, that sacrifice his blood. What follows that? Because we have redemption that has brought out and it happens. the only word I can say is simultaneous. You know, it's not. Okay, I get this. Get this. No, we get all of Christ in him, which includes his. Through his blood we have forgiveness of sin. And along with that, the riches of his grace.

Alex: Redemption through Jesus' blood, forgiveness through his grace

And now I've already talked about the riches and what it says. That brings up on, I think the main theme of the book of Ephesians. And Warren Wiersbe in his B series. When he got to Ephesians, it was be rich. And it's the whole idea of the riches of his glory. Listen, it's later on it'll say it's unsearchable, it's unmeasurable, it exceeds an abundantly above all that we could even think of. So, Alex, and look at the first two words in him. is it possible some other way? Let me give you some alternatives. Education, entertainment, economy, the three big E's that tries to run our society. You going to really find peace and joy, forgiveness of sin in those you will not.

>> Alex McFarland: And we believe in education and we believe in morals and you know, as they said of Nicodemus, morals, money and manners. But that won't save notice this redemption through his blood, forgiveness through his grace. You know, I mean, and what God has done to purchase our salvation, I mean, you know, when you think about it, God doesn't answer to anybody. He doesn't owe an explanation to some entity outside of himself. And yet every jot and tittle of the law was fulfilled in Christ. The shedding of his own blood, the perfect, virginal, sinless son of God. Jesus did not have the guilt of Adam. He had no guilt of his Own, because he never did sin. He was nailed to the cross. His blood was shed. there had been hundreds, thousands of lambs with blood sprinkled on the altar, but then there was the Lamb of God. Redemption. That means the payment of a price, doesn't it? We even use this today. If you've ever had to pawn, something or get something on consignment, they say, here's your redemption ticket. And pay this amount by this date for your item to be redeemed. Well, we were redeemed by the payment of a price. The blood of the Son of God.

>> Bert Harper: And it was paid in full?

>> Alex McFarland: Paid in full, every bit. Verse 8 says, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself. You know, Bert, the mystery. In other words, it's unsearchable. I mean, even the best. You mentioned the great Warren Wiers be. And I think about one of my real heroes and mentors, Irwin Lutzer. Brilliant, godly people. Norm Geisler. You know, we often talk about people like Jon MacArthur and David, Jeremiah. But do you know, even the best and the brightest could only comprehend this partially because it's from the mind of God. And God, in His mercy, has shown us all that we need to know. in heaven, we'll learn a few more things, I'm sure, that we want to know, but according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Himself. Bert, I've had people, scoff at the gospel. I've had people, you know, listen politely and then reject the gospel. But here's the thing. The. The great redemption story, which he didn't have to reveal to us, and yet in his love, he did. it's his will, his purposes. It's his gospel. we should believe it, but we're not free to change it.

>> Bert Harper: We cannot change it, and we don't change it. If people try, they fail. The only way is through Christ. Again, I notice I'm noticing these words, but look back in verse eight. Abound, Alex. not just barely making it, not just meeting it up to the measure, but abound. It has the idea full. It has the idea of overflowing. It abounds toward us. That's his idea for us that he made his what? The forgiveness, the grace, the riches of his grace.

>> Caroline: Abound.

>> Bert Harper: Ah, Toward us. He's not withholding anything. He wants us. It's called the full measure. All of it that he's given to us and, and made it available to us in Jesus Christ. And again, having made known us the mystery, you said his will. Have you noticed how many times Paul uses his will? His will. His will. And what does it all have to, it has to do with our relationship with him, our forgiveness of sin and our walk with him. And it's according to his good pleasure which he purposed. Now listen to this in himself. In other words, the only way God's purpose could be fulfilled in you or me or anyone who's listening, Alex, is for Jesus to fulfill God's purpose for his plan of what Redemption. And it was only through Christ. It was through no one else. It was only in Christ. That's what we have. Well, it you ready to take questions in this next segment, the number is

>> Alex McFarland: going to be 888-589-8840. Toll free number 888-589-8840. Call us with your Bible questions. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: Hallelujah. We're going to see the King. Hallelujah. We're going to see the King.

Bert McFarland: American Family Radio Network continues to grow

People say what is this world coming to? The question is who's coming to this world?

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And the King is coming. Praise God. Well, here's the number for Bible questions. We would love to hear from you today. It's triple 858-98-8840 if you've got a Bible question. And hey, I gotta say a big shout out to Pastor Micah Laine Sakusti Baptist in South Carolina. yesterday had great services morning and evening and I just want to appreciate the past pastor for having me in. And we had quite a number of people that are exploring the word listeners who drove in and we appreciate that. And Bert, isn't it a blessing to be out and about and meet people that they say some very kind things about the American Family Radio Network and the way that God uses this to touch lives. We just give God all the, all the praise and glory.

>> Bert Harper: We give him the glory. And if you would like Alex to come to your area, your church or maybe churches gathering together, they can go to your website, can't they Alex and check it out and see if, if it can be arranged and work.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, well we've got you know, ah, a lot. If you go to Alex McFarland.com, there's a lot of articles the Lord's allowed me to write and my speaking calendar We've got a lot going on this summer, but, yeah, evangelism, revival, apologetics, we will, come to your city, and I think God will use us in collaboration to, touch a lot of lives.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. It said, the man of all seasons, Alex is the man, for many reasons, evangelistically, let me just tell you that. And so we're. We're excited about what God is doing.

Kenneth from Texas believes the War of Gog and Magog is different

Well, let's go to the phone lines. We got people that have called in, and the first one of the week is Kenneth from Texas. Kenneth, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Thank you. I've been trying to get this question through for about a month.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: I'm gonna be quick. I'm gonna be quick and, then hang up and let y' all discuss it and, and give me your opinion. Okay. The. The war of Ezekiel 38 and 39. I have considered that carefully, considered each verse carefully, and, I can. I believe that is different from the War of Armageddon. That's the first thing. The second thing is, it does not mention, the. The west, meaning us coming to the aid of Israel during that war. Only God will come to, Israel's aid during that war. Therefore, why are we not there? I believe and have, I believe we're not going to be there for. For, two reasons. Number one, we will have lost the will to help Israel. Look at the rise of anti Semitism, even among evangelicals who believe in replacement theology. And number two, we will be, involved in our own civil conflict.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, wow. Okay, Alex, go ahead, Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I tend to agree that's, you know, and let me say this, and Bert and I talk about this in our book on prophecy, the War of Gog and Magog, I believe, is different than the Battle of Armageddon. It is because Gog and Magog, there are, at most seven nations that attack Israel in the Battle of Armageddon. there are all the nations of the world. And in Gog and Magog, there are armies that attack Israel from the north. And the Bible says that during the Battle of Armageddon, they come from north, south, east and west. So horrible battles, terrible conflict, but I think two different conflicts.

>> Bert Harper: I do. I was matter of fact as a young boy when my pastor, Billy Langley, again, I think I've said it before, I thought he preached on the Second Coming every other Sunday, and I needed to be saved, and God was getting me right to get saved. But that's what I understood. And as I've Understood it all these years. I understand that. And I believe that America, far as it being in that prophecy, again, we can't disagree with you, Kenneth. Again, can we prove it? No, we can't. But we know America by name or by reference. Alex, I don't think we're Babylon. You know, I think that's, discredited. But hey, guess what we need to do? We need to stay on target with Christ and be that friend to Israel, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, we do. And you know, the Bible mentions many ancient nations, you know, Babylon and Rome. But it. I don't know about America because it was a future nation and for 2000 years it just wouldn't have really made a lot of sense, you know, and so, the fact that America, as far as we know, is not explicitly specifically stated in scripture. obviously the North American continent will still exist for time immemorial. But what happens to the usa? Have we just so far digressed? I just don't know. But I know what we can do in our day and in our time, meaning right now. We can do our best to, you know, encourage revival and proclaim truth, which would include standing against anti Semitism and for the nation of Israel.

>> Bert Harper: Kenneth, I'm glad you got through after a month. Persistence and appreciate you brother. Keep, studying his word.

John seemed to have a special relationship with Jesus, Alex says

Let's go to Travis in Illinois. Travis, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Yeah, you know, I was listening to a study the other day and it's something I've thought about several times is, you know, it was referenced that Jesus on the cross was thinking about family and what have you when he entrusted his mother to Jon. But what about James?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, Alex, Jon seemed to, have a special relationship with Jesus. I know he had it with the 12 and then you get it down to three. But there seems to be, you know, when it was time to ask Jesus questions in the upper room, who'd everybody want to go to? Jesus. Would you mind asking? It was Jon, wasn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, it really was. And here's the thing that, early on James had been a skeptic of Jesus and probably didn't become a full out believer until after the resurrection.

>> Bert Harper: That's Jesus half brother James, not Jon's brother James.

>> Alex McFarland: You're right. Right.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. yeah, there's, there's several. There's some Mary's and there's two James, there's some Simons, Peter, James and Jon. Yeah, but those three were special. But Jon had. That seemed to evolve yeah, he had that, I'll say this. He had a special relationship that, Mary's son James, at that point in time, according to what we see, he, was not there yet. He would become one of the pillars in the Jerusalem church, wouldn't he, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, he would. He would. And, you know, again, there's a thing called an argument from silence. I mean, I don't know, just because Jon is singled out, it doesn't necessarily mean, Yeah, we just can't read into something what is or isn't there. you know, but clearly, Jon was the apostle whom Jesus loved, and he gets a lot of coverage there in the last days of Jesus time here on Earth.

>> Bert Harper: He did. Thank you, Travis. Let's go to Virginia. Rich, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

Alex has a question about whether anger and fear are a sin

>> Caroline: Hi, I have a question as to if anger is a sin and if fear is a sin. I've seen and heard things on both sides. So, for example, with anger, I believe Jesus said that if you're angry with your brother, you know, that's equivalent to murder. but my understanding of that is that that's if you hate your brother, not just if you're mad at him. And I know that, for example, James has the scripture, be angry and do not yet sin. So I was wondering if you could speak to. If anger is a sin and a fear is a sin.

>> Bert Harper: Okay? Fear, Alex, is one of those things, okay? To try to cover it up and not say, I'm afraid. We, say, I'm. I'm m concerned. Have you noticed using that word, fear that would cause us to doubt. Doubting his sin, okay? And anger, that goes down. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, Alex. Be angry and sin not. I. I tell you what, I think they're in the classification. Okay, you better cut it off. There's a place to stop. Don't, let it control you. Am I right?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, this is a fantastic call, and I'll tell you why. Because, we have to make the distinction between emotion and action. We're humans, and as such, we are emotive creatures. We feel things. I'll tell you, many a time I've been on an airplane and I was afraid. Especially when we hit turbulence and we drop about 10,000ft in a second and momentarily. It is scary, and I pray. But here's the thing. in Revelation 21, verse 8, it said, there's a warning about the fearful and unbelieving. There's a caution about fear. That breeds unbelief. In Ephesians 4. 26, it says, Be angry, but sin not. To experience fear sometimes is only human. But if that led you to skepticism and unbelief, that would be bad. To experience anger. you know, I've. I've felt momentary anger about Christians that make very poor decisions and hurt lots and lots of people. Bert. I think we've probably both known Christians, especially Christians in leadership, and they just do some rotten things they ought not do. And it brings discredit on the Gospel. But it says be angry and sin not. We don't sin. We pray for people. Our heart is heavy sometimes, but, Bert, emotions are unavoidable, but the actions that flow out of those emotions, that's where we have to be very careful.

>> Bert Harper: We do. it's a. It's tempting to lose your temper. Okay. when you lose your temper, it means you're out of control. And the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit of God. He brings these under control, your emotions. but they're there to be controlled. God gave them to us. So, Rich, to say this fear and anger, are they sin?

>> Alex McFarland: not necessarily.

>> Bert Harper: I would say. Not necessarily. They set us up for sin. If, if we do like the Bible says, be angry and what sin not. Don't let that anger go down. Don't let that anger, be a part of your actions. You just bring it back. I really give those things to the Lord and say, lord, help us, and I think we can have the victory over fear and anger, but they have to be overcome. Rich, hope that helps, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: That's a wonderful question.

>> Bert Harper: It was. We're going to stay in Virginia and talk to Jimmy. Jimmy, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Oh, thank you, guys. Love the show.

Gary from North Carolina has a question about the Geneva Bible

I have a quick question about the Geneva Bible. my wife is very strong Christian. I've been very blessed to marry her. And she's wonderful. And I was always raised on the King James Version, and I was told by her that she has a Geneva bible. That's about 20 more chapters that King James took out of the Bible. and that's why it's not complete. And I would really like to hear Yalls perspective on that.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, that's your area of knowledge. Go right ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's one of the Bibles I believe, and I haven't studied this in a while. That contains the apocryphal books in the middle. this was. There was a Bible called the Great Bible in 1539. Then there was the Geneva Bible. I believe in 1560. And then the King James Bible came along. Now the apocryphal in 1611, by the way. And then there have been a number of revisions since then. the, the canonical books, Genesis through Malachi, Matthew through Revelation, they've always been known as long as the church has existed. But the, the apocryphal books that are historically interesting, but never viewed by the early church as being true scripture, even the original edition of the King James Bible had the apocryphal books in there. and I've got a reprint of a 1611 King James Bible. But, no, as I understand it, in the Geneva Bible, it's not like, okay, they're going to leave out first and second Timothy or something like that. It's not that way. But it's the apocryphal books that, were never really viewed as scripture anyway.

>> Bert Harper: Maccabees, Tobit and Judith, they're in it. And, that's what it is. Otherwise, as I've understood, the Geneva Bible, far as the 66 books that we have, is a good translation. Alex, I've understood that. I've looked at some of it, haven't read it all the way through, but the parts that I've read, were real good. Jimmy, thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: By the way, let me recommend a book right quick called Trial by, how the Bible Came. The English Bible Came to be by Dr. Harold Rawlings. Fantastic history book on how the Bible got put into English. Trial by Fire.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, we are going to Gary in North Carolina. Gary, set your question. I doubt if we can finish it, but we might give you a quick answer. If it's a quick question, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: I read the NewSong American Standard, which is supposed to be a pretty literal translation word for word. In Genesis, it says on the days of a week. It says a day in my Bible doesn't say the day. It says a day, which. A day would be plural. The day would be like the. The truth wave, truth and the light. So I want to know what the difference is, because a day would mean just obey.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, go ahead. We got a minute before we go off.

>> Alex McFarland: you mean in Genesis, like morning and evening were the first day? I hear that music. You know, let me look in the Hebrew lexicon, and I want to see what it says. Literally, you know, morning and evening were a day. Morning and evening were the first day. Bert, in English, the Definite Article. I don't know kind of what difference that would make, but let me look at the original text and we'll pick up on that tomorrow. Is that okay?

>> Bert Harper: Bert? That's good. I'm writing it down to remind us and we'll try to answer that. Gary, be sure and listen tomorrow. I wanted to get you in but we're sorry, didn't have an answer. Good enough. But we appreciate you calling and being ready and be a part of Exploring the Word. Thank everyone for listening to Exploring the Word. Tell everyone about afr, but especially tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.