Q/A: Do you think that it is breaking the commandment, “you shall not make for yourself a graven image of anything in heaven above, or the earth beneath” to watch movies like “Bruce Almighty” that depict God as a human?  I think it is no different to watch a movie with someone portraying God, than it is to hang a painted picture of Jesus.  I understand that the actors in the movies are not being “worshipped”, but the commandment is only speaking of the image in the first sentence; later it goes on to warn us not to worship the image.  I can’t help but see that to watch some of these movies is as bad as stealing or committing adultery. - Janeen

Q/A: Is there a clear definition as to what sin is?  For example, what we wear, listen to, watch on television, places we go, etc.  I enjoy contemporary music and sometimes go to clubs to play music or see concerts or take in a movie once in a while.  Can these activities be considered sinful? - Nick

Q/A: Could you comment on your understanding of chapter 4 of Malachi?  To what time period (past or future) does this passage apply?  Specifically, I am curious as to whether you feel that Malachi 4:4 (which references the Law of Moses and statutes and judgments) has any relevance to new covenant believers. - Doug

Q/A: Are we still to honor the Sabbath day — if so, in what way?  Should we honor it by attending church on a specific day — if so, what is that day: Sunday or Saturday?  I used to belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, but now I see that they are a legalistic church.  Can you give me some background on this church and explain their beliefs? - Darryl

Q/A: I recently had a discussion with a Christian friend of mine concerning the proper observance of the Sabbath.  Both of us set aside Sunday to honor our Lord and Savior.  Is work around the house—i.e. gardening, washing the car, mowing the lawn, etc. acceptable or should the day be primarily reserved for meditating on God’s word and spending time with loved ones? - Rich

Q/A: How did the term “Ten Commandments” come to fruition?  Wasn’t Moses on the mountain getting the law as well as the first four books of the Bible? - Anthony

Q/A: Did Jesus fulfill the law by keeping the Ten Commandments perfectly?  And does that mean we are no longer judged by the Ten Commandments? - Joe

Q/A: Exodus 20:4—is it okay to have a picture of Jesus displayed in a home or a big picture displayed at a church?  What about figurines of Jesus?  I am a non-denominational Christian. - Dave

Q/A: I have been reading the Q&A’s on topics such as “sabbath” and “law”.  In a number of your responses it seemed fairly clear that you are able to tell when it is that the scripture is referring to the old covenant law or the new covenant law.  I am very interested to learn how it is that you are able to make such a distinction.  Is there some type of a reference Bible that will tell me explicitly that the word “law” in a particular passage refers to one or the other? - Sarah

Q/A: I remember you saying something to the effect that we shouldn’t make images of God because we are incapable of capturing the true essence of God’s infinity!  I was just wondering, does that mean that it would be wrong, as a labor of love, to make an inanimate depiction of what’s described in Ezekiel 11:26-29, Ezekiel 8:2-3, Daniel 7:8-9 and Revelation 1:12-16 in an oil painting? - Lee

Q/A: I have a question about the seventh day Sabbath.  Isaiah 66:22-23 says that the Sabbath will be kept in the new heavens and new earth and all mankind will come and bow down before the Lord.  That doesn’t sound optional.  If the Sabbath is kept then, why not now?  If it isn’t optional then, why should it be optional now?  I mean Saturday, not Sunday, or a choice of either. - Mike

Q/A: I have a friend that believes that some of the old covenant was transferred to the new—such as the Sabbath, holy days, tithing, food laws, etc.  What specific scripture or scriptures would you use to explain this not to be true? - Joe

Q/A: I very much appreciate your ministry and am hoping you can help me clarify a Christian ethics issue with a good, solid explanation and Scripture to back it up. Basically it is this: Dedrick Bonhoeffer, the Christian martyr of Nazi Germany during WWII, said that if you saw a madman in a car racing toward a crowd of people you would be justified in using any means necessary (including killing the madman) in order to stop him from murdering many innocent people.  I agree with Bonhoeffer’s reasoning.  However, I would disagree that this argument/analogy justified killing (or murdering) an abortion doctor to prevent him or her from murdering many innocent unborn babies.  What do you think?  Can you help answer this challenge with good reasoning and Scripture? - Grant

Q/A: In the next to the last chapter of the book of Acts, around the next to the last verse, it says that Mary “rested the Sabbath day, according to the commandment”.  I would like your comment on that.  I would also like to ask—how can all meat be clean?  Surely rats are not clean.  And did God create the empty space (which I assume goes on forever and ever) which contains the heavens and the earth?  Oh!  And one more question: the Bible says that eye has not seen nor ear heard nor has entered into the heart of man that which God has prepared for them that love him, but has revealed it to us by his spirit.  That last part—does that mean that some Christians have known what God has prepared for them that love him? - M.G.

Q/A: I have read many of your answers on the Sabbath and the Old Testament Law. While I agree that keeping the Sabbath does not make you any more saved than if you didn’t, I have lately come to see the Sabbath and Holy Days as a beautiful reminder of God’s plan for us and why Christ had to die for us.  I get the impression that you think observing these days are completely useless, but I happen to disagree.  There are many instances in the New Testament where the apostles refer to fellowshipping on the Sabbath (for both Jews and Gentiles) and keeping the holy days with a renewed outlook for the edification of believers.  Also, the apostle Paul said that we should observe events, laws, etc. according to our conscience and not let our views become a stumbling block for others who are weak in the faith (those who believe that they still have to keep the law). Do you advocate abandoning the holy days and Sabbath as a time for fellowship simply because they are not necessary for salvation? - Caroline

Q/A: Are there scriptures that show that the Sabbath was not in force from Genesis to the giving of the law? There’s a verse in Romans 5 about sin being in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Is that a verse that would support this argument? - Joe

Q/A: Let me ask you as plain as possible, if it does not matter which day of the week we worship, why is it wrong to keep the Sabbath? As for being a slave to the old covenant, what about being made a spiritual Jew, which is part of the new contract or covenant with Christ? - Sam

Q/A: Please explain what the letter of the law and the written code mean. - Mary

Q/A: Some teach that it does not matter which day we observe as the Sabbath.  Is that correct? - Samuel

Q/A: In some of your answers you say it doesn’t matter what day we observe.  Why change it from the original day—Saturday—to Sunday? - Anonymous

Q/A: I am a former Sabbatarian (SDA).  I agree with you that the more important aspect of Christ’s resurrection is the fact that he really rose from the dead, thus we have a reason to believe, be saved and be resurrected.  That, really, is the gospel!  Unfortunately, for most hardcore “legalists”, saying these things will never help.  They want hardcore evidence, hardcore support from the scriptures and hardcore explanations.  I believe that there are a lot of approaches to sharing the gospel with “cultic” minded people and sharing with them the historical facts as well as the biblical facts in a loving manner is one of them. I would greatly appreciate it if you can share with me some biblical as well as historical facts why we should be comfortable with celebrating the resurrection on Sunday.  Keep in mind, too, that I strongly support your stand (as I have read from your other answers to questions) that “the main thing should be the main thing”—the gospel behind the resurrection and not the accurate computation of days and times of Jesus’ resurrection.  But for witnessing purposes, kindly share with me your stand on this. - Arnold

Q/A: What is the new covenant Sabbath? - B.

Q/A: One of the 10 Commandments is to worship no other gods or carved images before God. How can the crucifix/cross NOT be an idol?  It seems to me that many people worship it and hold it in high regard (superstition maybe?).  I really don’t understand why people would want to glorify the object that was used so prominently (and painfully) in the death of Jesus Christ.  I realize that by dying on that cross Jesus made it possible for us to be saved…but do you really think it’s appropriate to hold the cross in such high regard?  Wouldn’t Jesus want us to remember HIS SACRIFICE and not the method that was used to achieve it?  I have been to Catholic churches that have a life-size statue of Jesus hanging from the cross at the front of the church!  I found it to be depressing, cold and creepy instead of hopeful and forgiving. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.  May God continue to bless you and Plain Truth Ministries. - Daniele

Q/A: ... I’m a legalist in recovery.  Admittedly, it’s hard for me to accept some of the things I’m learning and I don’t want to be led astray.  But this is where I stand with regards to the law (old covenant). Basically, as I understand the New Testament, we are not under the old covenant at all (not even the Ten Commandments).  We are under grace and are to live the Christian life by faith, focusing on Christ to live through us by the spirit. Do you agree?  And if so, what place does the old covenant hold in teaching, preaching and Bible study?  I could answer my own question and say only so far as it points to Christ.  If that is true, then it surely places those who believe that way in the position of going against the tide of so much Christian teaching and theology.  As always, I appreciate your comments. - Steve

Q/A: Is it true that the gospel is not effective without the use of the Ten Commandments or the Law?  That is, isn’t it true that you must first show people that they are guilty of breaking God’s Law before they can understand the good news?  It seems to me that many people miss this emphasis when they say, “God has a plan for you and wants you to be happy, so trust in Jesus and life will be wonderful.” In other words, the Law has a purpose.  I was reading through many of your answers on the Ten Commandments and I thought this was something you hadn’t really addressed.  What is the purpose of the Law including the Ten Commandments? I really enjoy reading the Q&A and I thank you for doing such a good job. - Ray

Q/A: In searching for information regarding the relationship between the old covenant and the new covenant I found your reference to sin lists and virtue lists in the New Testament. Where would I find these lists?  Your site has clarified many questions for me. - Kay

Q/A: My husband and I have been Christians for 6-7 years.  My husband has many “theological” discussions with his father that can go for hours (one trying to convince the other of his views).  One issue that keeps coming up is “which day do we celebrate Sabbath?”..... Therefore, my first question: where is it found in the Bible that we have to go on Saturday or Sunday, and if it was originally on Saturday am I not obeying his commandment by going on Sunday?  My father-in-law says pagans changed the original Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, therefore if we go on Sunday we are simply saying that we don’t follow God’s Commandments if they don’t suit our lifestyle. Question #2: How can we (my husband and I) handle these discussions with my father-in-law without the arguments? - Vicki

Q/A: My wife and I recently started dedicating Saturday to the Lord as our day of worship, rest and reflection.  We attend church and Bible Study on Sunday, but use the rest of the day to run errands, do chores, prepare for the week, etc.  As I read your answers about the Sabbath, I haven’t been able to discern if you feel a day of rest is required in the New Testament.  Should we still maintain a day of rest, or is Christ within us all the rest we need? - William

Q/A: I’ve been reading the Q&As in the Ten Commandments section.  Please direct me to the areas in that Bible that you speak of concerning Jesus’ list of sins and list of virtues. - Kelly

Q/A: As I understand it, the Ten Commandments and festival days are obsolete. 1 John 3:4 states that sin is breaking God’s law.  What law is this? (This is not a trick question). Also, can a person attend any church, or must it be a certain one? - Ralph

Q/A: ..... my wife and I were about to open a small business in a strip mall.  This type of business does about 40% of its business during the week and the rest on Saturday and Sunday. We were all ready to sign a lease when she hit me with the following: she is not willing to work on the “Sabbath day”, Sunday.  She also says she is not willing to have someone else “sin” on our behalf by working on Sunday for us. My interpretation of the Bible is that there is no Sabbath for us to keep, since Jesus fulfilled all of the covenants. Therefore we would not be sinning either by working ourselves on Sunday (which is not my long-term goal anyway, but may be necessary until the business gets going), or having someone else work for us on that day.  Could you please comment? The second half of the question comes in response to her rebuttal to me.  I told her that if she was not willing to be open on Sundays, we should not open the business at all. ...... - David

Q/A: Can you help me find out how I’m supposed to celebrate, and what I can and cannot do on the sabbath.  How can I find the answer, or do you have a book or tell me where to look in the Bible. - John

Q/A: I understand that salvation is a totally free gift, and cannot be earned through good works, etc.  Fine, I also understand that we do good works BECAUSE of our appreciation of Christ having saved us and NOT in order to be saved.  Fine. However, tell me what about a Christian who accepts Jesus as Savior and is saved/born again etc., but then for whatever reason (neglect, carelessness, etc.) is persistently unfaithful in breaking Christ’s moral code (fornication, lying, stealing, etc.), even while professing Christ as Savior.  Can such a person forfeit salvation? - David

Q/A: I have been studying and realize that the old and new covenants are the same except for the fact that the new has a spiritual component.   Since the Old Testament holy days were not a part of the old covenant and I find no New Testament instructions on their observance, should we not be observing them on the days God originally told us to? - David

Q/A: Yesterday’s sermon in church regarding tattoos has stirred a debate in our home and I need your help to clarify a couple of things. 1.      Based on Leviticus 19:28 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, would someone who gets a tattoo not be honoring God with his/her body? 2.      If so, how does this differ from ear piercing? 3.      How can we apply one law from the Old Testament and discard others, specifically the laws in Leviticus about cutting hair on the sides, mixing crops in the field, etc.? .... Where can I find in the New Testament about the laws that were abolished: i.e. sacrifices, etc.?  There are numerous verses about Christ fulfilling the law and not eliminating it, but I was told the things like sacrifices and mixing crops were specifically mentioned, and I can’t find it. - Tom

Q/A: ...In several of your answers I understand that the New Testament is a new covenant for us, replacing the Old Testament/old covenant.  Examples are the Sabbath being recognized as the day of rest and worship in the Old Testament, and Christians recognizing Sunday today.  The eating of specific foods as described in Leviticus does not apply to us today, as in the New Testament it is not the food that defiles us as it goes through our stomach.   My question is two-fold: 1. Why these dramatic changes from the Old Testament to the New Testament? Why would the old laws apply to the early Christians, but we live under a new law?  Were not these “old” laws made to help us in our life and seem righteous before the Lord?  If so, why the dramatic change? .... 2.      If the old covenant does not hold true for us any longer and we can eat pork and shellfish; worship on Sunday, etc., why do we study the Old Testament so much (aside from understanding the early Christians, historical reasons and making cross-references to the New Testament) instead of focusing primarily on the New Testament?  I am currently going through the Bible studies that you offer and I enjoy them immensely.  They too include studies of the Old Testament. I look forward to your answer and keep up the good work. - Axel

Q/A: I am struggling with the issue of the death penalty.  I understand why Christians support the death penalty.  I know that God has commanded us to put a murderer to death.  I also understand that Jesus said that he did not come here to change one pen stroke of Moses’ law.  But how do we reconcile Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death”? And what about the other sins like sexual perversion for which God commands us to put a person to death? Why as Christians don’t we believe the death penalty is okay for these sins, but it is okay for murder?  Why didn’t Jesus command the adulteress woman to death? - Russell

Q/A: I have a problem with your comments concerning the sabbath.  You state the sabbath as a covenant sign between old testament Israel and God, but in Genesis 2:2 it reads, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.  And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.”   Here we read that God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.  This was just after the creation of Adam and Eve, who all mankind descend from.  My question is, did God remove His blessing from the sabbath or did He now render it unholy? - Ola

Q/A: What day do you believe is the true Sabbath?  I have looked up the word “Sabbath” in the dictionary and it means “Saturday”. - Donna

Q/A: Do you really think that God, for one moment made a mistake when He wrote the Ten Commandments?  Did He actually think that man would not need a Sabbath, one He said to “remember”, one Jesus kept, one Paul kept, and one all the other apostles kept, and just keep any old day man wanted to?  The only day in the whole Bible that God blessed, sanctified and made holy.  That day has never been changed by God, or His Son.  The holy roman church changed it to suit themselves.  THAT is recorded history. - Harold

Q/A: I am greatly pleased to find someone boldly affirming New Testament positions on the issues regarding law and grace, especially concerning Sabbath keeping and tithing.  I am saddened that many Christians place themselves under bondage to these Old Covenant rules and miss the freedom in Christ.  I encourage you to keep proclaiming the “plain truth”. I am wondering about your understanding of the verse in Revelation 1 in which John says that he was in the Spirit “on the Lord’s Day”.  Do you think this should be understood as “the Day of the Lord” or as a weekly observance day, or something else? - Ken

Q/A: I wish not to argue with the words of men, so let’s listen to what Jesus says in Matt. 19:16-18, about commandments.  (vs. 16) “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good things shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (vs. 17)  “And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good?  There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments’” (vs. 18)  “He said unto him, ‘Which?’  Jesus said, “Thou Shalt Do No Murder, Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness, Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother and, Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbour As Thyself.”  Tell me, why would Jesus say to keep these just to abolish them after the crucifixion?  This would not make sense.  Jesus came to make clear the true intent of the commandments – not to destroy.  If you do not call these commandments, I don’t know what is. - David

Q/A: "The Ten Commandments are no longer relevant to the modern world". Is this true or false??? - Keneiloe

Q/A: ...Is it breaking the 2^nd commandment to have pictures or other objects representing Jesus Christ in our homes? Should we be focusing upon more what Jesus Christ looks like today according to Revelation 1:13-16? - Beverly

Q/A: If the commandments in the new testament are not the 10 Commandments, how can you explain James 2:10,11? - Sheldon

Q/A: People have been telling me that Saturday is not the true 7^th day Sabbath. But they are wrong, right? I mean, Adventism is the continuation of how Jews should live, right? - Grace

Q/A: Does Exodus 31:16-17 mean that the seventh-day Sabbath is a perpetual covenant for Christians? - Edith

Q/A: Matthew 5 proclaims that the law can never be broken or pass away! Jesus came to fulfill prophesy not to change anything. The law is the law for Jew and Christian alike! - Dwayne

Q/A: You seem to say in your "Ask Greg" answers that we don’t have to keep the commandments. If this is true, what else is sin if it is not killing, stealing, lying, etc. what is wrong with not killing or not stealing? We would not need jails. - Glen

Q/A: I grew up in a "Sabbath-keeping" home, and have recently changed to a Protestant church. Obviously, the Sabbath was a difficult issue for me. I have recently been studying end-time events, and came upon the text of Matthew 24:20, which says "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath;" and also the text in Revelation 14:12, "This call for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." In studying the New Testament, it was my belief that the new covenant with God’s people did not include the old "Ten Commandments," but only the command to love one another, which in turn would change our hearts to want to keep "moral" laws, but this did not necessarily include the 4^th commandment. I think I finally understand, and then all of a sudden I am confused again. Could you please give me your explanation of the above texts in Matthew and Revelation. I know your magazine used to subscribe to the necessity of Sabbath-keeping, and then changed its stand on this, so I would appreciate your views here. - Lois

Q/A: I saw in one of your previous questions that you mentioned the Sabbath was Saturday, but it was not a requirement to "keep" the Sabbath on that day because of the new covenant. Wasn’t the new covenant about the fact people no longer had to observe the sacrificial system? Jesus stated, "Keep my commandments." If we are to "keep" the other nine commandments, aren’t we also to "keep" the commandment outlined in Exodus 20:10? - James

Q/A: Why is it you say the 10 Commandments are abolished when I can quote 5 passages in the New Testament that say we should keep them? Especially 1 John 2:4: "He who says I know him (God) and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Also – wasn’t Christ supposed to MAGNIFY the law, Isaiah 42:21? Not to abolish or change the 10 commandments? - Dave

Q/A: We are writing in response to your answer to the questions about THE Sabbath. Your reasoning that we as Christians are not obligated to keep the Sabbath is flawed....We are saddened to see the continuing assault on the fourth commandment. Why is observing the seventh day Sabbath so difficult? Our opinion on this matter is that many have traded the laws of God for the traditions of men – which the Sunday observance is. We know the tug and pull of wanting to "fit" into the mainstream Christian world. We don’t condemn anyone who observes Sunday worship and by no means can we say they aren’t Christians – that is for God to judge only. But for "former" Sabbath-keeping Christians to suddenly become "enlightened" to this new "freedom from the Old Testament Law" disturbs us....  - Tina and Veronica

Q/A: When Jesus came and died for us, did he do away with the old covenant? Are we still under the Old Testament covenant? Like the ten commandments? Or were the ten commandments like a tutor until Jesus came and replaced it with a better one? I know we are not supposed to kill, commit adultery, and so forth - so in a way I think we are still under the old covenant. This confuses me tremendously. I would appreciate any input on this. - Marie

Q/A: I would like to know what your view is on the Sabbath? Aren't God's commandments still in effect today.....and doesn't that include the fourth? - Tracie

Q/A: How do you feel about the Sabbath? Thanks for your thoughts. - Duane

Q/A: I read an article about the Roman Catholic Church, and how it has perverted the laws of God. The scriptures of Daniel 7 seem to refer to the Pope especially 7:25. In fact, the day Sunday is derived from that of an ancient sun god. I know all Christians observe that as the Sabbath, are we wrong? - Pete

Q/A: Why has the 7th Day Sabbath been abandoned. Is not this day HOLY, how can we make it UNHOLY? This issue troubles me greatly. God said, "remember it and keep it holy." - Josh

Q/A:  In Matthew 5:17-18: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Also in 1 John 2-3: "Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." My question is: If Jesus said in Matthew, it’s not done away with and other scriptures indicate that the laws are not done away with, then why do some teach they are done away? The way I understand it, Jesus said, it’s not. And as far as I know, Jesus is still in charge, and his words stand forever. I would appreciate a reply. - Jeff

Q/A: My husband was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist but he doesn’t keep the Sabbath in the way it is meant to be kept. He believes that you can do anything you want as long as you don’t work. He has also told me he is agnostic. I don’t want to nag him about how I think the Sabbath should be kept, but how am I to get him to understand how the Sabbath should be kept? - Kathleen

Q/A: Which day is the Sabbath (correct)? Should we celebrate Easter and Christmas? When was Jesus born? - Tom

Q/A: If the Sabbath is still not in effect, then why did Christ keep the Sabbath? And in Matthew 24:20, why does it say to pray for your flight not to be on the Sabbath day if it isn’t in effect? - Edd

Q/A: I noticed that you made a statement that was not accurate. You stated that the old covenant was impossible for the people to keep. If you look at what God said to do to keep that covenant you see that he asked nothing that was beyond them to be able to do. It was their attitude about the covenant that was the problem. They were always viewing it as a burden, grumbling, etc. about it. They could not bear it because they refused to, not because it was not possible to. - Paul

Q/A: As I was reading some of the questions about the Sabbath, I personally believe that the Sabbath is still meant to be remembered, not only because it is part of God’s moral law which is eternal, but also because it is our set aside time to remember God as creator of the world. Time that God created for that purpose...No, it would be wrong to say that Sabbath observance makes us more "holy", but I think it is proper to say that God has set the days up according to his "great" purpose. A study in church history would open anyone’s eyes to how Sunday came to replace Saturday as the "Christian" Sabbath! The Catholics still believe that they alone have the authority to make such a change. No human being has the authority to make such a change... - Bonita

Q/A: I have been reading SOME of your answer/questions on the Sabbath and diet laws. But I have not seen you mention the fact that Paul kept "preaching" on the Sabbath (as was his custom, like Jesus) long after Christ died, and that Peter never ate anything "unclean". Both these incidents happened many years after Christ died. If they did these as examples (imitators of Christ), shouldn’t we? - Nelson

Q/A: Will you please explain Zech. 14:16 to me, please? - Wayne

Q/A: Could you explain the context of 1 John 2:4 and which commandments the apostle was referring to? - Jonathan

Q/A: In your answer to Jeff under the heading "Ten Commandments" you stated in your answer that Jesus kept the law perfectly. Are you saying that Jesus kept the 10 commandments perfectly because they were a part of the higher law of the love of God because he was God in the flesh? Surely Jesus did more than just keep the 10 commandments perfectly, didn’t he? I am quite sure this is what you are saying but I just wanted to make sure I understood your answer properly. - Dave