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Mike Winger idea 2022-08-05

Why did Jesus call the Father His God?: I've been wrestling with this passage for a couple of months, and I haven't found a solid answer yet. It's in John 20: 17. I can't seem to understand why Jesus calls the Father His God.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus call the Father His God?

John 20 Jesus John 20
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?: My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19: 34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?

John 19 Jesus communion John 19
Mike Winger idea 2022-10-21

Are Only Men Called to Sacrificially Love?: Can you explain how Ephesians 5: 25 is a particularly masculine command? Many verses including John 15: 12-13 call ALL believers to love one another sacrificially.

Q&A question: Are Only Men Called to Sacrificially Love?

Ephesians 5 John 15 Ephesians 5 John 15
Mike Winger idea 2022-10-21

Why didn’t JTB’s Followers just Follow Jesus?: Why did John the Baptist still have disciples after he clearly pointed out Jesus? Shouldn't they have followed Jesus?

Q&A question: Why didn’t JTB’s Followers just Follow Jesus?

John the Baptist Jesus John the Baptist
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Has Jesus Always Been God?: Our pastor said on Sunday that Jesus wasn’t God here on Earth until the baptism of John and descending of the Holy Spirit. It sounded really bad to my ears. Can you comment, please?

Q&A question: Has Jesus Always Been God?

Jesus baptism pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Did Jesus Overturn the Tables Twice?: Why is Jesus overturning the money tables in John 2 and not later when He enters Jerusalem (around John 11 or 12)? Did He do this 2 times and not just in His last week (Matthew 21: 12; Mark 11: 15)?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Overturn the Tables Twice?

Matthew John 11 Mark 11 Jesus Matthew John 11
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-16

Is Absolution or Absolving of Sins Biblical?: Does John 20: 23 and Matthew 6: 14 indicate that absolution (the act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful) is biblical?

Q&A question: Is Absolution or Absolving of Sins Biblical?

Matthew Matthew 6 John 20 Matthew Matthew 6 John 20
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Gospel Patterns?: Is Genesis 1:1-6 a foreshadowing of the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? John 1:1, Luke 1:1, Mark 1:1, Matthew 4: 17, and 1 John 1:1 all speak of beginning, then water, light, and darkness.

Q&A question: Gospel Patterns?

Genesis Genesis 1 John 1 Jesus Christ Jesus Genesis
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Q&A question: Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Can We Be as Close as the Disciples?: Do you think that we can have as personal and intimate of a relationship with Jesus as His twelve disciples did? I've heard 1 John 1:1-3 used to support this.

Q&A question: Can We Be as Close as the Disciples?

1 John 1 Jesus 1 John 1
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

When Translations Vary: What do we do when we find significant difference between translations (such as 1 John 5:7 in the KJV vs. modern translations)?

Q&A question: When Translations Vary

Bible translations
Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Should our Main Focus be Evangelism?: John Wesley says, “You have one business on this earth: to save souls.” Is Christlikeness or spiritual maturity chiefly a means to an end – of bringing people to Christ (Romans 8: 29, 2 Corinthians 3: 18, 2 Peter 3: 18)?

Q&A question: Should our Main Focus be Evangelism?

Romans 8 Peter Romans 8 angels
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Could the HS be Feminine?: Could the Holy Spirit be feminine? A biblically sound, wiser, older Christian in my life is unsure about this. He brings up decent arguments affirming this view, but then there's John 15: 26. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Could the HS be Feminine?

John 15 John 15
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?: What are your thoughts on John 15:2 and the Greek word for "takes away"? I've heard that it would be more accurately translated as "raise up." This word seems to change the meaning of the verse.

Q&A question: John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?

John 15 John 15
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement: Doesn't 1 John 2:2 blow the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement straight out of the water?

Q&A question: 1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement

1 John 2 1 John 2:2 atonement Calvinism 1 John 2
Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?: If the Bible says God loves those who love Him, thereby making a condition we have to fulfill for His love (Proverbs 8: 17, John 14: 21, 23), can we still say that God's love is unconditional (John 3:16, etc.)?

Q&A question: Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?

Proverbs 8 John 3:16 John 3 Proverbs 8 John 3:16 John 3
Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Angels Ascending & Descending?: What did Jesus mean in John 1: 51? Was it a specific word for Nathanael, or does it apply to everyone? Would really love some clarity.

Q&A question: Angels Ascending & Descending?

John 1 Nathan Jesus John 1
Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?: 1 John 4 says to “test the spirits.” But Mary's husband, Joseph, didn't appear to do this when he had the dream to flee to Egypt. How should we understand or interpret this?

Q&A question: Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?

1 John 4 Joseph marriage 1 John 4
Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?: Why didn’t Jesus water baptize anyone Himself (John 4:2)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?

John 4 John 4 Jesus baptism
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Do Christians Still Sin?: How should I understand 1 John 3 when it talks about those who abide in Christ no longer sinning, even as someone who continues to sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Still Sin?

1 John 3 1 John 3
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-15

Greater Works than Jesus?: In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?

Q&A question: Greater Works than Jesus?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-15

New Command or Old Command?: Why does 1 John 2:7 say that he is not writing a new command, but in the next verse (1 John 2:8) he says that he is writing a new command? What's going on here?

Q&A question: New Command or Old Command?

1 John 2 1 John 2
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Did Jesus Tell a Lie?: Did Jesus actually lie in John 7:6-11?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Tell a Lie?

John 7 Jesus John 7
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Mortal & Venial Sins?: 1 John 5: 16-17 seems to support the Roman Catholic understanding of mortal and venial sins. Is that the proper interpretation of this verse, and if not, how should we understand sin and the death it causes?

Q&A question: Mortal & Venial Sins?

Roman Catholicism
Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Bethlehem & The Messiah: Did people not know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (John 7: 41-43 NIV)? I feel like that would have cleared up some of their issues with Him being the Messiah!

Q&A question: Bethlehem & The Messiah

John 7 Jesus John 7
Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

How Did John have Materials to Write?: Were papyrus and writing supplies expensive? How did John, banished to the Island of Patmos, have all the necessary items to write down his Revelation?

Q&A question: How Did John have Materials to Write?

revelation revelation
Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Winger affirms the Father has authority over the Son but attributes this to the Incarnation (Phil 2:5-8), not necessarily to the eternal nature of the Trinity. He's open to but not convinced by Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS). Explicitly says he does NOT use EFS to defend complementarianism.

Q: Do many scriptures showing different authority levels between Father and Jesus mean the Father has higher authority? (John 14:28, 1 Cor 11:3, Matt 28:18)

1 Corinthians 11:3 Philippians 2:5-8 John 14:28 complementarianism headship Trinity
Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Has Anyone Seen God?: John 1: 18 tells us, “No man has seen God at any time…” but in Genesis 32: 30, Jacob says, “I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved.” Which is it?

Q&A question: Has Anyone Seen God?

Genesis John 1 Genesis 32 Jacob Genesis John 1
Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Jesus Leaves & Advocate Comes – Modalism?: Why is the Advocate unable to come unless Jesus leaves (John 16:7)? Why does this not imply Modalism?

Q&A question: Jesus Leaves & Advocate Comes – Modalism?

John 16 Jesus John 16
Mike Winger idea 2024-04-26

John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?: How should we understand John's rejection of being Elijah and a prophet (John 1: 21), while Jesus affirmed it (Matthew 11: 14)?

Q&A question: John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?

John 1 Matthew Jesus Elijah prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?: 1 John 1:9 perplexes me. I am a Christian. In what sense does my daily confession apply "forgiveness" to me? What happens if I die with “unforgiven” sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?

1 John 1 forgiveness 1 John 1
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?: Did Peter and the others "quit the ministry" when they went fishing in John 21:3? It seems that Peter had already seen the risen Christ 2 or 3 times before this event.

Q&A question: Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?

John 21 Peter John 21
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-31

Did Jesus Baptize?: Considering John 3: 22 and 4:2, did Jesus Himself baptize others, or not? A Mormon brought this up to me, and the only thing I could think of was that John 3: 22 wasn’t actually saying Jesus baptized, perhaps only that He oversaw the baptisms. Any insight?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Baptize?

John 3 Jesus baptism Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-31

Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?: Why do we assume that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is not about God, but presumably about Satan? In the context of chapters 3 and 4, and also in other verses, we learn that God veils/blinds eyes (ex: John 12: 40, Romans 11:8).

Q&A question: Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?

2 Corinthians 4:4 Romans 11 John 12 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan Romans 11
Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

What Exactly Is Sin?: What exactly is sin? Is there a difference between sins against the flesh and sins against the heart/spirit? Does 1 John 5: 17 have anything to do with that? Is sin only sin when it causes death?

Q&A question: What Exactly Is Sin?

death and afterlife
Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Slaves or Friends of Christ?: Does Jesus “call” us His slaves? In John 15: 15 He says He does not, but in Revelation 2: 20 He seems to do so.

Q&A question: Slaves or Friends of Christ?

revelation John 15 Revelation 2 Jesus revelation John 15
Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Mixed Messages in Scripture?: I lost my faith due to all the mixed messages in the Bible. For example, is salvation by faith alone like John 5: 24, or faith plus works like James 2? Why doesn’t this cause you to doubt?

Q&A question: Mixed Messages in Scripture?

James James 2 John 5 James salvation James 2
Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Receiving the Holy Spirit: When does a Christian receive the Holy Spirit? The apostles, it seems, received the Holy Spirit twice (John 20: 22, Acts 2:1-4). Others had different experiences (Acts 8: 14-17, 11: 15, 19:1-6).

Q&A question: Receiving the Holy Spirit

Acts 2 Acts 8 John 20 Acts 2 Acts 8 Apostles
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Was Jesus Silent?: In Mark and Matthew, Jesus remains silent which amazes Pilate, but in John, He delivers explanations. What are your thoughts on this subject, and how would you handle it when presented?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Silent?

Matthew Jesus Matthew Pilate
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: Where does the Bible teach that the deity of Jesus is a salvation/damnation issue? For example, in Athens (Acts 17), it seems weird that Paul didn't explicitly teach this. John 8, perhaps?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

Acts 17 John 8 Acts 17 Jesus salvation
Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Does Sin Cause Illness?: Does sinning cause physical illness? Does refraining from sinning stop it? John 9:3 and John 5: 14 seem to say both are true. Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Does Sin Cause Illness?

John 9 John 5 John 9 John 5
Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Was Simon Always “Peter”?: Catholics always say Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. However, previous verses (Matthew 16: 16, John 21: 15, Matthew 4: 18, and Luke 5:8) refer to him as Simon Peter. Jesus says, “You are Peter…” not “From now on, you are Peter.” Was Simon always known as Peter?

Q&A question: Was Simon Always “Peter”?

Matthew 16 Matthew John 21 Peter Roman Catholicism Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Eschatological Connections: Do Dispensational Premillennials see a connection between John 12: 31 and Revelation 20:1-3?

Q&A question: Eschatological Connections

revelation John 12 Revelation 20 eschatology revelation John 12
Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

David’s Salvation – Murderer?: If according to John, no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3: 15), how do we explain David’s salvation, since he had Uriah killed?

Q&A question: David’s Salvation – Murderer?

1 John 3 David salvation 1 John 3
Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Water & Blood: 1 John 4: What is the significance of the water and the blood in 1 John 4:6, 8?

Q&A question: Water & Blood: 1 John 4

1 John 4 1 John 4
Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?: Jesus tells the apostles that the Holy Spirit will “teach them all things” (John 14: 16) and “guide them into all the truth” (John 16: 13). What exactly does this entail, and was it only for the apostles?

Q&A question: Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?

John 16 Jesus John 16 Apostles
Mike Winger idea 2025-02-21

Andrew’s vs. Peter’s Calling: Matthew 4: 18-22 and John 1: 35-42 seem to have two very different accounts of how Andrew and Peter were called to follow Christ. Can you please explain this?

Q&A question: Andrew’s vs. Peter’s Calling

John 1 Matthew Matthew 4 Peter John 1 Andrew
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the Father to let the cup pass from Him. I've understood the cup to be God's wrath, but Jesus says a few chapters later that James & John will drink it, too.

Q&A question: Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?

James James Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-28

Support for Limited Atonement?: How does John 17:9 work alongside John 3: 16? Could John 17:9 be a valid point toward Limited Atonement? I do not want to believe in Limited Atonement, but I see verses like this and wonder.

Q&A question: Support for Limited Atonement?

John 3 atonement John 3
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-28

Agape vs. Phileo Love: Are agape and phileo love synonymous in Greek? John 3: 19 & John 12: 43 use agape for loving darkness and men's praise, respectively, while John 5: 20 uses phileo to describe the Father's love for the Son.

Q&A question: Agape vs. Phileo Love

John 5 John 12 John 3 John 5 John 12 John 3