Bible Questions and Answers

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(All quotations from the King James translation unless stated otherwise).

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

The saying has to be understood in its context.

Mark 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Jesus could heal any infirmity, even raising the dead, but only on the basis that they who applied for his help believed on him. It is in this sense that ‘all things are possible to him that believeth’. At Nazareth because they knew him as the carpenter’s son few would believe that he could work miracles and as a result he did very little.

Matthew 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

With his miracles, as with the forgiveness of sins, belief or faith in him was paramount. The miracles that he worked were God’s testimony that he could also give them remission of sins. Belief in this was far more important than physical healing. Physical healing was only temporary for they would all eventually die. Spiritual healing through the forgiveness of sins was far more important because it gave hope of everlasting life at Christ’s return. Healing and forgiveness of sins was linked so we can grasp the teaching.

Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Physical healing by Christ is not available today as it was in the first century but spiritual healing by the forgiveness of our sins is.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

In the same way that all physical and mental illnesses could be healed, if they would believe in him, so all sins can be forgiven if we will believe.

Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

When we come to an understanding of the gospel and are baptised into Christ all our past sins are forgiven. There is no sin which cannot be forgiven when we come to believe in Christ.

It is a great comfort during a life lived in Christ with our weaknesses and failings that because all things are possible to those that believe in him we can have hope of life at his return despite our shortcomings.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

If you want to come to grips with what the Bible really teaches, why not take the free Bible study course on https://www.thisisyourbible.com? You may take this course either online or by regular mail.

This course will give you a background in the major themes of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. As with everything we offer, there is no cost to you other than your time and effort. You will also have a personal tutor to whom you may pose questions either from the course itself or those questions which come to you as you read the Bible.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless!
Glenn,
https://www.thisisyourbible.com