Episode 458 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Can we be filled the Holy Spirit by asking to be filled with him? How do I receive the Holy Spirit like on Pentecost?  2. I have often heard people say after the death of a loved one, “I really miss my dad, but I know that he is now looking out for me.” They often point to rainbows, white feathers, or other “signs” of evidence of their loved one’s continuing presence in their lives. As a pastor, I have struggled with how to respond to this idea. I know that for them it is sentimentally comforting and helpful, but I also know that it is a false comfort. A believer who dies is in the presence of God, not floating about over us. And a non-believer has his attention quite occupied in other ways. Even though I have taught about our hope in Christ and the reality for a believer that being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, members of my own congregation would say things like this. Any thoughts on what one can say to popular but misguided thoughts about death?  3. Do Satanists and witches blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Is that true? Can anyone be forgiven? 4. Thanks for your radio program. What you’re doing is important because I don’t see that most believers have a basic knowledge of what the Bible teaches.  I listen to you while I work in my engineering office. Here is my question:  can the believers who have already gone to heaven pray for us still on earth? Resources The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption by Dennis Johnson Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification by Sinclair B. Ferguson Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 970 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com

Episode 461 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Jesus is often called the son of David in the New Testament. However, his genealogy given in Matthew is connected to Joseph, his adopted father. Luke’s genealogy differs, but he also traces Jesus’ lineage through Joseph. How is Jesus the son of David, and thus the Messiah, if he is only related to David through Joseph, who wasn’t his real father? This has caused a lot of doubt for me.  2. My little niece asked, “Who made God? And who is the Holy Spirit?”  3. My question is in reference to the role of the Holy Spirit today versus in the Old Testament, specifically in the lives of believers. I know that we are sealed with the Spirit at conversion when we repent and put our faith in Jesus. And I know that Old Testament Jews were saved by faith in the same way we are today. But when I look at my life of sanctification and how God has delivered me from some very egregious sin patterns, it makes me wonder how Old Testament Jews would fight sin in their life. My understanding is that the Holy Spirit would indwell only select individuals and only temporarily during the time of the Old Testament. If this is true, does that mean that the vast majority of Old Testament Jews would fight sin without the help of the Holy Spirit? The growth I have seen in my walk with Christ is without a doubt a work of the Holy Spirit. I can’t imagine fighting the ‘sin battle’ without the work of the Spirit. I know that apart from Christ, I wouldn’t even seek a life of holiness. Thank you again and I appreciate your thoughts on this. God bless.  4. In Acts 5 once Ananias and Sapphirias were found out and each died on the spot, did they go to heaven, or were they sent to hell?  Resources Kids Say the Darndest Things (Theology Edition) by Adriel Sanchez Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.