Scripture tells us that he prayed un to the Lord out of the fish’s belly. The very fact that he prayed about his physical condition would indicate that he was still in this life and con scious. In verse 7 he says, “When my soul fainted within me.” He didn’t say his soul had died, or that he had gone out of this life. Contrast this with Lazarus in John 11. He was brought back and there is noth ing stated about his praying before he was raised, while we do hear about his statements afterwards. Do not make the parallels between Jonah and our Lord Jesus beyond the pe riod of time. Everything else was different. He was only a man. He was disobedient. He was asked to go to only one nation, etc. Q. Bakersfield, Calif. — “I have heard you answer this once before, but could you tell me i f it’s possible for a Christian to commit suicide and still be saved? Some say they are demon-possessed.” A. We do not believe that all people who commit suicide are demon-pos sessed. Temporarily, at least, they are mentally deranged. It is possi ble that one may commit suicide and still be saved. At the moment his mind is sick and unbalanced and he is not responsible. Q. Reedley, Calif. — “What does it mean in the Bible when it tells us that we are not to have anything to do with spirits?” A. This refers to consulting with mediums and spiritists. The hidden things that God wants to conceal be long to Him. We are not to pry into areas which God has not revealed in His Word. Much that purports to be divine revelation comes from a de monic source. Test out whether these things are of God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that con
fessed that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confessed not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” See what these individ uals say about the incarnation of the Second Person in the Godhead. Q. Glendale, Calif. — "How can I be sure that God hears my prayers, and how can / improve my prayer life? Why is there an empty feeling after I pray sometimes?” A. Remember the scriptural truth, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” We can be sure that God answers our prayers because He has told us in His Word that He does so. Take Him a t His Word. We may not always have our prayers answered according to our own desires. You must have more faith in God than you have in your prayers. If you have your faith firm ly fixed in God and realize that He is the One who knows best what you need and what should come to you,
Dr. Ray A. Myers, (left) chairman of the Biola Board of Directors, presents a special plaque to Dr. Wallace Emerson who retiresthis year from the Biola staf after serving nearlytwo decades. Dr. Emerson was first president of Westmont Colege and joined the Biola staff heading upthe department ofpsycholgy.Look ing on is Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland, Biola president.
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