Baptists/death

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Expert: - 9/29/2009


Question
When we die are we instantly in the precence of the Lord in heaven or do we go to a place of holding until judgement day?

Answer
   Good Question. Thank you so much for asking. Celo, when we die will go straight to Heaven. There is no holding tank like some religions teach. Let's look at John 5:24 states "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Jesus is saying that anyone who believes in him will have everlasting life, and we will pass directy from death to life with him in Heaven. But if you are not saved then you will take the eternal train to the other way (to Hell) which John menitions as "come into condemnation."
   2 Cor. 5:8 states "We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Paul is saying we can be confident that when we die we will be absent from the body and then be in the present of the Lord. This verse totally defeats the idea you stated  "do we go to a place of holding until judgement day?" David Guzik states that 2 Cor. 5:8 "proves two false doctrines to be false. It refutes the false doctrine of “soul sleep,” (saying that the believing dead are held in some sort of suspended animation until the resurrection occurs) and the false doctrine of “purgatory” (saying that the believing dead must be “cleaned up” through their own suffering before coming into the presence of God)." The Seventh Adventist Church believes in soul sleep and the Catholics believe in purgatory. Both are false doctrine. When Jesus was resurrected from the dead, that ended any state of purgatory.

   Cleo, you do not have to fear death as long as you have repented of your sins, ask Jesus to be your Savior, have a relationship with him, and serve in your local congregation.

   I hope this helps.

   May God Richly Bless You Today.

Dr Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD  

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Dr Don Howe

Expertise

I welcome questions that deal with theological issues, relationship issues, church history, world religions, current events from a Christian worldview, "gray areas" that are present today, church growth movements, false prophets, spiritual abuse issues, end time events, prophecy, medical ethical issues, hermeneutical questions, and how Israel fits into God's economy today. I will answer all questions in a grammatical/historical normative interpretation of God's Word. If I can not answer a question, I will do the research and find the answer if available. If you are looking for a liberal theological answer or agrument, do not ask. I am not an expert on church planting or evangelism.

Experience

I have over 27 years of experience doing ministry as a bivocational minster/professional nurse. I do ministry as a volunteer with ministries that are nonprofit and not able to pay for ministers. I have experience working with youth, children, elderly in different placement settings, mentally ill and mentally challenged in different settings, felons in state prison and county jails, hospital chaplancy, choir ministry, and deacon ministry. I am an ordained SBC minister. I am a Professional Chaplain. I am currently doing hospital minstry, ministry to shut-ins, and a chaplain with Victim Relief Ministry working with victims of diasters and domestic violence. I work as psychiatric nurse in large county jail system.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors, Baptist Nursing Fellowship, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Therpon Institute, Victim Chaplain & Counselor Association of America, International Board of Christian Counselors, American Society of Christian Therapists.

Publications
N/A

Education/Credentials
PhD, Therapon University, USVI, 12/07 in Biblical Counseling, DCC, Southwest Bible College & Seminary, Jenning, LA 04/05 in Christian Psychology and Counseling. ThD, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 02/04 D.D., Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 07/03 Tyndale Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 2001-2003 BSN, Univ. of Texas in Arlington, Tx 05/93 ADN, Midwestern State Univ., Wichitia Falls, TX 5/77 Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Externship 08/04-12/05, 4 units of CPE earned.

Awards and Honors
Board Certified Christian Counselor by International Board of Christian Counselors. Issued 01/24/06.

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