Is neutral witchcraft that won’t harm, curse, or effect anyone in any way against the Bible, and if it is, why?

Sincerely,
Something’s Brewing

Dear Something’s Brewing,

There is no such thing as “neutral” witchcraft that won’t affect anyone.  Anything that is wrong always hurts someone – even if it just hurts you.  Anything that departs from God is sin (Ps 18:21).  Witchcraft, by design, places your trust in the occult.  Witchcraft, of any type, is always wrong (1 Sam 15:23).  We must choose whether we trust witchcraft to guide our life or whether we trust God to guide it (Matt 6:24).  When Paul preached in Ephesus, many of those who practiced magical arts converted, burned their books, and confessed their sins (Acts 19:17-20).  That is the only proper way to deal with witchcraft… burn the behavior up and never practice it again.

Is consuming herb, also called ‘marijuana’, a sin?  I refer to Gen 1 on the third day.

Sincerely,
Not Basil & Chives

Dear Not Basil & Chives,

Yes, consuming marijuana for “recreational” purposes is wrong.  Yes, God created every green herb on day three (Gen 1:11-13), but He didn’t create them to be used inappropriately.  God condemns drunkenness and insobriety (Rom 13:13, 1 Cor 6:10).  If any drug, including marijuana, is used to create a state of drunkenness – then, yes, it is a sin.

God created everything in this world for our good, and He created us for good works (Eph 2:10).  Abusing the plants and herbs that God has blessed this world with harms us and is a sin.  When we don’t treat our bodies with respect, we harm ourselves as well as displeasing God (1 Cor 6:19-20).  Glorify God in your body and stay free of the damaging effects of drugs.

I have a friend that is a christian, but the father of her child is not.  They no longer date, but she still cares for him.  He will not work or spend time with his child.  He does not give the child financial support.  He studied the Bible for a short time but lost interest because nothing changed in his life.  Apart from her own interests, she still wants to be with him for the child's sake.  He wants to control her and does not want her to date other guys.  He becomes very upset when she dates christian guys.  What does the Bible say about their relationship? And what advice can I give her according to the Bible?

Sincerely,
Aiding A Friend

Dear Aiding A Friend,

As we often say when we answer these types of questions – we here at AYP will avoid the details of the personal aspect of this question and deal primarily with the Bible one.  There is no quick and easy answer for the personal side that can be addressed through a website.  These kinds of problems take godly friends, faith, and time to sort out.

The emotional baggage involved with this situation is sticky, but the Bible facts are simple.  She is not married to this man and has ZERO responsibility to date/court/marry someone that meets his approval.  An ungodly man disliking godly choices is nothing new (Jhn 3:20).  Without dwelling upon the past choices that led her to having a child with a man she is not married to, it is fair to say that she will only find a good life for herself and her child if she makes better choices… godly choices (Gal 6:7-9).  She needs to begin sowing a better life for herself.  The only hope she has of finding a life that is good for herself (and for her child – Pr 22:6) is to begin to fear God and keep His commandments above all else (Ps 111:10).  Only when we prize God above all other relationships do we succeed in life.  Serving Christ often brings great strife into our lives, but ultimately it bears the fruit of long-term peace (Gal 5:22).  Even though it sets us at odds with those around us, including loved ones, we must press on and endure, so that we might be found worthy of Christ (Matt 10:34-38).  Christianity is about making Bible choices regardless of how hard they might seem.

Doesn't the Bible (or Jesus) clearly state you must receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to be saved or enter heaven?  If so, how do I receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Sincerely,
Want To Be Holy

Dear Want To Be Holy,

You do not need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit in order to be saved.  In fact, the book of Acts gives a clear example of a group of people who were christians but hadn’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-16).  The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a miraculous event that endowed people with miraculous abilities.  It happened to the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and it happened to Cornelius and his household when the first Gentiles were preached to (Acts 10:44-45).  Holy Spirit baptism doesn’t save you; water baptism is what saves you (1 Pet 3:21, Mk 16:16).  In fact, when Cornelius and his household were filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter said that they still needed to be baptized in water (Acts 10:46-48).  Holy Spirit baptism was a temporary miraculous gift used to spread the Gospel in the first century before we had the completed Bible, but now that we have a perfect Bible, there is no longer any need for miracles (1 Cor 13:8-10).  If you want to have your sins forgiven, you need to be baptized in water.  Read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” for further details.

Is it unbiblical for a girl to baptize someone?  I do not believe there are any examples of it.  I assumed it would at least be okay for a girl to baptize another girl, but I do not believe there are any direct commands or similar examples.  I am not asking in terms of whether it would be acceptable if we were the last two people on the earth – but just in every day circumstances.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Not All Wet

Dear Not All Wet,

You are right that there are no examples of women baptizing anyone; however, we must also consider that what we know of baptism places zero emphasis upon the one doing the baptizing… all the emphasis is placed upon what happens to the one who is baptized.

Every time that baptism is mentioned in the New Testament, it addresses what happens to the person who is baptized.  All the requirements and blessings of baptism that are mentioned in the New Testament are directed at the one going under the water.  Some examples are:

1. Buried in Christ (Rom 6:4)
2. Required to do it in Jesus’ name (Acts 10:48)
3. Must believe (Mk 16:16)
4. Receive salvation (1 Pet 3:21)
5. Must repent (Acts 2:38)

Although it is true that there is never an example of a female baptizing anyone, we would hesitate on being too dogmatic on the issue.  God seems to make it clear that He cares about the attitude, character, and choices of the one being baptized, not the one doing the baptizing.  Our opinion (emphasis upon opinion) is that if a man is able to do the baptism – he should, but it would be inappropriate to say that a baptism was illegitimate because a woman did it.