The Carter Report presents Plain Talk with John Carter. 00:00:04.50\00:00:09.80 Hello, friend. I'm John Carter. 00:00:16.61\00:00:19.21 Welcome today to Plain Talk with the Carter Report. 00:00:19.25\00:00:24.45 People around the world send us their questions. 00:00:24.49\00:00:27.36 They come from Africa, United States of America, 00:00:27.39\00:00:31.13 Australia, Great Britain, even Saudi Arabia. 00:00:31.16\00:00:35.13 And people are saying to us, we want some plain answers 00:00:35.16\00:00:39.33 and we want some plain talk. 00:00:39.37\00:00:42.27 Welcome today to the Carter Report. 00:00:42.30\00:00:47.64 Hi, I'm John Carter. 00:00:47.68\00:00:49.74 My wife Beverly and I 00:00:49.78\00:00:51.11 were watching television the other night 00:00:51.15\00:00:52.48 watching the news, American News. 00:00:52.51\00:00:55.22 They told us that the church in North America 00:00:55.25\00:00:57.42 is actually shrinking. 00:00:57.45\00:00:59.49 They said that atheism is the fastest growing 00:00:59.52\00:01:01.96 religious movement today in North America. 00:01:01.99\00:01:04.79 And people are saying 00:01:04.83\00:01:06.16 what on earth can we do to save the Church. 00:01:06.19\00:01:08.66 Well, of course, Christ died for the church, 00:01:08.70\00:01:10.50 He saved the church. 00:01:10.53\00:01:11.97 But what they mean is how can we keep the church 00:01:12.00\00:01:14.64 as a vibrant force in the world today, 00:01:14.67\00:01:17.01 in Australia, in America and in Europe 00:01:17.04\00:01:19.37 and in rest of the world. 00:01:19.41\00:01:20.91 Let me tell you a little story. 00:01:20.94\00:01:22.71 John Wesley was one of the greatest preachers 00:01:22.74\00:01:24.75 of the English speaking world has ever heard. 00:01:24.78\00:01:27.95 John Wesley came upon the scene of the church in England 00:01:27.98\00:01:31.55 a few hundred years ago, when the church was dying. 00:01:31.59\00:01:34.39 Like the church today, it was a shrinking church. 00:01:34.42\00:01:38.19 But the people in the church were in a state of denial. 00:01:38.23\00:01:40.93 They refused to accept the reality 00:01:40.96\00:01:43.20 that the church was dying. 00:01:43.23\00:01:45.03 John Wesley did something 00:01:45.07\00:01:46.57 that other people said couldn't be done. 00:01:46.60\00:01:48.87 He revived the church through public evangelism. 00:01:48.90\00:01:52.47 Did you hear that? 00:01:52.51\00:01:53.84 He started to preach Christ, he preached the Bible 00:01:53.88\00:01:56.91 and he preached out of doors and indoors. 00:01:56.95\00:01:59.55 And the church was saved. 00:01:59.58\00:02:01.92 Not only did he save a lot of souls, 00:02:01.95\00:02:04.29 the souls of sinners, 00:02:04.32\00:02:05.85 he saved the souls of the saints. 00:02:05.89\00:02:10.13 Please join me, my friend, in evangelism. 00:02:10.16\00:02:15.36 It's what Jesus did. 00:02:15.40\00:02:17.50 Write to me, John Carter, Post office Box 1900, 00:02:17.53\00:02:21.37 Thousand Oaks, California. 00:02:21.40\00:02:22.87 In Australia, write to me at the address on the screen 00:02:22.90\00:02:26.71 at Terrigal, in New South Wales. 00:02:26.74\00:02:29.94 Join me, my friend, in preaching Christ. 00:02:29.98\00:02:33.85 Join me in public evangelism around the world. 00:02:33.88\00:02:39.19 Thank you. In Jesus' name. 00:02:39.22\00:02:41.99 What is the difference between 00:02:48.90\00:02:50.30 Protestantism and Roman Catholicism? 00:02:50.33\00:02:53.90 Good question. 00:02:53.94\00:02:55.27 Most people would say, 00:02:55.30\00:02:57.01 "I don't know and I don't care." 00:02:57.04\00:03:00.38 Because as long as you believe in God 00:03:00.41\00:03:02.21 and we all love each other, 00:03:02.24\00:03:03.78 and we're going to have one big super church soon, 00:03:03.81\00:03:06.95 and it's just going to be wonderful. 00:03:06.98\00:03:11.89 I really don't believe that stuff. 00:03:11.92\00:03:14.62 I believe that truth matters. 00:03:14.66\00:03:17.23 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." 00:03:17.26\00:03:21.06 Jesus said, "You will know the truth. 00:03:21.10\00:03:24.90 The truth will make you free." 00:03:24.93\00:03:26.63 So truth matters. Now I love Roman Catholics. 00:03:26.67\00:03:33.04 My dear old dad was a Roman Catholic 00:03:33.07\00:03:35.48 for most of his life, until he became 00:03:35.51\00:03:38.68 baptized into Christ, as an adult towards 00:03:38.71\00:03:41.88 the end of his life. 00:03:41.92\00:03:44.02 Many of my relatives, 00:03:44.05\00:03:46.05 most of my relatives are Roman Catholics. 00:03:46.09\00:03:49.49 So of course, I love Roman Catholics. 00:03:49.52\00:03:52.93 But I'm not a Roman Catholic. 00:03:52.96\00:03:55.06 And there must be some reason. 00:03:55.10\00:03:57.93 Except for some would call fate, 00:03:57.97\00:04:01.60 I could have been a Roman Catholic priest. 00:04:01.64\00:04:07.08 But I'm a Protestant because of my convictions. 00:04:07.11\00:04:12.31 I do not belong to the church of my father's. 00:04:12.35\00:04:16.75 I belong to the church, 00:04:16.79\00:04:18.35 pardon my saying it, of the Bible. 00:04:18.39\00:04:23.29 Why? 00:04:23.32\00:04:24.66 What is the difference between 00:04:24.69\00:04:26.63 Roman Catholicism and the Protestants? 00:04:26.66\00:04:29.66 What is the difference? 00:04:29.70\00:04:32.57 God has got His people in all religions. 00:04:32.60\00:04:34.67 Did you know that? 00:04:34.70\00:04:36.50 Man looks on the outward appearance 00:04:36.54\00:04:38.41 but God looks on the heart. 00:04:38.44\00:04:40.88 God can see the hearts of people. 00:04:40.91\00:04:42.81 And there are many wonderful Christian people 00:04:42.84\00:04:46.08 in the great Roman Catholic Church 00:04:46.11\00:04:48.45 that I respect. 00:04:48.48\00:04:50.92 Even though I don't believe in obeying that church, 00:04:50.95\00:04:54.12 I believe in respecting that church. 00:04:54.16\00:04:56.99 And let me tell you the difference 00:04:57.03\00:04:59.73 or the differences. 00:04:59.76\00:05:01.73 Number one, Sola Scriptura. 00:05:01.76\00:05:06.17 That's what Martin Luther taught. 00:05:06.20\00:05:08.37 That's the Latin for only the Bible, 00:05:08.40\00:05:11.74 only the word of God. 00:05:11.77\00:05:13.27 Martin Luther said, 00:05:13.31\00:05:14.64 "My conscience is captive to the word of God." 00:05:14.68\00:05:19.71 Now Roman Catholics, 00:05:19.75\00:05:21.88 and we love them, believe in Scripture 00:05:21.92\00:05:25.32 but also the voice of the church, 00:05:25.35\00:05:28.29 the voice of the church fathers'. 00:05:28.32\00:05:30.59 I know some Protestants who are pretty much the same. 00:05:30.63\00:05:34.23 They believe in the Bible, 00:05:34.26\00:05:36.30 plus tradition and the voice of their church. 00:05:36.33\00:05:40.47 I don't. 00:05:40.50\00:05:41.84 I believe in the Protestant principle 00:05:41.87\00:05:43.91 of Sola Scriptura. 00:05:43.94\00:05:45.97 What we can't get out of the Bible, 00:05:46.01\00:05:48.88 I will not believe. 00:05:48.91\00:05:52.01 I believe in Sola Christus, only Christ. 00:05:52.05\00:05:56.69 I don't believe that I'm saved by the saints 00:05:56.72\00:05:58.92 or the Blessed Virgin Mary. 00:05:58.95\00:06:00.92 I don't pray to the saints. 00:06:00.96\00:06:02.46 Because I believe that Jesus is sufficient. 00:06:02.49\00:06:06.59 Only Christ, not Christ plus, only Christ. 00:06:06.63\00:06:12.37 I disagree with my Catholic friends 00:06:12.40\00:06:14.67 on their understanding of the gospel 00:06:14.70\00:06:17.94 and justification. 00:06:17.97\00:06:19.84 The Church of Rome teaches that justification 00:06:19.87\00:06:22.48 makes a person righteous. 00:06:22.51\00:06:25.45 That's what they said in the Council of Trent. 00:06:25.48\00:06:27.82 I don't believe that. 00:06:27.85\00:06:29.35 I believe in Sola Gratia, Sola Fida, 00:06:29.38\00:06:34.02 only grace, only faith. 00:06:34.06\00:06:36.39 I believe that justification is a declaration that the sinner, 00:06:36.42\00:06:41.86 because of the merits of Christ Jesus 00:06:41.90\00:06:44.93 is declared righteous. 00:06:44.97\00:06:46.80 The Church of Rome doesn't believe that. 00:06:46.84\00:06:49.70 I don't believe in purgatory. 00:06:49.74\00:06:51.77 I don't believe in an eternally burning hell. 00:06:51.81\00:06:55.51 I do not believe 00:06:55.54\00:06:57.55 in the priesthood on this earth. 00:06:57.58\00:06:59.51 I do not believe in the pope as the number one priest. 00:06:59.55\00:07:05.49 I believe the number one priest is Jesus Christ, my Lord. 00:07:05.52\00:07:10.93 I read about this in the book on the sanctuary, 00:07:10.96\00:07:13.86 the Book of Hebrews. 00:07:13.90\00:07:15.60 I don't believe in confessing my sins to a priest. 00:07:15.63\00:07:19.73 I believe in confessing my sins to Christ. 00:07:19.77\00:07:23.00 He is my High Priest. 00:07:23.04\00:07:26.07 I don't believe in religious relics. 00:07:26.11\00:07:28.78 I don't believe in penance. I don't believe in fiestas. 00:07:28.81\00:07:35.35 I don't believe in the holy days of the church. 00:07:35.38\00:07:38.35 I believe in the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 00:07:38.39\00:07:45.09 So there are differences. 00:07:45.13\00:07:47.73 And those differences are significant. 00:07:47.76\00:07:51.23 And by the grace of God, I want you to follow Christ. 00:07:51.27\00:07:54.87 Don't follow me. Don't follow me. 00:07:54.90\00:07:57.74 Don't follow the church. 00:07:57.77\00:07:59.27 I say to you, follow Christ and follow the Bible. 00:07:59.31\00:08:04.75 Are Mary and the apostles in heaven? 00:08:04.78\00:08:08.38 The angel said, "From henceforth, 00:08:08.42\00:08:10.25 everybody is going to call you blessed." 00:08:10.29\00:08:12.92 So it's right to talk about the Blessed Virgin Mary. 00:08:12.95\00:08:17.13 Because at that time, when she had our Lord, 00:08:17.16\00:08:21.40 she was the Blessed Virgin Mary. 00:08:21.43\00:08:26.37 And the apostles, Peter, James, John, Paul, all of them. 00:08:26.40\00:08:31.91 Mighty people, people of God. 00:08:31.94\00:08:34.64 Mary Magdalene, 00:08:34.68\00:08:36.04 one of the great saints of the church, 00:08:36.08\00:08:37.81 well, the great saints of God. 00:08:37.85\00:08:40.32 But they're not in heaven. 00:08:40.35\00:08:42.68 "What?" 00:08:42.72\00:08:44.05 "What heresy is this that you're saying?" 00:08:44.09\00:08:46.15 Well, I'm telling you what the Bible says. 00:08:46.19\00:08:49.19 Can I share, maybe one text with you? 00:08:49.22\00:08:53.26 Let me see if I can find it. 00:08:53.29\00:08:55.96 Let's hope this Bible is gonna help me today 00:08:56.00\00:08:58.50 turn to the text, okay. 00:08:58.53\00:09:01.00 John Chapter 11 talks about 00:09:01.04\00:09:02.94 what happens when a good person dies. 00:09:02.97\00:09:07.18 "After He said this, He said, 00:09:07.21\00:09:10.55 'Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep. 00:09:10.58\00:09:12.75 But I'm going there to wake him up.' 00:09:12.78\00:09:16.12 Then He says, 'Lazarus is dead.' 00:09:16.15\00:09:19.85 'Lazarus is sleeping.' 'Lazarus is Dead.'" 00:09:19.89\00:09:23.69 When a person dies, 00:09:23.73\00:09:25.69 he sleeps in the grave until the resurrection. 00:09:25.73\00:09:30.10 So how can a sleeping saint, awaiting the resurrection, 00:09:30.13\00:09:35.50 hear your prayers? 00:09:35.54\00:09:37.71 He cannot. 00:09:37.74\00:09:39.64 Therefore, we do not pray to the dead for the dead. 00:09:39.67\00:09:46.65 What advice do you give to people 00:09:46.68\00:09:48.62 who want a life transformation? 00:09:48.65\00:09:51.79 If you want a life transformation, 00:09:51.82\00:09:56.36 the Bible says that the word of God 00:09:56.39\00:09:58.83 is mighty and powerful. 00:09:58.86\00:10:01.63 This is not an ordinary book. 00:10:01.66\00:10:03.73 This is the living word of the living God. 00:10:03.77\00:10:08.80 If it gets inside you, you will have a transformation. 00:10:08.84\00:10:13.11 Whether you're a drug addict, an adulterer, 00:10:13.14\00:10:15.48 a murderer, a cheat, I don't care. 00:10:15.51\00:10:18.31 But you've got to do a bit of discipline. 00:10:18.35\00:10:20.65 You've got to start to read it. 00:10:20.68\00:10:22.95 The reason most people don't read the Bible 00:10:22.98\00:10:24.85 is either because they're too busy, 00:10:24.89\00:10:26.32 or they're too lazy, or are they're too indifferent. 00:10:26.35\00:10:30.43 And I don't care. I want to tell you something. 00:10:30.46\00:10:35.20 If you will take the time to read the four gospels, 00:10:35.23\00:10:39.10 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 00:10:39.13\00:10:41.24 for 30 minutes every day, 00:10:41.27\00:10:43.51 a miracle will happen in your life. 00:10:43.54\00:10:46.17 But it's not going to happen until you do something, 00:10:46.21\00:10:49.58 so that God can help you. 00:10:49.61\00:10:51.35 But if you will read the four gospels, 00:10:51.38\00:10:53.05 starting today, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, 00:10:53.08\00:10:55.85 read them slowly, prayerfully, thoughtfully. 00:10:55.88\00:10:58.05 If you read the gospels half an hour a day, 00:10:58.09\00:11:02.29 you will be transformed. 00:11:02.32\00:11:03.66 A miracle will happen in your life. 00:11:03.69\00:11:09.03 Dear Pastor Carter, thank you for your excellent teachings. 00:11:09.06\00:11:12.87 I would like to get your thoughts 00:11:12.90\00:11:14.24 on Matthew 27:53-57. 00:11:14.27\00:11:18.44 This event in my mind is unimaginable. 00:11:18.47\00:11:21.41 And as far as I know, 00:11:21.44\00:11:22.78 it is never mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. 00:11:22.81\00:11:26.21 It says this, starting verse 53. 00:11:26.25\00:11:31.09 Verse 52, "The tombs broke open. 00:11:31.12\00:11:34.06 The bodies of many holy people 00:11:34.09\00:11:36.52 who had died were raised to life. 00:11:36.56\00:11:40.20 They came out of the tombs and after Jesus' resurrection, 00:11:40.23\00:11:43.50 they went into the holy city and appeared to many people." 00:11:43.53\00:11:47.30 I think this is the question. 00:11:47.34\00:11:49.87 We're told that when Jesus died, 00:11:49.90\00:11:53.14 the tombs were broken up 00:11:53.17\00:11:55.64 and the bodies of many of the saints 00:11:55.68\00:11:57.71 walked out of those tombs. 00:11:57.75\00:12:00.12 And at the time of the resurrection 00:12:00.15\00:12:01.48 or after the resurrection, 00:12:01.52\00:12:03.08 they went into the city of Jerusalem. 00:12:03.12\00:12:06.32 And they appeared to many people. 00:12:06.35\00:12:08.36 Now my question, it says 00:12:08.39\00:12:11.26 this is almost too hard to believe. 00:12:11.29\00:12:13.13 Well, this is a book where God intervenes. 00:12:13.16\00:12:16.77 And here God intervened in human history. 00:12:16.80\00:12:20.14 God put His finger into time and into place. 00:12:20.17\00:12:24.97 And when Jesus died on the cross, 00:12:25.01\00:12:27.48 and that's when He made an atoning sacrifice 00:12:27.51\00:12:29.71 for your sins and my sins 00:12:29.74\00:12:31.61 so you and I could be saved. 00:12:31.65\00:12:34.15 The Bible says, when there was that mighty earthquake, 00:12:34.18\00:12:38.15 there was a partial resurrection. 00:12:38.19\00:12:41.79 People say it's too hard to believe. 00:12:41.82\00:12:43.19 Well, God can do a few things 00:12:43.22\00:12:45.86 that you and I can't understand. 00:12:45.89\00:12:48.16 And these people, the bodies of the saints, 00:12:48.20\00:12:50.33 and a saint is anybody who trusts in Jesus 00:12:50.37\00:12:52.93 and believes His word, they walked out of those tombs. 00:12:52.97\00:12:56.60 And later on, they went into the cities, 00:12:56.64\00:12:59.54 a city of Jerusalem I should say. 00:12:59.57\00:13:01.64 And were told in the Book of the Ephesians 00:13:01.68\00:13:04.11 that they were taken home to glory 00:13:04.15\00:13:07.92 and they're now in heaven. 00:13:07.95\00:13:10.35 And you'll be in heaven too my friend, 00:13:10.39\00:13:13.32 if you put your trust and your faith in Jesus, 00:13:13.36\00:13:18.26 because Jesus is the Lord and Jesus saves. 00:13:18.29\00:13:23.00 God has His time and His place for everything. 00:13:27.24\00:13:32.44 And the time and the place now is Latin America, 00:13:32.47\00:13:37.38 including Cuba. 00:13:37.41\00:13:39.95 Time Magazine talks about 00:13:39.98\00:13:41.78 the Second Protestant Reformation 00:13:41.82\00:13:44.79 and describes how hundreds of thousands, 00:13:44.82\00:13:48.16 even millions of Latinos are coming 00:13:48.19\00:13:51.63 to the gospel of Christ. 00:13:51.66\00:13:54.90 I'm not an arm chair theologian. 00:13:54.93\00:13:57.33 I'm speaking according to experience. 00:13:57.37\00:14:00.07 I've seen it with my own eyes. 00:14:00.10\00:14:03.71 Recently, we went down to El Salvador. 00:14:03.74\00:14:07.88 There I spoke in the largest football stadium 00:14:07.91\00:14:11.18 in Central America with the biggest crowd 00:14:11.21\00:14:14.28 that that football stadium had ever, ever seen. 00:14:14.32\00:14:17.95 They came not to see a football match, 00:14:17.99\00:14:20.99 but to hear about the blood of Christ. 00:14:21.02\00:14:24.36 Millions are coming to have knowledge of God 00:14:24.39\00:14:27.93 in Latin America. 00:14:27.96\00:14:30.13 Doors are opening in Cuba. 00:14:30.17\00:14:33.44 Who knows, we may be going to Cuba soon. 00:14:33.47\00:14:37.17 As the doors open by the grace of God, 00:14:37.21\00:14:40.58 we are going to step through those doors. 00:14:40.61\00:14:43.78 And we want you to step through those doors with us 00:14:43.81\00:14:48.02 and be part of our team for such as time as this. 00:14:48.05\00:14:52.29 Please write to me, friend. Don't put it off. 00:14:52.32\00:14:55.19 Write to me, John Carter, Post office Box 1900, 00:14:55.22\00:14:59.86 Thousand Oaks, California, 91358. 00:14:59.89\00:15:03.67 In Australia, write to me at Terrigal, New South Wales. 00:15:03.70\00:15:09.17 Be part of the Second Reformation. 00:15:09.20\00:15:12.67 Join us and see the miracles of God. 00:15:12.71\00:15:17.51 Amen. 00:15:17.55\00:15:19.48 Hello Pastor Carter, 00:15:28.46\00:15:29.89 I'm a new Christian and would like to know 00:15:29.92\00:15:31.73 what Bible translation I should be reading. 00:15:31.76\00:15:34.46 Does it really matter what version we read? 00:15:34.50\00:15:37.07 I always wondered who gave us 00:15:37.10\00:15:38.83 our first translation in the English language. 00:15:38.87\00:15:41.34 And thank you for addressing my question? 00:15:41.37\00:15:43.51 Well, let's start at the last part first, 00:15:43.54\00:15:47.24 so I don't forget it. 00:15:47.28\00:15:50.58 The King James Version goes back to 1611. 00:15:50.61\00:15:56.69 One of the greatest monuments to the grace of God, 00:15:56.72\00:16:00.52 a monumental classic, the KJV. 00:16:00.56\00:16:03.79 Around the same time, a bit before, 00:16:03.83\00:16:07.00 you had the Geneva Bible and you had the Bishops' Bible. 00:16:07.03\00:16:11.97 These were English translations. 00:16:12.00\00:16:15.00 And during those days, of course, 00:16:15.04\00:16:16.71 there was a great deal of persecution. 00:16:16.74\00:16:19.14 And that's why the Geneva Bible was translated because 00:16:19.17\00:16:22.61 the Church of Rome was burning the Bibles 00:16:22.64\00:16:25.95 and putting to death the Protestant Reformers. 00:16:25.98\00:16:29.35 And so they went over to Geneva. 00:16:29.38\00:16:31.79 And they had a little haven there. 00:16:31.82\00:16:33.79 And that's when they translated the Holy Scriptures. 00:16:33.82\00:16:37.79 Now you're saying what Bible should I use today. 00:16:37.83\00:16:41.20 Well, I'm not too concerned about what Bible, 00:16:41.23\00:16:43.73 but I'm concerned about 00:16:43.77\00:16:45.10 your reading the Scriptures, and getting some discipline, 00:16:45.13\00:16:49.87 and spending 30 minutes a day reading the Holy Scriptures, 00:16:49.90\00:16:53.07 particularly, the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 00:16:53.11\00:16:57.85 Now I use the King James Version 00:16:57.88\00:17:00.52 on occasions because I love it. 00:17:00.55\00:17:03.49 I've used this Bible ever since 00:17:03.52\00:17:05.35 I ran the meetings in the Sydney Opera House, 00:17:05.39\00:17:08.46 before most of you were born. 00:17:08.49\00:17:11.26 In 1982, I've used it 00:17:11.29\00:17:14.00 and I've worn out a few of these Bibles. 00:17:14.03\00:17:17.47 I also have used the New King James Version, 00:17:17.50\00:17:22.40 though it's not as good as the old KJV, 00:17:22.44\00:17:24.91 but it's more up-to-date 00:17:24.94\00:17:26.57 and it's possibly more accurate. 00:17:26.61\00:17:30.11 And then I also recommend 00:17:30.15\00:17:33.01 The New American Standard Version, 00:17:33.05\00:17:37.25 The New American Standard Bible. 00:17:37.29\00:17:40.49 New American Standard Bible. 00:17:40.52\00:17:43.36 It's possibly the most accurate 00:17:43.39\00:17:45.83 of all the, of all the translations. 00:17:45.86\00:17:50.30 Then you have other Bible such as, The Message. 00:17:50.33\00:17:55.30 That's not truly a real Bible. That's a paraphrase. 00:17:55.34\00:18:00.48 It's good to read because it gives you the heart 00:18:00.51\00:18:03.51 and the spirit of what the Bible is saying. 00:18:03.55\00:18:07.02 But I would recommend, and this is from my viewpoint, 00:18:07.05\00:18:11.92 I would recommend New International Version 00:18:11.95\00:18:15.72 or the New American Standard Bible. 00:18:15.76\00:18:19.83 But the most important thing you can do, 00:18:19.86\00:18:22.63 is to start to read it. 00:18:22.66\00:18:26.13 Hi, Pastor Carter. 00:18:26.17\00:18:27.60 Do you think that we'll ever find 00:18:27.64\00:18:29.14 the Ark of the Covenant? 00:18:29.17\00:18:30.61 The internet is for stories on this subject. 00:18:30.64\00:18:33.38 Yeah, the internet is full of stories on every subject. 00:18:33.41\00:18:38.48 There's so much information today 00:18:38.51\00:18:40.38 but there's not a great deal of wisdom. 00:18:40.42\00:18:42.72 You know, there's a difference between 00:18:42.75\00:18:45.22 information and wisdom. 00:18:45.25\00:18:47.59 If you read the Bible, 00:18:47.62\00:18:49.19 the Bible will give you information and the wisdom. 00:18:49.22\00:18:52.93 But a lot of the stuff you get on the internet today is just, 00:18:52.96\00:18:56.10 pardon my saying, is rubbish. 00:18:56.13\00:18:59.07 Do I think they're going to find 00:18:59.10\00:19:00.44 the Ark of the Covenant? 00:19:00.47\00:19:02.17 Well, I don't know. 00:19:02.20\00:19:05.04 Do I think they're going to find the Ark of Noah? 00:19:05.07\00:19:08.38 Well, there was all sorts of talk 00:19:08.41\00:19:10.48 that they had found Noah's Ark. 00:19:10.51\00:19:11.98 But it was all fallacious. It wasn't true. 00:19:12.01\00:19:15.08 It was just, just made up stories. 00:19:15.12\00:19:18.59 I believe. 00:19:18.62\00:19:20.16 We do know that 00:19:20.19\00:19:21.52 the Ark of the Covenant existed. 00:19:21.56\00:19:23.73 And we do know that it was hidden 00:19:23.76\00:19:27.13 because of invading armies. 00:19:27.16\00:19:30.50 It is possible, the Ark of the Covenant 00:19:30.53\00:19:33.50 was hidden in the same area 00:19:33.54\00:19:35.64 where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls. 00:19:35.67\00:19:38.24 Who would have believed they would have found 00:19:38.27\00:19:41.68 such old manuscripts from the Old Testament? 00:19:41.71\00:19:45.38 I've been to those places 00:19:45.41\00:19:46.75 where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls. 00:19:46.78\00:19:49.32 I guess it is possible that they could find 00:19:49.35\00:19:52.89 the Ark of the Covenant. 00:19:52.92\00:19:54.26 But it doesn't make a lot of difference, 00:19:54.29\00:19:56.52 because in the Ark of the Covenant, 00:19:56.56\00:19:58.23 you have the Ten Commandments. 00:19:58.26\00:20:00.16 Do you think finding the Ark of the Covenant 00:20:00.20\00:20:02.20 would get people to read the Ten Commandments 00:20:02.23\00:20:04.90 and obey the Ten Commandments? 00:20:04.93\00:20:06.47 I don't think so. 00:20:06.50\00:20:08.00 It would be a seven day wonder and a novelty. 00:20:08.04\00:20:12.84 If you want to find out about the Ark of the Covenant, 00:20:12.87\00:20:16.24 then go to the Bible. 00:20:16.28\00:20:18.01 But most importantly, look inside the Ark 00:20:18.05\00:20:22.82 and there you will see the Holy Law of God, 00:20:22.85\00:20:26.69 The Ten Commandments. 00:20:26.72\00:20:28.16 And I believe that 00:20:28.19\00:20:29.52 if we all obey the Ten Commandments, 00:20:29.56\00:20:31.96 we would be blessed and so much happier. 00:20:31.99\00:20:35.16 Don't you think? 00:20:35.20\00:20:38.10 I was recently at a local Christian bookstore 00:20:38.13\00:20:40.54 and was looking for a good Bible commentary 00:20:40.57\00:20:42.97 or a concordance to supplement my studies. 00:20:43.00\00:20:45.91 Pastor Carter, are there any that you could recommend? 00:20:45.94\00:20:49.41 You are really putting me on the spot here, aren't you? 00:20:49.44\00:20:53.42 A good concordance, 00:20:53.45\00:20:55.68 well, you have a number of concordances. 00:20:55.72\00:20:57.82 I have them all and some of you would too. 00:20:57.85\00:20:59.65 You have Strong's concordance 00:20:59.69\00:21:02.16 and somebody has quite facetiously said 00:21:02.19\00:21:06.36 that's for strong Christians. 00:21:06.39\00:21:08.33 Then you have Young's concordance. 00:21:08.36\00:21:10.53 They say that's for young Christians. 00:21:10.57\00:21:12.40 And you have Cruden's concordance. 00:21:12.43\00:21:14.64 Which is for crude Christians. 00:21:14.67\00:21:18.57 Now I have the three. 00:21:18.61\00:21:21.88 If you want to find out 00:21:21.91\00:21:23.24 what the ancient languages are saying, 00:21:23.28\00:21:27.35 it's better for you to get a Strong's concordance 00:21:27.38\00:21:29.95 or a Young's Analytical concordance. 00:21:29.98\00:21:33.69 But that is pretty hard work. 00:21:33.72\00:21:36.19 But I'm all for hard work 00:21:36.22\00:21:38.06 and it's good for you Bible study. 00:21:38.09\00:21:41.03 As for commentaries, 00:21:41.06\00:21:43.40 well, there are so many, many different commentaries. 00:21:43.43\00:21:46.13 I have many commentaries. 00:21:46.17\00:21:50.11 How many I would recommend? I don't know. 00:21:50.14\00:21:54.01 Adventists have a very fine commentary. 00:21:54.04\00:21:57.11 The Adventist commentary, particularly, 00:21:57.15\00:22:00.42 the portion of the Adventists commentary 00:22:00.45\00:22:04.22 written by Dr Siegfried Horn. 00:22:04.25\00:22:07.16 That's the dictionary. 00:22:07.19\00:22:09.62 The dictionary is second to none. 00:22:09.66\00:22:12.96 I would certainly get the dictionary 00:22:12.99\00:22:16.26 in the Adventist commentary. 00:22:16.30\00:22:18.60 I think it's the best part of the commentary 00:22:18.63\00:22:20.77 in my humble opinion. 00:22:20.80\00:22:22.14 And also, the introductory, 00:22:22.17\00:22:25.54 introductory articles to the Gospels. 00:22:25.57\00:22:30.38 And also, to the Old Testament. 00:22:30.41\00:22:33.92 But the most important thing you can do, 00:22:33.95\00:22:36.15 is to read your Bible. 00:22:36.18\00:22:39.35 Dear Pastor Carter, 00:22:39.39\00:22:40.89 thank you for your ministry and for your teachings. 00:22:40.92\00:22:43.22 I'm trying to learn about the Sabbath. 00:22:43.26\00:22:45.33 A pastor at our church told me that 00:22:45.36\00:22:47.16 we have no way of knowing what the seventh day is, 00:22:47.20\00:22:50.47 as the days of the week have been lost 00:22:50.50\00:22:52.47 due to changes in the world's time calendar. 00:22:52.50\00:22:55.24 Is that an accurate statement? 00:22:55.27\00:22:56.81 No. it's not. Your pastor is totally wrong. 00:22:56.84\00:23:00.44 Who agrees with me? 00:23:00.48\00:23:01.98 Anybody you who is a scholar. 00:23:02.01\00:23:05.21 Now let me tell you very plainly. 00:23:05.25\00:23:07.82 In Leviticus, Exodus, Exodus 16, 00:23:07.85\00:23:13.66 you have the story of the manna. 00:23:13.69\00:23:16.99 The manna fell on the first day, 00:23:17.03\00:23:18.66 the second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day, 00:23:18.69\00:23:21.40 double portion on the sixth day, 00:23:21.43\00:23:23.10 none on the seventh day. 00:23:23.13\00:23:24.80 Do you think they would have worked out 00:23:24.83\00:23:26.40 which was the seventh day? 00:23:26.43\00:23:28.37 After this miraculous event 00:23:28.40\00:23:32.21 took place for about 40 years, 40 years. 00:23:32.24\00:23:38.15 One, two, three, four, five, six, manna, 00:23:38.18\00:23:41.35 seventh day, no manna. 00:23:41.38\00:23:43.79 I think anybody could have worked out 00:23:43.82\00:23:45.25 which, which was the seventh day. 00:23:45.29\00:23:47.99 Then the Jewish people, for another 1500 years, 00:23:48.02\00:23:51.89 religiously continued to observe 00:23:51.93\00:23:55.60 that same seventh day 00:23:55.63\00:23:57.67 that God revealed to them at Mount Sinai. 00:23:57.70\00:24:01.84 And then since the days of Christ, 00:24:01.87\00:24:05.27 the Jews have continued 00:24:05.31\00:24:07.04 to set aside the same seventh day. 00:24:07.08\00:24:10.68 And the Christians have said no, 00:24:10.71\00:24:12.65 many Christians have said we don't keep the seventh day. 00:24:12.68\00:24:14.92 We keep the first day. 00:24:14.95\00:24:17.09 And the Muslims say they keep the sixth day. 00:24:17.12\00:24:21.32 Go to any good commentary. 00:24:21.36\00:24:24.23 Go to any good encyclopedia. 00:24:24.26\00:24:26.96 And they will tell you which is the seventh day. 00:24:27.00\00:24:31.13 Time has not been lost. 00:24:31.17\00:24:33.44 People get lost but time has not been lost 00:24:33.47\00:24:36.87 and the Bible says, 00:24:36.91\00:24:38.44 "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 00:24:38.47\00:24:41.38 The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God." 00:24:41.41\00:24:45.55 I believe we ought to keep the Sabbath that Jesus kept. 00:24:45.58\00:24:50.99 And that's the same Sabbath that the Jews keep today. 00:24:51.02\00:24:55.32 It's plain. 00:24:55.36\00:24:58.19 Dear Pastor Carter, 00:24:58.23\00:24:59.56 why did God in the course of history 00:24:59.59\00:25:01.56 let so many innocent people suffer 00:25:01.60\00:25:03.97 for the fall of Adam and Eve? 00:25:04.00\00:25:05.97 This question haunts me during difficult times in my life. 00:25:06.00\00:25:09.44 I see the suffering in third world countries 00:25:09.47\00:25:11.64 and cannot grasp God's plan for mankind. 00:25:11.67\00:25:14.68 Thank you, Pastor Carter, for this help. 00:25:14.71\00:25:17.25 When Adam and Eve sinned, when Adam sinned, 00:25:17.28\00:25:20.45 he was the representative of the human race. 00:25:20.48\00:25:23.65 It's like if I'm driving a car 00:25:23.69\00:25:25.55 and my family are in the back seat. 00:25:25.59\00:25:27.89 If I take the car off the road, 00:25:27.92\00:25:29.76 my family goes off the road with me 00:25:29.79\00:25:31.89 because they're in the car with me. 00:25:31.93\00:25:34.60 Adam was driving the human race. 00:25:34.63\00:25:37.53 And when Adam went off the road, 00:25:37.57\00:25:39.77 we were in the back seat. 00:25:39.80\00:25:41.47 And we went off with him. 00:25:41.50\00:25:44.64 And since Adam's fall, 00:25:44.67\00:25:47.51 we've all had sinful human natures. 00:25:47.54\00:25:52.35 And because of our sin, 00:25:52.38\00:25:54.08 because we're born in sin, we all die. 00:25:54.12\00:25:57.15 The Bible says. "In Adam all die." 00:25:57.19\00:26:01.79 And sin spread out over the world 00:26:01.82\00:26:04.13 and this world became under the curse of sin. 00:26:04.16\00:26:08.96 And even the animal creation. 00:26:09.00\00:26:12.10 The Bible says, 00:26:12.13\00:26:13.47 "Groans as in travail until this present day." 00:26:13.50\00:26:17.77 But let me tell you something. 00:26:17.81\00:26:20.68 The first Adam blew it. 00:26:20.71\00:26:22.88 The first Adam lost it and we're all lost 00:26:22.91\00:26:26.21 because of the first Adam. 00:26:26.25\00:26:27.85 But the good news is that the second Adam, 00:26:27.88\00:26:30.32 Jesus, redeemed Adam's failure. 00:26:30.35\00:26:34.39 And we are saved in the second Adam. 00:26:34.42\00:26:37.43 Not because of our effort. Not because of our penance. 00:26:37.46\00:26:41.36 Not because of our works. 00:26:41.40\00:26:43.43 Not because of our obedience, but because of Him. 00:26:43.47\00:26:48.67 He won the battle for us. 00:26:48.70\00:26:50.74 He's our Savior. He's our Lord. 00:26:50.77\00:26:54.84 And if you truly believe in Jesus, 00:26:54.88\00:26:59.75 just think about this. 00:26:59.78\00:27:01.18 If you truly trust in Him, 00:27:01.22\00:27:04.19 you are redeemed from Adam's failure. 00:27:04.22\00:27:09.02 And you are saved 00:27:09.06\00:27:10.39 and you will go to heaven with the righteous. 00:27:10.43\00:27:13.56 And one day, God is going to have a new heaven 00:27:13.60\00:27:16.67 and a new earth. 00:27:16.70\00:27:18.03 He's gonna get rid of this whole world of sin. 00:27:18.07\00:27:21.10 He's going to make it new. No more suffering. 00:27:21.14\00:27:25.41 No more pain among the animals. 00:27:25.44\00:27:27.64 No more death, no more parting, no more devil, 00:27:27.68\00:27:32.68 even so come Lord Jesus. 00:27:32.71\00:27:34.82 I pray. My friend, please write to me. 00:27:34.85\00:27:38.19 John Carter, Post office Box 1900, 00:27:38.22\00:27:41.02 Thousand Oaks, California, 91358. 00:27:41.06\00:27:44.39 Send me your questions. 00:27:44.43\00:27:46.59 By the grace of God, we'll have them on 00:27:46.63\00:27:48.60 the next session of Plain Talk. 00:27:48.63\00:27:52.90 We believe in the plain truth that's found in the Bible. 00:27:52.93\00:27:56.84 And I believe in plain talk. 00:27:56.87\00:28:00.28 Write to me at Terrigal, New South Wales, Australia. 00:28:00.31\00:28:03.75 And when you write, send me your question. 00:28:03.78\00:28:06.41 Do something else. 00:28:06.45\00:28:08.22 Send a love offering 00:28:08.25\00:28:10.49 for the preaching of the gospel. 00:28:10.52\00:28:12.95 Write to me today. 00:28:12.99\00:28:14.72 Until next time, this is John Carter saying, 00:28:14.76\00:28:17.83 God bless you and bye for now. 00:28:17.86\00:28:19.93 For a copy of today's program, please contact us 00:28:25.07\00:28:28.24 at P.O. BOX 1900, Thousand Oaks, 00:28:28.27\00:28:31.47 California, 91358. 00:28:31.51\00:28:34.81 Or in Australia, contact us 00:28:34.84\00:28:37.31 at P.O. BOX 861, Terrigal, New South Wales, 2260. 00:28:37.35\00:28:43.89 This program is made possible through the generous support 00:28:43.92\00:28:47.09 of viewers like you. 00:28:47.12\00:28:48.69 We thank you for your continued support. 00:28:48.72\00:28:51.69 May God richly bless you. 00:28:51.73\00:28:53.63