Ask Ligonier Podcast Summary
Episode: Which Commands and Promises in the Bible Only Apply to Those Being Immediately Spoken to and Which Apply to All Believers?
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Guest: Rev. Joel Kim, President and Assistant Professor of New Testament, Westminster Seminary, California

Episode Overview

This episode addresses a thoughtful listener question: How do we determine which commands and promises in the Bible were meant exclusively for the original audience, and which should be understood as applying to all believers, for all time?
Host Nathan W. Bingham is joined by Rev. Joel Kim, who provides a nuanced and accessible framework for distinguishing between context-bound and universal biblical instructions. The discussion centers on understanding descriptive versus prescriptive passages, the importance of repetition, and discerning lasting principles behind specific commands.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Complexity of the Issue

• Understanding Boundaries:
  Rev. Kim opens by acknowledging the ongoing debate among theologians and biblical scholars regarding which biblical commands and promises are universal and which are localized in their application.
• Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Examples:
  He references the Book of Acts:

  “When they drew lots to pick a new leader, is that something that's mandated for the rest?” — Rev. Joel Kim [01:09]
  Such narratives may describe what happened rather than prescribe what should always happen.

2. Everyday Analogy for Contextual Commands

• Rev. Kim likens situational biblical commands to parenting:

  “When our children were young...we would command them by saying do not touch. But when they're 20 years old...that same command does not apply.” — Rev. Joel Kim [02:15]

• The deeper principle (“be careful around hot things”) endures, while specific instructions (“do not touch the oven”) may not always apply.

3. Practical Guidelines for Discerning Application

Rev. Kim summarizes three main considerations:

a. Repetition as a Sign of Universality

• Commands with universal value are frequently repeated throughout Scripture.

  “If it's something that has universal value or command, it's often repeated and it's repeated over and over again.” — Rev. Joel Kim [03:14]

• Example: Praying is repeatedly described and commanded; choosing leaders by lots is not.

b. Prevalence Across Books and Genres

• Universal commands are typically reinforced in diverse books and literary genres.

  “How prevalent is this in not just in one book but other books?...The more you see the repetition in different books and genres, you come to recognize the reinforcement of what's taking place.” — Rev. Joel Kim [03:45]

c. Underlying Principles Beyond Occasional Commands

• Even if a specific command is contextual, the underlying principle may persist.
  • Example: The “holy kiss” as a specific greeting, though perhaps culturally bound, expresses the broader and enduring principle of greeting one another in love.

  “...the principle behind that command ought to be thought about and applied to our lives as well.” — Rev. Joel Kim [04:40]

4. Application & Prudence in Bible Reading

• It's important not only to ask what was commanded, but also why—seeking the principle informing the instruction.
• Humility and careful study are essential, as the situation may be more complex than it appears at first.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Descriptive vs. Prescriptive:

  “Things Acts is a book that I enjoy. One of the discussion has often taken place is what is actually just simply descriptive and what is prescriptive in terms of commands for us to do..." — Rev. Joel Kim [00:59]

• On Cultural Greetings:

  “Here, in our context, it may not be appropriate for me to approach you, Nathan, and give you a kiss right away, although in Europe they would do so.” — Rev. Joel Kim [04:18]

• On Principle Application:

  “...the principle of greeting one another and loving one another...is something that is universally applied.” — Rev. Joel Kim [04:28]

• On Complexity:

  “We realize that this is actually much more complex than meets the eye.” — Rev. Joel Kim [01:23]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Listener Question Introduction: [00:04]
• Rev. Joel Kim's Framework Introduced: [00:48]
• Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Examples: [01:09–01:40]
• Practical Analogy (Parenting): [02:11–02:35]
• Guidelines: Repetition, Prevalence, Principles: [03:14–04:40]
• Application to Modern Contexts: [04:11–04:50]

Conclusion

Rev. Joel Kim emphasizes that while some biblical commands and promises are tied to specific historical or cultural moments, many contain abiding principles that transcend time and context. Careful attention to repetition across Scripture, the breadth of biblical witness, and the underlying reasons behind each command allows believers to faithfully discern what God calls all His people to do—and why.