5. Isn't Christianity Just Another Religion?
6. What Does The Bible Teach About Heaven And Hell?
7. What Does It Mean To Have Eternal Life?
8. How Can I Have A Relationship With God, How Can I Become A True Christian?
9. Isn't It Possible To Be A Christian Without Going To Church?
10. How Do I Follow Jesus/ How Do I Grow As A Christian?
11. Some Questions About Water Baptism
12. What Does It Mean To Be Baptised In The Spirit?
13. Is The Bible Just Another Book?
15. Does God Hear And Answer Prayer?
There is only one true God, the creator of everything. We cannot see Him, but He has left divine indications of His existence all over our world. The Bible tells us that in creation His divine nature and eternal power are obvious for everyone to see. Acts 17: 24-27. Romans 1:18-20. Psalm 19:1.
God is a person. There are three persons in one God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:26. Isaiah 9:6. Matthew 3: 10 –17 & 28:19. Luke 1:35. Hebrews 3:7 – 11. 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. 1 Timothy 2:5.
He is Spirit; He does not have a physical body. John 4:24.
He is a personal God who wants to fellowship with us. John 14:23.
He gives life and breath to everything, Acts 17:25.
He is; Holy- Isaiah 6:3, Righteous- John17:25, Loving – 1 John 4:16, Forgiving and Good – Psalm 86:5.
He is; wise – Romans 11:33, unchanging – Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and faithful – 1 Corinthians 10:13.
He is; eternal – Hebrews 1:11-12, all-powerful – Luke 1:37 , all knowing – Hebrews 4:13, so totally amazing that we can never hope to fully understand Him and yet He wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us.
The doctrine of the Trinity or Tri –unity is that in one God there are three distinct persons, The Father, The Son, (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit. They are all of the same nature and substance and are co-equal and co-eternal.
Genesis 1:26. “Let US…” Matthew 28:19. Luke 1:35. 3:21-22.
The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity.
God in His love for man came to earth Himself, while remaining 100% God He became 100% man. He is the only man ever to live a sinless life. 1 Timothy 3:16.
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Holy Spirit, in the Virgin Mary's womb. He is called the Son of God because He was conceived by God.
Isaiah 7:14. Matthew 1:18-23. Luke 1:27-35.
Though He didn't deserve it, He lovingly took the punishment for man's sins upon Himself by dying on the cross providing an opportunity for all mankind to be released from paying the penalty of their sin. 1 Peter 2:21-24.
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. One day all true believers will be resurrected in a glorified body.
Luke 24: 1-49. John 2:19-21. John chapter 20. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12- 24, 35-50.
Jesus is the only way to be saved. One God, one Mediator. John 14:6. I Timothy 2:5. 1Corinthians 8:5-6. Acts 4:10&12.
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to the earth for the second time. No one knows the time or the date only God the Father.
Matthew 24:23-27, & 30-31. Acts 1:10-11. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Revelation 1:7.
One day everyone will have to confess He is Lord. Philippians 2:9-11.
Isaiah 9:6. John 1:1 & 14. 20:28. Philippians 2:5-6.
5. Isn't Christianity Just Another Religion?
Real Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship, a relationship with God- the One and Only God the Creator of everything. Many people know about God but Christianity is about knowing Him, intimately and personally.
6. What Does The Bible Teach About Heaven And Hell?
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of all believers in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
After living one life on earth, those who have not received Jesus as Lord and Saviour, will be judged and sent to hell, a place of eternal separation from God. Hell is the place that was originally prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 5:12 , 6:19 -21. 13:36 -43. 18:1-4. 19:21. 25:31-46. Luke 16:19-31.John 14:1-4. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. Hebrews 11:13-16. 1 Peter 1:3-4. Revelation 14: 9 -11 . 20:12 -15. 21:6-8.
7. What Does It Mean To Have Eternal Life?
Eternal life is getting to know, or having a personal relationship with God. By completely trusting in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection a person can have an eternal relationship with God. It begins here on earth and continues throughout eternity in heaven.
John 3: 1-21. Romans 6:23.
8. How Can I Have A Relationship With God, How Can I Become A True Christian?
Some people speak of this as being “born-again” or being “saved” or” being converted”.
No one is perfect, everyone does wrong and the Bible tells us all wrongdoing is sin. God alone is perfect and because of this our sin has caused a break in man's relationship with God. We cannot earn or deserve to have that relationship with God restored. We have to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God's One and Only Son and that He took the punishment for our sins. He took our wrong doing upon Himself and by His death on the cross he made atonement for our sins. In this way He made it possible for us to be reconciled to God, to be restored to a right relationship with Him.
A Christian is a person who has invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside of him. He is putting his trust in what Christ has accomplished for him when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead.
The Bible clearly shows us that we cannot save ourselves, we are saved, we become a true Christian by having faith, not in ourselves or in any of our own good works, but by completely trusting in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for our salvation. Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved. Acts 4:12 .
- Stop trusting in your own good efforts and works to please God and make you acceptable to Him. Titus 3:5. Galatians 2:16. 1 John 5:17.
- Start trusting only in what Jesus has done through His sinless life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, for your salvation. Romans 3:22-24. 6:23. Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Acknowledge and sincerely repent of trying to live your life independently of God and of all your wrongdoing. 1 John 1:9.
- Ask Jesus for power to turn away from everything the Bible says is sin. Acts 2:38 . 3:19 .
- Ask Jesus Christ to take His rightful place as Lord and Saviour of your life. Romans 10:9. Invite Him to come and live inside of you.
Romans 10:9-10.
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
9. Isn't It Possible To Be A Christian Without Going To Church?
Whilst it is true that going to church will never make anyone a Christian, it is equally true that every sincere Christian will go to Church. (Unless of course there are some very good practical reasons why this is just not possible).
The Bible clearly instructs us to meet together. Hebrews 10:25.
We need to fellowship with other Christians for mutual support and encouragement. And the local fellowship needs you, we are all part of the body of Christ and each part is vital to all the other parts. 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 27.
We need to fellowship together in order to grow and develop as Christians, as well as to make sure we don't go off track. When Jesus ascended into heaven He gave gifts of leadership to members of His Church. Under the anointing and enabling of the Holy Spirit certain men are given the responsibility of training and equipping Christians in order to guide them to maturity. Ephesians 4:8-16.
We also need to come under the covering of a local church for protection. It's easy for the enemy to take out a solitary Christian. The genuine Christian Church is a spiritual family. It is not made out of bricks or stone; it is comprised of people who have allowed Jesus Christ to be Lord of their lives. True Christians will love, care and look out for one another. Romans 12:10-11.
10. How Do I Follow Jesus/ How Do I Grow As A Christian?
11. Some Questions About Water Baptism
CAN A PERSON BE A CHRISTIAN WITHOUT BEING BAPTISED?
Water baptism is not necessary in order to be saved/become a true Christian, but the Bible teaches that every believer should be baptized after they have repented and believed on Jesus Christ.
Mark 16:6 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..”
Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized everyone of you…”
IF A PERSON WAS CHRISTENED AS A BABY IS BAPTISM STILL NECESSARY?
Infant Baptism is not taught anywhere in the Bible. A Christian has to repent and believe before he can be baptized. Obviously a baby cannot do this.
CAN CHILDREN BE BAPTISED?
A child who is mature enough to decide to make Jesus Lord of their life can be baptised.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER BAPTISM?
It has important spiritual significance in that: -
• We outwardly identify with Jesus Christ; it is a public demonstration of our decision to follow Jesus.
• By this act of obedience we affirm our commitment to Him.
• Our total immersion in the water identifies us with Christ's death and burial. It demonstrates that our old sin nature has been crucified, put to death, and we have received a new godly nature. Romans 6:6-7 & 11. Galatians 2:20
• When we come up out of the water we identify with His resurrection from the dead and we rise in newness of life. Romans 6:3-5.
HOW SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTISED?
The word “baptism” comes from a root word that means full immersion, or to make fully wet. It is clear from Biblical accounts of this event that baptism was carried out by full immersion in water.
Matthew 3:16. Acts 8:38-39.
WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTISED?
There is no need to wait once a person has committed their life to God. Acts 8:12 & 26-38.
12. What Does It Mean To Be Baptised In The Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Helper, the Counselor sent to be with believers after Jesus ascended into heaven. John 14:16-17.
Jesus said when He left the earth the Holy Spirit would come in His place. John 16:5-16.
Jesus is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11.
To be baptized with the Holy Spirit means to be immersed or filled with the Spirit. When we are “born-again” God the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. John 3:6-7, when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the Spirit. Acts 2:4. All Christians have the Holy Spirit, (Romans 8:9), but not all Christians have been filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for every believer today – it was promised to all future generations of Christians. Acts 2:38-39. We need the baptism for power to serve God effectively.
Scriptures record various things that happened when people were baptized e.g.-
• Often they spoke in tongues. This is a language of worship and prayer that God gives. Acts 2:4. 4:31 , 10:44-46.
• They prophesied. (Spoke forth the word of God).
• They were filled with great joy.
• They praised God.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit -
• Like the birth of Jesus and many other events was prophesied in the Old Testament. E.g. Joel 2:28-29. Acts 2:16-18.
• Was given at Pentecost, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel through the whole earth. Mark 16:17 . Acts 1:4-8. Acts 2:1-4.
• Its purpose is to; to empower and embolden believers, to build them up, to enhance their prayer life and it is also a sign to the unbeliever. Matthew 3:11. Acts 2:38–39.
Like salvation the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift it cannot be earned and it is received by faith.
13. Is The Bible Just Another Book?
Definitely not!
The Bible and only the Bible is 100% the Word of God and is the final authority for doctrine and truth. What counts is not what we think or feel, or the opinions of others – it's what the truth of the matter is, what the Bible says about it.
Proverbs 30:5. Matthew 24:35. Romans 16:25-26. 1 Timothy 3:16. 11 Peter 1:20 –21.
Prayer is quite simply talking with God, two-way communication with Him. We speak to Him and allow Him to speak to us. Prayer is a vital part of our Christian growth; it keeps us connected to the Power and shows our dependence upon Him. There are different kinds of prayer: -
Including; PRAISE – thanking God for WHO He is, THANKSGIVING – thanking God for WHAT HE HAS DONE and PETITION – asking God to answer specific requests.
15. Does God Hear And Answer Prayer?
God wants us to talk to us. When Jesus spoke to His disciples about prayer he didn't say IF you pray, he said WHEN you pray. The Word constantly encourages us to pray and assures us that God answers.
To keep the channels of communication open we need to make sure that there is no unconfessed sin in our lives and that we do not hold anything against anyone else. God's answers are received through faith, we believe and then receive, contrary to the world's way of operating, which is to see and then believe.
Psalm 66:18. Matthew 6:5-14. Mark 11:24-25. Luke 18:1. Philippians 4:6-7. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
The short answer is – YES!
Healing of the sick was illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus. E.g. Matthew 4:23.
It was included in the Great Commission Jesus gave to His disciples, and given as a sign which was to follow believers. It is part of Christ's atonement on the cross.
Isaiah 53:5. Matthew 8:16-17. Mark 16:15-18. Acts 8:6-7. 1 Peter 2:24.