On this page I will attempt to address the most common areas of interest in Christianity and back up my views with Scriptural references.

Most Basic Christianity Claim

There is an intelligent being who has always existed. This entity is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), present everywhere (omnipresent), perfect in form, thought and action, and is truth defined with no deceit at all.  This is the being we call God. At one point the universe did not exist, there was only God. Then He spoke the entire universe into existence. God created everything without flaw. All of creation was originally perfect in every way.  God created Man and Woman and physically spent time with them in the beginning. God gave humans free will to choose whether to obey His rules and spend time with Him. 

At some point Adam and Eve (the first people) rebelled against God's rules. Up until this point humans did not experience death, but along with this rebellion came consequences. Death and decay entered into mankind. From that time on, mankind was separated from God due to this nature of Sin (disobedience to God's rules and rejection of his sovereignty). This state of affairs continued until God came into the world in physical form in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He was the son of Mary but conceived within her by the power of God without physical intimacy from another person. Jesus was fully God and fully human. He lived a flawless and perfect life, observing all of the commands that God had given to mankind. He was the perfect example of what God expects from us.

Those in power in His day felt threatened by Jesus and his teachings. They conspired against Him and used the Roman government to murder Him under the guise of Roman law. Jesus was flogged, whipped, beaten, mocked, and spat upon. They then nailed Him to a wooden cross and raised Him up into the air for all to see. He hung there on the cross slowly suffocating to death guarded by Roman soldiers. Jesus died on that cross. One of the Roman soldiers verified this fact by piercing his side with a spear. Jesus's body was taken down and laid in a tomb dug into the earth. A large stone was rolled over the opening to the tomb and guards were placed there to ensure nobody did anything to the body. Three days later the tomb was observed empty and the burial shroud was left behind. In the following days Jesus appeared alive in bodily form to all of his Apostles and to many hundreds of other people. Jesus was ALIVE!

What is the penalty for sin and rebelling against God's sovereignty?

When we die it is not the end of the matter. Death is just a transition from one phase of our existence into another. If we were perfect in our observance of God's rules, from cradle to grave, then we are privileged to be able to spend eternity in the presence of God. If we break any of the rules, even once, then we instead are eternally separated from God and all that entails (it will be indescribably bad, horrible beyond belief). No one can stand before God and truthfully claim perfection except Jesus, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

Why was His death necessary?

God has established rules about how things are accomplished. One rule is that there is no forgiveness of sin without shed blood. Before Jesus came, the Israelites sacrificed animals to pay that price, but they were imperfect. These sacrifices only pushed back the judgement to the next year. It did not bring forgiveness but only a delay of the sentence. When Jesus willingly died on the cross, His perfect sacrifice paid once and for all for our sins. It does not delay our sentence but rather it wipes the slate clean IF, and this is a big IF, we accept this payment made on our behalf and submit to God's authority again. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

“But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” 1 Pet 2:24 

Why is his resurrection important?

Only God has the power to raise the dead. While Jesus lived He claimed to BE God. He predicted his death and Predicted His Resurrection. His Resurrection is proof that He is who He said He is: The Almighty, Everlasting, All knowing God.

"For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures," 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.” Luke 24:39

How do we accept this payment made on our behalf and submit to God's authority again?

"... if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;..." Romans 10:9

It is a free gift offered to all who will call on the name of our Lord. It can not be earned by anything we do.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8–9

When you do this the Holy Spirit will come to you and reside within you. Through His power you will, through faith, be able to stand strong against the attacks of the devil and discern God's will for your life.

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance…” Ephesians 1:13–14

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…” Romans 8:26–27

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26

“His anointing teaches you about all things.” 1 John 2:27

Who are God the Father, God the Son - Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

This one can be confusing. They are each distinct beings with the fullness of deity (omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal; with no beginning and no end) but all one God. It is beyond our ability to fully understand. They are all the same God yet three distinct Persons. Together They are called the Holy Trinity or Triune God.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4

“I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” Isaiah 44:6

“…there is no God but one.” 1 Corinthians 8:4–6

“You believe that God is one; you do well.” James 2:19

"After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 (all three distinctly present at the same time)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.… And the Word became flesh.” John 1:1-3, 14 (speaking of Jesus)

“Glorify me… with the glory I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:5 (words of Jesus) 

“In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” Colossians 2:9 (speaking of Jesus)

“…Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.” Romans 9:5 (speaking of Jesus)

"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”  Acts 5:3-4 (Holy Spirit referred to as God)

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will lay hold of me." Psalm 139:7-10 (Holy Spirit is Omnipresent)

"For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:13-14 (all three mentioned together, Holy Spirit is eternal)

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (all three mentioned together)

“Baptize them in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (One name (one God), yet three distinct Persons)

Salvation Issues:

Are there other paths to Heaven? Are other religions true?

Jesus said He is the ONLY way into heaven. No person gets to enter unless He brings them in. The teachings of Jesus in the New Testament tell us how to get right with God and spend eternity with Him. Every other claimed way into Heaven or denial of Heaven's/Hell's existence is a lie.

"Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”" John 14:6

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ” John 3:16-18

“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36

Can you lose your salvation?

• Can your salvation be stolen?

No. Your salvation can not be taken from you. No person, no angel, no demon, nothing in all of creation can steal your salvation from you.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13-14

• Can you renounce your salvation?

Yes. I believe that you can choose to walk away from God. I believe that we have free will to choose to follow God. This choice to follow is supported by the Bible. If this is true, then we also have the ability to choose not to. I don't think this choice can be unintentional, though. If you slip, that is not a salvation losing event. Renouncing your salvation would be a distinct, reasoned, intentional event.

“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”  Matthew 24:13

• Do infants go to heaven when they die?

Yes. Those who are unable to comprehend the difference between right and wrong are not held accountable to the law. The unborn and those who are too young to know better bear no guilt.

“Moreover, your little ones who, you said, would become plunder—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.” Deuteronomy 1:39 (often cited regarding innocence before the age of accountability)

“I will go to him, but he will not return to me” 2 Sam 12:23 (King David speaking of his dead infant)

"and said,“Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”" Matthew 18:3

"But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”" Mark 10:14–15

What happens if I am unrepentant in my sin?

When you commit to Jesus as Lord, you agree that his rules are right and you will follow his commands. "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;..." Acts 2:38.  The very first thing Peter tells these people looking to become Christians is repent. “Repent” translates the Greek word metanoia (μετάνοια), which literally means “a change of mind” — but it’s far deeper than just rethinking something. Biblical repentance is a radical, Spirit-enabled turnaround of the entire person: 

• You stop defending or excusing your rebellion and agree with God that you’ve been wrong.

• It involves godly sorrow — not just “I’m sorry I got caught,” but grief over offending a holy God.

• You turn away from sin and turn toward God. It’s not just feeling bad; it’s a decisive reorientation of life.

Unrepentant sin is when you KNOW what the Lord was commanded, but willfully choose to continue in rebellion against Him. There is no wiggle room on many Bible verses. If the Bible is clear on a subject, then the matter is settled. Sin is sin and wrong is wrong. This is not to say that people will never sin once they become Christian. Even Paul acknowledges this.

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me." Romans 7:18-20

When you slip and fall, you get back up. When sin creeps back in, you strive against it all the more. Unrepentant sin is when you make no effort to change. In this situation you must ask yourself if you ever really committed to begin with. If you doubt this, then you must doubt your salvation as well. It is a dangerous place to find yourself.

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and ‘the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.’ … How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God…?” Hebrews 10:26–31

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness… No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he can not sin continually, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:4–9

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? … Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Far from it!” Romans 6:1–2, 15–16

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not…?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ ” Matthew 7:21–23

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."  Galatians 5:16-21

“But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Sin

Is abortion sin?

Yes! Abortion is murder! Life begins before birth. I believe it begins at conception. Abortion ends an innocent life that God has created. It is just as bad as the ancient practice of offering up your child to be burnt alive as an offering to Molech. Have nothing to do with this practice. Stay far from it. It is detestable in the sight of God. It is an abomination.

"Just as you do not know how the spirit enters the bones in the womb of the pregnant woman , so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things."  Ecclesiastes 11:5

"For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them. " Psalm 139:13-16

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “You shall also say to the sons of Israel:

‘Any man from the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones. I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name. If the people of the land, however, should ever disregard that man when he gives any of his offspring to Molech, so as not to put him to death, then I Myself will set My face against that man and against his family, and I will cut off from among their people both him and all those who play the harlot after him, by playing the harlot after Molech." Leviticus 20:1-5

"Moreover, you took your sons and daughters whom you had borne to Me and sacrificed them to idols to be devoured. Were your harlotries so small a matter?" Ezekiel 16:20

What is Marriage?

Marriage is a lifelong, covenantal, one-flesh union between one man and one woman, established by God at creation, entered into by mutual consent (“leaving,” “cleaving,” and consummation), and dissolvable only by death (or in the very limited cases of infidelity (sexual immorality/porneia) or abandonment that Jesus and Paul discuss in Matt 19:9 and 1 Cor 7:15).

"Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” … So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,

And flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called ‘woman,’

Because she was taken out of man.”

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." " Genesis 2:18–24

"And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Matthew 19:4–6

“But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Mark 10:6–9

Is sex outside of marriage & non-biblical sexual intimacy (Gay/Lesbian/Poly/etc.) a sin?

Sex is encouraged, but only within the confines of marriage. This is by design. God wills it to be so. Sex and or sexual intimacy in any other context is forbidden.  This includes same sex relations, pre-marital relations, polyamorous relations, etc.

When faced with any other sin we are commanded to stand fast and resist, but sexual immorality is different. We are told to flee from sexual sin. 

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

“But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:2

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints;” Ephesians 5:3

“Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality , impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;” 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5

“You shall not sleep with a male as one sleeps with a female; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22

“For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” Romans 1:26–27

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [Greek: malakoi], nor homosexuals [arsenokoitai], nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

“But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons [pornois], and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons [pornoi], the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” Revelation 22:15

Is looking at porn a sin?

Yes! It is lust and adultery in your heart.

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 (NASB)

Is divorce a sin?

Yes! The only exception is when the other person breaks the marriage covenant. Such would be the case in infidelity (Jesus), an unbelieving spouse who leaves you (Paul), and unrepentant abuse (interpretation, not spelled out definitively).

“This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” Malachi 2:13–16

God calls marital unfaithfulness and violence (“covering one’s garment with violence”) treachery against the covenant.

“but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality [Greek: porneia], makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:32

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality [porneia], and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9

“Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 - Paul’s teaching

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate” Matthew 19:6 

Jesus's Divinity Claims

There is no doubt that Jesus the man existed. This is undisputable. He said many things while alive, but nothing was as divisive as His claim to be God in the flesh. This was not a figurative claim. It was not a claim to be a prophet speaking for God. It was Jesus claiming to BE the Almighty, King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Elohim, YHWH God. Everything in Christianity hinges upon this one claim. How would this claim be proven true? Jesus told everyone that He would be killed and then three days later would be raised to life again. 

"and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Cor 15:14-19

This one pivotal event confirms his claims and changed the course of history. So what exactly did Jesus say?

"The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 10:24-33

They clearly understood what he was saying. There is no doubt to what they believed he was claiming.

 " "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” "John 8:56-58

"The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”" John 4:25–26

"Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me..." John 14:11

"...Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” "Mark 14:61-62

If Jesus is alive, then what will He do next?

At some point in the future, Jesus will come back in glory. The entire world will witness this event and will submit to His authority.

When this happens everyone from all of history, the living and the dead, will be brought into Jesus's presence to be judged for their sins. He will know all that the people have done, thought, and felt in their hearts. It is not possible to deceive Him. If the person has not already chosen to accept the gift of forgiveness, then at that point it will be too late. Those who have accepted the gift will be resurrected in imperishable glorified bodies to live in God's presence forever. Those who did not receive forgiveness will be eternally and completely separated from the presence of God and cast into the Lake of Fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is Hell, being cut off from every feeling, every thought, every experience, every person, every thing that has any good and desirable qualities forever in the darkness and alone. Perhaps a lake of fire is the closest analogy to what would be experienced that we can understand.

“This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.” Rev 22:12

“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:27

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31–32

"For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as wellwhen the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day…” 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10

“ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11–15

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men… But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:7, 10

Are angels and demons real?

Yes. At some point before the creation of Adam, God created angels. Angels are powerful supernatural spirit beings created to serve God. Demons are angels that rebelled against God and were thrown out of Heaven. Angels and fallen angels can interact with humans in this physical world in many ways. They have knowledge, abilities, and powers that humans do not have. Angels can appear human if they choose.

"I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was belted with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like topaz, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude… Then behold, a hand touched me and shook me… Then again the one who looked like a man touched me and strengthened me." Daniel 10:5–6, 13, 18 (the glorious angel who appears to Daniel)

"And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow." Matthew 28:2–3 (angel at the tomb)

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Revelation 12:7-9

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment" 2 Peter 2:4

"Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” Matthew 25:41

“I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” Luke 10:17-18

Is the devil real?

Yes. He is the original fallen angel and known by many names and titles:

• Satan (adversary) - Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:10; 1 Peter 5:8 (Greek: ἀντίδικος / antidikos); Revelation 12:9

• The Devil (slanderer/accuser) - Matthew 4:1; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9

• The Dragon/The Great Dragon - Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2

• The Serpent - Genesis 3:1 (implicit); 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2

• The Evil One - Matthew 6:13; John 17:15; 1 John 5:18

• The Tempter - Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5

• The prince of the power of the air - Ephesians 2:2

• The god of this world/age - 2 Corinthians 4:4

• The ruler of this world - John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11

• Beelzebul/Beelzebub– (lord of the flies/dung) - Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15

• Abaddon/Apollyon (Hebrew/Greek, destruction/destroyer) - Revelation 9:11 (the angel of the abyss; contextually identified as Satan’s agent, but many interpreters see this as a title of Satan himself)

• Belial/Beliar (worthless or lawless one) - 2 Corinthians 6:15

• Father of lies - John 8:44

NON-Salvation Issues:

“Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”

This will be a controversial section because many of these topics are what differentiate the different denominations from each other. I feel that these topics are secondary to the unity of the church. If it is not a salvation issue, then it should not separate the Church. Denominations were never the goal. We are one family and one body in Christ. These divisions within the Church need to stop. 

What are Spiritual Gifts and are they still active today?

The Bible teaches that spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. They are not natural talents, but supernatural enablements distributed according to God’s will.

Greek: χαρίσματα / charismata = “grace-gifts”

There is great debate over this subject. The two prevailing viewpoints are:

• The Spiritual Gifts were only given in the beginning to help establish the Church's divine credentials.

• The Spiritual Gifts are still active today.

Most Christian Biblical scholars will agree that God can do anything and use anyone for His purposes. It is in His power to empower an individual to accomplish His goals. This would not necessarily mean that this person had that Spiritual Gift in a long term sense as described in the New Testament.

There is also the possibility that those displaying these "Gifts" are actually empowered by/possessed by demons. The powers displayed may be real but of demonic provenance.

I do not know with certainty one way or the other. It never clearly states they have ended, but I don't know for sure that I have ever witnessed the display of spiritual gifts. Some of these gifts are easy to lie about and fake. There are some people who claim to have the power to speak in tongues. I have witnessed this practice a few times. I can not be certain the people were being honest. They could have been faking the whole thing. How would one verify the authenticity of such a thing? I do know they were disruptive of the church service and this is warned against in the Bible. What about Prophecy? I have witnessed people claim to be speaking for The Lord as a prophet but am uncertain about their prophetic words as well. The Biblical test of a prophet is 100% accuracy when speaking for The Lord. They killed false prophets in the Old Testament. 

I am inclined to say the gifts are still active but few people display them here in the US.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

"Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

What have we been instructed to do? How should we live?

Be baptized

What is Baptism? It is the first thing we are commanded to do as Christians. After a person commits to follow Jesus and accept the forgiveness he offers, that person is to be immersed in water (generally publicly or witnessed by fellow believers). This symbolizes our death to sin, burial, & resurrection to new life. 

This is an act obedience after conversion. Therefore it has no meaning when entered into unwillingly and or without understanding. This means an infant or child without the capacity to understand and choose for himself would not benefit from baptism. It is a decision to obey after conversion. It is not something that is done to you by someone else.

In koine Greek (the language of the New Testament) the word for baptize is βαπτίζω (transliterated as baptizō). The basic meaning of this word is "to dip", "to plunge", "to immerse", or "to submerge" (often in water).  We do not insert our wants and our traditions into the text of the Bible. Where it is clear, there is no argument. It says immerse. It does not say sprinkle. 

“Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" Acts 2:38

"Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." Acts 22:16

Participate in communion

What is Communion? The last night before he was seized by the priests to be killed, Jesus sat down for a meal with His disciples. During that meal He picked up a loaf of bread and a cup of wine. He told them that the bread was his body as he broke it and passed it around for them to eat. Likewise He took the cup of wine and told them it was his blood and passed it around for them to drink saying it was the blood of a new covenant and carried forgiveness from sins. He instructed them to do this in remembrance of Him.

Communion is an opportunity to reflect on the price that was paid to provide the gift of forgiveness that has been received. It is an opportunity to thank God for His mercy and acknowledge our own weakness and unworthiness. It reminds us of His love for us and declares to the world that forgiveness is freely offered. It is commemorating the new covenant that Jesus made with us through His death on the cross.

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said,‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26:26–29

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” Luke 22:19–20

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gather as a body of believers

The life of a Christian will be filled with temptations and attacks. We are not in this fight alone. Do not get in the habit of skipping Church and spending time with other believers. Where one person is strong, another is weak. You can help each other by recognizing each other's weaknesses and keeping them accountable. When paired with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, this becomes a powerful weapon in the war being waged for this world. Accountability and encouragement will go a long way towards keeping on the straight and narrow path.

"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24–25

“And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

“As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Study the Bible

How will you know what you believe if you don't read the Bible. Everything you need to know as a follower of Christ is contained within it's pages. It is the measuring stick that all beliefs and teachers must be examined by. If you know what the Bible says, then it will be much harder for the adversary to lead you astray. Safeguard your soul with the Word of God and you will be well served. The Bible is God's words written by human hands. God does not make mistakes and nothing can thwart His will,  so you can be sure that His words were written down accurately. 

“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:10–11

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Who does the Bible say should be leaders in the Church?

Paul wrote to Titus, a trusted gentile convert to Christianity, who led the Churches on the island of Crete. One of the issues Titus had to deal with in Crete was polygamy. Crete was a place of such ill repute that he mentioned it in his letter to Titus:

"For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” " Titus 1:10-12

He said of the leadership of the church:

"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Titus 1:5-9

Paul also wrote to his protégé Timothy who had taken over leading the Church in Ephesus. Paul had previously written to the Church in Ephesus while on his missionary travels. His letter to Timothy dealt with false doctrine, false teachers, and disorder in the Church. Polygamy was also practiced here, but to a lesser degree.

"It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 3:1-13

The letters give clear guidance on who is to be allowed into leadership positions in the Church:

• Elders / Overseers (Titus 1:5–9 + 1 Timothy 3:1–7)

  • Above reproach (blameless)

  • Husband of one wife (a one-woman man)

  • Having children who believe (faithful children), not accused of dissipation or rebellion

  • Not self-willed

  • Not quick-tempered

  • Not addicted to wine

  • Not pugnacious (not violent or a striker)

  • Not fond of sordid gain (not greedy for money)

  • Hospitable

  • Loving what is good

  • Self-controlled (sensible)

  • Righteous (just)

  • Devout (holy)

  • Self-disciplined (temperate)

  • Holding fast the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict

  • Of good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil

  • Not a new convert (not a novice), so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil

• Deacons (1 Timothy 3:8–13)

  • Men of dignity (worthy of respect)

  • Not double-tongued (not insincere in speech/not liars)

  • Not addicted to much wine

  • Not fond of sordid gain (not greedy for money)

  • Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

  • First tested and found beyond reproach before serving

  • Husband of one wife (a one-woman man)

  • Good managers of their children and their own households

  • Deacons’ wives must be dignified, not malicious gossips, temperate, and faithful in all things

These are the guidelines given by Paul for the organization of Church leadership. He does not specifically say women can not be leaders within the Church. In fact there are other instances where female leadership within the Church is recognized and praised:

“Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Acts 18:24–26 (Priscilla privately corrected and taught Apollos, a prominent male preacher who then became even more effective.)

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.” Romans 16:1–2  (servant =  διάκονον / deacon])

“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Romans 16:7  (Virtually all scholars and early church fathers until the Middle Ages understood Junia as a female apostle.)

In light of these facts, my stance is that as a general rule it is better to have the top leadership in the church be male. To do otherwise invites potential problems. Where it is necessary, female leadership should not be forbidden, but lean towards male leadership whenever possible.

What is predestination? 

Predestination is a simple idea with huge implications. It states that God created you with a specific purpose, knowing all that would occur in your life. This caused a big argument within the Church. It implies that you have no choice in whether you go to Heaven or Hell. It implies that some people can not be saved and others can not be lost. 

There are verses in the Bible that support these views, but there are also many instances where choice is affirmed and required.

Predestination verses:

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29–30

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:4–5

“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” Ephesians 1:11

“for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’” Romans 9:11–13

“For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion on whomever I show compassion.’ So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15–16

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,” Romans 9:22–23

“When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48

“Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out… And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day.” John 6:37–39

“who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” 2 Timothy 1:9

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4

Free Will verses:

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3–4 

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”2 Peter 3:9

“…we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.” 1 Timothy 4:10

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,” Titus 2:11

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16–17

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23

“As I live!” declares the Lord GOD, “I take no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11

As you can see, there are verses supporting both ideas. This can be problematic when trying to explain and define everything about being Christian. The best explanation I have is that both are true. 

We have free will and choose to follow Jesus. 

and

God knew from the beginning what we would choose and designed creation around that knowledge.

To us, that is a paradox. To Him, it is not. We can not know everything about God. We do not have the capability to understand it. 

We must accept that some things will just have to be taken on faith.

(All scripture listed here was taken from the New American Standard Bible)