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Atheists Ask: “If God Is Real, Then Why Is Faith Required?”

Atheists Ask: “If God Is Real, Then Why Is Faith Required?”

First of all, when people ask this they are using a different definition of “faith” than the the Bible does. The average person thinks “faith” means: “blind faith”, or belief without any evidence, zero, zippo, nada. That is not Biblical “faith”. So let’s clarify what we mean Biblically by faith. Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1 NAB). Biblical faith has evidence in support of it, in fact, lots of it! For example: “Since the creation the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, been understood from what has been made” (Rom 1:20 NIV). We can see from the earth  and the universe that there must be a designer and Creator. However, it is impossible to see Almighty God literally. “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live” (Ex 33:20 CSB). This is why faith is required. In some ways it’s no different from things we think, and do, everyday, but without giving it much thought. Would you work for a company, or organization that you didn’t think was going to pay you on payday? No, you have faith, for good reasons, that you will get paid. You wouldn’t buy a car, or an appliance, if you didn’t at least have some faith that it would work. Your wouldn’t hire someone to do a job for you without some faith they could do it, would you? Logical reasoning tells us what Hebrews 3;4 says: “For every house is built by someone, but he that created all things is God” (Jubilee Bible). You didn’t see a certain house being designed or built, but you logically know that someone had to design and construct it. Why would we use different reasoning standard about the immeasurably more complex universe, and its designer and builder? Therefore, the Bible says: “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God'” (Ps 14:1 NLT). While it is true that “not all  people have faith” (2 Thess 3:2), faith is available to all people! read more

How to Reason with Jehovah’s Witnesses

How to Reason with Jehovah’s Witnesses

Revised October 12, 2022

Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s) have historically been best known for their public and door-to-door witnessing, distributing literature such as The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. But how could Jehovah’s Witnesses be reasoned with about Biblical beliefs?

First, you will not be able to prove JW’s wrong on such things as:

  • Trinity
  • Hell
  • Immortal Soul
  • Birthdays
  • Christmas
  • Political Involvement
  • War/Fighting for Country

JW’s are taught that these are some primary reasons they’re the only true Christians. JW’s are very well trained on these subjects and armed with scriptures. The scriptures actually do support their positions on the above issues, except for birthdays. read more

Infant Baptism – Is it Biblical?

Infant Baptism – Is it Biblical?

There is no explicit evidence of infant baptism in the Bible. The earliest historical reference to infant baptism is in the third century, by Origen.

Infant Baptism
Do infants have the capacity to comprehend the seriousness of baptism or to undertake the needed changes?

More importantly, what do we learn from the Bible?

“You must therefore go and make disciples of people of all nations my disciples. You must baptize them.” (Matthew 28:19 Barclay) People would have to become disciples of Christ prior to qualifying for baptism. A disciple is a taught one, a believer, a follower, in this case, of Jesus Christ. read more

Must a Christian Work So As Not To Lose Salvation?

Must a Christian Work So As Not To Lose Salvation?

Must a Christian work, or make effort, so as not to lose salvation? Many people who believe in the doctrine of “eternal security” don’t think so. They say all you have to do is believe in Jesus, and “once saved, always saved”, and that your Christian works are completely irrelevant to your salvation.  But what does the Bible say? Let’s find out.

Can you lose salvation?
Must a Christian put forth any effort so as not to lose salvation?

“Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” (2 Pt 1:10 NLT) The Bible does not say we’re saved by works. However, a “called and chosen” Christian can “fall away” if he does not “work hard.” read more

Healing Miracles – What Does the Bible Say?

Healing Miracles – What Does the Bible Say?

Revised March 31, 2020

“Lord, Lord, did we not . . . in your name perform many miracles”—Matthew 7:22 NIV

The gift of healing was given by God on occasion in the Bible as a demonstration of his power to perform miracles. But can miracles come from a bad source? In the book of Exodus, the priests of Egypt were able to perform miracles similar to those performed through Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7:8-12). In Deuteronomy, God’s people were warned about those who practice divination and sorcery (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). read more

Salvation Through Faith – What About Christian Works?

Salvation Through Faith – What About Christian Works?

“Faith without works is dead”—James 2:26

In our previous article on salvation, we established that the Bible does not support the eternal salvation (or “once saved, always saved”) doctrine. So how is a Christian saved? Is it by doing good deeds and refraining from doing bad things? Is salvation attained by Christian works? Or is it by faith alone? If by faith alone, then where do Christian works fit in? Let’s see what the Bible has to say on this matter.

Christian works
Do Christian works produce salvation, or does salvation produce Christian works?

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” (Ephesians 2:9 NLT) The same verse in the NIV says that salvation is “not by works.” So obviously, the Bible says our own works cannot save us. It is not saying that as Christians, we should not be doing good works. Rather, it is saying that salvation is not attained simply by doing good works. read more

Eternal Security: Once Saved, Always Saved?

Eternal Security: Once Saved, Always Saved?

Many modern Christians believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

eternal security
Is the doctrine of eternal security supported by the Bible?

“I mention it that you may be saved.” (John 5:34 NIV). Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Matthew 7:21-23.

“For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:24 NIV). “It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5).  As these verses show, in one sense, salvation is past tense. read more

What name should Christians be called, and why?

What name should Christians be called, and why?

Early Christians
When were Christians first called “Christians?”

“Christians”

Christians are called Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and many other names. But, according to the Bible, what name should Christians really be called, and why? How long has the term “Christian” been in use, and who invented it? The answer to these questions can be found in the Bible.

“The disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians.” (Acts 11:26 Young’s) God was behind the development of the use of the term “Christians” within a few years of the start of Christianity. read more

Once Saved, Always Saved? How About Works?

Once Saved, Always Saved? How About Works?

Once saved, always saved
How about works?

Many modern Christians believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

“I mention it that you may be saved.” (John 5:34 NIV). Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Mt 7:21-23.

“For in this hope you were saved.” (Romans 8:24 NIV).  In one sense, salvation  is past tense.

“It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). read more

Can Someone Who Believes in the Trinity Have a Relationship with God?

Can Someone Who Believes in the Trinity Have a Relationship with God?

Relationship with God“It is God who judges”—Psalm 75:7 NIV

“God is a righteous judge”—Psalm 7:11 NIV

“He is a God of justice”—Psalm 50:6 NIV

“Why do you judge your brother or sister?”—Romans 14:10 NIV

“Be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves”—Matthew 10:16 NASB

Can someone who believes in the Trinity have a relationship with God and Christ?

GOD IS THE JUDGE

The short answer, based on the Bible, God is the judge of who has a relationship with God and Christ. Why? All human knowledge is partial, not total. God is the judge, not us humans. Still, we should be very “wary.” read more

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