(Bible Question) ...I currently identify myself as Agnostic because of all the conflicting ideas and hate I hear. I understand that different groups of Christians and Catholics believe certain ideas mean different things. I was just hoping to hear from you guys. I think one of my first question/problems is with the conditions of God's love. I know that it is taught God loves all unconditionally, but anytime I hear someone speak It's, you must be this, you must be that. I.E Homosexuality is wrong and an abomination on God, therefore they will all go to hell unless they change their ways. Personally I believe people are born into their sexualities, and I know you will strongly disagree with that. The problem arises for me with, if God loves unconditionally but you can't be gay, isn't that a condition? I believe people should be loved and accepted no matter what as long as they aren't hurting people. Also, I'm sorry but I don't count the Church's stance on Homosexuality as "hurting the fabric of the country" or "destroying families". Something else I was curious about is why does each different group of the same religion believe that everyone else is wrong? I can understand Evolution and Creationism clashing, but I'm confused when 2 different groups of Christians both think the other is a group of sinners. I understand peoples dedication to their beliefs and I respect it that people can believe.If God is all knowing and he has a plan, doesn't that mean he planned out history? That would mean all religions exist due to Him. If they were wrong and meant to drive people from His love, they wouldn't exist. One of my biggest questions to anybody I speak to about religion is, Isn't it possible that God created everything so that everybody could have faith in something? He would have known people would not follow him, if it was due to "evil influences" or stubbornness. So it would make sense that all beliefs are created so that faith could survive even in different forms. Ranging from faith in humanity, faith in individuals, or just plain faith in the hundreds of religions. Wouldn't God be happier with people believing in something, compared to nothing at all, as long as it means the happiness of His people. Also sorry but this is kind of a jump away from that topic, but a lot of teachings I see speak of how God is love and the bible teaches love, but I see people shouting in anger. I got in an argument with one man because he thought it was necessary for salvation, but shouldn't God be spread through love and peace not yelling and distraction. I currently am attending High School and there are some days a Born Again Christian stands across the street from our school during lunch.
We have to walk by to be able to go and buy lunch from the pizza shop and it gives him an unwilling audience. He spends hours a day preaching to us about burning in hell and the need to repent. He accuses random kids of being gay or of any number of "sins" and tells them they're all burning in hell, and he smiles while he does it. I'm not accusing all religious persons of doing this, but I can't comprehend why anyone believes spreading the word of God that way would work. I recently saw a documentary filmed by an Evangelic Christian and he spoke to people about the disconnect between religious and non-religious people. He spoke peacefully and people listened without yelling at him, like people do to the man who comes to my school. (documentary was called Lord, Save Us From Your Followers). Any opinions or light you could shine on any of this would be greatly appreciated. I'm not intending to offend anyone or start any fights, I'm honestly asking for my own sake and understanding. I'm sorry if this email seems really unorganized and bounces around a lot haha. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
(Christian Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. I can understand your confusion about all of this and where you are, but it all stems from one basic issue—you are not getting your ideas and beliefs from the Bible. NOTE: The Bible is the proven word of God. It is 100% accurate and relevant for our modern day. When a person on the road to hell acts upon the Biblical message, he will be set free from his addictions and find salvation. It is MOST IMPORTANT you do that very thing.
Whatever God says is fact. He is the creator of the universe and all life. If God says homosexuality is an abomination, then it is an abomination because he is ALWAYS correct on everything. See Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Jude 7; etc. God's love is NOT like human love or Christian love. Read the love chapter for details. He is infinite and eternal, we are not. God loves unsaved people, but will send the same unsaved people to hell, unless they get Biblically saved. Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11.
The reason there are so many different views of what the Bible says is because of how it is interpreted. Many people have taken verses out of context, and because it is disjointed it is also misleading. For example, in your email you wrote:
If God is all knowing and he has a plan, doesn't that mean he planned out history?
If I understood that to mean you believe God is all knowing (because that is what you wrote), that would be a distortion. That is similar to how many read and teach the Bible. One of the worst ways to hurt a person is to deceive them religiously (spiritually). Why? That will affect their SOUL, their most valuable possession:
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)
Because of dangerous false teachings, people speak out to help others and warn the deceived (but even some of these can be wrong). We do a lot of helping people here, as Evangelical Outreach website shows. Do you have a Bible to read? If not, we'll send you a free Bible. But just having a Bible and even reading it won't benefit you unless you act on the message of the Bible. That message is precious.(Salvation is what you need most, even more than water when you are extremely thirsty!) Rather than trying to understand everything at once, get in the New Testament and change accordingly. You will be better able to understand these and other issues more afterwards, besides giving you wholesome sound direction in your young life. You could have decades ahead of you, please don't waste it! Make your life count for God. God bless you.
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(QUESTION) so what is the right religion? I am a stay at home catholic. what church teaches the true meaning of Christ/ bible study etc. I am from downtown ______. thank you.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. Please
reprogram yourself! What will benefit you is learning God's truth and acting upon that message. Hence, go directly to the New Testament and change accordingly. Draw near to God and he'll draw near to you. Get the Sins out of your life. They are dragging you to hell. After you learn the Bible from reading it, then you will be able to better know what is true or false about the various churches and teachers, even on radio and TV. (Don't assume just because someone is on TV or radio they are teaching correctly.) Salvation is NOT what church one attends, but a close relationship with the Lord Jesus. (I am an ex Catholic.) Forget what you were taught and go to the Bible without any preconceived ideas. Start afresh and change. This is most serious. God bless you.
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(QUESTION again from same person) as a catholic, I don't own a bible. is there any one that I should get. for example, st joeseph catholic bible has different books then the king james version. thank you
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. The primary difference between a Catholic Bible and most other Bibles is the Apocryphal books, which are cited before the New Testament. (They should NOT be in the Bible at all.) The New Testaments are almost all the same. So, start reading the New Testament as soon as possible while you look for a better Bible translation. I would recommend the NASB, ESV or NIV. You can also buy a Bible over the internet if you can't get out. Did you read that text teaching on Salvation? Please ponder 1 Cor. 6:9-11. God bless you.
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(QUESTION/COMMENT) I'm most awed by your accurate analysis of Nostradamus predictions. Please keep up the good work. God bless you.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thanks for the kind words. It is truly amazing how the media still tends to exalt Nostradamus as a man who could predict the future, even after his MANY false prophecies! No doubt their motive is MONEY because books about him are still very popular hundreds of years after his death. His Occult involvement is not generally known, but our ruined society probably wouldn't care even if they knew the truth about that involvement. His popularity reflects both ignorance and sin. If people want to know the future they should go to the Bible, a sure and 100% safe and accurate guide for what will yet occur. Do you know about Biblical Salvation?
Please consider signing up for our internet church, email, text, audio and video teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here Evangelical Outreach. Remember Rev. 21:8.
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(QUESTION/COMMENT) I thank God that he led me to your site. I look forward to growing in Christ through your teachings along with others.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thanks for the kind words. What we have on our website is the result of decades of study in the Bible and experience on the streets witnessing to many different types of people. We have a wide variety of teachings all based on the Bible. We are not here to tickle ears, because we fear God. We are here to please God. Hence, we declare even the unpleasant hard truths, which has made some people shun us. We know SOULS are the most precious and valuable resource. Hence, we guard our own souls as we reach out with God's truth to others.
Even though we are religiously discriminated against, by God's mercy you have still found us. We pray along those lines. Thanks again for the kind word and God bless you. 1 Cor. 2:9.
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(QUESTION) I have been blessed by your articles on many false teachings, especially OSAS [Eternal Security], and Baptismal Regeneration, I am having a difficult time in finding a good Bible teaching Church that is teaching the truth, as I have been out of the apostate church for close to a year now.
I was fired from a good job of 21 years, for standing up for an abused patient, and wouldn't look the other way, or compromise the truth of what happened, and was fired for this. I gave away most of my possessions, had to cash in my retirement to get out of debt, and I sold my home and fancy car, and the Lord has lead me out of a huge debt to man.
I am single, have part time work in my profession, and learning now to be a good steward of Gods blessings, which is a hard lesson for me.
I am growing much more now apart from several apostate churches I left, no TV, cable, just a small apt I rent, with my small dog.
I share the Gospel of John, booklet, with the plan of salvation in it, where the Lord leads, and also my testimony, I feel so isolated at times, but drawing my strength and comfort from the Lord, and remaining pure, and separated from the world.
My question is, a good friend of mine, convinced me I was baptized wrong many years ago, as she believes in Baptismal Regeneration, and I went to a Church of Christ here in my city, as I felt I wasn't Baptized properly many years ago. This woman didn't warn me of this teaching, and I blame myself for listening to man over the truth of Gods word, which made me read your article on Baptismal Regeneration.
I have repented of my stupid decision, to be re baptized, which I did, as this Church of Christ was very dogmatic on this false teaching. I feel my sister in Christ should have warned me instead of encouraging me to follow their teaching. She encourages others to attend Church of Christ churches, as she went to their Bible college.
Maybe its wrong for a person like me,just learning the truth for the first time to expect a mature Christian to warn me about this churches false teachings on BR, and she was angry that I confronted her on this false teaching. She blamed me for what happened, and was angry I said she should not teach this false doctrine,and wouldn't admit she thinks its truth. but I was very ashamed of myself for going astray, and following her opinion, and what I read from those who teach BR as truth, mainly Church of Christ preachers.
I know you are a busy man, and I respect your teachings, as like you I am hungry for the truth. God Bless you and your family, and hope to hear from you. Love in Christ.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) We are very sorry for your lonely painful situation. MANY saints are suffering in a somewhat similar way in our widespread Apostasy and financial depression.
Please also know you are not alone in regards to the Church of Christ aggressively pressuring you to be water baptized for forgiveness and salvation. It is much more common than you know! Believe it or not, I have had quite a few “run ins” with the Church of Christ over the years. They always consider me as an unsaved person on the sole basis that I reject I was (or any person is) forgiven at water baptism, but only if you are water baptized TO get your sins forgiven! They want us to consider them Christians, but they don't consider us Christians! That is why the woman you know wanted you to get water baptized “properly”! She would point one to the Church of Christ because she believes like they do. She has a real problem especially pointing people to a cult! That woman is not a spiritual blessing, but a snare to others and herself.
What makes a person a Christian? In brief, he/she hears God's word and put it into practice (Lk. 8:21), but that doesn't deny instant salvation. That woman, who pointed you to the Church of Christ, apparently does NOT believe the Biblical message that a person is forgiven at the point of a trusting-submitting-OBEYING faith in Jesus. (That includes Repentance.) For Cornelius the centurion in the bible that happened before he was water baptized (Acts 10:43-48). NOTE: The Church of Christ is a snare to people who know once saved always saved is false, but can't find a congregation which openly stands against it. They are correct to reject OSAS, but still a DANGEROUS group. (The United Pentecostals or Jesus Only group is also very similar to Church of Christ and should be avoided too.) [David Bercot also believes in baptismal regeneration.]
Have you read this for New Christians? If you want a free ministry packet, please send your address.
Please consider signing up for our Internet Church, email, text, audio and video teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do there. Remember Rev. 21:8. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(QUESTION) How does one repent from an addiction? How can one say truthfully, "I'll never do that again," when he or she knows they've proven that to be false when temptation or addiction comes upon them? I can regret my sins, and can say I'm sorry I ever did it, but I can't truthfully say I won't do it ever again; only that I don't want to do it. and even when I want to sin, I think deep down I don't really want to. I mean that I dont want to "want to sin." And is there any way to feel forgiven if you have been forgiven of sin? curious... sincerely,
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. No Christian person has to sin. That is FACT:
(1 Cor 10:13) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Resist the devil and he will flee:
(James 4:7) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When a person gets saved, he will be instantly set free from his sin addictions, regardless what they are (Jn. 8:32-36). That happens at the point of true Repentance. It is part of the spiritual New Creation too.
Years ago, when we were evangelizing door-to-door, I knocked on a poor man's house. An old man opened the door and invited us in. He said he used to be an Alcoholic but is now totally delivered. I asked him how that happened. He pointed to the worn out living room carpet and said, “I got down on my hands and knees and begged God.” AMEN! That's how you get set free and saved too. From your heart in humility ask God for mercy and forgiveness. Tell him you are sorry for your great wickedness and sins against him. Also, that you are through with your evil behavior. Purpose in your heart that you will die before you ever go back to that sin again and turn to follow Jesus unashamedly. God looks on the heart. Anything less than 100% sincerity is NOT good enough. Read this on Salvation.
Please consider signing up for our Internet Church, email, text, audio and video teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that there. Remember Rev. 21:8. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(QUESTION) I have many translations of the Bible. Some of them have The Apochyphra in them. I do not understand why they were removed from the Bible. Even the 1611 King James has them in it. I have been blessed by reading them. Is it wrong to read them. My name is_____________....May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. Unfortunately, you are correct that even the 1611 KJV had the Apocrypha in it. (That fact is an embarrassment to the KJV Only crowd.) So, why is the Apocrypha “not from God” and therefore should not be included in the Bible? The answer is it DANGEROUSLY promotes false doctrines! For example we read in Tobit 12:8,9:
For almes doth deliuer from death, and shall purge away all sinne. Those that exercise almes, and righteousness, shall be filled with life.
That teaches almsgivings is how we get forgiven! Another example is from 2 Mac. 12 and teaches praying for the dead, the chief reason the Catholic church included the Apocrapha in their Bible. The context of 2 Mac. 12 shows the people they were praying for died in the state of idolatry (which is a “mortal” sin to Catholics). Hence, they actually cite the Apocrapha for praying for the dead, but never mention the context because their other doctrine says don't pray for those who go to hell, which would include idolaters! Again, see Apocrypha. Are you aware of the Ten Areas Of Roman Catholic Deception?
Please consider signing up for our Internet Church, email, text, audio and video teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do there. Remember Rev. 21:8. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(QUESTION) Hello, Before you tell people that "once saved always saved" is a lie, I encourage you to thoroughly study the Bible, get the context and know the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. Using James chapter 2 like the JW's and the Mormans do is not sound doctrine. ... The reason Jesus didn't make the condition works(being good boys and good girls) is because if He did who would get in? How good do you have to be? pretty good or really good? Really good or exceptionally good? What did any of us do last week that would impress God?
Thank God Jesus said "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish" (Jn.10:28). Please look up the only condition He put on this. Thank God we are told that we are KEPT by the power of GOD. Context? When I ask religious people (Mormans, JW's, Catholics, Muslims, 7th day Adventists, Church of Christ, Hindu's.....) how does a person get to heaven? they all say basically the same thing, they start listing things that I need to do and which they can't define. I don't write this to be contentious, in fact this is the first time I have ever responded to someone. But this is where the Bible and religion collide head on, because the Bible tells us what Jesus has done for us because of our inability to save ourselves. Sin separates us from God, if we can somehow have our sins cleansed we would be in good shape. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The verses are too numerous to list. Pick any book in the N.T. and the truth of eternal security will be evident. Read them carefully, compare scripture with scripture, know who is being addressed, the context, and the right divisions.... Isn't that reasonable? Please don't believe me. Trust the shed blood of the Lamb to save you. Nobody in heaven will be pointing to themselves as having anything to do with being there, we will all point to the Lamb and say it's all because of Him.
(CHRISTIAN ANSWER) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thanks for writing. I have done all that you have assumed was not done. The reason you write as you do is because you have spent too much time listening to teachings and too little time reading through the Bible, especially the New Testament for yourself. There is no question, there is NO Eternal Security. It is also true that Spiritual Death can occur to the righteous.
One gets saved at the point of a trusting submitting FAITH IN JESUS. Did you notice the word submitting being connected to faith in Jesus. That is the Biblical message. Ponder Lk. 8:21. Did you know that Believing on Jesus is the same as OBEYING? In other words, one is NOT really believing on Jesus unless he is following in obedience the Lord. That is true Evangelical Christianity. So all James 2 is saying is, a saving faith in Jesus will have obedience with it. If not, then that so-called faith is NOT the kind which will save one from hell. There is no conflict with Romans 4. You have referred to the following passage, so let's take a close look at it:
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME. John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
Please note that the ones that will "never perish" or get "snatched" from God's hand, according to Jesus' teaching are only the ones that FOLLOW HIM. Also, the Greek tense of the word "follow" in v. 27 is a CONTINUOUS TENSE. Hence, this verse does NOT allow for one to stray into wickedness and maintain their salvation as it has been misused to teach. Please remember this.
Have you ever noticed these verses:
(1 Cor 15:2) By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
(Heb 3:14) We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
(Luke 12:35) Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.
(1 Tim 5:22) ...not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
I could cite more, but they should suffice. Did you know that Christianity is a religion? Here is proof:
(James 1:26) If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
(James 1:27) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Is your religion worthless, based on that? Do you really understand Salvation?
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer's Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. This book is the greatest work ever written refuting eternal security. Your money will be fully refunded if not satisfied upon the return of the book in a re-sellable condition. It is available in hardback, softback and voicebook. Prompt shipment plus free materials with your book order. Order with credit card at 724-632-3210 or online. Remember Mt. 7:21. May God help you to see these things.
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