Question:

What is an atheist?

Answer:

An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of God.

That person is called a fool in the Scriptures, in Psalm 14:1: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. [No God for me.] They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

Question:

Do you have to go to Church to be saved?

Answer:

No! When the Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30, 31). Salvation comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and does not have happen inside a “church” building.

However, as believers, the Lord would have us gather with other believers according to the principles found in the epistles of Paul.  Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Question:

If there is a baptism coming up, and you don’t feel sure you want to be baptized, should you go ahead and be baptized anyway?

It pleases the Lord when His redeemed ones obey His Word and are baptized according to the Scriptures.  If you don’t understand what baptism is for, or why the Lord wants you to be baptized, you should study God’s Word and/or ask an older brother about baptism.  Some good portions to read are:  Matthew 18:17-20, Acts 8:26-39 and Romans 6:3-6.

Question:

Are there people on Earth related to Jesus?

Answer:

Believers are the brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus (John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11).

In the physical, there is no one related to the Lord Jesus.  While Jesus had brothers and sisters, who were born of Mary, they did not share the same father.  Joseph was the father of all the children of Mary…except for Jesus (see Matthew 1:18).

Question:

 God created the Heaven and Earth. Who created God?

God is called Alpha and Omega (the Beginning and the Ending)…Revelation 1:8

I am… (Exodus 3:14).

While everything we can see and touch had a beginning, God did not.  It is difficult to conceive of anything or anyone that has ALWAYS existed, without beginning, but the Lord truly has always existed.  He has no creator because He is the Creator (Colossians 1:16).

Question:

Is it a sin to name a child Jesus?

Answer:

There is no reason that we cannot assume that the name “Jesus” was a fairly common name in the time of our Lord.  The name is often used in the Hispanic community today.  While most would not be comfortable with the name, I don’t think it would be sinful to use it.

However, though no matter how much a parent may desire the very best for their child, it would be wrong to compare the child with the One who God named Jesus as His earthly name (Matthew 1:21). Also, after He bore God’s wrath against our sins and thus accomplished the work on Calvary’s cross to save our souls, God has raised Him from the dead and exalted the name of Jesus above all other names and every person (saved and unsaved) will bow their knees and confess Him as Lord for the glory of God the Father:

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Question:

Name the 12 apostles and how each of them died.

Answer:

We mostly have to rely on history books to tell us what happened to each one.  We know that Judas hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5).  James was killed with a sword in the early days of the Church (Acts 12:1, 2).  Historically, the others were martyrs for the Lord (including Paul), except John who is said to have died of old age.

Question:

Why are youths so afraid to make a commitment to God?

Answer:

For this question, we asked the campers and they answered:

1.    Some are afraid of what others will say.

2.    Some are afraid of losing their popularity.

3.    Some think that because they are young, there is no hurry.

4.    For all these reasons, we discussed how to overcome these feelings.

Question:

Why did Jesus weep in John 11:35?

So that we can know that the Lord is able to empathize with us in our suffering. He suffered with Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, and their friends as they felt a sense of loss and sadness over the death of Lazarus.  Was Jesus sad that Lazarus was in Heaven?  Certainly not!  In that the Lord rejoiced.  However, He was saddened by the suffering of those He loved.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 5:14-16).

Question:

If God knows who is going to Heaven, why do we need to witness to others?

Answer:

Romans 10:14,15: “How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

The Lord is pleased to use His people to bring the good news of salvation to the world. Although He knows who will be saved, He still needs us to tell others how to be saved (2 Timothy 4:5). What a wonderful ministry to be able to speak to lost ones about the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not tell them…how will they know?

Question:
What is the religion of Islam?

Answer:

Allah is their god; therefore they are idolaters. Allah is the Moon God. Does Allah have a son?  No.  So Allah cannot be the one true God of Heaven.  Abraham and Sarah sinned by having Hagar become pregnant with Abraham’s child in order to fulfill God’s prophecy.  Islam today is the result of that sin.  There are consequences when we sin, like ripples in a pond that reach far, even if it can’t be seen.

Question:

What are Jews? What do they believe?

They are those born in the nation of Israel to a Jewish father. Jesus was a Jew, born of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Orthodox Jews believe the Old Testament is the Word of God; however they do not accept the New Testament as the Word of God. They do not believe Jesus was the Messiah.  Even though their Messiah came to this earth (Matthew 1:20-23) at Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6) and died for all men (Isaiah 53:5), they still look for Him to come.

Question:

How would you know you’re saved if sometimes you don’t feel like you are?

We need to learn to walk according to God’s Word, and not according to our feelings.  We have the promise of God’s Word that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38,39).

Read Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  If you have confessed the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead after His death on the cross for you, you are eternally saved, no matter that the flesh or the world might be trying to convince you that you are lost.

Question:

Why do we go to church on Sunday since Saturday is the Sabbath?  

Answer:

The Lord rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday) (John 20:1).

The early church met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

Collections for the saints were to be taken up while gathering on the first day of the week  (1 Corinthians 16:2).                                                                                                    

We are not under the Law, but under Grace.  The Law was fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17).

The first day of the week is called “The Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10.

Question:
Where did Jesus go when He came out of the tomb?

Answer:

He met privately with Peter (Luke 24:34). He met 2 people on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31). See also 1 Corinthians 15:3-7.

Question:

Does not John 20:17, where it is stated, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.”, show that the Lord did not go to the Father upon His death?

This verse actually shows that the Lord was instructing Mary that she could not hold Him to this earth any longer.  The word “touch” may also be translated, “to attach oneself.”  He was about to ascend to Heaven to sit at His Father’s right hand.  He could no longer stay with Mary and the disciples in the physical sense.  Note that the Lord later invited Thomas to touch Him (John 20:27).

Question:

Did Jesus’ spirit go to Heaven or Hell when He died?

Heaven.  In Luke 23:42-43, the Lord promised the repentant criminal on the cross beside Him that he would be with the Lord in Paradise that very day.  (Paradise is synonymous with Heaven…2 Corinthians 12:2,4)   In Luke 23:46, the Lord commended His spirit to the Father.

Question:
How old is Jesus?

Answer:

The Lord Jesus is eternal.  In Revelation 1:8, the Lord declares Himself to be the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  In Daniel 7:9, the Lord is called the “Ancient of Days.”

Question:

How old was Jesus when he died?

Luke 3:23 states that the Lord Jesus was 30 years old when he began His public ministry. In the parable of a man and his vineyard (Luke 13:6-9), the Lord is obviously referring to Himself in the person of the dresser.  The parable shows how the man sought fruit in the vineyard for three years.  Upon finding no fruit, the owner orders the fig tree to be cut down.  The dresser asks for another year to work the vineyard.  This speaks of the Lord’s ministry to Israel.  So…beginning his ministry at 30, and laboring about 3 years, this would make Jesus to be about 33 years old when He was crucified.

Question:

In the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:8-30), “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (verses 24 and 25). Was that an angel, [such as a] “guardian angel,” or was that God Himself?

It is remarkable that we are not told that anyone else except Nebuchadnezzar saw the fourth person in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. His words are “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25). Just as God used the likes of Balaam (Numbers 22:18) and Caiaphas (John 18:14) to speak the truth when they thought little of it, so He used Nebuchadnezzar to speak the truth here.

Nebuchadnezzar could have used the title “the Son of man” for Christ which appears elsewhere in Daniel 7:13 and 8:17, as Christ is “Son of man” because all judgment is committed unto Him (see John 5:22). But as “Son of God” He gives life. Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25). Therefore it seems that the overruling power of the Spirit of God was manifest in leading the king to use the expression “the Son of God.”

Where the confusion comes in is after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the burning fiery furnace Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God” (Daniel 3:28).

Nebuchadnezzar used the words: “His [the Lord’s] angel,” and the Scriptures show that the term: “The angel of the LORD” is God Himself, which we see when He appeared to Moses:  “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover He said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God” (Exodus 3:2-6).

The meaning of the Greek and Hebrew words for “angel” is messenger or representative, and we are told: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).

Your question is: “Was that an angel, [such as a] “guardian angel,” or was that God Himself?”

We may not be able to say definitely whether the Lord used an angel to be with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the burning fiery furnace, or if the Lord was with them Himself, but it seems from the following promise that it was Lord Himself: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).

Question:

Matthew 18:10 says, “For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My father in heaven.”  Does this mean that they have guardian angels?  If so, do we all have guardian angels?

Answer:

The Bible doesn’t say that each believer has one specific angel.  Angels are plural in this verse, and in Hebrews 1:14 we read, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?”  This denotes a broader range of activity than being “guardians.”  Angels help us a lot, no doubt in many ways that we are not aware of.  “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).  Generally, if we think we have been helped in a supernatural way, we have no way of knowing whether the help came from angels or from the Lord Himself.  In any case, we must always give thanks to God who “is our help” (Psalm 33:20) and who directs and sends the angels to help us.

Angels are not to be prayed to or worshiped.  When the apostle John “fell down to worship before the feet of the angel,” the angel responded, “See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant … worship God” (Revelation 22:8,9).

There are a number of instances in the Bible in which angels visited God’s people, including Abraham and Lot (Genesis 18:1-19:22), Gideon (Judges 6:11-23), Samson’s parents (Judges 13:3-20), Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20), Mary (Luke 1:26-37), Joseph (Matthew 1:20,21), and others.  When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by a great army of Syrian troops with horses and chariots, an even greater army of angels came between the two men and the Syrians (2 Kings 6:14-17).  There are modern day stories of similar happenings, such as bandits threatening to strike a foreign mission compound being turned away by the appearance of armed guards on the roof of the building.  Another story was told of a minister of the Lord who left his attaché case in an airport, returned a couple of hours later to try to find it, and found it just where he left it but with a “man” standing there straddling it between his legs.  The minister leaned over to identify the case and when he started to say something, the “man” had totally disappeared.

Do only important people have angels helping them?  This brings us back to the original question.  Even “these little ones” have angels helping them (Matthew 18:10).  It was brought out in the Bible Reading on Matthew 18 that this verse might be referring to the fact that the spirits of little ones who die would be taken to heaven instead of referring to angels who help the little ones.  The commentaries disagree on this point.  The Greek word found in this verse is the ordinary one for “angels” and not the word for “spirits.”

Do we become angels when we die?  No, but rather we are closer to Christ than the angels are (Hebrews 2:14-18), and in fact will judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Question:

Is there any sin too great to be forgiven?

Answer:

The only sin that will not be forgiven is to pass into eternity without believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no second chance to those who die in their sins.

Jesus said: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

Question:

If someone says that he/she is saved but knowingly continues to sin without asking for forgiveness can he/she go to heaven?

Answer:

If a person is truly saved, that person cannot be lost.  However, the question is worded, “If someone says that he/she is saved….”  1 John 3:9 says, “Whosoever is born of God does not commit [or practice] sin.”  We cannot know the heart of another person, but the person who is continuing in sin is not acting as if he/she were saved.  Matthew 7:20 says, “By their fruits you shall know them.”  James 2:14-26 talks about a man who says he has faith but exhibits no evidence of good works or is continuing in sin.  While, again, God knows our hearts, we have no right to count one as saved who gives no evidence of it in his/her life, and we should seek to warn and evangelize such a person.  Another relevant passage is Romans 6 which says that believers are counted by God as being “dead to sin” (verse 2) and therefore should not continue to live in sin (verses 11-14).

Question:

Why did God choose Judas as a disciple since He knew he would betray Him?

Answer:

Psalm 41:9: “Yea, Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me.” It was prophesied that one would betray the Lord … one of his close friends. Although the Lord did not force Judas to betray Him, He knew that he would. John 13:11 “For He knew who should betray Him….”

Question:

Is Matthew 18:8,9 only to be taken as an illustration?  Can it be taken literally?

Matthew 18:8, 9: “And if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee; it is good for thee to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into eternal fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is good for thee to enter into life one-eyed, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.”

As mentioned in the former question about verse 9, if we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can get the victory over sinful tendencies, and literal mutilation of our body will not provide any additional help.  Cutting off hand or foot or plucking out our eye would hurt, and breaking sinful habits may hurt, at least for a while, until these are replaced by Christ-centered habits.

Question:

Since God chose Judas to betray Him, was Judas in control? 

Answer:

Although the Lord knew Judas would betray him, He did not “choose” Judas to betray Him.  Neither did the Lord force Judas to betray Him. James 1:13,14: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” This portion teaches us that sin is our choice. The Lord never tempts (entices) us to sin. Satan was able to use Judas because he did not believe that Jesus was truly the Messiah, or Christ. Anyone who rejects the Lord as Saviour is subject to the control of Satan. 

Question:

Matthew 18:9 reads, “It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”  Does this mean life on earth or eternal life in heaven?

Matthew 18:9: “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is good for thee to enter into life one-eyed, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.”

Certainly no one will enter heaven crippled or maimed, but this passage most likely means entering eternal life having been crippled or maimed in this present life.

What about the second part of this verse?  Can a saved person be lost again and then be sent to hell?  In John 10:27-29, the Lord Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  My Father, who gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”

To whom was the Lord Jesus speaking in Matthew 18, and what is “the kingdom of heaven” (verse 1)?  Jesus was speaking to His disciples and the kingdom of heaven includes all who outwardly own the King.  People may become part of this kingdom by baptism or by profession of faith in Christ, but these are not necessarily saved.  Those who profess to be Christians but who continually allow their hand or foot or eye to lead them into sin are in danger of “hell fire.” True believers who have these sinful tendencies can only get the victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (by the fruit of “temperance” or self-control, Galatians 5:23).  Cutting off body parts (as suggested in Matthew 18:8,9) without living in the power of the Holy Spirit would not help.

Question:

If a Christian sins purposefully again and again and keeps asking for forgiveness, will God forgive him?

Answer:

First, we again bring up the thought that this person may not truly be saved. But, if he truly is, then 1 John 1:9 would apply to this person. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Word is full of examples of saints who fell into sin. These can teach us and warn us that we can also fall into sin if we are not following the Lord closely.  However, if we confess our sins to the Lord, He is faithful and just … He will forgive and cleanse us. 

Question:

If we are saved, can we just go and keep on sinning?

Answer:

Romans 6:1,2: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  How can we who are saved continue to live in the lifestyle that the Lord saved us from?  God forbid!!!  If the attitude is that I since I am saved, I can “do what I want,” then the salvation would surely be questioned. This is not the attitude of one who truly knows the Lord and His salvation. If we do sin, because of the indwelling Holy Spirit in us, we would be convicted of those sins. Peter denied the Lord three times, but when the Lord turned around and looked at him, Peter “went out and wept bitterly” (read Luke 22:54-62).

We were challenged to look up the different times in the Scriptures that the Lord Jesus turned to look at someone. 

Question:

In the Bible, a lot of Godly people made huge mistakes such as Solomon, the wisest man, had a lot of wives.  David, a man after God’s own heart, killed another man. I know these are examples of how Christians sin too, but it almost seems like it’s okay to sin once you’re saved. It will be hard trying to explain this to an unbeliever and almost seems that Christians that do things like adultery once they are saved may be okay and still go to Heaven. I think this is wrong and am puzzled by this.  Please help me.

Answer:

The fact that the Lord includes the sins of His people in the Bible shows us that we are all subject to failure, even the man after God’s own heart.  We should realize our dependence on the Lord on a moment by moment basis so that we do not sin. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are saved for eternity. John 10:27-29 teaches us that we are safe in the hands of both the Son and the Father: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” Romans 8:38,39 teaches us that no matter what happens in a true believer’s life, we can never be separated from the love of the Lord.  “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”