Common Questions
*These are some quick thoughts given on these issues. They are not meant to be a complete bible study on each topic. For more information on these topics please contact us.
Salvation:
What is salvation and what does it mean?
The technical application of salvation is an invitation of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the work of Jesus Christ, to enter into a personal relationship with Him. The first step is the realization you presently do not possess this relationship: “There is none righteous, no not one…” “…For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23). Second, the potential of this relationship exists within the form of a free gift given by God, offered in the Holy Spirit, and paid for by Jesus Christ, humbly accepted by you. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). Finally, there must be a confession of love, sorrow, humility, and acceptance by you to the promise of Him. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the grave, you shall be saved. For with your heart man believes unto righteousness and with your mouth confession is made unto salvation… for whosoever shall call (ask) upon the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13). Since it is God who initiates this relationship, it is His right to dictate its way. “For there is one God and one Mediator (way) between God and ma, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5).
Baptism:
What is baptism?
The act of baptism in the Christian church is the physical symbol of a spiritual reality. This is like circumcision in the Jewish culture, which did not make you a Jew, but only identified Gentiles with the Jewish faith. Peter alluded to this in I Peter 3:21 concerning baptism: “baptism… now saves us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (water baptism) but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (spiritual salvation).” At the moment of salvation, you are spiritually baptized or immersed into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, hence you spiritually die and raise with Him. (Romans 6:3-8). This is the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Act 1:9, 11:16) which makes you a new and living creature spiritually. Physical water baptism, as commanded in Matthew 28:19, identifies you with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as a witness to a physical world of your spiritual reality.
Denominations:
What does denomination mean? What is a denomination?
The root of denominations is as old as the Church itself. In I Corinthians 1:11-15, which was written around 60 A. D. ,Paul says, “that there are contentions among you… that everyone of you say, I am of Paul, and I am of Appollos; and I am of Cephas (Peter), and I am of Christ. Is Christ Divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?...” Today it would read, I am of Calvin, Luther, Smyth, Wesley, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, and yes, even non-denominational beliefs. Denomination can give a church a way to identify its basic starting point of belief, but should not be its final point. That should be given only to the Scriptures themselves. Every denominational and non-denominational church has its errors. Only the Word of God is without error and perfect. To believe and teach the Bible is not denominational, to believe and teach a man’s ideas of the Bible and limit your doctrine to that teaching is denominational. This is why even non-denominational churches are still denominational. They follow the teachings of a man not the complete teachings of God.
Tithing:
What is tithing (or offering)?
We seem to live in a religious society which takes from the poor and gives to the rich. Tithing in the Old Testament was used to supply the physical needs of the Levites, not to gorge them with desires. Under the Law of the Tithe, a tenth of all things went to God first, (Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 14:22, Malachi 3:10) to signify Christ as the First Fruits of His Church (I Corinthians 15:20, 23). In the New Testament, there is a change from the Law (10%) to attitude. The new attitude was that all belonged to God, so what does He desire me to do with His money, hence, a “cheerful giver." This new attitude is reflected in Mark 14:8 where it states “...she has done what she could...” showing that Mary did all she was able to do, and it was enough for Jesus. Sometimes our gifts may be more than 10%; other times they may be less. It is not about the legalistic number, but the attitude “that you did what you could." A widow’s mite is greater than all the tithes of the wealthy.
Death:
What happens after death?
Man is created in the womb as a three part being. I Thessalonians 5:23 states “...and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That spirit, once brought to life by God’s spirit at salvation (Romans 8:16), is the part of man that is saved and able to communicate with God. The soul is the mind, will and emotions of man. This is what makes you who you are. The body is the physical temple which houses the other two parts. At death the spirit and soul are separated from the body. James 2:26 says that “the body without the spirit is dead,” (Matthew 10:28, Ecclesiastes 12: 7, Luke 16: 19-31). If saved, the soul and spirit of man is immediately in the presence of God, “...for to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” These two parts are given a temporary body (II Corinthians 5:1-10) which will continue until their physical body will be raised and changed into a permanent eternal body of joy (the Rapture). If unsaved, your soul is sent to Hell and given a permanent eternal body fit for continual pain.
Tongues:
What is speaking in tongues?
Tongues are only a small part of all the spiritual gifts given in Romans 14 and I Corinthians 12 and 14. The two Greek words used for ‘tongues’ are dialectos and Glossia where we derive our English words dialect and glossary. Both words speak of language. In Acts 2: 3-46, Luke records a list of existing languages which defined the tongues they heard. The only place which may indicate any other language than human is I Corinthians 13: 1 ( “the tongue of men and angels”). However, every angel spoke in the language of the person whom they spoke to (a human language). So tongues is the spiritual ability to communicate in alternate languages without the study of those languages. I Corinthians 14 limits the use of these languages to be in secret or in public (with an interpreter only) and that to be spoken by one person at a time. Most churches either ignore this gift or misuse this gift in a disobedient manner.
Women in church:
What is the view of women in the church?
It is important to understand that the only two limitations given to women in leadership exist within the two ordained examples from God, the marriage and the Church. Paul states the limitations within the church as, “...let the women learn in silence with all subjection but I suffer not a women to teach nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (I Corinthians 14: 34-35). This is not saying a woman cannot talk in church, but rather it is not her place to demand her word to be heard over the male elders in the church. This would also limit her teaching men, as an authority over them in the church. Many try to say that this command is based on social timing, but in the letter to Timothy, Paul relates this command not back to society, but creation itself. Unless the conditions of creation (man first) or the Fall change, then the command must remain intact (I Timothy 2: 13-14). To be fair, there are men who are unqualified to be in the position of authority also (I Timothy 3).
Translation:
What are translations? Are they Bible or not?
Translation debate is not as much about inspiration of Scripture (II Timothy 3: 16-17) as it is preservation of Scripture (Matthew 5: 17-18). Inspiration deals with how God gave the original documents to man (II Peter 1: 20-21). Preservation promises that God will preserve His Word perfect for every age and people (“One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled” Matthew 5:17-18). Since Scripture has not yet been completely fulfilled, this law of preservation is still in effect. In translation you must look for which Bible best preserves the original languages of Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). If you believe that every word is God given (inspiration), then you will want a translation which translates each word as best as possible (a word for word translation). King James and New American Standard are the closest to these languages. This is why they seem a little hard to understand at times. King James has the best preservation lineage through the received Greek text and translation of Hebrew Old Testament. The opposite of ‘word for word’ is ‘paraphrase’ which tells you what the translator ‘thinks’ it says. NIV and ESV are half and half (easier to read but not as close to the original words). Some ‘bibles’ are total paraphrases like The Message and Good News Bible which are not Bibles at all but commentary on the Bible.
Membership:
What is membership to the church? Do you have to be a member of a church?
Church membership can refer to either spiritual membership in the body of Christ or physical membership with a local congregation. While some churches would like to think these two to be the same, they do possess differences. Spiritual membership happens when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This person is immediately made a member of the invisible body of Christ throughout the ages (I Corinthians 12: 12-27). The physical membership is a little more complicated. Some churches say this membership is by salvation and physical baptism, others by contract or birth. The need for local membership increased as churches became more physical (buildings, money, bank accounts, etc.). The need to limit control of these assets meant controlling membership or at least give a more clear idea to who could vote on these matters. There is no doubt that the Bible teaches we should unite ourselves to a local assembly for the purpose of fellowship, teaching and spiritual gifts (Hebrews 10: 25, I Corinthians 12), but this is done more by faithful service than a 3 x 5 membership card. The important membership is to the body of Christ and showing that membership by attending a local church with faithful service.
Counseling:
What can I look to if I need help?
When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 1-11), His weapon of choice was Scripture. It is Scripture (the Bible) which is able to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:17). When a person is dealing with difficulties in life, it is best to study that difficulty throughout Scripture and find there the strength to control or conquer it. Examples would be:
*These are some quick thoughts given on these issues. They are not meant to be a complete bible study on each topic. For more information on these topics please contact us.
Salvation:
What is salvation and what does it mean?
The technical application of salvation is an invitation of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the work of Jesus Christ, to enter into a personal relationship with Him. The first step is the realization you presently do not possess this relationship: “There is none righteous, no not one…” “…For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23). Second, the potential of this relationship exists within the form of a free gift given by God, offered in the Holy Spirit, and paid for by Jesus Christ, humbly accepted by you. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). Finally, there must be a confession of love, sorrow, humility, and acceptance by you to the promise of Him. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the grave, you shall be saved. For with your heart man believes unto righteousness and with your mouth confession is made unto salvation… for whosoever shall call (ask) upon the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13). Since it is God who initiates this relationship, it is His right to dictate its way. “For there is one God and one Mediator (way) between God and ma, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5).
Baptism:
What is baptism?
The act of baptism in the Christian church is the physical symbol of a spiritual reality. This is like circumcision in the Jewish culture, which did not make you a Jew, but only identified Gentiles with the Jewish faith. Peter alluded to this in I Peter 3:21 concerning baptism: “baptism… now saves us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (water baptism) but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (spiritual salvation).” At the moment of salvation, you are spiritually baptized or immersed into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, hence you spiritually die and raise with Him. (Romans 6:3-8). This is the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Act 1:9, 11:16) which makes you a new and living creature spiritually. Physical water baptism, as commanded in Matthew 28:19, identifies you with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as a witness to a physical world of your spiritual reality.
Denominations:
What does denomination mean? What is a denomination?
The root of denominations is as old as the Church itself. In I Corinthians 1:11-15, which was written around 60 A. D. ,Paul says, “that there are contentions among you… that everyone of you say, I am of Paul, and I am of Appollos; and I am of Cephas (Peter), and I am of Christ. Is Christ Divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?...” Today it would read, I am of Calvin, Luther, Smyth, Wesley, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, and yes, even non-denominational beliefs. Denomination can give a church a way to identify its basic starting point of belief, but should not be its final point. That should be given only to the Scriptures themselves. Every denominational and non-denominational church has its errors. Only the Word of God is without error and perfect. To believe and teach the Bible is not denominational, to believe and teach a man’s ideas of the Bible and limit your doctrine to that teaching is denominational. This is why even non-denominational churches are still denominational. They follow the teachings of a man not the complete teachings of God.
Tithing:
What is tithing (or offering)?
We seem to live in a religious society which takes from the poor and gives to the rich. Tithing in the Old Testament was used to supply the physical needs of the Levites, not to gorge them with desires. Under the Law of the Tithe, a tenth of all things went to God first, (Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 14:22, Malachi 3:10) to signify Christ as the First Fruits of His Church (I Corinthians 15:20, 23). In the New Testament, there is a change from the Law (10%) to attitude. The new attitude was that all belonged to God, so what does He desire me to do with His money, hence, a “cheerful giver." This new attitude is reflected in Mark 14:8 where it states “...she has done what she could...” showing that Mary did all she was able to do, and it was enough for Jesus. Sometimes our gifts may be more than 10%; other times they may be less. It is not about the legalistic number, but the attitude “that you did what you could." A widow’s mite is greater than all the tithes of the wealthy.
Death:
What happens after death?
Man is created in the womb as a three part being. I Thessalonians 5:23 states “...and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That spirit, once brought to life by God’s spirit at salvation (Romans 8:16), is the part of man that is saved and able to communicate with God. The soul is the mind, will and emotions of man. This is what makes you who you are. The body is the physical temple which houses the other two parts. At death the spirit and soul are separated from the body. James 2:26 says that “the body without the spirit is dead,” (Matthew 10:28, Ecclesiastes 12: 7, Luke 16: 19-31). If saved, the soul and spirit of man is immediately in the presence of God, “...for to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” These two parts are given a temporary body (II Corinthians 5:1-10) which will continue until their physical body will be raised and changed into a permanent eternal body of joy (the Rapture). If unsaved, your soul is sent to Hell and given a permanent eternal body fit for continual pain.
Tongues:
What is speaking in tongues?
Tongues are only a small part of all the spiritual gifts given in Romans 14 and I Corinthians 12 and 14. The two Greek words used for ‘tongues’ are dialectos and Glossia where we derive our English words dialect and glossary. Both words speak of language. In Acts 2: 3-46, Luke records a list of existing languages which defined the tongues they heard. The only place which may indicate any other language than human is I Corinthians 13: 1 ( “the tongue of men and angels”). However, every angel spoke in the language of the person whom they spoke to (a human language). So tongues is the spiritual ability to communicate in alternate languages without the study of those languages. I Corinthians 14 limits the use of these languages to be in secret or in public (with an interpreter only) and that to be spoken by one person at a time. Most churches either ignore this gift or misuse this gift in a disobedient manner.
Women in church:
What is the view of women in the church?
It is important to understand that the only two limitations given to women in leadership exist within the two ordained examples from God, the marriage and the Church. Paul states the limitations within the church as, “...let the women learn in silence with all subjection but I suffer not a women to teach nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (I Corinthians 14: 34-35). This is not saying a woman cannot talk in church, but rather it is not her place to demand her word to be heard over the male elders in the church. This would also limit her teaching men, as an authority over them in the church. Many try to say that this command is based on social timing, but in the letter to Timothy, Paul relates this command not back to society, but creation itself. Unless the conditions of creation (man first) or the Fall change, then the command must remain intact (I Timothy 2: 13-14). To be fair, there are men who are unqualified to be in the position of authority also (I Timothy 3).
Translation:
What are translations? Are they Bible or not?
Translation debate is not as much about inspiration of Scripture (II Timothy 3: 16-17) as it is preservation of Scripture (Matthew 5: 17-18). Inspiration deals with how God gave the original documents to man (II Peter 1: 20-21). Preservation promises that God will preserve His Word perfect for every age and people (“One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled” Matthew 5:17-18). Since Scripture has not yet been completely fulfilled, this law of preservation is still in effect. In translation you must look for which Bible best preserves the original languages of Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). If you believe that every word is God given (inspiration), then you will want a translation which translates each word as best as possible (a word for word translation). King James and New American Standard are the closest to these languages. This is why they seem a little hard to understand at times. King James has the best preservation lineage through the received Greek text and translation of Hebrew Old Testament. The opposite of ‘word for word’ is ‘paraphrase’ which tells you what the translator ‘thinks’ it says. NIV and ESV are half and half (easier to read but not as close to the original words). Some ‘bibles’ are total paraphrases like The Message and Good News Bible which are not Bibles at all but commentary on the Bible.
Membership:
What is membership to the church? Do you have to be a member of a church?
Church membership can refer to either spiritual membership in the body of Christ or physical membership with a local congregation. While some churches would like to think these two to be the same, they do possess differences. Spiritual membership happens when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This person is immediately made a member of the invisible body of Christ throughout the ages (I Corinthians 12: 12-27). The physical membership is a little more complicated. Some churches say this membership is by salvation and physical baptism, others by contract or birth. The need for local membership increased as churches became more physical (buildings, money, bank accounts, etc.). The need to limit control of these assets meant controlling membership or at least give a more clear idea to who could vote on these matters. There is no doubt that the Bible teaches we should unite ourselves to a local assembly for the purpose of fellowship, teaching and spiritual gifts (Hebrews 10: 25, I Corinthians 12), but this is done more by faithful service than a 3 x 5 membership card. The important membership is to the body of Christ and showing that membership by attending a local church with faithful service.
Counseling:
What can I look to if I need help?
When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 1-11), His weapon of choice was Scripture. It is Scripture (the Bible) which is able to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:17). When a person is dealing with difficulties in life, it is best to study that difficulty throughout Scripture and find there the strength to control or conquer it. Examples would be:
- Anger: Proverbs 14: 29 “...he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding”, Ephesians 4: 21, “...let not the sun go down upon your wrath”. The council of these verses would say to slow down your retaliation and try to understand what’s happening. Second, let go of your anger every night.
- Worry: James 4: 13-15 “…You know not what shall be on tomorrow…”, Philippians 4: 6-7 “… With prayer and supplication…”. Worry is a natural response, but it does not have to be controlling. We can place our trust in God through prayer and the knowledge that He has already conquered tomorrow.