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Our Basics Beliefs

a-pol-o-get-ic     (n.) — branch of theology that deals with the defense and proof of Christian doctrine.

Answers to the questions on basics

It would be good to memorize these scriptures as they will be helpful in witnessing and greatly aid the defense of your faith. This list is not authorative, however are the basics in Christianity and Christians should know them.

1. Can you tell someone what the Great Commission is?
A.   "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen "   Matthew 28:18-20.

2. Can you tell someone what the gospel is?
A.   "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"   1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

3. Can you tell someone where in the Bible the gospel is defined?
A.   See #2 Answer.

4. How many ways are there to get to God?
A.   Only one: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"   John 14:6.

5. Can you quote John 3:16?
A.   "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   John 3:16.

6. What book and chapter of the Bible has the Ten Commandments?
A.   Exodus chapter 20

7. What is the basic salvation message?
A.   Him would have everlasting life and escape the judgment of God upon those who have sinned against Him (John 3:16-18). Receiving salvation from God is done by faith (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8).

8. Must you be baptized in order to be saved?
A.   No, being baptized in water does not save you, however, Jesus said unto John, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Also, Jesus included baptism as a part of the great commission. See Matthew 3:13-15 and 28:18-20.

9. Is salvation obtained by being good, by faith in Jesus alone, or both?
A.   Salvation is a gift (Romans 6:23) that cannot be earned. We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1) apart from the works of the Law (Romans 3:28).

10. Can you define the term justification?
A.   To be justified is to be made righteous. It is a divine act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he is declared sinless. This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "...being now justified by his blood,..."  Romans 5:9.

11. Can you tell define the term sanctification?
A.   Sanctification follows justification. In justification our sins are completely forgiven in Christ. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ in all that we do, think, and desire.

12. Can you tell someone the difference between Mormonism and Christianity?
Mormonism teaches that God used to be a man on another world. He became a god and brought one of his wives to this world. They produce spirit offspring who enter human babies at birth. Mormons believe they have the potential of becoming gods of their own worlds. A.   Christianity teaches that there is only one God in all existence (who was never a man on a planet). God exists as a Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:1,14) and we cannot become gods.

13. Can you quote scripture and location that says we are saved by grace?
A.   Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

14. Can you quote scripture and location that says there is only one God?
A.   "...I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me"   Isaiah 43:10. See also Isaiah 44:6,8.

15. Is Jesus God in flesh, a good man, or an angel who became a man?
A.   Jesus is God in flesh. Colossians 2:9 says, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." John 1:1,14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."   "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

16. Did Jesus rise from the dead in a physical body or not?
A.   Jesus rose from the dead in the same body He died in, though it was a glorified body. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body."   John 2:19-21. And, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body"   1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

17. How many natures does Jesus have?
A.   Two. Jesus is both God and man. Colossians 2:9 says, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

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