What about baptism?

Acts 2:36-38
... ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’
Peter said, “Repent and be baptised, everyone of you for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call.
V 41...Those who accepted the message were baptised and about 3,000 were added to their number that day.

The fact that they were cut to the heart shows that they believed what Peter was saying, that is, that the man they crucified, Jesus, was both Lord and Christ. If they had believed he was a mere man who, like others, had sought to be King of the Jews and had failed, there would have been no reason to feel any remorse over his death. Having thus believed who Jesus really was, their question is ‘what shall we do?’ Peter’s response is noteworthy. He does not reply, ‘just believe’ or ‘say this prayer’, or ‘receive the Holy Spirit’, or ‘speak in tongues’. No, what he says is ‘repent and be baptised’ these words speak of something which must be done. The word ‘repent’ does not mean merely to confess sin, it means making a decision to change, to wipe it out of your life altogether. And what can ‘be baptised’ mean other than to ‘be baptised’? Can it be said with greater clarity?

1 Peter 3:20
...who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ...

We see from this verse, that it is not the act of baptism that saves you from sin, but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. Baptism is important because it symbolises this pledge you make before God and man, in much the same way as the marriage ceremony symbolises two people's pledge to love and be faithful to each other for life. It also symbolises dying to your old ways and rising to live a new life the way God wants you to live. Through the act of baptism, you are by faith sharing in Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection.

Colossians 2:12
...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

It is also a command of God...
Acts 2:38
...Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, everyone of you for the forgiveness of yours sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call."

The water in baptism also symbolises God's forgiveness of your sin...
Acts 22:16
"...And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised, and wash your sins away calling on His name."

Mathew 28:18-20
...Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ephesians 4:5
"...There is one body and one spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all in all."

1 Corinthians 12:13
"...For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Hebrews 6:1-3 (Elementary teachings about Christ)
"...Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundations of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instructions about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment."

Even Jesus got baptised to fulfill all righteousness.
Mathew 3:13-15
...The Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.... Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’

At what point am I saved (from sin)?

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

John 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." v6 "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

Luke 13:1-3
"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you no! But unless you repent you too will all perish."

Acts 3:19
"...Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (To repent is to acknowledge you have done wrong against God and to change your behaviour to do right according to God from now on)

"What scientists believed in God?"

Albert Einstein (source: ‘God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists, Ray Comfort, Bridge Publishing Inc., USA, 1993, p28)

“Everyone who is seriously interested in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe - a spirit vastly superior to man, and one in the face of which our modest powers must feel humble”.

Charles Darwin (Source: Ibid, p73)

“I was a young man with unformed ideas I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time over everything; and to my astonishment the ideas took like wildfire. People made a religion out of them!”

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) Germany- Astronomer
· Found that planets move in elliptical paths, not in a random, chaotic way.

‘Kepler strongly believed that ‘The world of nature, the world of man, the world of God - all three fit together.’ In particular he reasoned that because the universe was designed by an intelligent Creator, it should function according to some logical pattern. ...Kepler sought and found a simple logical pattern for planetary motion which reflected God’s wisdom. As Kepler said: ‘We see how God, like a human architect, approached the founding of the world according to order and rule and measured everything in such a manner.’
Source of quotes: J.H. Tiner, Johannes Kepler - Giant of Faith and Science, Mott Media, Milford (Michigan), 1977, p193.

Robert Boyle (1627-1691) Ireland- Pioneer of modern chemistry
Achievements
· Showed that if the volume of a gas filled container was halved, the pressure exerted by the gas would be doubled. This relationship is called Boyle’s Law.
· Credited with inventing the first match
· First scientist to distinguish acids, bases, and neutral substances by using colour changes which they produce in other substances

· In Boyle’s day, true chemistry had not been distinguished clearly from alchemy. Boyle’s greatest contribution to science was therefore in helping to move scientific thinking from the intellectual argument approach to the experimental approach which is the basis of modern science
Boyle saw no conflict between his scientific work and his Christian faith. ‘He was particularly concerned... with demonstrating that science and religion were not only reconcilable but in fact integrally related.’ (McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1973, Vol 2, p 125)

‘He accepted the bible as the true word of God, and ‘was thoroughly intolerant of preachers who spiritualised or allegorized important truths of the Bible rather than accepting them at face value’. He learned Hebrew and Aramaic so he could study the Old Testament in the original languages.

‘He became governor of a missionary organisation for propagating the Gospel in New England. He also supported missionary ventures in India, Scotland and Wales. Out of his own money, he paid to have the whole Bible translated into the Irish language and paid for its distribution. He also paid for translation and distribution of parts of the New Testament in Turkish and Arabic.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) England
· Developed the theory of universal gravitation using the inverse square law.
· Developed the three laws of motion
· ‘Developed a revolutionary new form of mathematics by applying his binomial theorem to infinite series: calculus. For the first time it was possible to accurately calculate the area inside a shape with curved sides and to calculate the rate of change of one physical quantity with respect to another.
· ‘He used prisms to show that sunlight was made up of different colours - the colours of the rainbow.
· Newton was the first to successfully construct a telescope using a curved mirror instead of a lens

‘Even scientists generally considered the motion of planets and the motion of bodies on the earth as separate problems. In contrast, Newton reasoned that since the same God created the heavens as well as the earth, the same laws should apply throughout. Newton developed his three laws of motion and proved mathematically that the same laws applied both to heavenly bodies and on earth.

Newton wrote, ‘This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being...This Being governs all things...as Lord of all.’

Newton wrote, “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.” Further, “Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.”

Source of quotes: J.H. Tiner, Isaac Newton - Inventor, Scientist and Teacher, Mott Media, Milford (Michigan), 1975

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) England, Discovered electricity
Achievements
· ‘Discovered benzene which was later used to manufacture many useful organic compounds such as dyes, nylon and plastics
· Demonstrated that an electric current could make a magnet move around a wire or make the wire move around the magnet. This electromagnetic rotation was the forerunner of the electric motor
· Invented the transformer used to convert high voltages to low voltages allowing electricity to be used for domestic purposes
· Invented the electric generator (generated electricity from magnetism) ‘He created a changing magnetic field by moving a bar magnet in and out of a hollow coil of insulated wire. As in the transformer, the changing magnetic field produces an electric current. This discovery made possible electric power generation as we know it today.’

‘When asked by a reporter what were his speculations regarding the hereafter, Faraday replied confidently , quoting the bible (2 Timothy 1:12) in his answer. “Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’ “
(F.W. Boreham, A Handful of Stars: Texts That Moved Great Minds, Epworth Press, 1st pocket edition, London, 1933, p180)

‘Faraday was an elder in his church for more than 20 years. His church did not have a paid clergyman. Instead, the elders, including Faraday, took turns at preaching the sermons and leading the worship. Faraday’s church emphasised living by Jesus’ words in the sermon on the Mount.’

James Clerk Maxwell, Scotland (1831-1879) Physicist

Achievements:
· First scientific paper - a mathematical analysis involving the ellipse - was published when he was only 15.
· Concluded that Saturn’s rings could not be completely solid, nor completely fluid. Instead they must consist of small but separate solid particles. Proved 100 year later when the first Voyager space probe reached Saturn.
· Produced 4 mathematical equations showing that magnetism, electricity and light were simple different manifestations of the same fundamental laws (This was the mathematical framework underlying Faraday’s experimental results. The 4 equations are ranked with Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
· Calculated the speed of electromagnetic waves, concluding that light was a type of electromagnetic wave.
· Radio, television, radar and satellite communication all have their origins in his electromagnetic theory.
· Through application of probability and statistics Maxwell worked out the most probable distribution of speeds of molecules. This is today known as ‘Maxwell distribution of speeds.’

‘In a paper he presented to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1873, he stated that: “No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules, for evolution necessarily implies continuous change...The exact equality of each molecule to all others of the same kind gives it...the essential character of a manufactured article, and precludes the idea of its being eternal and self-existent.”
Source: J.C. Maxwell, ‘Discourse on Molecules,’ a paper presented to the British Association at Bradford in 1873.

Louis Pasteur, France (1822-1895) Discovered and killed germs

Achievements
· Developed method of gently heating foodstuffs like milk to prevent it going sour as a result of contact with microbes in the air. This process was called ‘pasteurization’
· Disproved theory of spontaneous generation at the microbe level, the belief that living matter arose from non-living matter. Spontaneous generation is an essential part of the theory of evolution. Pasteur proved that life must come from life. He wrote: “Microscopic beings must come into the world from parents similar to themselves.”

Pasteur believed that, “science brings men closer to God.” “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”

Source: Pasteur quoted in J.H. Tiner, Louis Pasteur - Founder of Modern Medicine, Mott Media, Milford (Michigan), 1990, p18.

Sir Joseph Lister, England (1827-1912) Antiseptic surgery

In the Edinburgh Hospital where Lister worked, almost half the surgery patients died from infection. In some hospitals in Europe, as many as 80% died. The thinking of the time was that these infections arose spontaneously inside the wound. Therefore it was thought that nothing could be done to reduce mortality rates of surgery patients.

Lister compared patients with simple fractures to those with compound fractures. Simple fractures do not involve an external wound. While the simple fracture patients recovered after their bones had been set in a cast, more than half the compound fracture patients died. Compound fractures are those where the broken bone pierces the skin and is exposed to air. Lister began washing hands before operating. Such washing was not widespread practice because the reasons behind their success was not yet understood by scientists.

Yet God taught the Israelites to wash after coming into contact with infection more than 3,000 years ago. In Leviticus 15:1-11 the people were instructed to wash themselves and their clothes after touching a person with an infection, or after touching anything the infected person had touched.

Lister learnt from the French chemist Louis Pasteur that is germs entering from outside the wound caused infection than the germs could be killed and infection prevented. Lister published his antisepsis procedures and experimental success in The Lancet 1867. His methods gradually gained acceptance over 12 years.

Other achievements:
· Demonstrated use of sterilised materials left inside patients
· Wired fractures
· Pioneered catgut stitches

He wrote. “I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.” And he strongly opposed Darwinism.
Source: Lister quoted in H.M. Morris, Men of Science, Men of God. Master Books, Colorado Springs, 1982 p67

Wernher von Braun, Germany (1912-1977) Rocket Engineer

‘On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. ...The Saturn V rocket which launched Armstrong and his fellow astronauts into space was largely the work of rocket engineer Wernher von Braun.

He wrote, “I find it...difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe.” “To be forced to believe only one conclusion - that everything in the universe happened by chance - would violate the very objectivity of science itself.”

Source: The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography, Vol. 11, p187
H.Morris, Men of Science, Men of God. Master Books, Colorado Springs, 1982, p85.

"Does the bible speak of science?"

When science was teaching that the world was held up by an animal or a solid foundation, (1500 BC) the Bible spoke of the earth suspended in space, “He...hangeth the earth over nothing” (Job 26:7)

Science speaks of the universe in 5 terms: time, space, matter, power, motion. The book of Genesis, chapter 1 revealed this in 1450 BC. “In the beginning (time) God created the heavens (space) and the earth (matter) ... And the Spirit (power) of God moved (motion) upon the face of the waters.”

Isaiah 40:22
"...He sits enthroned above the circle (sphere) of the earth."

Job 38:19 Light has a way (path)
"...Where is the way to the abode of light?"
(Modern man has only comparatively recently discovered that light has a way, travelling at 186,000 miles per second.)

Job 38:7 Stars send out radio waves.
"...While the morning stars sang together."

Job 40:15-24 Description of dinosaurs
"...Look at the behemoth,....
v 19 yet his Maker can approach him with his sword." (extinction)

"What kind of faith does it take to healed?"

Mathew 9:22
‘She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

v27-30
‘As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”; and their sight was restored.”

"What is faith?"

Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

V6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

"How do you react to unfairness?"

Luke 17: 3-4
“So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent’ forgive him.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you.”

"What is the power of faith?"

Mark 11:12-14
‘The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.'
…..

Mark 11:20 The withered fig tree
‘In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Christ dwells in us through faith
Ephesians 3:16-19
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

The consequence of little faith:
Mark 6:4-6
Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour,” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Fear the opposite of faith
Mark 4:37-40
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Faith can overcome death

Mark 5:35-36
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead.” They said, “Why bother the teacher any more?”
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”

….The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
…He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!”) Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was telve years old). At this they were completely astonished."

"How do I deal with temptation?"

1 Corinthians 10:13
"... No temptation has seized you but 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."

"How can I find out if God is real?"

John 7:17 (Jesus speaking)
... ‘If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.’
Romans 1:19-20
"...since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

"What about reincarnation?"

Hebrews 9:27
"...Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people..."

"Can God heal me?"

Mathew 10:1
" He (Jesus) called his twelve disciples (ie followers/believers/Christians) to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

Psalm 103:2-3

"Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases."

Mathew 13:14

"...'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people's hearts has become calloused;

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.' "

Sometimes the disciples could not heal people - because their faith was weak, Jesus had to intervene.

Mathew 17:14-21

"When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."

"O unbelieving and perverse generation." Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The healing of the blind man.

Mark 10:51-52 (The blind man was calling out to Jesus to have mercy on him.)

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him (because people have to want to be healed)

The blind man said, "Rabbi (which means 'teacher'), I want to see."

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

The crippled, walk

Acts 14:8-10

"In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul (an apostle of Jesus Christ) as he was speaking (ie. preaching about Jesus). Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."

The paralysed become mobile

Acts 9:32-35

"As Peter (an apostle of Jesus Christ) traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints (ie the believers) in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. "Aeneas," Peter said to him. "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

"Can miracles happen today, not just in biblical times?"

Mathew 28:16-20 (Jesus speaking)
"... He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

"Do miracles really happen?"

Acts 3:6-9
"...Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognised him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

V 11-12
"...While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"

Acts 4:5-10
"...The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annus the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
...Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

V 13-17
...When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
...So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” "

V 21-22
"...After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old."

Comment from Mark Twain on the bible

"Most people are bothered by those passages of scripture they do not understand. But the passages that bother me are those I do understand."

"Where is the kingdom of God? Heaven?"

Luke 17:20-21 (Jesus)
"...Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,’ Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.’ "

Why is it so hard for some people to believe? (The materially rich, the talented, the busy, the indulgent, the famous, unbelieving ‘good’ people, the

The parable of the Sower Luke 8:11-15
"...This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe the word and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

Intellectual: (the worldly wise)

2 Timothy 3:7
"...always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth."

Proverbs 26:12
"...Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."

1 Corinthians 3:20
"...The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise are futile."

“What does it mean to put God first?, after all I still have to eat, sleep, study, work, socialise, play competition squash, teach my sailing class, f

Collosians 3:23-24
"...Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

James 1:22
"... Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

"What kind of life should a Christian expect?"

Romans 8:31 "...If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Mark 9:23
"... ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ "

John 10:10
"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Galations 5:1
"...It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (freedom from addiction to worldly goods, worries, stress, etc)

Galations 5:13
"...You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Jeremiah 29:11
"...'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

The truth brings division not peace.
Luke 12:51 (Jesus)
"... ‘Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."

“Once you decide, how can you be sure to stay a Christian?”

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (Paul)
"...Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
v 24 ...because it is by faith you stand firm."

Romans 8:29
"... For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Romance 12:2
"... Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (ie Get a new attitude)

1 Corinthians 2:16
"...But we have the mind of Christ."

Galations 6:15
"...what counts is a new creation."

1 Corinthians 7:19
"...Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him."

1 Corinthians 10:24
"...Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others."

1 Corinthians 13:3
"...If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

1 Corinthians 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.

1 Peter 1:22
"...Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."

1 Peter 2:1-3
"...Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
v 4-5 "... As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen be God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 2:13-17 Submission to authorities
"...Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king."

1 Peter 3:3-4 Beauty
"...Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

1 Peter 3:8-9
"...Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

2 Peter 1:5-8
"...For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

"Why do so many people react negatively to Jesus?"

John 7:7
... ‘The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.’

"The people in the bible doubted too, didn't they?"

John 4:48
... “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.”
(So nothing much has changed, has it?!)

“What if I choose not to believe?”

Luke 6:49
"...But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on a ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Galations 6:7
"...Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Luke 11:23 (Jesus)
"...He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

Isaiah 30:1
"... “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance but not by my Spirit,...
v 15 ...In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."

Rich man died and went to hell.
Luke 17:27-31
"...He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus (beggar who died and went to heaven) to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ "(As Jesus did)

Hebrews 12:25
"...See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, it we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?"

John 3:18
"...Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

“Do our actions justify us to get to heaven?”

Galations 3:2-3
"..Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"

Galations 3:10
"... All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. v 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law." (Because faith is a higher standard than the law. See Mathew chapter 5 The Beattitudes)

Galations 5:4
"... You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. v 6 The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. v 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Galations 6:3
"...If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load."

"What was Jesus' goal?"

Luke 4:43
"...But he said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ "

Luke 19:10

"...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

“What is the ultimate goal of Christianity?” (=Goal of God)

John 6:28-29
"...Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ "

1 Timothy 2:3
"...This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

2 Peter 3:9
"...The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. V 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation..."

St Paul
1 Corinthians 10:33
"...even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of the many, so that they may be saved."

John 3:16-19
"...For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. .."

"I can’t do that!"

2 Corinthians 3:5
"...Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."

2 Corinthians 3:12
"...Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."

2 Timothy 1:7
"...for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

"Why share your faith?

Romans 10:14
"...How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? "

2 Corinthians 5:18-21
"...All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Romans 1:16
"...I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

2 Corinthians 3:3
"...You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
"...For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Philemon 1:6
"... I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

2 Timothy 4:2
"...Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."

"I’m not sure..."

2 Corinthians 6:1,2
"...As God’s fellow-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
...I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation."

"What's more important: faith or deeds?"

James 2:19-22
"...You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the alter? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. V24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."

Luke 6:46 (Jesus)... “Why do you call me ‘Lord Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

“What must a Christian do?”

2 Corinthians 10:5
"...We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Luke 6:31
"...Do to others as you would have them do to you.
v 38 For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 8:21 (Jesus)
"...He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’ "

Hebrews 13:15-16
"...Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased."

John 13:12 (Jesus)
... ‘I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.’

John 14:15 (Jesus)
... ‘If you love me you will obey what I command.’
v21 ‘Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.’
V23-24 Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.’

John 15:16-17 (Jesus)
"... ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

Hebrews 10:24
"...And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching."

Luke 9:23-24
"...Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?’ "

Philippians 2:3
"...but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

"Isn't the bible just a book of stories written by man?"

Galations 1:11-12 (Paul)
"...I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."

Galations 1:20 (Paul)
"...I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie."

2 Peter 1:19
"...We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty."

2 Peter 1:20-21
"...Above all, you must understand no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

"What about creation?"

Hebrews 11:3
"...By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what was seen was not made out of what was visible."

Ecclesiastes 8:17
"...No-one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it."

“What do I have to do to be saved?”

Acts 16:31
"...They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household...’ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptised."

"What of those who do not have the chance to hear about Jesus?

Titus 2:11-12
"...For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."

Romans 1:19-20
"...since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse..."

“What about other religions?”

Romans 2:14-15
"...Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing now defending them. ..."

Acts 4:12
"...Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

"Did Jesus really rise from the dead?"

Mathew 27:62-66
"...The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
... ‘Take a guard,’ Pilate answered. ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard."

Mathew 28: 6 "...He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Mathew 28:12-15
"...When the chief priests has met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say,’ His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this day."
NB. A Roman guard was typically made up of 4-12 soldiers, the penalty for falling asleep while on duty was crucifixion or being burnt to death. The Roman centurian's reputation was a reflection of the strength of the Roman Empire at the time. The tomb was also sealed with a Roman seal and the penalty for breaking the seal without proper authority was crucifixion upsidedown. Sources: McDowell, J. The Resurrection Factor, Amersham-on-the-Hill, England, 1993, Clifford, R. The Case for the Empty Tomb, 2nd ed. Albatross Books, Australia, 1993

The ultimate proof that Jesus rose from the dead is revealed by the plain fact that the Romans could not produce the body in the face of Christian claims Jesus rose from the dead. If the body was still in the tomb those against this new faith (both Romans and the Jewish leaders) could have easily proved the apostles wrong and stopped the spread of Christianity in its infancy. And our modern day calendar system would not be based on His birthday!

"Is Jesus the only way to God?"

John 14:6
"...Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.’ "

"Did Jesus really claim to be the Son of God?"

John 4:25-26 (Jesus having a drink by the well)
"...The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us’. Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am he.’ "

Luke 22:70 (Jesus trial)
...They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

Mathew 26:63-64 (Jesus trial)
...The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

John 10:30
"...I and the Father are one."

John 5:17-18
...Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God, his own Father, making himself equal with God.’

John 19:7
..."We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God".

John 6:35-40
...Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I have told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up on the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day.'