Approved to God

Yes the bible is a very old book, but of all the writings from antiquity it is the best preserved. There are hundreds of copies of the New Testament books both partial and complete dating back to within a couple hundred years of Christ. As for Old Testament some of the oldest come from the Dead Sea Scrolls which date back to before Christ and show a remarkable consistency in textual integrity. Want to learn more about that – read the article “Can We Trust the Bible”.

The Bible is an amazing book composed of 66 separate books written by 40 or so authors over a period of 1500 years. This makes it fairly unique among books. One of the most amazing things about the Bible is its own confirmation of its authenticity – in 2 Timothy 3:16 we read that “All Scripture is breathed out by God”. Peter affirms the same in 2 Peter 1:20–21. The authority of the scripture is supported by its remarkable ability to predict future events with accuracy – something only God, who sees them can arrange. Read the article “God Speaks Through His Word” for more information.

One might think so on the surface. After all there are many truth claims in the world. Most of them are self refuting if you follow them to their conclusion – consider: “There is not absolute truth.” – well one must ask: “Is that absolutely true?” You see the truth claim cannot even support itself. However there is one truth claim that is universal and absolutely true because it is made by a being that is not created, but rather the creator – God. He establishes what is true and what is not because He is absolute truth. So – if the truth I uphold is the truth God proclaims then I can be sure I have the only truth. Want to learn more? Read the article “The Quest for Truth”.

Yes. Scripture presents Jesus as eternally God while truly taking on human nature in the incarnation. John says the Word was God and became flesh; Paul affirms that in Him the fullness of deity dwells bodily. He did not merely appear human; He partook of flesh and blood like us, yet remained truly God. He lived without sin, so that He could be our faithful High Priest and true substitute. We confess He one Person with two natures, without confusion or division, fully divine and fully human, so that He can reveal the Father perfectly and redeem us perfectly (we call this the Hypostatic union). See John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:14–17.

Because God is just and must punish sin, and God is love and willed to save sinners. At the cross, Jesus bore our sin, our guilt, and the penalty we deserved, so that God would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God; there is no other way for forgiveness and reconciliation. See Romans 3:24–26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18. Read our article “Reflections on Good Friday” for more in depth information on this subject.

Yes, bodily and historically. The apostles testified to an empty tomb and encounters with the risen Christ in which He spoke, ate, and was touched. Paul records eyewitnesses, many still living when he wrote, and ties our salvation to the reality of this event; if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. The risen Lord’s body was glorified yet tangible; His resurrection is the firstfruits of ours and the foundation of our hope. See 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Luke 24:36–43. Want to learn more? Read the article “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

Jesus ascended to the Father’s right hand where He reigns as Lord and intercedes for His people. He presents His finished work on our behalf, securing our ongoing forgiveness and access to God, and He pours out the Spirit to build His church. From His throne He rules all things for the good of those who love Him and for the advance of the gospel; He will return in glory to judge and to consummate His kingdom. See Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:9–11.

The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day, and that everyone who repents and believes in Him is forgiven, declared righteous by God, and saved by His power. It is the good news of God’s saving grace. It reveals the righteousness of God received by faith from through trust in Jesus Christ. See 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 1:16–17; Romans 10:9-10. Read more here: “What is the Gospel and Why it Matters?”

Repentance is an agreement with God that you are sinful and a turning from sin. James calls us to be sorrowful for our sin. Repentance leads to a decisive break from our desire to sin, not mere regret of it. Faith is trusting Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior. Through faith and the working of the Spirit in us we chose to sin no more. This does not mean we will be perfect – we are still broken people living in a broken world and we will sin – but a repentant heart will confess that sin and be restored to God. See 1 John 1:9; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Keep it Christ-centered and Scripture-shaped: briefly describe your life before Christ, how He saved you through the gospel, and how He is changing you now; make the cross and resurrection explicit and call the listener to repent and believe. Speak with gentleness and respect, avoid glorifying past sin, and show how Jesus is the hero of the story; use Scripture as Paul did before Agrippa. See Acts 26:9–23; 1 Peter 3:15. See an example of a brief testimony here.

Be faithful and keep your conscience clear; some will refuse the truth because the god of this age blinds minds. Do not argue endlessly; speak the truth in love, pray, and move on when appropriate while leaving a gracious witness behind. God alone opens hearts; our task is to sow the seed and trust Him with the results. See Matthew 10:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3–6.

Some people think the church is just a building, but the church would exist if there were no buildings. That is because the church is the people follow Jesus; all who confess Him as Lord and are united to Him by faith. It is His body and His household, a holy temple where God dwells by His Spirit. Local congregations are visible expressions of that one church, gathered under the word and ordinances, devoted to worship, fellowship, and mission. Christ promised to build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. See Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19–22. Read more here: “How Now Shall we Live”

Regular church attendance keeps you rooted in the body of Christ. It is where we build up each other; where we hear the preached word, pray together, worship together, and share the Lord’s Supper. It is this fellowship that stirs and motivate us to love and good works. In the New Testament, believers gathered consistently under the apostles’ teaching and shared life together; this pattern helps us be known, encouraged, corrected, and cared for. Showing up is how we bear one another’s burdens, submit to shepherds who will give an account, and use our gifts for the body’s good. It protects us from isolation, strengthens assurance, and publicly identifies us with Christ and His people. See Acts 2:41–47; Hebrews 10:24–25; Hebrews 13:17.

Elders (pastors/overseers) are qualified men who shepherd, teach sound doctrine, guard the flock from error, lead by example, and oversee the church’s spiritual care. Deacons are qualified servants who meet practical needs, support the ministry of the word, and help preserve unity, freeing elders to focus on prayer and teaching. Both offices require tested character and faithful service. See 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5–9; Acts 6:1–6.

The Spirit gives new birth, opening blind eyes and softening hard hearts so that we repent and believe. He washes and renews us and unites us to Christ. He enables us to confess Jesus as Lord and He seals us until the day of judgement. This is not self-improvement; it is God’s sovereign work, like the wind that blows where it wills. From first conviction to final sealing, salvation is a Spirit-wrought miracle of grace. See John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:3.

The works of the flesh flow from our sinful nature and show up in obvious ways like sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, fits of anger, and selfish ambition. In contrast, the Spirit produces character that conforms us to look like Jesus: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the flesh; keep in step with Him and the fruit will grow. See Galatians 5:16–25.

God gives gifts so the body is built up in truth and love. Each believer has received at least one gift to use as a steward of God’s varied grace. The aim of these gifts is service, mutual edification, and the glory of God. Scripture calls us to exercise our gifts with clarity and love so that the church is strengthened, protected from error, and equipped for ministry. See 1 Corinthians 12–14; 1 Peter 4:10–11.

We are filled with the Spirit initially when we come to Christ, then daily we are called to be filled with the Spirit. We do this by yielding to the Spirit’s control through the word of Christ richly dwelling in us. Scripture tells us to pray, sing psalms and hymns, give thanks, and walk in obedience as a result. We should also put off sin, confess quickly, and stay in fellowship with other beliers in a local church body. Being filled is not an emotional surge – in fact there is no emotion connected to it at ll. It is a continual, glad submission to the Lord through Scripture-shaped worship and everyday faithfulness. See Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16–17.

Faithful Christians who love Scripture reach different conclusions here. From a cessationist perspective (which I hold), certain sign gifts that authenticated the apostolic message served a foundational role and are not the ordinary pattern for the church today; God still heals, answers prayer, and can do wonders according to His will, yet our regular focus should be the word, prayer, holiness, and love. Others, whom we respect and love as brothers and sisters, believe some of those gifts continue today. God’s word encourages us to pursue unity, test everything by Scripture, and keep Christ central. Whatever our view, no gift replaces the gospel, and spiritual maturity is measured by fruit, truth, and obedience. See 1 Corinthians 12–14; Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:3–4.