Bible Answers

To Questions About the Christian Faith & Life

Derek Prime

• Publisher: Christian Focus Publication
• Year: 2004
• eBook ISBN: 9781781913574

1. DEFINING CHRISTIANITY

Question:	What is Christianity?
Answer:	It is the only way to know God as He intends, and to live for Him.

1. There is but one God.

1. There have been, and are, many so-called ‘gods’, but they are false (1 Cor. 8:4-6).
2. There is one God (Eph. 4:6).
3. Although God is revealed to us as a Trinity, He is one Lord –the only Lord (Deut. 6:4).
4. He is the Creator (Gen. 1:1ff).
5. He alone is supreme and sovereign: everything comes from Him, exists by His power and has His glory as its object(Rom. 11:36; Rev. 19:6).
6. He is the Judge of everyone’s secret life (Gen. 18:25; Rom. 2:16).

2. Men and women are not in a right relationship with God.

1. When first created, Adam and Eve were in a right relationship with God. They possessed true knowledge, righteousness and holiness, for God made everything excellent and perfect (Gen.1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29).
2. In such circumstances, they enjoyed fellowship with God (Gen. 3:8).
3. This right relationship was exchanged for a wrong relationship through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, what we call the fall (Gen. 3).
4. Sin came into the world through Adam, and death through sin (Rom. 5:12); all human beings share in sin (Rom. 3:23).
5. Human sin constitutes a barrier to men and women’s fellowship with God since He is holy and righteous (Isa. 59:2; 1 John 1:5).
6. Separated from God by their evil behaviour, men and women are far away from the life of God (Eph. 4:18; Col. 1:21).
7. In such a position they are incapable of knowing God and of living righteously (Ps. 14:1-3; Isa. 64:6; Rom. 7:18).

3. Christianity proclaims what God has done through Jesus Christ to make possible men and women’s reconciliation to God.

1. God takes no pleasure in the death of sinners (Ezek. 18:32; 33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9).
2. He loves the world (John 3:16).
3. He sent His Son into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). This purpose involved His bearing the sin of sinners, and experiencing the death due to them (1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:5,6).
4. Through Jesus Christ God has made possible reconciliation, and men and women may be urged to be reconciled to Him through His Son’s reconciling work (2 Cor. 5:18-21).
5. On repentance and faith in the good news of Jesus Christ,  men and women may enter into the benefits of this reconciliation (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; Rom. 5:1-5).

4. Having been reconciled to God, men and women may know God.

1. God then gives to reconciled men and women such an understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ that they realise that to know Him is to know God (2 Cor. 4:6).
2. He came to show us the Father (John 14:8, 9).
3. He carefully gave God’s words to men and women (John 14:24).
4. Jesus Christ is uniquely the way for us to God (John 14:6).
5. When we are reconciled to God, the Spirit of Christ is sent into our hearts that we may know God (John 14:16, 17; Rom. 8:15, 16; Eph. 1:17).
6. This experience of knowing God was promised in the new covenant that God made known through the Old Testament prophets (Jer. 31:34).
7. Knowing God means:
   1. A growing appreciation of God’s character and the kind of life He wants us to live (Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:10; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 1:5; 1 John 4:8);
   2. Freedom and confidence to enter God’s presence (Heb. 10:19-22);
   3. Fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).

5. Having been reconciled to God, men and women may live for God.

1. They feel a constant urge to do so (Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 5:15).
2. They possess a new dynamic that encourages them in this right and beneficial direction (2 Cor.5:17; Gal.2:19, 20; Phil. 2:13).
3. The Holy Spirit, who now dwells within them, makes possible a new and better way of life (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:22-24).
4. Living for God means:
   1. Negatively, not to go on sinning (Rom. 6:11,13).
   2. But positively, to give our life to God (Rom. 6:11,13).
   3. To make it our ambition to please Him (2 Cor. 5:9).
   4. To live a life of simple and straightforward obedience to God’s commandments (1 John 2:4, 5).
   5. To strive more and more after holiness (1 Thess. 4:1-4).

6. Men and women who know God and live for Him find themselves restored, in some measure, to the original condition of men and women before the fall.

1. Before the fall, men and women knew God and were righteous (Gen. 1:27; 2:15-17; 3:8,9).
2. When we are ‘in Christ’ there is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
3. We are then brought to a true knowledge of God (Col. 3:10).
4. Righteousness and holiness become the pattern of our life (Eph.4:24).

7. Knowing God and living for Him are possible for us through Jesus Christ alone.

1. The key statement is John 14:6: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.’ Although there may be many ways to Christ, there is but one way to the Father.
2. Truth about God may be gained by observing around us the natural world, providence and history. However, all such knowledge is incomplete and insufficient (Rom. 1:19, 20), since it falls short of a personal and intimate knowledge of God.
3. Life lived by men and women without Christ is not pleasing to God (John 15:5; Eph. 2:3, 12).
4. Only through Jesus Christ is the right relationship with God possible that we so desperately need (Acts 4:12).
5. To Jesus Christ alone can we turn for the true knowledge of God and eternal life (Matt.11:27; John 6:68; 17:3).

8. It is easy to appreciate why true Christianity is so vigorous and active.

1. Without saving faith in Jesus Christ, men and women are dead towards God, without hope and without God in the world, lost and condemned (Eph. 2:1, 12; John 3:18).
2. Christianity is unique (John 14:6). The Incarnation, the perfect life of Jesus Christ, the ‘once-for-all’ character of His death as a sacrifice for sins, His Resurrection, His Ascension, and His promised return are all unique facts. They are unique not only in history but also in their continuing consequences (Acts 2:39). Nowhere are higher conceptions of God to be found. No one is a more sufficient Saviour than Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Heb. 7:25).
3. While Christians should not be intolerant of followers of other religions, they cannot accept that these religions are in any way approved by God or are properly satisfying to the human soul (1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 4:1-3).
4. By reason of men and women’s serious need and the compelling love of God Christianity must be vigorous and active (Matt. 9:36-38; Mark 16:15, 16): truth opposes error; holiness cannot compromise with sin; God’s love in the hearts of reconciled men and women compels them to proclaim the Christian gospel  (2 Cor. 5:14, 20).
5. Christianity is worth dying for (Acts 20:24; 2 Tim. 1:8-12).

2. LEARNING THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIANITY

Question:	Where are we to learn the truth about Christianity?
Answer:	From the Bible alone.

1. Christianity presents us with unique historical facts and spiritual truths that are to be understood and believed
(1 John 1:1-4).

For example:

1. The deity of Christ (John 20:31);
2. His Incarnation (1 John 4:2, 3; 2 John 7; John 1:14);
3. His atoning death for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 2:2; 4:10);
4. His resurrection (John 20:26-29; 1 Cor. 15:4; Acts 2:32);
5. His ascension (Acts 7:55, 56; Heb. 1:3; 2:9);
6. His second coming (1 Thess. 1:10).

2. The record of these historical facts and the witness to these spiritual truths are found in the Bible (Luke 1:1-4).

For example:

1. The deity of Christ (John 1:1-14; Matt. 16:13-20);
2. His Incarnation (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7);
3. His atoning death for our sins (Matt. 27:26-61; Mark 15:15-41; Luke 23:27-49; John 19:13-37);
4. His resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24:1-48; John 20:1-29; 1 Cor. 15:4-8);
5. His ascension (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11);
6. His second coming (Matt 24:3-31; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Thess. 1:7-10).

3. The authoritative significance or interpretation of any fact or truth of Christianity is what the Bible gives (John 20:30, 31; 1 Cor. 10:11).

1. Many of the truths of Christianity need explanation in detail (Luke 24:27; Acts 18:26).
2. Human understanding, unaided, cannot provide the satisfactory explanation (Matt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 2:14).
3. The Scriptures were given by God to provide us with the illumination and instruction we need (Psa. 119:130; Matt. 21:42; Rom. 15:4) - the basis on which the gospel is preached is the statements of the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-47; Acts 10:43; 17:2; 18:28; 1 Cor. 15:3,4).
4. The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures to explain truths to which we would otherwise be blind (Luke 24:27).
5. When we fail to understand what the Scriptures say on a subject, we soon make mistaken judgments on spiritual matters (Mark 12:24; Matt. 22:29).

4. The Bible alone must be our authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

1. The Bible is authoritative (Matt. 22:31).
2. It is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
3. The revelation the Bible provides is final – anything that goes against it is false (Isa. 8:20; Gal. 1:8,9).
4. The revelation God has given in the Bible - through prophets, apostles and through the Lord Jesus Christ – is the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20).
5. All that is taught must be examined and tested in the light of what the Bible says (Acts 17:11).
6. What the Bible says must be the deciding factor in any decision that has to be made (Matt. 4:1-11; Acts 15:14, 15).
7. The Bible teaches us all that is right and true and equips us to live in a way that pleases God (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
8. If we fail to recognize the Bible’s supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct, we find ourselves breaking God’s commandments by paying attention to lesser authorities (Matt. 15:1-9).
9. Hollow and delusive speculations based upon traditions of human teaching quickly capture our attention if we neglect the Bible’s authority (Col. 2:8).

5. Everything points logically to the supreme authority of the Bible whenever Christianity is under consideration.

1. The Lord Jesus Christ came to fulfil the promises made by God in the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:27, 44).
2. The New Testament came into being because of the saving work of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 11:25; Rev. 1:19).
3. The Spirit of Christ who caused the Old Testament Scriptures to be written also caused the New Testament Scriptures to be written (John 14:26; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 1:10,11).

3. THE BIBLE

Question:	What is the Bible?
Answer:	The Bible is composed of the books of the Old and New Testaments, all uniquely inspired by God the Holy Spirit. It contains everything that we are to believe and do, so that our souls may be saved and our lives equipped to serve God.

1. The Bible is a collection of books – a library.

1. The Old Testament is made up of the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Book of Psalms (Luke 24:44).
2. What we call historical books the Jews reckoned among their prophetic or inspired writings: ‘the Psalms’, as the first and longest item, was a way of referring to the final section of these inspired ‘Writings’. The historical books record God’s dealings with His people, and provide the contemporary background of the prophets’ ministries.
3. God’s very words were entrusted to the Jews in the Old Testament Scriptures (Rom. 3:2).
4. The New Testament has four parts: first, the four gospels, which record the earthly ministry of Jesus; second, the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the establishment and growth of the early Church; third, the letters which convey the teaching of the apostles to the early churches; and, fourth, the Book of the Revelation (sometimes called ‘the Apocalypse’ meaning ‘an unveiling’) which is a prophetic book, looking very much into the future.
5. The books of the Bible should be read as books rather than as collections of verses or texts.
6. The books of the Bible have come together from a variety of backgrounds:
   1. They were written by kings (e.g. David wrote many of the Psalms), prophets (e.g. Isaiah), apostles (e.g. Paul), historians (e.g. The Books of Kings), and others (e.g. Luke and his gospel and the Acts).
   2. They were written in several languages, although mainly in Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament).
   3. They were written over a period of more than a thousand years.
   4. They originated from places as far apart as Babylon and Rome.
   5. They were written by as many as forty different individuals.

2. The books of the Bible have to do with either the Old or the New Covenant, or Testament.

1. The books of the Old Testament relate particularly to the covenant God made with the children of Israel in the desert before they entered the promised land (Ex. 19:5).
2. The essential message of the Old Testament (or covenant), with its demand for obedience to God’s decrees and laws, was ‘Do this and you will live’ (Lev. 18:5; Luke 10:28), although this is an over-simplification.
3. The books of the New Testament relate to the new covenant promised in the Old Testament (Jer. 31:31-34), achieved and fulfilled through the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:28; Heb.13:20).
4. The essential message of the New Testament is ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:31).

3. The books of the Old and New Testaments share a common inspiration - the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

1. The New Testament speaks often of the Scriptures as a product of the creative activity of God’s Spirit. He is their primary author (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).
2. More than 500 times in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) is divine authority claimed (e.g. statements such as those found in Deut. 4:5 and Ex. 20:1).
3. The Lord Jesus Christ promised the Holy Spirit’s inspiration to His apostles (John 14:26; 15:26, 27; 16:13).
4. The apostles claimed to possess His inspiration (Acts 2:33; 15:28; 1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Thess. 1:5; 4:8).
5. The apostolic writings were put on the same level as other inspired writings, i.e. the Old Testament Scriptures (1 Thess. 5:27; 2 Pet. 3:15).

4. The inspiration of the Bible by the Holy Spirit accounts for the authority it is recognized to have.

1. It does not look to the Christian Church for its authority, for it possesses its own (1 Thess. 1:5).
2. The Bible is consequently worthy of our closest attention (Josh. 1:7, 8; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).

5. Everything God requires us to believe is found in the Bible (Acts 8:26-38, see especially verse 35; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; John 5:39). Its words are neither to be added to nor subtracted from (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18, 19).

6. Every principle that is to govern our life and conduct is to be found in the Bible (i.e. The Beatitudes, Matt. 5:2-12; Paul’s practical instructions to the Thessalonians, 1 ...

Table of contents

• Testimonials
• Other Books by Derek Prime
• Title
• Indicia
• Contents
• Bible References
• 1. What is Christianity?
• 2. Where are we to learn the truth about Christianity?
• 3. What is the Bible?
• 4. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
• 5. What proof is there of the existence of God?
• 6. What is God in Himself?
• 7. What is God like?
• 8. What is meant by saying that God is a Trinity?
• 9. What is the Christian explanation of creation?
• 10. Is God in control of everything?
• 11. If God controls all things, why are there wars and suffering?
• 12. What is sin?
• 13. What is meant by the fall of man?
• 14. What is original sin?
• 15. Why do I exist?
• 16. Why has God given us His law - as, for example, in the Ten Commandments - if it is impossible for us to keep it?
• 17. Why did Christ come?
• 18. How do we know that Christ is God?
• 19. How do we know that Christ is both God and man?
• 20. What happened when Christ died upon the Cross?
• 21. What is the significance of the resurrection of Christ?
• 22. What happened when Christ ascended to heaven?
• 23. Who is the Holy Spirit?
• 24. What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Christian?
• 25. What is a Christian?
• 26. What is regeneration?
• 27. What is conversion?
• 28. What is repentance?
• 29. What is faith?
• 30. How do we come to saving Christian faith?
• 31. What is justification?
• 32. What are the benefits and privileges of being a Christian?
• 33. How can we be sure that we are Christians?
• 34. Can true Christians go so far from God as to become lost?
• 35. What does God require of us most of all when we have become Christians?
• 36. What is baptism?
• 37. What is the Lord’s Supper?
• 38. What is the Church of Christ?
• 39. How do we become members of the Church?
• 40. What does belonging to the Church of Christ involve?
• 41. What is the work of the Church? And what is going to happen to the Church?
• 42. Why belong to a church?
• 43. What do we know about the devil?
• 44. Will Christ come again?
• 45. What will happen when Christ returns?
• 46. What will happen at the judgment?
• 47. Will our bodies be raised to life again?
• 48. What happens when we die?
• 49. What do we know about heaven?
• 50. What do we know about hell?
• 51. Loyalty to God
• 52. Worship of God
• 53. Reverence
• 54. Rest
• 55. Respect for, and submission to, proper authority
• 56. Respect for life
• 57. The sanctity of marriage
• 58. Respect for property
• 59. Truthfulness
• 60. Contentment Subjects arising, directly or indirectly, from the Ten Commandments
• 61. Temptation
• 62. Worldliness
• 63. Spiritual decline
• 64. Spiritual restoration
• 65. Christian worship
• 66. Prayer
• 67. The state
• 68. Social responsibility
• 69. Work
• 70. Leisure
• 71. Guidance
• 72. The family
• 73. Education
• 74. Sex
• 75. Giving The desires and works of the sinful nature (‘The seven deadly sins’)
• 76. Pride
• 77. Wrath
• 78. Envy
• 79. Lust
• 80. Gluttony
• 81. Avarice
• 82. Sloth Christian character (The fruit of the Spirit)
• 83. Love
• 84. Joy
• 85. Peace
• 86. Patience
• 87. Kindness
• 88. Goodness
• 89. Faithfulness
• 90. Gentleness
• 91 Self-control Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel
• 92. Christian discipleship
• 93. Obedience
• 94. Christian witness
• 95 Personal evangelism
• 96. The missionary task and missionary motives
• 97. Missionary work
• 98. Missionary strategy
• 99. Hidden factors in missionary enterprise
• 100. Supporting missions
• Bible Definitions
• Other Books by Christian Focus
• Christian Focus