The Helton Dr. church of Christ
Answers to Your Bible Questions 
In this section you will find
Bible answers for various questions. If you have a question not listed you may email
us and we'll reply with a personal email answer to you, as well as adding
pertinent questions to this page. We promise to give the book, chapter and
verse of the scriptures that answer your question. We also welcome your
comments if you disagree or would like to suggest additional scriptures that
answer these questions.
Click
on each title for questions relating to the topic:
How does
one become a Christian?
Belief in Jesus Christ as the only risen Savior
(Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9-10); Repentance of all sins (Acts 2:38;
2 Corinthians 7:9-11); Confession that Jesus is the risen Son of
God (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:35-39); Baptism in water for the
remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20-21).
Why isn't there one verse that
gives all God's requirements to become a Christian? The Bible is a story of God's dealing with man in which He
gives us "all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17). With any Bible topic, we must
examine all that the scriptures teach, accepting all, rejecting none, so that
we might know the whole truth taught in God's word on that subject. The same is
true with salvation.
Does a Christian have to be
baptized again every time he sins? We are
baptized as part of God's commands to become a Christian. Once we are in the
family of God our return to God when we are lost is different. Acts 8:5-24
tells the story of Simon, formerly a sorcerer, who became a Christian. When he
sinned by trying to purchase God's power with money Peter said, "Your
money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be
purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for
your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your
wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven
you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
Since God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35), but expects the same of every
person, we can know we will be received by God when we fall as Christians and
do as Simon did (i.e. Repent and pray to God for forgiveness).
Can a Christian fall from grace
and be lost? Yes. Galatians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2
Peter 2:20-21
What kind of
worship can we know pleases God? There
are five acts commanded in the New Testament with which Christians may worship
God: Singing (Ephesians 5:19; Acts 16:25); Prayer (Acts 2:42; 12:12); Preaching
(Acts 17:2-3; 20:7); Partaking of the Lord's Supper each Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1
Corinthians 11:23-29); and Giving as we have been prospered by God and have
purposed in our hearts each Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9).
What does the Bible teach about
Instruments of Music?
They were allowed, and
even commanded, under the Old Testament law (Psalms 150). However, when God
instructed His new family under Christ through the New Testament, all commands
are to "sing" (Ephesians 5:19) and "teach" (Colossians 3:16)
with the "fruit of our lips" (Hebrews 13:15). No where do we read of
Jesus or any of His disciples using instruments. In fact, history records that
no people who called themselves Christians used any instruments for over 1200
years after the start of the church. By then, the Catholic Church had strayed
far from the New Testament pattern.
What is the Lord's Supper and
how often should we take it? It is
when we remember the death and suffering of our Lord on the cross (1
Corinthians 11:23-26). We know the Christians in the first century did so each
first day of the week (Acts 20:7). We can know God is pleased with this when we
do so today, each Sunday.
Does the
Bible contain all truth?
Yes. 2 Timothy 3:16-17;
2 Peter 1:3
How does the Bible teach God's
truths? There are three ways the Bible teaches:
direct command (John 13:34-35); approved example (Acts 4:35-37); and
inescapable conclusion (1 John 3:17; 4:20).
Can we all understand the Bible
alike? Yes (John 7:17; Ephesians 3:3-4). The Bible
teaches only "one faith" (Ephesians 4:5) and if we understand it
correctly, we will understand it alike.
Does God expect us all to be
united, teaching and practicing the same faith? Yes (John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10-11).
Does the Bible teach that one
day all believers will be one? No
(Matthew 7:13-14), however, each of us has the responsibility to study and
unite with all those will to truly follow the teachings of God's word.
When
does the Bible say the Kingdom will come? Actually,
the Kingdom of Christ has already come. In Mark 9:1 Jesus said it would come in
the lifetime of those listening to Him. Paul said the Colossians were
"translated" into it (Colossians 1:13-14) when they were saved from
their sins. In fact, scripture teaches that the kingdom and the church are two
ways to speak of the same people, Christians. Jesus said He would build His
church (Matthew 16:18) and He would give to Peter the keys to the kingdom
(Matthew 16:19). Peter preached the first gospel sermon in Acts 2 and when men
were saved they were added to the church (Acts 2:47). And it would be implied
that they were translated into the kingdom as were the Colossians (Colossians
1:13-14). Finally, we read of a great spiritual battle that took place in the
heavenly realm when Jesus died on the cross (Revelations 12:7-11). When the
forces of God were triumphant, four things were established: the salvation,
strength, kingdom and power of Christ. By this we know that the kingdom came
when salvation came (Acts 2). If the kingdom is yet in the future, so is
salvation.
What is the nature of the
kingdom of Christ. It is not "of this world" (John
18:36). Jesus also said, "The kingdom of God does not come with
observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the
kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).
Send us your Questions, we will
post the answers here and e-mail you back with an answer as well.
