When you’re a new believer (or even a non-believer), it’s often difficult to understand how God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can all be one. This is how I reconcile the Trinity for myself. I hope the explanation will help you understand. There is the Godhead (which we know as God). The Godhead, however, has three distinct personalities, if you would, each with it’s own purpose.

God is the creator and the adopter. He has adopted us into His family. We are His children. When we think of Him, it should be as a Father. Fathers (most) love their children unconditionally. They are not always pleased with their children, but they love them unconditionally nonetheless. Consider yourself. You love your children so much, you would do almost anything for them. But there are times when they do things you are not happy about. That doesn't mean you love them any less. It's BECAUSE you love them so much that you want to teach them the right things–you want to give them the best of everything. And in doing so, you know you must reprimand them at times. You do not do this because you are mean. You do this out of love for your children, in order to set them on the right path. When they do things that are wrong (expecially when they're older and no longer under your roof), you will cry for them. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, Jesus Christ at 10:08 PM EDT

No Comments »

by Robin Calamaio

Questions usually arise from roadblocks we encounter as we are gathering information on a subject of interest.  If we are merely curious about the subject, a shallow answer may suffice.  But, if we really need accurate answers for some driven need, the questions are usually of higher quality - with much thought preceding the inquiry.

Recently, I received these questions from a visitor to my website: "Why didn't God just create us perfect to begin with?  And how does a perfect God create imperfect beings?  At the end of time, He will make us all perfect beings - those that have accepted him - so why not just do this to begin with …?"  There is a lot of thinking behind these questions.

The following response may not hold up before God when I stand before Him.  But, then again … it might.

The Perfect God

The Bible declares we have a perfect Creator (Deut 32:4, Mt 5:48, and Heb 7:28).  When He was by Himself, sin did not exist. "In Him there is no sin" (1Jn 3:5).  This "Being" is beyond anything we can fathom.  At some point, He decided to create morally sentient beings - and reveal things about Himself to those creatures.  Now, let me ask you some questions.  If all those creatures were perfect for eternity, how well would God actually be known?  For example, now we know He is capable of anger.  If all was perfect around Him forever, how would that ever be exposed?  How could His longsuffering, patience, empathy, mercy or justice ever be known?  You already know the answer.  These traits would be forever veiled.

I believe God decided to reveal aspects of His character that would only come out if there were morally accountable beings in rebellion to Him.  In that setting, many complexities of his character - some subtle and some not so subtle - would be revealed for all to see.

Created Innocent … and with the capacity to sin.

God created two orders of beings with the capacity to sin - angels and man.  Had they been created perfect, they would never have sinned.  They were created innocent - and then sinned.  Most believe this passage refers to Satan: "You were in Eden, the Garden of God … You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created - until unrighteousness was found in you … You were internally filled with violence and you sinned … Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty (Ezek 28:13, 15-17).  "You said in your heart … 'I will raise my throne above the stars of God … I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isa 14:13,14).  This was probably the first sin.  It did not surprise God.  He declares He knows "the end from the beginning" (Isa 41:21-23, 42:9, 44:6-8, 45:21, Rev 1:8, 22:13).

Adam was created in God's image (Gen 1:26,27). 

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, Bible Study at 10:50 PM EST

No Comments »

by Thomas E. Brewton

Scientists seeking ultimate answers to the origin, nature, and future of the cosmos have pursued a long series of mutually exclusive, speculative theories. Liberals embrace these speculations as scientific truth, even though they have less basis in verifiable fact than 5,000 years of faith in God recorded in the Bible.

Every attempt to date to unify cosmological and nuclear particle theories has foundered on newly observed, unreconcilable, opposing sets of facts. Seeking to bridge these gaps, cosmologists, nuclear particle physicists, and mathematicians have drifted far into the realm of abstract speculation.

Science at the outer limits of knowledge, both at the cosmological and sub-atomic levels, has come increasingly to resemble the speculations of medieval scholastic philosophers dealing in doctrinal abstractions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, Creation at 10:44 PM EST

No Comments »

A friend writes to me to enquire whether Satan knows our thoughts. Of course he does not, as God does. Satan pretty shrewdly guesses at them from our actions and our words, and perhaps even from manifestations upon our countenances; but it is the Lord alone who knows the thoughts of men immediately and by themselves. - C.H. Spurgeon

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, C.H. Spurgeon Gems at 12:20 PM EST

No Comments »

C. F. Bettridge

To be questioned about ones religion is the heart and soul of their very being. To be a Christian is to know why and what you believe. Obtaining knowledge is the center core of Gods word and the opposite of that is ignorance which God despises. This is more of a problem then people of faith realize. How will Christians be able to help others if you don’t know what you believe yourself? When you ask someone a question regarding their belief you will find that some don’t even know and will just say, “Oh I don’t know that’s just the way we’ve always done it.” Also some folks will say, “That’s just the way we were raised,” without ever questioning it. There are some churches that believe it is not the commission of the modern day church to spread or even know the gospel.

In the Bible the early Christians were told to spread the word. They were told to share their faith. In order to do this they would have to hear the gospel. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:14;17. Another good example of hearing is found in the book of Acts. An angel of the Lord told Philip to arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. Acts 8:26. When he arrived he was met with an Ethiopian who was reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading and it was obvious by his remark that he didn’t. The Ethiopian said, “Well how could I unless someone guides me?”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, The Bible at 7:45 AM EDT

No Comments »

by Sean Mize

Why is the death, burial, and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ such a big deal? Why didn’t Jesus just die like everyone else and go to Heaven and wait for us there? Why did it have to be so gruesome and public, His death, His burial, and His resurrection? Because it validates everything Jesus said while He was on earth, it validates everything he taught and shared for three years.

You see, if Jesus Christ hadn’t come back from the dead after three days, there would be no Christianity, no followers of Christ, no hope. But He has. And because Jesus Christ came to earth, we can have life and have life everlasting.

When He was on earth, He talked a lot about His Kingdom and how He was going to create a new temple in 3 days.

The people of His time did not understand, thinking that He was referring to an earthly kingdom.

If He had left earth, been buried, and didn’t resurrect, He would have been the purveyor of another false religion. Today, He would be the prophet or god of just another dead religion.

But because he came back from the dead, rose from a sealed, guarded tomb and appeared to over 500 people before He ascended to the Father to prepare a place for us in Heaven, we have proof that He was, is, and always will be, Who He said He is.

Who did He say He is? He said He is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him.

What do we know about the details of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ? “More than we know about the death of any other man in all the ancient world.” (Wilbur Smith)

But just to focus on His burial for a moment, Matthew, one of Jesus disciples, tells us:

At the end of the day that Jesus died, a rich man of Arimathaea, Joseph, went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. So Pilate commanded the body to be delivered to Joseph. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.
He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and he left. The next day the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver (meaning Christ) said, while he was alive, After three days I will rise again.
Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, in case His disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. So Pilate said unto them, You have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matt 27: 57-66)

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, The Bible, Witnessing at 2:53 PM EDT

No Comments »

by Rev. Michael Bresciani

Question

What is the mark of the beast, the now world famous 666?

Answer

There is more controversy flying around this loaded question than I care to address, but for the sake of those who have no knowledge at all on this subject I will try to break it down in terms that are understandable. What can be known about it for certain is that it is the mark that represents the antichrist’s economic system. Those who don’t have this mark will not be able to buy or sell anything. Whose name it actually represents, is too soon to say. It does seem to be a representation of the trinity of Satan, Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet being the three constituents of that trinity.

An interesting development of late has been something called, Recommendation 666. This is one among many recommendations being adopted by the emerging government of the EU. This particular recommendation was introduced by the European Union’s security minister, Mr. Javier Solana. It is a matter of concern for many people for two reasons. The first is that the final vote on the European constitution is only about a year away. The second reason is because recommendation 666 seems to be worded in such a way that it gives emergency war powers to the leader of the EU if he has been sufficiently apprised of a terrorist threat or the country has actually undergone an actual terror attack. I have thoroughly read every word in this document and while I’m not sure that it something to worry about, it certainly is something to keep an eye on.

My strongest sense of conviction is to go with what we know about this dreaded number and keep a watchful eye on what develops hereafter. Using biblical numerology to point to some particular person is highly questionable and has only failed so many times before. A cautious and thoughtful approach is highly advisable, and a large application of watchful patience will win the day on this subject.

Question

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, The Bible, Witnessing at 9:40 PM EDT

No Comments »

Rev. Robert Riddle Jr. goal is to incress the Christians knowledge in Apologetics through his book Apologetics Made Easy.

Crowell, TX (PRWEB) April 29, 2006 — Rev. Robert Riddle Jr. teaches Christian in Apologetics and to know how to respond to the cults with the publication of Apologetics Made Easy in conjunction with Lulu (http://www.lulu.com/), the world’s fastest-growing provider of print-on-demand books.

Apologetics Made Easy is a book for any layman that wants to know what they believe and why. This book will help anyone be a better witness for Jesus and stand up against the skeptics. This book is great to get in the hands of new believers because it teaches the fundamentals of the Christians beliefs. This is also great for home Bible stuides, Sunday Schools and more. Stop woundering how to answer the questions and start giving the answers.

Rev. Robert Riddle Jr. wrote Apologetics Made Easy to help and others to know what they believe and why they believe it and to be able to respond to the cults and questions we so often get from co-workers, family, friends ETC.. He came to Lulu because she wanted to be in control of the publishing process and found Lulu’s print-on-demand tools to be fast, easy and, most importantly, free. Apologetics Made Easy is available for purchase at www.lulu.com, in a marketplace filled with other unique and wonderful surprises.

“Independent publishing and print-on-demand is fast and easy if I can do it anyone can, ,” said Rev. Robert Riddle Jr. “The Lulu process allows me to cut out the middle man (i.e. a separate publisher) and get my work out there the way I want it.

Link to Publication*: http://www.lulu.com/fishersofmen

Posted by Walt as Apologetics, Book Reviews at 4:30 AM EDT

No Comments »

Unbelievers question the truth about the resurrection of Our Lord, Christ Jesus on the first Easter. I you consider the evidence from believers and non-believers, especially those from Jesus’ era, you will find abundant evidence that He rose on the third day after He was buried taking our punishment and atonement once and for all for our sins against God.

Rev. Craig Harris in his column list nine points that support the resurrection proving that the risen Christ was not a myth.

First, the reliability of the Scriptures. Did you know that we have more than 25,000 manuscripts of the Greek New Testament? That is a huge amount. Some manuscripts date to within 100 years of the autographs (the original writings) and all agree with each other. (Yes, there are minor differences, but there are so many copies available we can look at them and get a very accurate picture of what the New Testament writers said.) What this means is that the Bible is extremely reliable as a historical document.

Second, we have writings of historians outside the Bible that corroborate the stories within it. These historians, like Pliny the Younger, Ptolemy, Tacitus and Josephus, not only mention kings, governors, dates and places found in the Bible, they also mention the disciples and Jesus himself.

Third, the empty tomb. The Gospel writers all mention that the tomb was empty Easter Sunday morning. If there had been a body there, the Romans or Jewish leaders could have shown it and that would have ended Christianity right then and there. Remember, the tomb was well guarded. Also, in the Bible, women saw the empty tomb first — that would never happen in Jewish fiction of that day, so it must have been true.

Fourth, Paul wrote in First Corinthians that 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection. Paul wrote this about 20 years after the resurrection and points out that most of them were still alive and could verify what they saw. No one disputes the validity and historicity of Paul or First Corinthians, and 500 people do not have the same hallucination.

Fifth, why would the early Christians have celebrated Communion and Baptism if Jesus had remained dead? History teaches that the Christians began celebrating The Lord’s Supper within 20 years of Jesus’ resurrection. Communion commemorates the sacrificial death of Jesus by celebrating the blood he shed and how his body was broken. Why would they do this if Jesus’ death had been meaningless? This would be like a John F. Kennedy fan club celebrating his death instead of his life and legacy. Further, the early Christians changed the meaning of baptism from a Jewish cleansing ritual to mean "buried with Christ and raised to life with him." (Romans 6:4).

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Walt as Apologetics at 10:30 AM EDT

No Comments »

Author Dr. Kent Hovid, wrote  Points To Ponder About The Flood He brings to light 23 points that should be considered before calling the Flood or Creation a hoax or legend

2 Pet. 3:3-8 tells us that people who scoff at the Bible are "willingly ignorant" of the Creation and the Flood. In order to understand science and the Bible, we must not be ignorant of those two great events in Earth’s history. Points To Ponder About The Flood

Some of the points he raises are:

1. It allowed water to go up into the hole as the ship crested waves. This would be needed to relieve strain on longer ships.
2. The rising and lowering water acted as a piston to pump fresh air in and out of the ship. This would prevent the buildup of dangerous gasses from all the animals on board.
3. The hole was a great place to dump garbage into the ocean without going outside.

For the rest of the article, see Points To Ponder About The Flood

Posted by Walt as Apologetics at 8:24 AM EDT

Comments Off