Got Questions?: Bible Questions Answered-Answers to the Questions People Are Really Asking

577 Pages·2014·2.71 MB·English

by  S. Michael Houdmann

Copyright © 2010, 2014 S. Michael Houdmann, General Editor.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-3274-6 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4908-3275-3 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4908-3273-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014905924

WestBow Press rev. date: 4/28/2014
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: The Ultimate Question
Chapter 1: Questions about God
Chapter 2: Questions about Jesus Christ
Chapter 3: Questions about the Holy Spirit
Chapter 4: Questions about Salvation
Chapter 5: Questions about the Bible
Chapter 6: Questions about the Church
Chapter 7: Questions about the End Times
Chapter 8: Questions about Angels and Demons
Chapter 9: Questions about Humanity
Chapter 10: Questions about Theology
Chapter 11: Questions about the Christian Life
Chapter 12: Questions about Prayer
Chapter 13: Questions about Sin
Chapter 14: Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity
Chapter 15: Questions about Marriage
Chapter 16: Questions about Relationships
Chapter 17: Questions about Family and Parenting
Chapter 18: Questions about Creation
Chapter 19: Questions about Cults and Religions
Chapter 20: Questions about False Doctrine
Chapter 21: Questions about Life Decisions
Chapter 22: Topical Bible Questions
Chapter 23: Miscellaneous Bible Questions
Appendix: Statement of Faith
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T
HIS BOOK IS dedicated to the more than 500 individuals who have served as
volunteer writers for Got Questions Ministries in the past twelve years. Their
hard work, commitment and passion are what make this ministry possible.
Special thanks goes to Kevin Stone, Rebekah Largent, MeLissa Houdmann,
and Gwen Sellers, who contributed greatly to this volume in writing, editing,
organizing, and indexing.
PREFACE
E
VERY DAY, MORE and more people are going to the internet to find
answers to their questions about spiritual matters. Topics related to spirituality
are the second most searched-for subjects online. Sadly, websites that present
false teachings far outnumber those that proclaim the truth of God’s Word.
In February of 2002, www.gotquestions.org was launched to help fill this gap
and meet the needs of millions of spiritually-minded web surfers. Since our
launch, we have personally answered over 380,000 questions that have been
submitted to us. Over one hundred million people have found answers to their
questions via our Frequently Asked Questions archives, giving us a unique
understanding of what questions are truly on people’s minds.
This volume is a collection of the most important and/or most frequently
asked questions. Each question is answered directly from the Bible if the Bible
specifically addresses the particular issue. Where the Bible is silent on an issue,
biblical principles are used to lead to a solid and correct understanding of the
issue. The Lord Jesus Christ is our passion, and declaring His Word is our
mission.
Mission Statement of Got Questions Ministries:
“Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable and
timely answers to spiritually-related questions.”
INTRODUCTION
THE ULTIMATE QUESTION
Question: What does it mean to accept Jesus as your personal Savior?
Answer: Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? To properly
understand this question, you must first understand the terms “Jesus Christ,”
“personal,” and “Savior.”
Who is Jesus Christ? Many people will acknowledge Jesus Christ as a good
man, a great teacher, or even a prophet of God. These things are definitely true
of Jesus, but they do not fully define who He truly is. The Bible tells us that
Jesus is God in the flesh, God in human form (see John 1:1, 14). God came to
earth to teach us, heal us, correct us, forgive us—and die for us! Jesus Christ is
God, the Creator, the sovereign Lord. Have you accepted this Jesus?
What is a Savior, and why do we need a Savior? The Bible tells us that we
have all sinned; we have all committed evil acts (Romans 3:10-18). As a result
of our sin, we deserve God’s anger and judgment. The only just punishment for
sins committed against an infinite and eternal God is an infinite punishment
(Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15). That is why we need a Savior!
Jesus Christ came to earth and died in our place. Jesus’ death was an infinite
payment for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died to pay the penalty for our
sins (Romans 5:8). Jesus paid the price so that we would not have to. Jesus’
resurrection from the dead proved that His death was sufficient to pay the
penalty for our sins. That is why Jesus is the one and only Savior (John 14:6;
Acts 4:12)! Are you trusting in Jesus as your Savior?
Is Jesus your “personal” Savior? Many people view Christianity as attending
church, performing rituals, and/or not committing certain sins. That is not
Christianity. True Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Accepting Jesus as your personal Savior means placing your own personal faith
and trust in Him. No one is saved by the faith of others. No one is forgiven by
doing certain deeds. The only way to be saved is to personally accept Jesus as
your Savior, trusting in His death as the payment for your sins and His
resurrection as your guarantee of eternal life (John 3:16). Is Jesus personally
your Savior?
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, say the following
words to God. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save
you. Only believing in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross for you
can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith
in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. “God, I know that I have
sinned against You and deserve punishment. But I believe Jesus Christ took the
punishment I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I receive
Your offer of forgiveness and place my trust in You for salvation. I accept Jesus
as my personal Savior! Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—
the gift of eternal life! Amen!”
Have you made a decision to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior
because of what you have read here? If so, please send us an email at
[email protected].
Chapter 1
QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD
CONTENTS
Does God exist? Is there evidence for the existence of God?
Who is God?
What are the attributes of God? What is God like?
What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?
Who created God? Where did God come from?
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
Did God create evil?
Why is God so different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament?
What does it mean that God is love?
Does God still speak to us today?
What does it mean to have the fear of God?
Does God change His mind?
Does God love everyone or just Christians?
Is God male or female?
Does God still perform miracles?
Why does God allow natural disasters?
Is God sexist?
Does God answer the prayers of an unbeliever?
Why is God a jealous God?
Can monotheism be proven?
Is it wrong to question God?
Has anyone ever seen God?