Often, it’s difficult to understand our relationship with God. Perhaps this is out of ignorance or just a lack of confidence in His word. Many skeptics question the existence of God by asking “how could a loving God send anyone to hell?” This is a legitimate question that deserves to be answered. In fact, it’s a question that I had for a long time and a question that many Christians had or may even still have!

One thing you will notice the more you “test the spirits” is that Satan has managed to deceive many into thinking that baptism is not an essential activity that must take place to be born again. There is an excuse or different explanation for each verse that plainly states the importance of baptism. One such way that has been argued for a long time, and is perhaps the foundation of every errant teaching on baptism, is a misunderstanding of what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” The argument is simply this; “we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Baptism is a work and therefore cannot save us.” This teaching comes from a gross misunderstanding of what faith and works are!

In Acts 2:38, after preaching the first gospel sermon, and getting to the heart of those who heard, Peter told the people that they needed to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. To some, this is simple and straight forward. Baptism is when you receive the remission, or the forgiveness of sins. It is when the blood of Christ cleanses us spiritually. To others, these are fighting words. To believe that baptism is when your sins are forgiven takes away from the amazing work of Jesus on the cross. A major example given by opponents of baptism being for the remission of sin is to say that the thief on the cross was not baptized, therefore we do not have to be. This is a legitimate argument for that belief, and it deserves to be evaluated with scripture.

From time to time, it is good to reevaluate our motivation. Why are we doing what we are doing? What is it that makes us want to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Sadly, for myself and many others, an honest evaluation sometimes boils down to a strong fear of being lost for eternity. Perhaps it is the result of too much focus on “hell, fire, and brimstone” and not enough focus “grace and love.” While there is a healthy balance between the two, leaning too far in one direction could be a bad thing.

Adversity is a constant presence in life. While its form may change and its impact may vary, it always remains, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike and bring misery at a moment's notice. It tests marriages as couples are forced to confront differences and overcome selfishness. It challenges congregations, whether through doctrinal conflicts or moral failures. It also tests individuals, bringing health issues, grief, financial troubles, and personal conflicts, all aimed at stirring internal struggles, doubt, anger, and depression.

In his second letter, Peter warns Christians about false teachers who have “forsaken the right way and gone astray”, who “speak with great swelling words of emptiness, and allure…the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error”, and described them as untaught and unstable people  that when “…some things are hard to understand, twist to their own destruction…”. Consider Peter’s advice to us regarding these false teachers.

I understand that we experience various levels of maturity throughout our lives. Some mature through certain stages quickly, while some take a little longer to figure things out. When I think about the friends I have had in the past and the relationships I had with people, I am grateful. The choices we make in life lead us to where we are, and by God’s grace here I am.

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1 Corinthians 12:9 – “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

In Acts chapter 5, the apostles are on trial yet again for preaching the gospel of Jesus. When asked why they were still preaching the gospel after being told not to, Peter and the apostles, very confidently, said the following (Acts 5:29-32):

Have you ever wondered why it is that we cannot sin? Or why is it that God has considered some things sinful and some things good? Afterall, most things that are sinful bring pleasure to us! (Hebrews 11:25) Many bible skeptics would claim that God sits on his thrown as sort of evil dictator, and this is why they refuse to acknowledge Him. I believe the answer to these questions is rooted in love!

The whole of Christianity fully depends on whether Jesus Christ really did live, die on the cross, and rise from the grave. Paul says that if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain, we are still in our sins, and we should be the most pitied people. (1 Corinthians 15:14-19). Of course, the Bible says that all these things are true, and we know that the bible is the inspired word of God, but is it possible to verify the events of Jesus Christ outside of the bible? The answer is undoubtedly “yes”. There are plenty of ancient, non-Christian historians that wrote of Jesus and the things he did.