Three Essential Doctrines of Christianity

The Bible itself reveals those doctrines that are essential to the Christian faith. They are 1) the Deity
of Christ, 2) Salvation by Grace, and 3) the Resurrection of Christ. These are the doctrines the Bible
says are necessary. Though there are many other important doctrines, these three are the only ones
that are declared by Scripture to be essential. The truly regenerate may be ignorant to some extent
of one or more of them at the beginning of his/her new life in Christ, but he will come to a proper
understanding of these three issues as he studies the Word of God. A non-regenerate person, or a
cultist (i.e., Mormon or Jehovah's Witness), will deny one or more of these essentials.
1. The Deity of Christ
A. Jesus is God in flesh (John 8:5 with Exodus 3:14). See also John 1:1,14; 10:30-33;
20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
i. 1 John 4:2-3: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit
that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but
every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit
of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in
the world."
a. The above verse needs to be cross referenced with John 1:1,14 (also
written by John) where he states that the Word was God and the Word
became flesh.
b. 1 John 4:2-3 is saying that if you deny that Jesus is God in flesh then
you are of the spirit of Antichrist.
ii. John 8:24, "I said, therefore, to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you
do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins."
iii. Jesus said here that if you do not believe "that I am" you will die in your sins.
In Greek I am is 'ego eimi,' which means I am.' These are the same words
used in John 8:58 where Jesus says "...before Abraham was, I am." He was
claiming the divine title by quoting Exodus 3:14 in the Greek Septuagint. (The
Septuagint was the Hebrew Old Testament translated into Greek.)
B. Jesus is the proper object of faith
i. It is not simply enough to have faith. Faith is only as valid as what it is put in.
You must put your faith in the proper object. Cults have false objects of faith;
therefore, their faith is useless--no matter how sincere they are.
ii. If you put your faith in a vacuum cleaner, then you will be in a lot of trouble
on the day of judgment. You might have great faith, but so what? It is in
something that can't save you.
C. The Doctrine of the deity of Christ includes:
i. The Trinity - There is one God who exists in three persons: The Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are all coeternal, and of the same nature.
ii. Monotheism - There is only one God in all existence (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8;
45:5,14,18,21,22; 46:9; 47:8). Mormons believe that many gods exist though
they serve and worship only one. Therefore, they are polytheists which
excludes them from the camp of Christianity.
D. The Hypostatic Union - That Jesus is both God and man.
i. The sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ - The sacrifice of Christ is completely
sufficient to pay for the sins of the world
ii. As God - Jesus must be God to be able to offer a sacrifice of value greater
than that of a mere man.
a. He had to die for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). Only God could do
that.
iii. As man - Jesus must be man to be able to be a sacrifice for man.
a. As a man He can be the mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).
2. Salvation by Grace
A. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (EEph. 2:8-9, NIV).
B. "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have
fallen away from grace" (Gal. 5:4).
i. This verse and its context plainly teach that if you believe that you are saved
by faith and works then you are not saved at all. This is a common error in the
cults. Because they have a false Jesus, they have a false doctrine of salvation.
(Read Rom. 3-5 and Gal. 3-5).
ii. you cannot add to the work of God. Gal. 2:21 says, "I do not set aside the
grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died
for nothing!" (NIV)
C. "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather,
through the law we become conscious of sin" (Rom. 3:20).
i. "However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the
wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).
ii. "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a
law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly
have come by the law" (Gal. 3:21).
3. The Resurrection of Christ
A. "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1
Cor. 15:14). "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins" (1 Cor. 15:17).
B. To deny the physical resurrection is to deny Jesus' work, sacrifice, and our
resurrection.
C. These verses clearly state that if you say that Jesus did not rise from the dead (in the
same body He died in -- John 2:19-21), then your faith is useless.
A comment on Gal. 1:8-9, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than
the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say
again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally
condemned!" (NIV).
These two verses here in Galatians could be considered a fourth self declarative statement of the
essentials. But, Gal. 1:8-9 is simply stating the necessity of believing the gospel message which, in its
entirety, is that Jesus is God in flesh, who died for sins, rose from the dead, and freely gives the gift of
eternal life to those who believe.
1 Cor. 15:1-4 defines what the gospel is: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I
preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are
saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For
what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (NIV).
Within these verses are the essentials: Christ is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col.
2:9); Salvation is received by faith (John 1:12; Rom. 10:9-10), therefore it is by grace; and the
resurrection is mentioned in verse 4. Therefore, this gospel message automatically includes the
essentials.












What is the Trinity?
The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three
distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the persons is distinct from the other, yet
related in essence. Each is divine in nature, but each is not the totality of the Godhead. Each has a
will, loves, and says "I", and "You" when speaking. The Father is not the same person as the Son who
is not the same person as the Holy Spirit who is not the same person as the Father. Each is divine, yet
there are not three gods, but one God. There are three persons individual subsistences, or persons.
The word "subsistence" means something that has a real existence. The word "person" denotes
individuality and self awareness. The Trinity is three of these, though the latter term has become the
dominant one used to describe the individual aspects of God known as the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit.
Included in the doctrine of the Trinity is a strict monotheism which is the teaching that there exists in
all the the universe a single being known as God who is self-existent and unchangeable (Isaiah 43:10;
44:6,8). Therefore, it is important to note that the doctrine of the trinity is not polytheistic as some of
its critics proclaim. Trinitarianism is monotheistic by definition and those who claim it is polytheistic
demonstrate a lack of understanding of what it really is.
The Trinity
God is three persons
Each person is divine
There is only one God.
Many theologians admit that the term "person" is not a perfect word to describe the three individual
aspects/foci found in God. When we normally use the word person, we understand it to mean physical
individuals who exist as separate beings from other individuals. But in God there are not three
entities, nor three beings. God, is a trinity of persons consisting of one substance and one essence.
God is numerically one. Yet, within the single divine essence are three individual subsistences that we
call persons.
Each of the three persons is completely divine in nature though each is not the totality of the
Godhead.
Each of the three persons is not the other two persons.
Each of the three persons is related to the other two, but are distinct from them.
The word "trinity" is not found in the Bible. But this does not mean that the concept is not taught
there. The word "bible" is not found in the Bible either, but we use it anyway. Likewise, the words
"omniscience," which means "all knowing," "omnipotence," which means "all powerful," and
"omnipresence," which means "present everywhere," are not found in the Bible either. But we use
these words to describe the attributes of God. So, to say that the Trinity isn't true because the word
isn't in the Bible is an invalid argument.
Is there subordination in the Trinity?
There is, apparently, a subordination within the Trinity in regard to order but not substance or
essence. We can see that the Father is first, the Son is second, and the Holy Spirit is third. The Father
is not begotten, but the Son is (John 3:16). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 5:26). The
Father sent the Son (1 John 4:10). The Son and the Father send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26).
The Father creates (Isaiah 44:24), the Son redeems (Gal. 3:13), and the Holy Spirit sanctifies (Rom.
15:16).
This subordination of order does not mean that each of the members of the Godhead are not equal or
divine. For example, we see that the Father sent the Son. But this does not mean that the Son is not
equal to the Father in essence and divine nature. A wife is to be subject to her husband but this does
not negate her humanity, essence, or equality. By further analogy, a king and his servant both share
human nature. Yet, the king sends the servant to do his will. Jesus said, "For I have come down from
heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). Does this mean that the
one sent must, therefore, be of different nature than the one who sent him? Of course not.
Critics of the Trinity will see this subordination as proof that the Trinity is false. They reason that if
Jesus were truly God, then He would be completely equal to God the Father in all areas and would not,
therefore, be subordinate to the Father in any way. But this objection is not logical. If we look at the
analogy of the king and in the servant we certainly would not say that the servant was not human
because he was sent. Being sent does not negate sameness in essence. Therefore, the fact that the
Son is sent does not mean that He is not divine any more than when my wife sends me to get bread, I
am not human.
Is this confusing?
Another important point about the Trinity is that it can be a difficult concept to grasp. But this is not
necessitate an argument against its validity. On the contrary, the fact that it is difficult is an argument
for its truth. The Bible is the self revelation of an infinite God. Therefore, we are bound to encounter
concepts which are difficult to understand -- especially when dealing with an incomprehensible God
who exists in all places at all times. So, when we view descriptions and attributes of God manifested in
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we discover that a completely comprehensible and
understandable explanation of God's essence and nature is not possible. What we have, however,
done is derive from the Scripture the truths that we can grasp and combine them into the doctrine we
call The Trinity. The Trinity is, to a large extent, a mystery. After all, we are dealing with God Himself.
It is the way of the cults to reduce biblical truth to make God comprehensible and understandable by
their minds. To this end, they subject God's word to their own reasoning and end in error. The
following verses are often used to demonstrate that in the doctrine of the Trinity is indeed biblical.
Matt. 28:18, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
1 Cor. 12:4-6, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5
And there are varieties of
ministries, and the same Lord.
6
And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who
works all things in all persons.
2 Cor. 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of
the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Eph. 4:4-7, There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your
calling;
5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6
one God and Father of all who is over all and
through all and in all.
7
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of
Christs gift.
1 Pet. 1:2, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace
be yours in fullest measure."
Jude 20-21, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the
Holy Spirit;
21
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ to eternal life."
__________________
Sources:
Baker's Dictionary of Theology, Everett Harrison, ed. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, 1960.
Berkhoff's Systematic Theology, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, 1988.
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Zondervan
Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1994.

Jesus is God
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so
that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god
was formed, nor will there be one after me" (Isaiah 43:10).
JESUS IS GOD, "YAHWEH"
John 1:3, "Through him all things were
made; without him nothing was made
that has been made."
Col. 1:16-17, "For by him all things were
Creator
Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life."
Isaiah 40:28, "Do you not know? Have you
not heard? The LORD is the everlasting
created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or
powers or rulers or authorities; all things
were created by him and for him. He is
before all things, and in him all things
hold together."
God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his
understanding no one can fathom."
Rev. 1:17, "When I saw him, I fell at his
feet as though dead. Then he placed his
right hand on me and said: Do not be
afraid. I am the First and the Last."
Rev. 2:8, "To the angel of the church in
Smyrna write: These are the words of
him who is the First and the Last, who
died and came to life again."
Rev. 22:13, "I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the First and the Last, the
Beginning and the End."
First
and Last
Isaiah 41:4, "Who has done this and
carried it through, calling forth the
generations from the beginning? I, the
LORD -- with the first of them and with the
last -- I am he."
Isaiah 44:6, "This is what the LORD says -
- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD
Almighty: I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God."
Isaiah 48:12, "Listen to me, O Jacob,
Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am
the first and I am the last."
John 8:24, "Therefore I said to you that
you will die in your sins; for if you do
not believe that I am He, you will die in
your sins." (NKJV)
John 8:58, "I tell you the truth," Jesus
answered, "before Abraham was born, I
am!" See Exodus 3:14
John 13:19, "I am telling you now
before it happens, so that when it does
happen you will believe that I am He."
I AM
"ego
eimi"
Exodus 3:14, "God said to Moses, "I AM
WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to
the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."
Isaiah 43:10, "You are my witnesses,"
declares the LORD, "and my servant whom
I have chosen, so that you may know and
believe me and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed, nor will
there be one after me."
See also Deut. 32:39
2 Tim. 4:1, "In the presence of God and
of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living
and the dead, and in view of his
appearing and his kingdom, I give you
this charge..."
2 Cor. 5:10, "For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive what is due him
for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad."
Judge
Joel 3:12, "Let the nations be roused; let
them advance into the Valley of
Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all
the nations on every side."
Rom. 14:10, "You, then, why do you judge
your brother? Or why do you look down on
your brother? For we will all stand before
God's judgment seat."
Matt. 2:2, "...Where is the one who has
been born king of the Jews? We saw his
star in the east and have come to
worship him."
Luke 23:3, "So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are
you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as
you say," Jesus replied."
See also John 19:21
King
Jer. 10:10, "But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God, the eternal King.
When he is angry, the earth trembles; the
nations cannot endure his wrath."
Isaiah 44:6-8, "This is what the LORD says
-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD
Almighty: I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God."
See also Psalm 47
John 8:12,"When Jesus spoke again to
the people, he said, "I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will
never walk in darkness, but will have the
light of life."
Luke 2:32, "a light for revelation to the
Gentiles and for glory to your people
Israel."
See also John 1:7-9
Light
Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my
salvation -- whom shall I fear?"
Isaiah 60:20 ,"our sun will never set
again, and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end."
1 John 1:5, "God is light; in him there is
no darkness at all."
1 Cor. 10:, "...for they drank from the
spiritual rock that accompanied them,
and that rock was Christ."
See also 1 Pet. 2:.
Rock
Deut. 32:4, "He is the Rock, his works are
perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful
God who does no wrong, upright and just
is he."
See also 2 Sam. 22:32 and Isaiah 17:10.
John 4:24, "They said to the woman,
We no longer believe just because of
what you said; now we have heard for
ourselves, and we know that this man
really is the Savior of the world."
1 John 4:14, "And we have seen and
testify that the Father has sent his Son
to be the Savior of the world."
Savior
Isaiah 43:3, "For I am the LORD, your
God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
Isaiah 45:21, "...And there is no God apart
from me, a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me."
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep."
Heb. 13:20, "May the God of peace, who
through the blood of the eternal
covenant brought back from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of
the sheep,"
See also John 10:14,16; 1 Pet. 2:25
Shepher
d
Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd, I
shall not be in want."
Isaiah 40:11, "He tends his flock like a
shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his
arms and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young."
Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from the NIV.


Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
One of the most nagging questions in Christianity is whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation.
The answer is a simple, "No." But you might ask, "If the answer is no, then why are there verses that
say things like . . .baptism that now saves you . . . (1 Pet. 3:21, NIV) and . . . Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . . ." (Acts
2:38, NIV)? This is an honest question and it needs a competent answer. But, before I tackle this I
need to lay a foundation of proper theology, then I'll address some of those verses that are commonly
used to support the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation.
God Works Covenantally
First, you need to understand that God works covenantally. A covenant is a pact or agreement
between two or more parties. The New Testament and Old Testaments are New and Old Covenants.
The word "testament" comes from the Latin testamentum which means covenant. So, the Bible is a
covenant document. If you don't understand covenant you cannot understand, in totality, the issue of
baptism because baptism is a covenant sign.
If you don't think that God works covenantally then look at Heb 13:20 which says, "May the God of
peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
great Shepherd of the sheep" (NIV). The Eternal Covenant is the covenant between the Father and the
Son before the creation of the world, whereby the Father would give to the Son those whom the
Father had chosen. That is why Jesus says things like, "All that the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37, NIV). And, "And this is the will of him
who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day"
(John 6:39, NIV). And, "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given
me, for they are yours" (John 17:9, NIV).
If you fail to understand that God works covenantally and that He uses signs as manifestations of his
covenants (rainbow, circumcision, communion, etc.) then you will not be able to understand where
baptism fits in God's covenant system.
Second, you need to know what baptism is. It is an outward representation of an inward reality. For
example, it represents the reality of the inward washing of Christ's blood upon the soul. That is why it
is used in different ways. It is said to represent the death of the person (Rom. 6:3-5), the union of
that person with Christ (Gal. 3:27), the cleansing of that person's sins (Acts 22:16), the identification
with the one "baptized into" as when the Israelites were baptized into Moses (1 Cor. 10:2), and being
united in one church (1 Cor. 12:13). Also, baptism is one of the signs and seals of the Covenant of
Grace that was instituted by Jesus. It is in this sense a sacrament. A sacrament is a visible
manifestation of something spoken. It is also said to be a visible sign of an inward grace. For example,
the communion elements of bread and wine are called the sacrament of communion. When we take
communion we are partaking of the sacrament.
The Covenant of Grace is the covenant between God and Man where God promises to Man eternal life.
It is based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the condition is faith in Jesus Christ. As the
Communion Supper replaced Passover, baptism, in like manner, replaces circumcision. "They
represent the same spiritual blessings that were symbolized by circumcision and Passover in the old
dispensation" (Berkhoff, Lewis, Systematic Theology, 1988, p. 620.).
Circumcision was the initiatory rite into the Abrahamic covenant; it did not save. A covenant is a pact
or agreement between two or more parties and that is exactly what the Abrahamic covenant was. God
said to Abraham, "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and
your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your
descendants after you" (Genesis 17:7, NIV). God later instructed Abraham to circumcise not only
every adult male, but also 8 day old male infants as a sign of the covenant (Gen. 17:9-13). If the
children were not circumcised, they were not considered to be under the promissory Abrahamic
covenant. This is why Moses' wife circumcised her son and threw the foreskin at Moses' feet. (Ex.
4:24-25). She knew the importance of the covenant between God and her children. But at the same
time we must understand that circumcision did not guarantee salvation to all who received it. It was a
rite meant only for the people of God, who were born into the family of God (who were then the
Jews).
An important question here is how is it possible for an infant to be entered into a covenant with God.
There could be a lot of answers given but the point remains: it was done; infants were entered into a
covenant relationship with God -- through their parents.
In the New Testament, circumcision is mentioned many times. But with respect to this topic it is
specifically mentioned in Col. 2:11-12: "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the
sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by
Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of
God, who raised him from the dead" (NIV). In these verses, baptism and circumcision are related.
Baptism replaces the Old Testament circumcision because 1) there was a New Covenant in the
communion supper (Luke 22:20), and 2) in circumcision there was the shedding of blood but in
baptism no blood is shed. This is because the blood of Christ has been shed.
If you understand that baptism is a covenant sign, then you can see that it is a representation of the
reality of Christ circumcising our hearts (Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11-12). It is our outward proclamation of
the inward spiritual blessing of regeneration. It comes after faith which is a gift of God (Rom. 13:3)
and the work of God (John 6:28).
Third, the Bible says that it is the gospel that saves. "By this gospel you are saved..." (1 Cor. 15:2).
Also, Rom. 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the
salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
What is the Gospel?
It is clearly the gospel that saves us. But what exactly is the gospel? That too is revealed to us in the
Bible. It is found in 1 Cor. 15:1-4: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to
you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you
hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I
passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that
he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." The gospel is defined
as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins. Baptism is not mentioned here.
Paul said that he came to preach the gospel, not to baptize: "I am thankful that I did not baptize any
of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also
baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For
Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." (1 Cor. 1:14-17). If baptism is
necessary for salvation then why did Paul downplay it and even exclude it from the description of what
is required for salvation? It is because baptism isn't necessary for salvation.
Additionally, in Acts, Peter was preaching the gospel, people got saved, and then they were baptized.
Acts 10:44-46 says, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who
heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift
of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues
and praising God. Then Peter said, Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?
They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.' So he ordered that they be baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days" (NIV). These people were
saved. The gift of the Holy Spirit was on the Gentiles and they were speaking in tongues. This is
significant because tongues is a gift given to believers, see 1 Cor. 14:1-5. Also, unbelievers don't
praise God. They can't because praise to the true God is a deep spiritual matter that is foreign to the
unsaved (1 Cor. 2:14). Therefore, the ones in Acts 10 who are speaking in tongues and praising God
are definitely saved and they are saved before they are baptized. This simply isn't an exception. It is a
reality.
Let's Suppose...
Another way of making this clear is to use an illustration. Let's suppose that a person, under the
conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), believed in Jesus as his savior (Rom. 10:9-10; Titus 2:13),
and has received Christ (John 1:12) as Savior. Is that person saved? Of course he is. Let's further
suppose that this person confesses his sinfulness, cries out in repentance to the Lord, and receives
Jesus as Savior and then walks across the street to get baptized at a local church. In the middle of the
road he gets hit by a car and is killed. Does he go to heaven or hell? If he goes to heaven then
baptism isn't necessary for salvation. If He goes to hell, then trusting in Jesus, by faith, isn't enough
for salvation. Doesn't that go against the Scriptures that say that salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23)
received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9)?
Saying that baptism is necessary for salvation is dangerous because it is saying that there is
something we must do to complete salvation. That is wrong! See Gal. 2:21; 5:4.
All right, so this sounds reasonable. But still, what about those verses that seem to say that baptism is
part of salvation? I'll address those now. But, because this subject can become quite lengthy, in fact,
sufficient for a book in itself, I'll only address a few verses and then only briefly.
Baptism Verses
John 3:5, "Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is
born of water and the Spirit.'"
Some say that water here means baptism. But that is unlikely since Christian baptism hadn't yet been
instituted. If this verse did mean baptism, then the only kind that it could have been at that point was
the baptism of repentance administered by John the Baptist (Mark 1:4). If that is so, then baptism
isn't necessary for salvation because the baptism of repentance is no longer practiced.
It is my opinion that the water spoken of here means the water of the womb referring to the natural
birth process. Jesus said in verse three that Nicodemus needed to be born "again." This meant that he
had been born once--through his mother. Nicodemus responds with a statement about how he can't
enter again into his mother's womb to be born. Then Jesus says that he must be born of water and
the Spirit. Then in verse 6 He says that "flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.."
The context seems to be discussing the contrast between the natural and the spiritual birth. Water,
therefore, could easily be interpreted there to mean the natural birth process.
I would like to add that there are scholars who agree with the position and some who do not. Some
believe that the water refers to the Word of God, the Bible, and others claim it means the Holy Spirit.
You decide for yourself.
Acts 2:38, "Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
This verse is a tough one. It seems to say that baptism is part of salvation. But we know, from other
scriptures that it isn't, lest there be a contradiction. What is going on here is simply that repentance
and forgiveness of sins are connected. In the Greek, "repent" is in the plural and so is "your" of "your
sins." They are meant to be understood as being related to each other. It is like saying, "All of you
repent, each of you get baptized, and all of you will receive forgiveness." Repentance is a mark of
salvation because it is granted by God (2 Tim. 2:25) and is given to believers only. In this context,
only the regenerated, repentant person is to be baptized. Baptism is the manifestation of the
repentance, that gift from God, that is the sign of the circumcised heart. That is why it says, repent
and get baptized.
1 Pet. 3:21, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt
from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ."
This is the only verse that says that baptism saves. But, the NIV translation of the verse is
unfortunate. A better translation is found in the NASB which says, "and corresponding to that, baptism
now saves you." The key word in this section is the Greek antitupon. It means "copy," "type,"
corresponding to," "a thing resembling another," "its counterpart," etc. Baptism is a representation, a
copy, a type of something else. The question is "Of what is it a type?", or "Baptism corresponds to
what?". The answer is found in the previous verse, verse 20: "who once were disobedient, when the
patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few,
that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21
And corresponding to that, baptism
now saves you" (NASB).
What does baptism correspond to? Is it the flood? Or, is it the ark? What was it that saved Noah and
his family? Was it the water or the ark? Obviously, it was the Ark. Noah built and entered the ark by
faith and was saved (Heb. 11:7). The flood waters destroyed the ungodly. Peter, when referring to the
flood waters, refers to them as the means of destruction of the ungodly (2 Pet. 2:5; 3:6). It was the
Ark that saved. Noah entered the ark by faith. Baptism here, in my opinion, refers to the Ark, not the
waters. That is why the rest of the verse says, "not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge
of a good conscience toward God" which is consistent with what Paul said in Col. 2:11-12 where He
equates baptism with being circumcised of heart.
Acts 22:16, "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling
on his name."
Is the washing away of sins done by baptism, the representation of the circumcised heart (Col. 2:11-
12) which means you are already saved, or is it by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:14; Rom. 5:9; Eph.
1:7)? Obviously it is the blood of Jesus and the washing here refers to the calling on Jesus' name.
Rom. 6:4, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ
was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Because the believer is so closely united to Christ it is said that the symbol of baptism is our death,
burial, and resurrection. Obviously we did not die--unless, of course, it is a figurative usage.
Titus 3:5, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He
saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
The washing of rebirth can only be that washing of the blood of Christ that cleanses us. It is not the
symbol that saves, but the reality. The reality is the blood of Christ.
Gal. 3:27, "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
This is speaking of the believer's union with Christ. It is an identification with, a joining to, a
proclamation of loyalty to, etc. In 1 Cor. 10:2 the Israelites were baptized into Moses. That means
they were closely identified with him and his purpose. The same thing is meant here.

Conclusion:
Baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is the initiatory sign and seal into the covenant of grace. As
circumcision referred to the cutting away of sin and to a change of heart (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4;
9:25,26; Ez. 44:7,9) baptism refers to the washing away of sin (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Tit. 3:5) and
to spiritual renewal (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:11-12). The circumcision of the heart is signified by the
circumcision of the flesh, that is, baptism (Col. 2:11-12).
One last thought: If someone maintains that baptism is necessary for salvation, is he adding a work,
his own, to the finished work of Christ? If the answer is yes, then that person would be in terrible risk
of not being saved. If the answer is no, then why is baptism maintained as being necessary the same
way as the Jews maintained that works were necessary?


Salvation: What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?
Theologically speaking, a Christian is someone who has received the Lord Jesus as Savior (John 1:12),
trusts Him alone for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 4:12), has put not trust in His own efforts (Isaiah
64:6) to please God, and repented from his/her sins (Mark 1:15).
Experientially speaking, the life of a Christian does not consist only of theological knowledge. It is
theology that defines who Jesus is and what He has done, but it is not the end of all things. We are
Christians who believe the above points, yes, but we have a living and open relationship with the Lord
Jesus. We experience Him through His indwelling Spirit. As Christians, we seek to do the will of the
Lord, to follow in His footsteps, and to honor and glorify God in all he does.
It is not necessary as a Christian to perform good works IN ORDER to please God because, first of all,
our good deeds are but filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) and, most important, we are made righteous
in the eyes of God by the finished work of Jesus on the cross (Rom. 5). This is one of the areas where
the cults error. They confuse good works with the forgiveness of sins. They combine the two and teach
that God will not accept us if we are not trying to be good. Because they have a wrong view of who
Jesus is, they have a wrong view of salvation.
A common objection to this doctrine of justification by faith is that if a Christian believes in God the
way I say, then he does not need to do anything good, that he could then go out and sin all he
wanted. First of all, this objection is answered in Romans 6. We are not saved for the purpose of
impurity, but in sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7). We do not use the grace of God to sin. Second, a
Christian is called to be Holy (1 Pet. 1:16). Third, a Christian is called to do good works (Eph. 2:10). It
is just that these works are not combined with our faith to merit the forgiveness of our sins, they are,
instead, a natural result of our saved condition. We do good works because we are Christians, not to
become Christians.
Additionally, being a Christian means that you are serving the true Jesus, not a false one. In order for
a person to follow Jesus, he must first accurately understand who He is. If someone called their pet
iguana Jesus, even though he had great faith in Jesus the iguana, his faith is useless. Faith is only as
good as the object in which it is placed.
The Mormon Jesus is the brother of the devil begotten through sexual intercourse from a god and
goddess who used to be people on another planet (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 321). The
Jehovah's Witness Jesus is Michael the archangel who became a man, died on a torture stake, did not
rise from the dead in the same body he died in, and then went back to being an angel (Aid to Bible
Understanding, p. 1152; New Heavens and a New Earth, p. 30). The New Age Jesus is a man in tune
with the divine consciousness. In opposition to this, the Jesus of Christianity is both God and Man. See
the two natures of Jesus for more information on this.
Being a Christian Means Fellowship with Jesus
Why did God create? Was their some lack in God that moved Him to create the universe and man in
it? Was God lonely? We can't fully answer these questions, but we can look into the Bible for clues to
their answer.
1 John 4:8 says that God is love. John 3:16 says that "...God so loved the world He gave..." The
nature of love is to give. It is "other" centered. It focuses on another. Read 1 Cor. 13 for confirmation
of this. That is why God gave His Son. That is why, I believe, that God created us: to love us, to give
to us Himself which is the very best thing in the universe. But sin entered the picture and God, in His
loving mercy, sent His Son into the world to save the world.
Love is not a doctrine, it is an experience, an action. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked
with God. They actually walked with the creator of the universe. They had fellowship with Him.
Fellowship is an intimate communion between two or more persons. Adam and Eve had this intimate
communion with the Lord. But when they sinned that fellowship was broken. God then shed blood, by
killing an animal to get the skins, and covered Adam and Eve. Incidentally, Jesus said in John 6:46
that no one has ever seen the Father. If Adam and Eve were walking with God in the Garden of Eden,
but it wasn't the Father, then who was it. It must have been Jesus.
So God sought Adam and Eve, remember they hid themselves from Him. In Exodus 25:8, God told the
Israelites to build a sanctuary so that He might dwell among His people. In John 1:14, Jesus, God in
flesh, dwelt again among His people. In 1 Cor. 1:9 we are called by God to be in fellowship with Jesus.
In these statements are profound clues. We are called to have a personal relationship, the way it was
in the Garden of Eden, with Jesus. This can only be done through Jesus.
Additionally, the word for fellowship' in the Greek is the same word used for communion.' When we
partake of communion, we are partaking in fellowship with the Lord. Communion is a covenantal sign
of the promise of God to give us eternal life and it is representative in that sense of God's promises to
be with His people. But the real communion, the real fellowship with the Lord, is through the
indwelling Holy Spirit who always bears witness of Jesus (John 15:26). Therefore, the Christian, the
true Christian, will have an intimate and real personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
The cultist cannot have this intimate and personal relationship with Jesus. First, because their Jesus is
false (Matt. 24:24). Second, because their Jesus is not prayed to the way the Jesus of the Bible is
(Zech. 13:9 with 1 Cor. 1:1-2; Acts 7:55-60); third, because their Jesus is not worshiped equally with
the Father (John 5:22-23; Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6); and fourth, because
their Jesus is not their Lord and God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8).
The Jesus of the cultist is not God (he might be one god among many, or he might be a lesser god).
Therefore, he is not to be sought in a personal and intimate way.
The Christian, on the other hand, has a real relationship with the real Lord Jesus. This is accomplished
only through the real Jesus. The Jesus of the Bible.
To be a Christian is to experience the Lord, to have a sweet and real fellowship with Jesus, to be able
to pray to Him, and seek Him.

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9).























Jehovah is Jesus Jehovah Jesus Psalm 102:25,
"Of old Thou didst found the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. Heb. 1:10,
"And, "Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the
works of Thy hands";
Isaiah 45:20
"I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn
back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance." Phil. 2:10-11,
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and
under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father." Deut. 10:17,
"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the
awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe." Rev. 17:14,
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords
and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am
the last, And there is no God besides Me." John 1:49,
"Nathanael answered Him, 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.'"
Rev. 22:12-13,
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he
has done. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Psalm 130:7-8,
"O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant
redemption.
8
And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities."
Titus 2:14,
"who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a
people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Zech. 12:10,
"And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and
of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as
one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-
born.
Rev. 1:7,
"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and
all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen." Joel 2:32,
"And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered; for on Mount
Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors
whom the Lord calls." Rom. 10:13 ,
"for 'Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
(All Scripture quotes are taken from the NASB.)











What is the truth?
Truth is not a feeling. Truth is not an idea. The truth is found in the Bible. The cults are wrong because
they do not have the truth. That is, they have a false understanding of God the Father, of God the
Son, of the Holy Spirit, and the work of Christ on the Cross. Because they are in error in these things,
they are in error concerning the doctrine of salvation.
Sincerity and good works do not bridge the gap of sin between God and man. Only the blood of Jesus
can cleanse a person (Heb. 9:22; John 14:6). Sincerity and good works are merely the reliance upon
what is in the individual to merit favor with God. Sincerity is a form of pride when it is appealed to as
a justification for being accepted by God: "But God, look at my heart. See how sincere I was? I
deserve to be in heaven."
No. If sincerity and good works were good enough to satisfy God, then He wouldn't have given us the
Bible to correct our sincerely wrong ideas, and He wouldn't have sent His Son to do what our good
works cannot.
Truth is what God says is true.
Only One God
Christianity:
True Christian doctrine is that there is only one God who has ever existed anywhere, anyplace,
anytime. There is no God formed before God; there will be no God formed after God (Isaiah
43:10). God doesn't even know of any other Gods (Isaiah 44:8). There is only one God in
existence in the entire universe. Just one. This is called monotheism.
Mormonism:
The god of earth is only one of many, many gods (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 163). This
is called polytheism. However, they worship only one of the many gods, the one called Elohim.
This is called monolatry.
Elohim (as the Mormons like to call the Father) used to be a man on another planet (Mormon
Doctrine, p. 321). Elohim became a God and came to this world with his goddess wife (Articles of
Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443). Mormons have the potential of becoming gods of their own worlds
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354).
This contradicts the teachings of scripture. Mormons are polytheists. Christianity is
monotheistic. Mormonism is very wrong.
J.W.:
They believe in only one God (Make Sure of All Things, p 188). They call God "Jehovah." In this, the
J.W.'s are correct. There is only one God.
The Trinity
Christianity:
God is a trinity of persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the
same person as the Son. The Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
not the same person as the Father. They all are eternal, divine, and omniscient.
Objections to the Trinity are that it is not logical. Logic should not rule scripture. If it is from
God, there will be things in it that are difficult to understand. Additionally, the fingerprints of
God are seen all over creation. In Romans 1:20 it says that the invisible attributes of God are
clearly seen in creation. Creation is made up of a trinity of trinities: time, space, and matter.
Time is past, present, and future. Each "part" is different, yet they are all of the same nature:
time. Space is height, width, and depth. Each "part" is different, yet they are all of the same
nature: space. Matter is solid, liquid, and gas. Each "part" is different, yet they are all of the
same nature: matter.
Mormonism:
The Trinity is an office held by three separate gods: a god called the father, a god called the
son, and a god called the holy spirit. They error in assuming that a "person" must be in a
fleshly form (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22) -- something like flesh and blood.
This contradicts the orthodox view of the Trinity as well as teaching that there is more than
one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8).
J.W.'s:
They deny the Trinity (Let God be True, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things, p.386). They say
there is only one person in the Godhead: the Father.
They error in denying the truth doctrine of the Trinity.
Jesus
Christianity:
Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. Jesus is both God and man. He is fully God and fully
man (Col. 2:9). He was in the form of God, emptied Himself, and became a man (Phil. 2:5-8).
As the God man, He is the mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus was not created (John 1:1-3), but is
the creator of all things (Col. 1:16-17).
Mormonism:
Jesus, the devil, and all of us are literal spirit children born in a pre-existence, the literal
offspring of God the Father and his goddess wife (Mormon Doctrine p. 516; Journal of Discourse,
Vol. 4, p. 218).
J.W.'s:
Jesus is Michael the Archangel who became a man, died on a stake -- not a cross -- rose in a
spirit body, and returned to heaven to be an angel again (The Watchtower, May 15, 1963, p.
307; The New World, 284).
The problem here is that Jesus (Michael) would be a created thing. This is why the J.W. Bible
adds the words "other" four times in Col. 1:16-17. The word "other" is not in the original text
of the Bible.
Salvation
Christianity:
Salvation, or the forgiveness of sins, is something that is given to you by God. It is a free gift
(Rom. 6:23). The sinner is made righteous in God's eyes solely by the faith that the believer
has in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Justification, or being declared righteous, is
accomplished by faith (Rom. 5:1). Our works play no part in salvation. If our works could play
any part at all, then Jesus died needlessly (Gal. 2:21).
Mormonism:
The doctrine of the forgiveness of sins in Mormonism is that you are saved by grace after all
you can do (Article 8 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Articles of Faith, by James
Talmage, p. 92). They add to the finished work of Christ on the cross and say that Jesus made it
possible for us to be forgiven. Our works must be mixed with the finished work of Christ and
then our forgiveness of sins is merited before God.
This error is that works play a part in our salvation, our forgiveness of sins. They do not. In
Galatians chapters 3 and 5, Paul addressed the issue and condemned the thought of keeping
even one part of the Law in order to be righteous with God. Salvation is a free gift, paid for by
the blood of Christ.
J.W.'s:
Forgiveness of sins is by good works and cooperation with God (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.
1, pp. 150, 152). They maintain that the sacrifice of Jesus (really Michael the archangel)
opened the door that Adam closed. In other words, because of Jesus' sacrifice you are able to
cooperate with God and earn salvation.
The error here is the same as that in Mormonism listed above. Works do not play a part in our
salvation. They come after we are saved, not before, and not in cooperation with anything. To
add to the work of Christ is to say that what Jesus did on the cross isn't enough. This is an
insult to God.
Conclusion
The truth is important not because it is simply true. It is important because truth is what defines who
and what we believe in. Is Jesus the brother of the devil as in Mormonism? Is he an angel who
became a man? Or, is He the creator of the universe, second person of the Trinity? Only one is right.
Faith is vital. But faith placed in something false is the same as having no faith at all. Faith is only as
good as the object in which it is placed. That is why it is important to have the true Jesus. The one of
the Bible, not the one of Mormonism, nor the one of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Especially about Jesus.














Christianity and Homosexuality
The homosexuals and lesbians have gained considerable political and social momentum in America.
They have "come out" as the term goes, left their closets, and are knocking on the doors of your
homes. Through the TV, Radio, Newspapers, and Magazines, they are preaching their doctrine of
tolerance, equality, justice, and love. They do not want to be perceived as abnormal or dangerous.
They want acceptance and they want you to welcome them with open, loving arms, approving of what
they do.
In the California State senate, several bills have been recently introduced by the pro homosexual
politicians to ensure that the practice of homosexuality is a right protected by California law. Included
in these bills are statements affecting employers, renters, and schools. Even churches would be
required to hire a quota of homosexuals with "sensitivity" training courses to be "strongly urged" in
various work places. There is even legislation that would make the state pick up the tab for the
defense of homosexuality in lawsuits, while requiring the non homosexual side to pay out of his/her
pocket.
The Christian church has not stood idle. When it has spoken out against this political immorality, the
cry of "separation of church and state" is shouted at the "religious bigots." But when the homosexual
community uses political power to control the church, no such cry of bigotry is heard. After all, it isn't
politically correct to side with Christians.
What does the Bible say?
The Bible, as God's word, reveals God's moral character and it shapes the moral character of the
Christian. There have been those who have used the Bible to support homosexuality, taken verses out
of context and reading into them scenarios that are not there. Quite simply, the Bible condemns
homosexuality as a sin. Let's look at what it says.
Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination"

Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of
them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness
is upon them"

1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor homosexuals,
10
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers,
shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women
exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27
and in the same way also the
men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one
another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due
penalty of their error.
28
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God
gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

With such clear statements against homosexuality, it is difficult to see how different groups can say
the Bible supports homosexuality. It doesn't. But when a group wants acceptance and the Bible is the
Christians' handbook on morality, the homosexual agenda must try to make the Bible agree with its
agenda. But it doesn't work.
Unlike other sins, this sexual sin has a severe judgment administered by God Himself. This judgment
is simple: They are given over to their passions. That means that their hearts are allowed to be
hardened by their sins. As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing. Without
an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance. Without repentance, there will be no
forgiveness. Without forgiveness, there is no salvation.
Should homosexuals be allowed to marry one another?
In this politically correct climate that relinquishes morality to the relativistic whims of society, stating
that homosexuals should not marry is becoming unpopular. Should a woman be allowed to marry
another woman? Should a man be allowed to marry another man? Should they be given legal
protection and special rights to practice their homosexuality? No. No. No.
The Bible, of course, condemns homosexuality. It takes no leap of logic to discern that homosexual
marriage is also condemned. But our society does not rely on the Bible for its moral truth. Instead, it
relies more on a humanistic and relativistic moral base upon which it builds its ethics.
Homosexuality is not natural. The male and female bodies are obviously designed to couple. The
natural design is apparent. It is not natural to couple male with male and female with female. In fact,
if such couplings occurred in the animal world as a predominant practice, species would quickly
become extinct. Nevertheless, some argue that homosexuality is natural since it occurs in the animal
world. But this is problematic. In nature we see animals eating their prey alive. We see savagery,
cruelty, and extreme brutality. Yet, we do not condone such behavior in our own society. Proponents
of the natural order as a basis for homosexuality should not pick-and-choose the situations that best
fit their agendas. They should be consistent and not compare us to animals. We are not animals. We
are made in God's image.
Political protection of a sexual practice is ludicrous. I do not believe it is proper to pass laws stating
that homosexuals have 'rights.' What about pedophilia or bestiality? These are sexual practices.
Should they also be protected by law? If homosexuality is protected by law, why not those as well?
Of course, these brief paragraphs can in no way exhaust the issue of homosexuality's moral equity.
But, the family is the basis of our culture. It is the most basic unit. Destroy it and you destroy society.
What should be the Christian's Response to the Homosexual?
Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him (or her) or pray for
him (her). Homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, it needs to be dealt with in the only way
possible. It needs to be laid at the cross, repented of, and never done again.
As a Christian, you should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same you would any other
person in sin. You should treat them with the same dignity as a person made in the image of God,
that you would any other person. However, this does not mean that you are to approve of their sin.
Don't compromise your witness for a politically correct opinion that is shaped by guilt and fear.















An Introduction to Apologetics
The word "apologetics" comes from the Greek word "apologia," pronounced, "ap-ol-og-ee-ah." It
means, "a verbal defense." It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3;
2 Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1;7,17; 2 Tim. 4:16, and 1 Pet. 3:15. But it is the last verse that is most commonly
associated with Christian apologetics.
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make
a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope
that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence"
(1 Pet. 3:15, NASB).
Therefore, Christian apologetics is that branch of Christianity that deals with answering any and all
critics who oppose or question the revelation of God in Christ and the Bible. It can include studying
such subjects as biblical manuscript transmission, philosophy, biology, mathematics, evolution, and
logic. But it can also consist of simply giving an answer to a question about Jesus or a Bible passage.
The later case is by far the most common and you dont have to read a ton of books to do that.
Apologetics can be defensive and offensive. Phil. 1:7 gives us instruction on the defensive side,
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in
my
2
imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace
with me. 2 Cor. 10:15-6 gives us instruction on the aggressive side, We are destroying speculations
and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive
to the obedience of Christ. The apologist can and should defend his reasons for believing (1 Pet.
3:15). But, he can also go on the attack. He can seek out those who oppose Christianity (2 Cor. 10:5).
Of course, he should be prepared to do this before hand and all apologetics is to be done with
gentleness.
Apologetics is the work of convincing people to change their views. In this it is similar to preaching
because its goal is ultimately the defense and presentation of the validity and necessity of the gospel.
It is an attempt to persuade the listener to change his beliefs and life to conformity to biblical truth
and to come to a saving relationship in Christ.f
Apologetics can be, basically, evidential (often called "classical") or presuppositional. Evidential
apologetics deals with the evidence for Christianity: Jesus resurrection, the biblical manuscripts,
fulfilled prophecy, miracles, etc. Presuppositional apologetics deals with the presuppositions of those
who oppose Christianity, because presuppositions effect how a person views evidence and reason.
Some areas of debate within Christian apologetics deal with the use of evidence, reasons,
philosophy, etc. Should the apologist use only those criteria acceptable to unbelievers? Are we allowed
to use the Bible as a defense of our position or must we prove Christianity without it? Is reason alone
sufficient to prove God existence or Christianitys truth? How much should reason and evidence be
used in light of the Scriptures teaching that it is God who opens the mind to understand? What part
does prayer, using the Bible, and the sinful nature of the unbeliever play in witnessing? How do these
factors interrelate to bring an unbeliever to faith? The questions are easy. The answers are not.
Jesus chose one highly educated religious person as an apostle. That was Paul. The rest were
fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, etc. They were normal people of the day who were available and
willing to be used by the Lord. They were filled with the Spirit of God and they were used as vessels of
God. God uses all things for His glory. So, we do apologetics by faith.
The Lord has called every Christian to be ready to make a defense of his faith. That means you are
called to give reasonable answers to questions regarding Christianity. Now, this does not mean that
you must have a Ph.D or that you have to go to seminary. But it does mean that you should be willing
to at least give an answer for your beliefs. If you find you cannot, then prayerfully take it to God and
start studying.
What do you study?
You could pray and ask the Lord to teach you what He wants you to know. Ask Him to give you a
burden for something to learn. It doesnt matter what it is. Just ask. Whatever you become interested
in is what you should learn about because it is probably something God wants you to know for later
use. It is like having tools in a tool shed. The more you have, the more you can accomplish.
Another way to find out what God wants you to study through circumstances. Lets say that a
Jehovahs Witness comes to your door and debates the deity of Christ with you and you find you dont
know how to defend it biblically. In that case, you know you need to study biblical verses that teach
Jesus is God in flesh. Or maybe a coworker asks you how you know the Bible is true? If you dont have
a answer, pray, and start researching. Go to a Christian bookstore and get some books on it. Talk to
your pastor. Youll learn.
Sometimes God will make a verse or subject in the Bible "come alive" to you and it might strike
you as odd or interesting. You could get a commentary and read up on it. You could ask others about
it. In so doing, you are preparing yourself through learning to be ready to answer questions and point
people to the truth. You'd be surprised how many details God can use to help you in your witness,
even through those apparently odd times when verses suddenly "come alive."
Get An Ignorance Notebook
The ignorance notebook is something I started almost 20 years ago to help me study. You can make
one yourself. Its simple. Get a 3 ring binder and fill with blank pages. Then ask God to fill it with what
you need to know.
As in the examples above, God will put burdens on your heart, or cause you to find places where you
are lacking in knowledge, or a Bible verse will strike you. Write down what you learn in your notebook.
Date the pages as you go. Youll be amazed at what you learn.
Basically, apologetics is equivalent to theology in sneakers. It means getting the hay down off the loft
and down to where the cows can eat it. Anyone can do apologetics. All it takes is a willingness, a little
work, and the Spirit of God in you.

Prophecy, the Bible and Jesus
How do you respond to someone's claim that the Bible is not inspired? Is there a way to prove
inspiration or, at least, intelligently present evidence for its inspiration? The answer is "Yes!" One of the
best ways to prove inspiration is by examining prophecy. There are many religious books in the world
that have many good things to say. But only the Bible has fulfilled prophecies--with more fulfillments to
come. The Bible has never been wrong in the past, and it won't be wrong in the future. It claims
inspiration from God (2 Tim. 3:16). Since God is the creator of all things (Isaiah 44:24), then He is also
the creator of time. It is under His control. Only God, then, would always be right about what is in the
future, our future.
Fulfilled prophecy is strong evidence that God is the author of the Bible because when you look at
the mathematical odds of prophecy being fulfilled, you quickly see a design, a purpose, and a guiding
hand behind the Bible. If just one prophecy failed, then we would know that God is not the true God,
because the creator of all things, which includes time, would not be wrong about predicting the future.
Deut. 18:22 says, "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come
true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously" (NIV).
Isaiah 46:9-10 says, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times,
what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."
One approach to use with an unbeliever is to turn to Psalm 22 and read verses 12-18. This is a
detailed description of the crucifixion--1000 years before Jesus was born. After you read the section ask
him what it was about. He'll say, "The crucifixion of Jesus." Then respond with something like, "You're
right. This is about the crucifixion. But it was written 1000 years before Jesus was born. And on top of
that, crucifixion hadn't even been invented yet. How do you think something like this could happen?"
After a brief discussion, you could show him (or her) a few other prophecies like where Jesus' birthplace
was prophesied (Micah 5:2), that He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), that His side would be
pierced (Zech. 10:10), etc.

Born of the Seed of the Woman
Gen. 3:15, "And I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your offspring
and hers; he will crush your head, and you will
strike his heel."
Matt. 1:20, "But after he had considered this, an angel
of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary
home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is
from the Holy Spirit."
Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will
give you a sign: The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel."
Matt. 1:18,25, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ
came about: His mother Mary...was found to be with
child through the Holy Spirit... But he had no union
with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him
the name Jesus."
Son of God
Psalm 2:7, "I will proclaim the decree of the
LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son today I
have become your Father."
Matt. 3:15, "And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my
Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"
Seed of Abraham
Gen. 22:18, "and through your offspring all
nations on earth will be blessed, because you
have obeyed me."
Matt. 1:1, "record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the
son of David, the son of Abraham:"
Son of Isaac
Gen. 21:12, "But God said to him, 'Do not be so
distressed about the boy and your maidservant.
Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is
through Isaac that your offspring will be
reckoned.'"
Luke 3:23-34, "Now Jesus himself was about thirty
years old when he began his ministry. He was the son,
so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli...the son
of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the
son of Terah, the son of Nahor,"
House of David
Jer. 23:1, "The days are coming, declares the
LORD, "when I will raise up to David a
righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land."
Luke 3:23-31, "Now Jesus himself was about thirty
years old when he began his ministry. He was the son,
so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli...the son
of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,"
Born at Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be
ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."
Matt. 2:1, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in
Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the
east came to Jerusalem."
He shall be a Prophet
Deut. 18:18, "I will raise up for them a prophet
like you from among their brothers; I will put
my words in his mouth, and he will tell them
everything I command him."
Matt. 21:11,"The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the
prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
He shall be a Priest
Psalm 110:4, "The LORD has sworn and will not
change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in
the order of Melchizedek.'"
Heb. 3:1, "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the
heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the
apostle and high priest whom we confess."
Heb. 5:5-6, "So Christ also did not take upon himself
the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to
him, 'You are my Son; today I have become your
Father.' And he says in another place, 'You are a priest
forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"
He shall be a King
Psalm 2:6, "I have installed my King on Zion,
my holy hill."
Matt. 27:37, "Above his head they placed the written
charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE
JEWS."
He shall judge
Isaiah 33:22, "For the LORD is our judge, the
LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is
he who will save us."
John 5:30, "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only
as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to
please myself but him who sent me."
He would be preceded by a Messenger
Isaiah 40:3, "A voice of one calling: 'In the
desert prepare the way for the LORD; make
straight in the wilderness a highway for our
God.'"
Matt. 3:1-2, "In those days John the Baptist came,
preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, 'Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is near.'"
Rejected by His own people
Isaiah 53:3, "He was despised and rejected by
men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with
suffering. Like one from whom men hide their
faces he was despised, and we esteemed him
not."
John 7:5, "For even his own brothers did not believe in
him."
John 7:48, "Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees
believed in Him?"
His side pierced
Zech. 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house
of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a
spirit of grace and supplication. They will look
on me, the one they have pierced, and they will
mourn for him as one mourns for an only child,
and grieve bitterly for him as one mourns for an
only son."
John 19:34, "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced
Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of
blood and water."
Crucifixion
Psalm 22:1, Psalm 22:11-18, "For the director
of music. To the tune of "The Doe of the
Morning." A psalm of David. My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?...Do not be far
from me, for trouble is near and there is no one
to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of
Bashan. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of
evil men has encircled me, they have pierced
my hands and my feet. I can count all my
bones; people stare and gloat over me. They
divide my garments among them and cast lots
for my clothing."
Luke 23:33, "When they came to the place called the
Skull, there they crucified him, along with the
criminals -- one on his right, the other on his left."
John 19:33, "But when they came to Jesus and saw
that He was already dead, they did not break His
legs."
John 19:23-24, "When the soldiers crucified Jesus,
they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares,
one for each of them, with the undergarment
remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one
piece from top to bottom. Let's not tear it, they said to
one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This
happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which
said, "They divided my garments among them and
cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers
did."
The Mathematical Odds of Jesus Fulfilling Prophecy
The following probabilities are taken from Peter Stoner in Science Speaks (Moody Press, 1963) to show
that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability. Stoner says that by using the modern science of
probability in reference to eight prophecies, 'we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to
the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 10
17
." That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.
In order to help us comprehend this staggering probability, Stoner illustrates it by supposing that "we take
10
17
silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep.
"Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a
man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this
is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets
would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man."
Stoner considers 48 prophecies and says, "we find the chance that any one man fulfilled all 48 prophecies
to be 1 in 10
157
, or 1 in
100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
The estimated number of electrons in the universe is around 10
79
. It should be quite evident that Jesus did
not fulfill the prophecies by accident."
__________________
This information was taken from the book Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.
Scientific Accuracies of the Bible
Many people doubt the Bible for various reasons. One of them is that the Bible is not accurate
scientifically. But this just isn't so. The Bible is not a book about science, but when it does speak
scientifically, it is accurate. In fact, it was far ahead of any other writing of its time. Please consider
the following.
1. The Shape of the Earth
A. "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live
in" (Isaiah 40:22, NIV).
i. This may or may not be construed to support the spherical shape of the earth.
The horizon is a circle and a circle is flat.
2. The Earth is suspended in nothing
. "He spreads out the northern [skies] over empty space; he suspends the earth over
nothing" (Job. 26:7, NIV).
0. This is particularly interesting considering that the cosmology of other cultures
at that time did not have the earth suspended in nothing, but rather upon
pillars, or people, or animals.
3. The Stars are Innumerable
. "He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars -- if
indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be" (Gen.
15:5, NIV).
0.
4. The Existence of Valleys in the Seas
. "The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the
rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils" (2 Sam. 22:16, NIV).
5. The Existence of Springs and Fountains in the Seas
. "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month
-- on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the
heavens were opened" (Genesis 7:11, NIV). See also Gen. 8:2; Prov. 8:28.
6. The Existence of Water Paths (Ocean Currents) in the Seas
. "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!...When I consider your
heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in
place,...You made him [man] ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything
under his feet...the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of
the seas" (Psalm 8:1,3,6,8, NIV).
7. The Hydrologic Cycle
. "He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight"
(Job. 26:8, NIV).
A. "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour
down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind" (Job. 36:27-28, NIV)
B. "The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever
returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the
place the streams come from, there they return again (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7, NIV).
8. The Concept of Entropy
. "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work
of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded" (Psalm 102:22-26,
NIV).
9. The Nature of Health, Sanitation, and Sickness
. The listing for this section is too large for this page. But the scriptural references are
Leviticus 12-14.
The Documentary Hypothesis of the Pentateuch
also known as the JEDP Theory
Some of the critics of the Bible have come up with some sophisticated arguments in their attempts
to disprove its authenticity and reliability. One of these attempts is known as the Documentary
Hypothesis, or the JEPD theory. In short, this theory states that the first five books of the Bible, called
the Pentateuch consisting of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, were not written
completely by Moses, who died in 1451 B.C. according to Bishop Ussher's Chronology, but by different
post-mosaic authors. It is alleged that these authors are detectable through the variations of usage of
different words within those books. These authors are known as the Jehovist, the Elohist, the Priestly,
and the Deuteronomist.
If you are not aware, YHWH (not to be confused with JEDP) are the four letters used to represent
the name of God in the Old Testament. From YHWH we get the word Jehovah, the name of God,
mentioned in Exodus 3:14. The word in Hebrew "elohim" is simply the word 'god.' So, YHWH is the
name of God (elohim).
According to Oswald T. Allis there were four main areas considered by these critics when
supporting the Documentary Hypothesis:
(1)

1. The Variations in the Divine Names in Genesis;
2. The Secondary Variations in Diction and Style;
3. The parallel or Duplicate Accounts (Doublets);
4. The Continuity of the Various Sources.
One of, if not the earliest, appearances of this type of approach to Scripture was by H.B. Witter in
the early 1700s who asserted that there were two parallel accounts in the creation story that were
distinguishable by the word usage in the text.
This method of analysis really took root in 1753 when a French physician named Austruc analyzed
the book of Genesis and asserted that it had two main sources: a Jehovist and an Elohist. However, he
did not deny Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch at this time.
What this analysis entails is the assumption that where the word Jehovah appears in large
quantities in a section of writing, it is the result of an author who used the word "Jehovah" or the
tetragramaton YHWH predominantly. Additionally, it is stated that where the term Elohim appears
more frequently, it is the result of an Elohist, or someone who used that word more frequently than
another person.
Another person to use this method was Eichhorn whose analysis of 1787 was similar to Austruc's.
However, neither of these men denied Mosaic authorship and neither carried the analysis past the
book of Exodus.
A few years later, a gentleman named, De Wette (1805), assigned Deuteronomy to the time of
Josiah (post Moses period). This prompted other writers to tackle the issue. In 1823 Eichhorn had
given up on his claim of Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The letters associated with this issue are J and E.
Hupfeld
In 1853, Hupfeld proposed that there are two Elohistic source documents in Genesis: chapters 1-
19 by one author and chapters 20 - 50 by another. He also put great importance upon the redactor, or
the one who assembled the various documents, who used editor rights during the compilation of the
book of Genesis. Therefore, his arrangement of the documents was thus: First Elohist, Second Elohist,
Jehovist, Deuteronomist: J, E, and D.
Graf-Wellhausen
Later, Karl H. Graf in the 1860's and Julius Wellhausen in the 1870's said that "according to the
historical and prophetical books of the Old Testament the priestly legislation of the middle books of the
Pentateuch was unknown in pre-exilic time, and that this legislation must therefore be a late
development."
(2)
The letter P became associated with this view.
Basically they arranged the Pentateuch authorship in the following manner:
1. "The earliest part of the Pentateuch came from two originally independent documents, the
Jehovist (850 B.C.) and Elohist (750 B.C.).
2. From these the Jehovist compiled a narrative work (650 B.C.).
3. Deuteronomy came in Josiah's time and its author incorporated this into the Jehovist's work.
4. The priestly legislation in the Elohist document was largely the work of Ezra and is referred to
as the Priestly Document. A later editor(s) revised and edited the conglomeration of
documents by about 200 B.C. to form the extant Pentateuch we have today."
(3)

There have been slight modifications of this list, but it is basically the same form used by those
holding to the Documentary Hypothesis.
__________________
1. Oswald T. Allis, The Five Books of Moses, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Phillipsburg,
New Jersey, 1949, p. 22.
2. Oswald T. Allis, The Five Books of Moses, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Phillipsburg,
New Jersey, 1949, p. 17.
3. Josh McDowell, More Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Here's Life Publishers, Inc. 1981, p. 45.
Go to Answering the Documentary Hypothesis
An illustration of what apologetics really is.
Apologetics is somewhat of a lonely endeavor. It is possible for a person to give a great deal of
effort to apologetic work, to defending Gods word, to answering questions, to reasoning with people
and have it all seem as though it was worthless. Discouragement is a reality to the apologist. There
are certainly victories, by Gods grace. But there are many encounters that could simply be classified
as "unprofitable."
To help you keep your eyes on the real issue of apologetics, I offer the following illustration. The
idea is to get you to understand what your job is as an apologist, as someone who answers questions
and objections, and points people to Jesus. I believe that if you understand where you are and what
your job is, then you wont be as overcome with discouragement as you might otherwise be.
Apologetics is like . . .
Apologetics is like a field. In the center of the field is a garden. This garden has one door and that
door is Jesus. There is one path that leads to that door. Inside the garden is eternal life in the
presence of God. Outside it, however, in the field, are rocks, boulders, thorns, thistles, valleys, hills,
and many false paths that lead nowhere.
The apologist resides in the field and points people to the true path so they can find the Garden.
The apologist seeks to remove the intellectual thorns and emotional rocks that prevent people from
finding the truth path to God. Also, there are many people who are walking false paths (cults,
philosophies, etc.) who will never reach that garden. The apologist gently guides the person, removes
the obstacles, and points in the direction of the Garden. When people arrive there, it is between them
and God on whether or not they enter.
Picture yourself as a laborer in the field. It isnt your job to save anyone. It is your job to point the
way. You arent the only one in the field. Getting them to the Garden is not your job. They get there.
You simply help them.


The Cosmological Argument
The Cosmological Argument attempts to prove that God exists by showing that there cannot be an
infinite number of regressions of causes to things that exist. It states that there must be a final
uncaused-cause of all things. This uncaused-cause is asserted to be God.
The Cosmological Argument takes several forms but is basically represented below.
Cosmological Argument
1. Things exist.
2. It is possible for those things to not exist.
3. Whatever has the possibility of non existence, yet exists, has been caused to exist.
A. Something cannot bring itself into existence since it must exist to bring itself into
existence which is illogical.
4. There cannot be an infinite number of causes to bring something into existence.
. Because an infinite regression of causes ultimately has no initial cause which means
there is no cause of existence.
A. Since the universe exists, it must have a cause.
5. Therefore, there must be an uncaused cause of all things.
6. The uncaused cause must be God.
Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) had a version of the Cosmological Argument called the Argument
from Motion. He stated that things in motion could not have brought themselves into motion but must
be caused to move. There cannot be an infinite regression of movers. Therefore, there must be an
Unmoved Mover. This Unmoved Mover is God.
Strengths of the argument
The strengths of the Cosmological Argument lie in both its simplicity and easily comprehensible
concept that there cannot be an infinite number of causes to an event. Some arguments for God's
existence require more thought and training in terms and concepts, but this argument is basic and
simple. Also, it is perfectly logical to assert that objects do not bring themselves into existence and
must, therefore, have causes.
Weaknesses of the argument
One of the weaknesses of the argument is that if all things need a cause to exist, then God Himself
must also, by definition, need a cause to exist. But this only pushes causation back and implies that
there must be an infinite number of causes which cannot be. This is paradoxical.
Also, by definition, God is uncaused.
___________________
Sources:
Apologetics to the Glory of God, by John Frame, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey,
1994.
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler, Baker Book House, Grand
Rapids, MI, 1999.
Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1976.
Dictionary of Philosophy, Edited by Dagobert D. Runes, Philisophical Library, New York, 1942.
The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. J. D. Douglas, Zondervan, Grand
Rapids, MI, 1978.
The Teleological Argument
The teleological argument is also known as the argument from design. Quite simply, it states that
a designer must exist since the universe and living things exhibit marks of design in their order,
consistency, unity, and pattern.
A typical analogy of this is the Watchmaker which was given by William Paley (1743-1805). The
argument goes as follows. If you found a watch in an empty field, you would logically conclude that it
was designed and not the product of random formation. Likewise, when we look at life and the
universe, it is natural to conclude there is a designer see we see how perfectly the universe and life
forms operate. The eye is typically used as an example of design. It is a marvelous development. In
order for it to work there must be many different convergent parts that individually have no function
but have value only in a designed whole. It is only in the combined total do they exhibit their total
function. This function is by design.
Paley's argument is as follows:
1. Human artifacts are products of intelligent design.
2. The universe resembles human artifacts.
3. Therefore the universe is a product of intelligent design.
4. But the universe is complex and gigantic, in comparison to human artifacts.
5. Therefore, there probably is a powerful and vastly intelligent designer who created the
universe.
Strengths of the argument
This argument is simple to understand and has merit since humans are designers by nature and it is
natural to think in terms of things having purpose. It is also consistent with Rom. 1:20,
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal
power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood
through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
I think the teleological argument carries weight because it is consistent with Scripture. The Bible
states that we are made in God's image. Therefore, there are certain things that we will resonate to.
Even though the unbeliever suppresses the truth of God in his unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18-32), the
truth is still there.
Additionally, evolutionists have difficulty accounting for apparent design in objects like the eye, the
heart, and the brain where many different parts come together to form the whole. These individual
parts have no purpose except in the function of the whole. How can evolution account for these
detailed congruent occurrences? So far, it can't.
Weaknesses of the argument
The idea that the universe is designed is subjective. Different observations in the the natural
world can produce different theories to account for their existence. Also, this proof is built upon
analogy. If we find things in the universe that are chaotic, then by analogy, that would imply there is
no designer.
___________________
Sources:
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler, Baker Book House, Grand
Rapids, MI, 1999.
Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1976.
The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. J. D. Douglas, Zondervan, Grand
Rapids, MI, 1978.
Eight reasons why we need apologetics

There are several reasons why we need apologetics. The first and most obvious is because we are
commanded to defend the faith: 1 Peter 3:15 says but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always
being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in
you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
Second, we need apologetics because it helps Christians know their faith. This is something that is
sadly lacking among believers. Most don't know much about their faith, let alone be able to describe
the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, His physical resurrection, or even be able to tell the difference
between justification and sanctification. Apologetics helps to define and defend what the truth of the
gospel is.
Third, apologetics is an attempt to keep people out of hell. God takes sin very seriously and He will
punish those who have rebelled against Him and are not covered in the blood of Christ. As Christians,
we should be motivated to present the truth of salvation in Jesus. We should not sit idly by and
ignore the dilemma of the unbeliever. We need to tell them that sin is real because God is real and
that breaking God's law has a consequence. Since we have all sinned, we cannot keep God's Law
perfectly. Also, we cannot undo the offense to an infinitely holy God because we are not infinite or
holy, the only thing left for us is to fall under the judgment of God. But, God has provided a way for
us to escape that judgment. That is why God became man in Jesus. He claimed to be God, (John
8:24,58; compare with Exodus 3:14). Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, (1 Pet. 2:24). By
trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we will be spared from the rightful judgment of God
upon the sinner. Salvation is not found in Buddhism, Islam, relativism, or in one's self. It is only
found in Jesus and we need not only to defend God's word and truth, but we need to present the
gospel to all people so they can escape the judgment to come.
Fourth, we need apologetics to counter the bad image that Christianity has received in the media
and in culture. Televangelists and their scandals both sexually and monetarily are a disgrace to
Christianity. The Catholic church hasn't helped with its scandals involving priests. Add to that a
media is very biased against Christianity and you will see negative opinions of Christianity promoted
everywhere.
Fifth, we need apologetics because their is a constant threat of apostasy in the visible Christian
church. Such is the case with the Metropolitan Community Church denomination which openly
advocates the support of homosexuality in violation of scripture (Rom. 1:18-32). Also, as of 2002, the
Evangelical Lutheran church is in risk of apostasy by entertaining the idea of accepting homosexual
relationships into church. "The United Church of Christ set up a $500,000 scholarship fund for gay
and lesbian seminarians Friday and urged wider acceptance of homosexuals by other denominations."
(United Church Makes Gay Scholarship, CLEVELAND, Jun 16, 2000, AP Online via COMTEX). Or "The
supreme court of the United Methodist Church was asked Thursday to reconsider the denomination's
ban on gay clergy. (Church court of United Methodists asked to decide on gay clergy ban, NASHVILLE,
Tennessee, Oct 25, 2001, AP WorldStream via COMTEX). Such examples are demonstrations of the
incredible need for defending biblical truth within those churches that claim to be Christian.
Sixth, another reason we need apologetics is because of the many false teachings out there.
Mormonism teaches that God used to be a man on another world, that he brought one of his goddess
wives with him to this world, that they produce spirit offspring that are born into human babies, and
that you have the potential of becoming a god of your own world. The Jehovahs Witnesses teach that
there is no Trinity, that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, that there is no hell, and that only 144,000
people will go to heaven. Atheism denies Gods existence and openly attacks Christianity and is
gaining ground in public life and schools. Islam teaches that Jesus was not God in flesh, that Jesus
did not rise from the dead, and that He did not atone for our sins. It teaches salvation is partly based
on ones works and partly based on Allahs grace. It teaches that The Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel
(Surah 2:97; 16:102); that Jinn are unseen beings, created (51:56) from fire (15:27; 55:15); and
that Muhammed was greater than Jesus. Even within the Christian church there are false teachings.
We can see that from both within the Christian church and from outside of it, false teachings are
bombarding believers (and non believers) all over the world.
Seventh, the rise of immorality in America is a threat not only to society but also to Christianity.
This is a serious issue because an immoral society cannot last long. The Barna Research group
statistics show that 64% of adults and 83% of teenagers said moral truth depends on the situation
that you are in. 19% of the adult population believes that "the whole idea of sin is outdated. 51%
believe that "if a person is generally good, or does enough good, he will earn a place in Heaven.
When a societys morals fail, the society fails. Just look at history and think of Ancient Rome,
Ancient Greece or present day Enron, Watergate, and Whitehouse interns. Immorality seeps down into
all areas of our culture. Consider this: In the New York Times, online, of May 12, 2002, in the article
With Games of Havoc, Men Will Be Boys, the author, Warren St. John interviews some players of what
he says is a very popular video game. One young man says, "What I like to do is get in the car and
drive around and do drive-by shootingsYou can haul someone out of their car and beat on them and
steal their money and their car. It's kind of amusing that you have that ability." .... A publicist from
Long Island, says the game's allure comes down to "just going on killing sprees." Not all video games
are violent, but the fact that it is so popular and that the youth are being trained up by them is very
disturbing.
I am not advocating a theocratic socio-political rule administered by stern Christians wearing black
and white outfits and tall hats. But, these kinds of social trends are disturbing and they reflect a
moral decline in America where what is good is called evil and what is evil is called good. God tells us
in Phil. 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy
of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. We cannot ignore Gods word without a consequence.
The eighth reason we need apologetics is because schools are not friendly to Christianity My own
experience in non-Christian schools was a strong awakening to the unprovoked hostility that exists in
school where the philosophy teachers, history teacher, and even the art teacher all took shots at
Christianity. Don Feder in the Conservative Chronicle, in his article of Sept, 22, 1993 titled Fighting
Censorship, PAW does it its way, said that in some junior high libraries book titles included The Joy
of Gay sex and How to Make love to a single woman. There is an impressions series for grades one
to six which promote the New Age and the occult; a controversial drug education program called
Quest, which tells students that they alone can decide whether or not its OK to use drugs: as well
as text that direct students to fantasize about suicide, attack religion and undermine family authority.
Following is an email I received that represents the hostility of secular schools.
Our daughter had acquired an atheists heart since leaving home and attending
college. It seems that the books in college breed atheists because they are full of the
philosophy of anti-God thinking. She has been in college for four years now and one
of the last times we had a chance to talk to her she said that she doesn't think about
sin, or heaven, or hell anymore because according to her they do not exist. She said
that when she was young and asked the Lord to come into her heart, she did not know
what she was doing because children do what they are told
The fact is that Christianity is under attack in the world and we need to fight the good fight of the
faith without shrinking back. We need apologetics to give rational, intelligent, and relevant
explanations of Christian viability to the critics and the prejudiced who would seek to undermine the
teachings of our Lord Jesus.
If there was ever a time that apologetics is needed, it is now.








Logic in Apologetics
Logic is typically very important in apologetics. To defend the faith, the Christian must use truth,
facts, and reason appropriately and prayerfully. The Christian should listen to objections and make
cogent and rational comments in direct response to the issues raised.
Logic is simply a tool in the arsenal of Christian apologetics. Logic is a system of reasoning. It is
the principles of proper thinking used to arrive at correct conclusions. Of course, some people are
better at thinking logically than others and there is no guarantee that using logic to the best of one's
ability will bring conversion of anyone. After all, logic is not what saves a person. Jesus does that and
we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1).
Therefore, the proper use of logic in apologetics is to remove intellectual barriers that hinder a
person from accepting Jesus as Savior. Logic is not to be looked at as the answer to every problem
facing Christianity or every objection raised. Logic has its limits. It cannot guarantee wisdom. It
cannot prove or disprove inspiration or love. It cannot replace the intuition gained through
experience, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, nor the clear truth of God's word. Nevertheless, logic is
still very valuable and can be quite powerfully used by people both the saved and unsaved.
Opponents of Christianity use logic
Sometimes, an opponent of Christianity might use logic problems as a type of evidence against
Gods existence. Consider this rather basic objection:
Proposition: God can do all things.
Statement: Can God make something so big he cannot pick it up? If He can,
then he cannot do all things because he could not pick up the rock. If He
cannot, then He cannot do all things because he cannot make a rock so big He
cant pick it up.
Conclusion: Since God can do all things and we have shown that there are
things he cannot do, therefore, God does not exist.
On the surface, this logic could be difficult to answer. But, all we have to do is think a bit more and
we can see that the problem asserted above is not logical to begin with. Here's the answer:
Proposition: God cannot violate His own nature; that is, He cannot go against
what He naturally is.
Statement: God's nature does not permit Him to lie, to not be God, etc.
Conclusion: Therefore, the statement that God can do all things, is not true
and the conclusion raised against God is also not true.
Logic is a valuable tool in witnessing, particularly when using proofs of God's existence. Consider
the following basic approach using logic:
1. The universe exists
2. The universe cannot be infinitely old because if it were, it would have entered
into a state of entropy long ago.
A. Entropy is the second Law of thermodynamics that states that all
things are moving toward chaos and no-usable energy. In other
words, everything is running down.
3. The universe is not in a state of entropy, therefore it is not infinitely old.
4. Since the universe is not infinitely old, it had a beginning.
5. The universe could not have brought itself into existence.
6. Something before the universe and greater than the universe had to bring the
universe into existence.
7. That something is God.
All logical proofs for God have strengths and weaknesses. But, the Christian should not be afraid
to use logic, reason, and evidence when defending the faith.
I suggest getting books on introduction to logic and go through what you can. Absorb as much as
possible. Also, learn to ask questions in discussions. Learn to think about what the ramifications are
of what people are saying. Look for logic flaws in their speech and your own. If it helps to learn from
actual dialogues, go to the Apologetics Dialogues page and read some of the actual dialogues I've had
with unbelievers. They should help to see how to "do apologetics," though I have much to learn in
this area.
Is logic a common ground between the believer and the unbeliever?
Some state that there is no common ground between the believer and the unbeliever, that the
unbeliever's initial presuppositions against the Christian God do not allow him to accurately reason
concerning God, the world, truth, or themselves. Therefore, some Christian theologians conclude,
there can be no ultimate common ground because the unsaved are unregenerate and their
presuppositions are opposed to true rationality.
I believe that logic is indeed a type of common ground. But I do not believe that it possess some
innate quality that renders it above human capacity or limitations, nor is it possessing of any ethereal,
mystic qualities that somehow transcends the blinding influence of sin. I think that logic, used
properly, always vindicates the truths found in the Bible and point to God whether or not an
unbeliever acknowledges it.
Logic belongs to God. This is so because God has invented the universe, the physical laws,
mathematics, and all other natural and true phenomenon in it. Existence has an order because God
gave it order. Logic is true, not because it is logical, but because it is a reflection of God's nature
which is order and truth. Therefore, logic, ultimately, belongs only to God and can only properly be
used by Him and, in matters pertaining to God, by the Christian.
This is not to say that an unbeliever cannot master the logic, say of mathematics, better than an
unbeliever. There are areas of knowledge common to both and God has given some people abilities
not possessed by others. However, this not an assertion that all Christians, when speaking of God,
does so flawlessly. Many Christians are very illogical when they try and defend God.
The fact is that no one can claim to have ultimately mastered logic. In a perfect world with unfallen
people, reasoning would be a marvelous adventure that would lead us to more of God's revelation and
truth. But, we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world where sin has influence not only
our bodies, emotions, and wills, but also our minds.
Is logic enough?
Is logic enough for the Christian? No, it isn't. Logic has two major flaws: First, it is only as good as
the one who is using it (though that really isnt a flaw in logic). Second, logic doesn't save. Jesus does.
We cannot reason someone into the kingdom of God. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and
righteousness and who opens the heart to understand the truth (John 16:8).
But if that is true, then should we even bother to try and reason with unbelievers? Absolutely yes.
For several reasons:
We are commanded by God to give an answer to unbelievers (1 Pet. 3:15) and
to reason (Isaiah 1:18).
God can, in His sovereignty, use our witness and reasoning to bring someone
into the Kingdom. He is not limited by our inadequacies.
Answers that are in agreement with God's word, given to unbelievers, even if
they are rejected, are still true answers. The unbeliever will be held
accountable on judgment day for rejecting those truths.
Conclusion
Logic is a tool for the Christian. It is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, if you accept the truth that
logic "belongs" to God, then you should be encouraged to use it. But, dont let it become an idol; that
is, it is not the answer to problem. As Christians, we need to use logic, as well as evidence, prayer,
God's word, love, kindness, etc., in our efforts to win people to Jesus. Reasoning has a valuable place
in apologetics and with the believer. It is worth doing well. But, use it with love, prayer, and patience.







What are the doctrines of Islam?
Note: All references are to the Koran where applicable.
God
1. There is only one God (5:73; 112:1-4).
2. God is called Allah by Muslims (5:73)
3. Allah sees all things (40:20), is present everywhere (2:115; 7:7).
4. Allah is the sole creator and sustainer of the universe (3:191).
5. Allah is not a Trinity, but is one (5:73).
6. Allah is all-knowing (2:268; 10:61) and all powerful (6:61-62).
7. Allah created the heaven and earth (2:29; 6:1, 73; 25:61-62; 36:81; 46:33).
Salvation and Judgment
1. Allah will judge all people on the day of judgment (3:30; 35:33-37; 99:6-8).
2. If your good deeds exceed your bad deeds, and you believe in Allah, and sincerely repent of
sins, you may go to heaven (3:135; 7:8-9; 21:47; 49:14; 66:8-9).
3. There is an eternal hell for those who are not Muslims, not practicing and of the truth faith
(3:77).
4. Hell is a place of unlimited capacity (50:30) eternal torment (2:39; 14:17; 25:65; 39:26), fire
(9:63; 11:16; 25:11-12; 104:6-7), with boiling water (38:55-58; 55:43-44), where skin is
burned and renewed (4:56), for unbelievers (3:13; 19:49) and Jinn (11:119), with faces
covered with fire (14:49-50).
5. There is a tree in hell, named Tree of Zaqqum, from which bad fruit is given and the damned
are forced to eat (37:62-67; 44:43-48; 56:52-55).
6. Heaven (Paradise), a Garden (79:41) of bliss and fruit (69:21-24), has rivers (3:198), with
maidens pure and holy (4:57), and carpets and cushions, (88:8-16).
7. There will be a physical resurrection of all people (19:93-95) on the day of judgment (3:77;
15:25; 16:38; 42:29).
8. Judgment is based on a person's sincere repentance (66:8-9) and righteous deeds (5:9;
24:26; 45:21-22; 64:7).
Other
1. There is an afterlife (2:154;75:12).
2. There are such things as angels, created by Allah, that are created from light. Angels are
obedient slaves incapable of refusing to do Allahs will. The angel Gabriel brought the
revelation of the Koran to Muhammad (2:97).
3. The Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel (2:97; 16:102).
4. Jinn are unseen beings, created (51:56) from fire (15:27; 55:15), but are not angels. They
have communities. There are good and bad Jinn.
5. The Devil, called Iblis, (2:34) is a bad Jinn.
6. Jesus was a great prophet but not the son of God (9:30), is not divine (5:17, 75), was not
crucified (4:157).
7. Muhammad is Allahs greatest and last prophet and his message supercedes all other past
prophets including Jesus.
8. The Koran is Allahs word. He literally spoke it to Gabriel who gave it to Muhammad.
9. There are other holy writings but they are superceded by the Koran.
A. The other works are
i. Torah - the First Five books of Moses
ii. Injeel - the message that Jesus gave, written down, but no longer exists. The
writings have been altered by scholars. Whatever agrees with the Koran is
true.
iii. Zaboor - the Psalms
10. Pre-ordainment (Qadar) is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to
occur.
11. Fasting is to be observed during the month of Ramadan (2:185).
12. Drinking alcohol is forbidden (2:219; 4;43; 5:93-94; 16:67)
13. Gambling is forbidden (2:219; 5:90-94).
14. Man is made from the dust of the earth (23:12).
15. There is no last minute repentance (4:18).

The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are core beliefs that shape Muslim thought, deed, and society. A Muslim
who fulfills the Five Pillars of Islam, remains in the faith of Islam, and sincerely repents of his sins, will
make it to Jannah (paradise). If he performs the Five Pillars but does not remain in the faith, he will
not be saved.
1. Shahada
A. The Shahada is the Islamic proclamation that "There is no true God except Allah and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
B. This is the confession that Allah is the one and only true God, that Allah alone is worthy
of worship, that Allah alone is the sovereign lord who does what he wills with whoever
he wills. It means that all his rules and laws found in the Koran are to be followed. It
means that the Christian doctrine of God as a Trinity is false as are all other belief
systems including pantheism.
C. Muhammad is the true and greatest prophet of Allah and recognition of Muhammad as
the Prophet of God is required. It was through Muhammad that Allah conveyed the last
and final revelation.
2. Prayer (Salat)
. Prayer involves confession of sins which begins with the purification of the body and
ends with the purification of the soul. Prayer is performed five times a day. The first
prayer is at dawn and the last at sunset.
3. Fasting (Saum)
. The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting in Islam. It is an act of worship where
the faithful follower denies his own needs and seeks Allah. Usually, this fasting entails
no drinking, eating during, or sexual relations during the daylight hours for the entire
month of Ramadan.
4. Alms-giving or charity (Zakat)
. Charity given to the poor. It benefits the poor and it helps the giver by moving him
towards more holiness and submission to Allah. Alms-giving is considered a form of
worship to God.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
. This is the pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims, if they are able, are to make a pilgrimage
to Mecca. It involves financial sacrifice and is an act of worship. Muslims must make
the pilgrimage the first half of the last month of the lunar year

Return to Islam




Methods Muslims use to attack Christianity
When dealing with Muslims it is wise to understand some of the approaches used by them to
discredit Christianity. Much could be written on each of the following subjects with numerous
examples. But, instead, I will simply expound on the areas common among Muslim approaches and
point out what to watch for.
No. 1 Attack the validity of the Bible
This is expected. If the Muslim can undermine the strength and integrity of God's word, then it
would be much easier for him to win arguments, confound the Christian, and make converts of those
who don't know the truth and power of the Bible. This is what the devil did in the Garden of Eden.
Satan said, "You truly will not die," (Gen. 3:4). I am not calling Muslims satanic. I am simply
pointing out that that is how deception begins, by bringing doubt upon God's word, and that this is
exactly what Muslims do. They try and get people to doubt the Bible and then tell you how great
Islam is. Various methods are used here to accomplish this:
1. Stating that the Bible has numerous contradictions
1. Of course, I cannot go through all the alleged Bible contradictions here. But my
observation has been that the majority of "biblical contradictions" raised by Muslims
are nothing more than examples of their lack of understanding of biblical theology and
context. Always read the context of verses. Don't let a Muslim simply state that there
are contradictions and leave it at that. Ask him to give you one. If you cannot answer
it, do research and get back to him. Sure, there are some tough areas of scripture,
but there are no contradictions in God's word.
1

2. Criticizing the lack of original manuscripts
A. The point here is that because we do not have the original manuscripts of the Bible,
we cannot really know what the originals said and, therefore, the Bible could have
been corrupted. They then compare the Bible to the Koran and state that the Koran is
the guaranteed, preserved, direct word of Allah given by the angel Gabriel to
Muhammad. Of course, what they fail to mention is
i. The Bible documents are well attested as being reliable and accurate. (See
the book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.)
ii. Regarding the Koran, Muhammad couldn't read or write, so he recited the
Koran to people who then wrote it down. There is no evidence at all that the
Koran was written down in its entirety in Muhammad's lifetime and compiled
as a unit. So how could he have verified its truth?
iii. Shortly after Muhammad's death, the Muslim Uthman ordered all sets of the
Koran manuscripts to be destroyed except the codex of Zaid. Why? Is it
because Zaid's copy was better? If so, how do we know? Did differences in
the copies arise so quickly that discrepancies were evident and Uthman
recognized the need for a standardized copy lest Islam suffer division? It
raises doubt on the Koran's supposed incorruptibility.
iv. Muslims claim that Allah said the Koran would be preserved. But, the mere
claim is not enough. It is using the Koran to substantiate the Koran which is
circular reasoning.
3. Claiming that the Bible is false because it contradicts the Koran.
. This is simply begging the question. That means that one assumes the validity of the
thing that he is trying to prove. The Muslim assumes the validity of the Koran and
because it contradicts the Bible, therefore the Bible is wrong. Well, the Christian can
just as easily state that the Koran is wrong because it contradicts the Bible. But the
Muslims would not accept that. Therefore, why should we accept their argument?
No. 2 Attempt to set Paul against Jesus
Muslims often make the claim that Paul never met Jesus and was not a disciple or apostle of
Jesus. Of course, this is not true. Paul encountered Jesus on the rode to Damascus in Acts 9, after
Jesus' resurrection. Jesus spoke to him and commissioned him. So, Paul met Jesus. Also, Peter, who
was a disciple of Jesus, authenticated Paul's writings by calling them scripture in 2 Pet. 3:15-16. If
they are inspired, then they cannot contradict Jesus' words.
In addition, many Muslims claim that Jesus never claimed to be God and that Paul is the one who
wrote that Jesus was God. First of all, if they admit that Paul wrote that Jesus was God, then remind
them of 2 Pet. 3:15-16 where Peter calls Paul's writings Scripture. Nevertheless, they sometimes
assert that Paul hijacked Christianity and took it over and made Jesus into something He was not.
This claim is false.
Perhaps the primary area where Muslims think Paul and Jesus contradict is in the area of who
Jesus is. Paul states that Jesus is God in flesh: Col. 2:9 says, "For in Him the fullness of deity dwells
in bodily form." Muslims assert that no where in the Gospels did Jesus claim to be God. Therefore,
they claim, Paul's words are not true and the Bible is not trustworthy.
This attack by Muslims is an attack based out of opinion. Jesus did claim to be God In John 8:56-
59, it says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
57
The Jews
therefore said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
58
Jesus said to
them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."
59
Therefore they picked up stones
to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple."
2
Why did the Pharisees want to
kill Jesus? They explain their reason in John 10:33 when they say, "For a good work we stone thee
not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God," (KJV). Whether or
not the Muslim will accept this, let alone agree that this is correct, matters little because his
presupposition will not allow him to accept, now matter what. Nevertheless, the text clearly states
that the Pharisees understood that Jesus was claiming to be God. Also, consider John 5:18 where the
Apostle John says, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken
the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God," (KJV). In this
verse Jesus healed on the Sabbath and the Pharisees thought He was breaking the Sabbath law. John
the Apostle also states that when Jesus claimed that God was His Father, that it was "making himself
equal with God." The Muslim will always find a way to argue out of these texts. But, two facts
remain. First, Jesus claimed to be God. Second, the Pharisees denied that Jesus was God and the
Muslims agree with them.
There are other areas that the Muslims will say are where Jesus and Paul do not agree, but when
they bring it up, always ask for an example. Each time I've done this, I've discovered that the Muslim
did not have a sufficient understanding of what the text is saying. Remember, always read the
context.

No. 3 Misrepresentation of Christian doctrine
Sadly, this is a very common error of the Muslims. The single greatest instance of this is in the
doctrine of the Trinity. Muslims so often attack a false understanding of the Trinity by stating that it is
three gods. That is not the correct Christian definition of the Trinity doctrine. Christianity does not
teach there are three gods. It never has and it never will. The doctrine of the Trinity is that there is
only one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Trinitarianism is
monotheistic. If a Muslim continues to proclaim that the Trinity is three gods, then I simply stop
discussing the issue with him because he is not willing to accept what the definition is and it isn't
possible to have a meaningful dialogue.
Another Christian doctrine they fail to understand is the Hypostatic Union. This is the teaching that
Jesus is one person with two natures. He is both God and man as is declared in Col. 2:9, "For in Him
[Jesus] dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Because Jesus was also a man, we have verses
such as John 14:28 where Jesus says "the Father is greater than I." Muslims will say that if Jesus is
God, how could He be greater than Himself? Of course, they fail to understand the Trinity (three
persons) and they fail to understand that Jesus, as a man (Phil. 2:5-8), cooperated with the
limitations of being a man and was in a lower position than the Father (Heb. 2:9) for a while.
Sometimes Muslims refuse to accept Christian explanations for things because it doesn't fit their
agenda nor their preconceived ideas of what they think Christianity is. Oddly enough, Christians often
contribute to this problem by offering inadequate and sometimes erring explanations of Christian
doctrine. Thus, many Muslims are led into error regarding what Christianity really teaches. Christians
need to know their doctrine, and Muslims need to understand the proper explanations for those
doctrines.

No. 4 Misinterpreting various Scripture passages
A very good example of misrepresentation of biblical passages can be found in a dialogue I had
with a Muslim regarding John 1:1, 14. These verses say, "In the beginning was the word and the
word was with God and the word was God." Verse 14 says "and the Word became flesh and dwelt
among us..." The Muslim I was speaking to reasoned thus:
If the word is God then we can insert the word "god" into the verse each time it says
"word." Therefore, we would have it say 'In the beginning was the God and the God
was with God and God was God.' As you can see, this makes no sense. Therefore,
when you go to verse 14 where it says the word became flesh, it cannot mean that
God became flesh, because John 1:1 makes no sense."
As you can see, this kind of logic is very bad. First of all, John 1:1 does not say what he said it
does. It does not speak in contradictory terms the way he tried to make it sound. Instead, it uses
both the word "word" and the word "god" in the sentence. I told him that he needed to go with what
the text does say and not with what it does not say. In other words, he reconstructed it in such a
way as to purposely not make sense and then he attacked that.
Another verse, or verses, that they misinterpret is when Jesus says that He is the Son of God. To
the Muslim, this means that God literally had a wife and produced a literal son. Of course, this is not
what is meant by the biblical account. Sonship is in relation to the Fatherhood of God in a spiritual
and metaphoric sense. After all, Jesus says that God is spirit (John 4;24). Of course, God would not
have a body of flesh and bones with which to procreate children. What the Muslims are guilty of doing
is imposing Islamic understandings upon biblical texts and then complaining about the biblical texts in
light of how they interpret them. This is not how one should go about "refuting the opposition."
Rather, the Muslim should seek to understand the biblical/cultural context and deal with the issue
from that perspective not a fabricated one as this example shows.

No. 5 Failing to differentiate between Protestant and Catholic doctrines
Sadly, Christianity is not in complete unity in all things which is why we have denominations. I am
dismayed at the fragmentation within Christianity and think it is a poor witness to the world. But, the
fact is that differences of opinions among Christians do occur. In fact, we are allowed to have
differences of opinion according to God's word found in Rom. 14: 1-13. True Christians are all united
in the essentials of the faith and are often divided on the non-essentials. This does not mean we are
not all Christians, but that we have differences of opinions on some things.
However, in the 1500s, there was a major split in the Catholic church. It was called the
Reformation. As a Protestant, I believe the Reformation was necessary because the Catholic church
had adopted some dangerous and erroneous doctrines that extend far beyond mere differences of
opinion; namely, prayer to Mary, purgatory, indulgences, etc.
Muslims often fail to differentiate between Catholicism and Protestantism in their arguments. I've
heard and read where Muslims attack, for example, the Catholic teaching of the Eucharist where the
bread and wine of the Lord's Supper are claimed by the Catholics to actually become the body and
blood of Christ during the communion service. Of course, we Protestants strongly disagree with this.
But this disagreement is rarely, if ever, brought up when attacking Christian doctrine. So, when
Muslims say "Christians believe ...", be careful that they do not make too broad a generalization as
they continue their attack.

No. 6 Claim their logic is correct and Christian logic is incorrect
Many Muslims have told me that what I am saying about God, Salvation, the Bible, etc., isn't
logical. Now, perhaps some things I say are not logical. But, I've not heard any convincing
arguments yet demonstrating what is and is not logical regarding Christian doctrine. Usually, the
Muslim will simply say that Jesus having two natures is not logical or that the Trinity being three
persons doesn't make sense. But saying so doesn't make it so. There is nothing illogical about a part
of God being able to become a person and add human nature to Himself. It may not be the easiest
thing in the world to understand, but it is not illogical. Neither does saying that the Trinity is three
persons is illogical make it so. Surely anyone would agree that when we encounter God and His self
revelation there will be things that are difficult to understand. The Trinity certainly falls under that
category. But, the Trinity doctrine is not against logic. It would be illogical to say that one God is
three gods, or that one person is three persons. But that is not what Christianity teaches.
I've found that when dialoguing with Muslims and when reading their material against Christianity,
that their claim to know real logic is really an extension of their Muslim thought and not a mastery of
logic at all.
No. 7 Switching topics when challenged
Sometimes when discussing subjects that Muslims find difficult to answer, they will quickly change
the subject. Very often this change involves attacking the Bible. Other times they will testify that they
know Islam is true or they will simply say that you do not known what you are talking about. But
when they change the subject you must be patient. Lovingly bring them back to the subject at hand. I
have had to do this many times when discussing Islam with Muslims.
This is a small but very important point. Too many Christians fall into the trap of allowing
themselves to be diverted from the subject at hand. Do not let a Muslim simply ignore a question and
start a new subject when it gets tough. Likewise, Christians should not simply change the subject
when it gets difficult for them either. Instead, if you do not know the answer to a question, simply
admit it. Go to some research and then get back with them.
Always remember to be gracious. You will not win the Muslim to the Lord with cruelty and
rudeness. And remember that we are in the spiritual battle. Love and truth in the name of a Jesus is
more powerful than any perfect answer.
When dialoguing with Muslims, please remember to be respectful and patient. But, check
everything they say and listen to them. They do not have the market cornered on truth, even though
they think they do.
_____________________
1. There is an exception due to a textual copyist error. In 2 Chr. 36:9, it states that "Jehoiachin was
eight years old when he became king," and 2 Kings 24:8, states that "Jehoiachin was eighteen years
old when he became king..." This is not an error in the original manuscripts. Most likely, one of the
small horizontal strokes used in recording numbers during the time of Chronicles writing was either
smudged out or faded. (Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, by Gleason Archer, Zondervan Publishing,
Grand Rapids, MI., 1982, page 215.)

2. Note: in Exodus 3:14 God says, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you," (KJV).
Comparison grid between
Christianity and Islamic doctrine
Term Christianity Islam
Afterlife
Christians will be with the Lord in heaven
(Phil. 1:21-24), in our resurrected bodies
(1 Cor. 15:50-58). Non-Christians will be
cast into hell forever (Matt. 25:46).
There is an afterlife (75:12) experienced
as either an ideal life of Paradise (29:64),
for faithful Muslims or Hell for those who
are not.
Angels
Created beings, non-human, some of
which, fell into sin and became evil. They
are very powerful. The unfallen angels
carry out the will of God.
Created beings without free will that serve
God. Angels were created from light.
Atonement
The sacrifice of Christ on the cross (1 Pet.
2:24) whereby His blood becomes the
sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God
(1 John 2:2) from the sinner when the
sinner receives (John 1:12), by faith (Rom.
5:1), the work of Christ on the cross.
There is no atonement work in Islam
other than a sincere confession of sin and
repentance by the sinner.
Bible
The inspired and inerrant word of God in
the original manuscripts (2 Tim. 3:16).
Respected word of the prophets but the
Bible has been corrupted through the
centuries and is only correct in so far as it
agrees with the Koran.
Crucifixion
The place where Jesus atoned for the sins
of the world. It is only through this
sacrifice that anyone can be saved from
the wrath of God (1 Pet. 2:24).
Jesus did not die on the cross. Instead,
God allowed Judas to look like Jesus and
he was crucified instead.
Devil
A fallen Angel who opposes God in all
ways. He also seeks to destroy humanity
(Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:13-15).
Iblis, a fallen jinn. Jinn are not angels nor
men, but created beings with free wills.
Jinn were created from fire, (2:268;
114:1-6).
God
God is a trinity of persons: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not three
gods in one god, nor is it one person who
took three forms. Trinitarianism is strictly
monotheistic. There is no other God in
existence.
God is known as Allah. Allah is one
person, a strict unity. There is no other
God in existence. He is the creator of the
universe (3:191), sovereign over all
(6:61-62).
Heaven
(Paradise)
The place where God dwells. Heaven is
the eventual home of the Christians who
are saved by God's grace. It is heaven
because it is where God is and Christians
will enjoy eternal Fellowship with Him.
Paradise to Muslims, a place of
unimaginable bliss (32:17), a garden with
trees and food (13:35;15:45-48) where
the desires of faithful Muslims are met,
(3:133; 9:38; 13:35; 39:34; 43:71;
53:13-15).
Hell
A place of torment in fire out of the
presence of God. There is no escape from
Hell (Matt. 25:46).
Hell is a place of eternal punishment and
torment (14:17; 25:65; 39:26), in fire
(104:6-7) for those who are not Muslims
(3:131) as well as those who were and
whose works and faith were not sufficient
(14:17; 25:65; 104:6-7).
Holy Spirit
Third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit
is fully God in nature.
The arch-angel Gabriel who delivered the
words of the Koran to Muhammad.
Jesus
Second person of the Trinity. He is the
word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14).
He is both God and man (Col. 2:9).
A very great prophet, second only to
Muhammad. Jesus is not the son of God
(9:30) and certainly is not divine (5:17,
75)) and he was not crucified (4:157).
Judgment
Day
Occurs on the day of resurrection (John
12;48) where God will judge all people.
Christians go to heaven. All others to hell
(Matt. 25:46).
Occurs on the day of resurrection where
God will judge all people. Muslims go to
paradise. All others to hell (10:53-56;
34:28). Judgment is based on a person's
deeds (14:47-52; 45:21-22).
Koran, The
The work of Muhammad. It is not inspired,
nor is it scripture. There is no verification
for its accurate transmission from the
originals.
The final revelation of God to all of
mankind given through the archangel
Gabriel to Muhammad over a 23 year
period. It is without error and guarded
from error by Allah.
Man
Made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26).
This does not mean that God has a body,
but that man is made like God in abilities
(reason, faith, love, etc.).
Not made in the image of God (42:11).
Man is made out of the dust of the earth
(23:12) and Allah breathed life into man
(32:9; 15:29).
Muhammad
A non-inspired man born in 570 in Mecca
who started the Islamic religion.
The last and greatest of all prophets of
Allah whose Qur'an is the greatest of all
inspired books.
Original Sin
This is a term used to describe the effect
of Adam's sin on his descendants (Rom.
5:12-23). Specifically, it is our inheritance
of a sinful nature from Adam. The sinful
nature originated with Adam and is passed
down from parent to child. We are by
nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3).
There is no original sin. All people are
sinless until they rebel against God. They
do not have sinful natures.
Resurrection
Bodily resurrection of all people, non-
Christians to damnation and Christians are
resurrected to eternal life (1 Cor. 15:50-
58).
Bodily resurrection, some to heaven,
some to hell (3:77; 15:25;75:36-40;
22:6).
Salvation
A free gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9) to the
person who trusts in Christ and His
sacrifice on the cross. He is our mediator
(1 Tim. 2:5). No works are sufficient in
any way to merit salvation since our works
are all unacceptable to God (Isaiah 64:6).
Forgiveness of sins is obtained by Allah's
grace without a mediator. The Muslim
must believe Allah exists, believe in the
fundamental doctrines of Islam, believe
that Muhammad is his prophet, and follow
the commands of Allah given in the Koran.
Son of God
A term used to designate that Jesus is
divine though he is not the literal son of
God in a physical sense (John 5:18).
A literal son of God. Therefore, Jesus
cannot be the son of Allah.
Word, The
"In the beginning was the word and the
word was with God and the word was
God...and the word became flesh and
dwelt among us..." (John 1:1, 14).
Allah's command of existence which
resulted in Jesus being formed in the
womb of Mary.

Jesus cannot be God's son

To some Muslims, the term Son of God brings up images of a sort of divine being with a goddess
wife who together have somehow produced a child. When Christians use the term in reference to
Jesus, they immediately assume that the Christians are committing blasphemy by stating that God
has participated in some sort of sexual union with another god a goddess wife.
They say: "the most gracious has betaken a son!" Indeed ye have put forth a thing
most monstrous! At it in the skies are about to burst, the earth to split asunder, and
the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, that they attributed a son to the Most
Gracious, for it is not consonant with the majesty of the Most Gracious that he should
beget a son. (The Qur'an, 5:88-92).
This is naturally a ridiculous scenario and is a false assumption. No where in the Bible does it say
that God had relations with anyone to produce a literal son, nor has Christianity taught that God
produced a son through any physical act whatsoever. Such a thing is heretical. Nevertheless, the
Bible in numerous places calls Jesus the Son of God. But, it does not mean that Jesus is the literal
offspring of God.
The Muslims need to as ask what does that term mean, in its historic and biblical context. Instead
of imposing upon the biblical term a meaning that is foreign to it, the Muslim should learn what the
Bible means by the term and think of it in the context as revealed in the Scriptures where it is used.
To not do that would be the same as me taking a term out of the Qur'an, remove it from its Qur'anic
context, and applying another meaning to it and then saying what the Qur'an teaches is false. The
term Son of God is used in different senses in the Bible. But, never does it mean that God has a
wife and produces offspring.
Old Testament usage of the term Son of God
The term son of God is used in two main ways in the Old Testament. Neither way denotes any
physical relation to God. Rather, the references deal with those who under divine obedience to the call
of God. It is used of Israel as a nation through the Exodus. Hosea 11:1 says, When Israel was a
youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
1
It is also used in reference to angels. Job 1:6
says, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and
Satan also came among them. Also, in Job 38:7 it says, "When the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God shouted for joy?" These are in reference to angels who are created beings and in
now way implies literal dependency from God.
New Testament usage of the term Son of God
The Term "Son of God" occurs 47 times in the King James New Testament. In reference to Jesus,
it is a title as the heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God the Father (John 5:18-24). It is Jesus who
fully reveals the Father (Matt. 11:27). He is the exact representation of the Father (Heb. 1:1-3), He
possesses all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and Jesus had glory with the Father before
the world was made (John 17:5).
The Muslim is taught from the Qur'an and therefore cannot accept the fact that Jesus is divine. To
the Muslim, that is shirk, blasphemy of the worst kind. But believing it doesn't make it so. To the
Christian, and according to the Bible, Jesus is the one who alone saves us from our sins. We cannot
earn our way to heaven, perform enough good works to please God, or ever be "sincere enough" in
repentance to somehow obtain forgiveness from God. Instead, Christianity is a faith of God's great
love and sacrifice for His creation. Jesus, the Son of God, is the divine one who fulfilled prophecies,
walked on water, healed the sick, and rose from the dead. Only the Son of God can do these things.
_________________
1. Scripture quotes are from the NASB. Linked references are to the KJV.
Why is it necessary for God to die for our sins?
Muslims often ask why it is necessary for God to die for man's sins. Why can't we just confess our
sins and have God forgive us? Isn't that enough?
Following is an attempt to logically demonstrate the necessity of God atoning for our sins.
1. God is infinite.
A. There is no limit to Him. He is endless.
2. God is holy.
A. Holiness is purity. God is incapable of doing anything wrong. Part of the quality of
holiness is the inability to do wrong.
3. God is just.
A. He always does what is right.
B. God cannot violate His own righteousness declarations, because that would mean God
is contradicting Himself.
C. This justice is according to His nature since it is He is who tells us what is right and
wrong.
4. Therefore, God is infinitely holy and infinitely just
A. Neither His holiness nor justice can be denied since they are part of His character and
God cannot be denied.
5. We are not infinite and not holy
A. We are not infinite because we are creations.
B. We are not holy because we have sinned.
6. Sin is doing anything against God's Law.
A. It is God who declares what is right and wrong. He has revealed this to us in the
scriptures.
7. The Law is a reflection of God's character.
A. God speaks out of what is in His mind and heart. If He says do not lie, it is because it
is against God's nature to lie.
B. God is not speaking without reason or purpose. If He had no reason or purpose, this
would mean that God is not trustworthy.
C. God is trustworthy, therefore God's Law is the standard of perfection, justice, and
holiness.
8. God's Law carries a penalty upon the sinner which is damnation.
A. Damnation is the act of God where He passes righteous judgment upon a person
because of the person's sin against Him.
B. If breaking God's law did not carry a penalty, then there would be no damnation. But
since there is damnation, we can conclude that breaking God's law carries a penalty.
C. If He did not damn based upon righteousness, then God is doing wrong. Since God
cannot do anything wrong, then damnation is righteous.
9. God is affected by what we do.
A. Proof of this is found in our prayers. Since God answers our prayers, our prayers have
an affect upon God because God is moved to answer.
B. If our prayers have no affect upon God, then prayer is useless since it accomplishes
nothing.
10. Breaking God's Law, sinning, has a negative effect upon our relationship with God.
A. God is not injured in a physical way by our sins since God is spirit, perfect, and
complete.
B. But, since damnation exists (because of the justice of God), we can conclude that sin
has a negative affect upon the relationship between the sinner and God. If this were
not so, there would be no damnation.
11. Since God is infinite, our offense against Him has an infinite effect.
A. It is the infinite God we have offended, therefore, the sin results in an infinite offense
against God.
12. A finite person cannot remove an infinite offense against an infinite God.
A. A finite work cannot remove an infinite offense because the effort of a finite person will
always fall short of meeting the justice of an infinite God.
13. God cannot arbitrarily forgive the sinner without satisfying His infinite justice.
A. If damnation is righteously given because of justice, so too, forgiveness must be in
accordance with justice because both are dealing with sin.
B. To simply dismiss sin in order to forgive is to deny justice.
C. If forgiveness is not consistent with God's justice, then God is arbitrary, inconsistent,
and unjust.
D. Therefore, the act of forgiveness also requires an act of justice.
14. Since it is just that the sinner die and be damned, this justice cannot be ignored.
A. If it were ignored, then God is not being consistent in His justice.
B. If it were ignored, then God has no right to damn anyone.
C. No one is damned who is alive. Only the dead are damned.
15. Since man cannot earn forgiveness from God through his finite works, it must be
God who makes forgiveness possible.
A. This is so, because there is no one left to make things right, other than God.
16. Since it is not just to ignore the penalty for sin, and since man cannot satisfy God,
there is none left but God to pay for the just penalty of sin.
A. The sin cannot be ignored because the act of forgiveness also requires and act of
justice.
B. This justice cannot be ignored because God would then be inconsistent.
17. It is just that the sinner die and suffer judgment.
A. Death is a punishment of God and damnation follows death.
18. Since it is just that sin must be dealt with, God must meet that requirement of
justice.
A. This is so, because a finite person cannot please and infinite God's just requirements
of holiness and purity.
B. God must then do what is just in forgiveness of sins or justice cannot be met.
19. God must then take the place of the sinner and suffer the consequence of the lawful
judgment of death upon the sinner.
20. With justice met, forgiveness can then be rightly given.
21. This forgiveness, which cannot be earned by man's effort, can only be received from
God by man's faith - because there is nothing else he can do.





Contradictions in the Qur'an

The Qur'an states that it is a perfect book preserved on tablets in heaven (Surah 85:21-22). If the
Qur'an is a perfect book from Allah, then there shouldn't be any contradictions in it. Of course, the
Muslims will deny any contradictions exist in the Qur'an, but they do. Some of the contradictions
below could be debated, but some of them are clearly contradictions.
A contradiction occurs when one statement on a subject excludes the possibility of another. The
first one here is a good example. In Surah 19:67, it states that man was created out of nothing. In
15:26, man is created from clay. Since clay is something, we have a contradiction since "nothing"
excludes the possibility of "clay." Both cannot be true.
All quotes from the Qur'an, unless otherwise specified, are from Yusuf Ali and can be found at the
Qur'an online.
1. What was man created from, blood, clay, dust, or nothing?
A. "Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood," (96:2).
B. "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape, (15:26).
C. "The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust,
then said to him: "Be". And he was," (3:59).
D. "But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?" (19:67,
Yusuf Ali). Also, 52:35).
E. "He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an
open disputer! (16:4).
2. Is there or is there not compulsion in religion according to the Qur'an?
A. "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever
rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that
never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things," (2:256).
B. "And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on
the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty)
obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn
away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to
those who reject Faith," (9:3).
C. "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye
find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every
stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice
regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful,"
(9:5).
D. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which
hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of
Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing
submission, and feel themselves subdued," (9:29).
3. The first Muslim was Muhammad? Abraham? Jacob? Moses?
A. "And I [Muhammad] am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah in
Islam," (39:12).
B. "When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, He
said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon thee." Allah said: "By
no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place,
then shalt thou see Me." When his Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it
as dust. And Moses fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said:
"Glory be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
(7:143).
C. "And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my
sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam,"
(2:132).
4. Does Allah forgive or not forgive those who worship false gods?
A. Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything
else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most
heinous indeed," (4:48). Also 4:116
B. The people of the Book ask thee to cause a book to descend to them from heaven:
Indeed they asked Moses for an even greater (miracle), for they said: "Show us Allah
in public," but they were dazed for their presumption, with thunder and lightning. Yet
they worshipped the calf even after clear signs had come to them; even so we forgave
them; and gave Moses manifest proofs of authority," (4:153).
5. Are Allah's decrees changed or not?
A. "Rejected were the messengers before thee: with patience and constancy they bore
their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them: there is none that can
alter the words (and decrees) of Allah. Already hast thou received some account of
those messengers," (6:34).
B. "The word of thy Lord doth find its fulfillment in truth and in justice: None can change
His words: for He is the one who heareth and knoweth all, (6:115).
C. None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute
something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?"
(2:106).
D. When We substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals
(in stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but most of them understand not,"
(16:101).
6. Was Pharaoh killed or not killed by drowning?
A. "We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in
insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: "I believe
that there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those
who submit (to Allah in Islam). (It was said to him): "Ah now!- But a little while
before, wast thou in rebellion!- and thou didst mischief (and violence)! This day shall
We save thee in the body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee!
but verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!" (10:90-92).
B. Moses said, "Thou knowest well that these things have been sent down by none but
the Lord of the heavens and the earth as eye-opening evidence: and I consider thee
indeed, O Pharaoh, to be one doomed to destruction!" So he resolved to remove them
from the face of the earth: but We did drown him and all who were with him,"
(17:102-103).
7. Is wine consumption good or bad?
A. O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination
by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination),
that ye may prosper," (5:90).
B. (Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of
water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a
joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all
kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to
such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it
cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?" (47:15).
C. Truly the Righteous will be in Bliss: On Thrones (of Dignity) will they command a sight
(of all things): Thou wilt recognize in their faces the beaming brightness of Bliss. Their
thirst will be slaked with Pure Wine sealed," (83:22-25).
This list was compiled from resources found on the web at Answering Islam, a List of problems in
the Quran. and Errors in the Qur'an as well as my own research.
What do the Jehovah's Witnesses Teach?
1. There is one God in one person, Make Sure of All Things, p 188.
2. There is no Trinity, Let God be True, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things, p.386.
3. The Holy Spirit is a force, not alive, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
406-407.
4. The Holy Spirit is God's impersonal active force, The Watchtower, June 1, 1952,
p. 24.
5. Jehovah's first creation was his 'only-begotten Son'. . . was used by Jehovah in
creating all other things", Aid to Bible Understanding, pp. 390-391.
6. Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, The Watchtower, May 15,
1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.
7. Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, Reasoning from the Scriptures,
1985, pp. 306.
8. Jesus did not rise from the dead in his physical body, Awake! July 22, 1973, p. 4.
9. Jesus was raised "not a human creature, but a spirit." Let God be True, p. 276.
10. Jesus did not die on a cross but on a stake, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985,
pp. 89-90.
11. Jesus returned to earth, invisibly, in 1914, The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 300.
12. Jesus' ransom sacrifice did not include Adam, Let God be True, p. 119.
13. Their church is the self-proclaimed prophet of God, The Watchtower, April 1,
1972, p. 197.
14. They claim to be the only channel of God's truth, The Watchtower, Feb. 15,
1981, p. 19.
15. Only their church members will be saved, The Watchtower, Feb, 15, 1979, p. 30.
16. Good works are necessary for salvation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1,
pp. 150, 152.
17. The soul ceases to exist after death, Let God be True, p. 59, 60, 67.
18. There is no hell of fire where the wicked are punished, Let God be True, p. 79, 80.
19. Only 144,000 Jehovah's Witness go to heaven, Reasoning from the Scriptures,
1985, pp. 166-167, 361; Let God be True, p. 121.
20. Only the 144,000 Jehovah's Witness are born again. Reasoning from the
Scriptures, 1985, p. 76.; Watchtower 11/15/54, p. 681.
21. Only the 144,000 may take communion,
22. Blood transfusions are a sin, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 72-73.
23. The Cross is a pagan symbol and should not be used, Reasoning from the
Scriptures, 1985, pp. 90-92.
24. Salvation is by faith and what you do, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp.
150,152.
25. It is possible to lose your salvation, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
358-359.
26. The universe is billions of years old, Your will Be Done on Earth, p. 43.
27. Each of the 6 creative days of God in Genesis 1, was 7000 years long.
Therefore, Man was created toward the end of 42,000 years of earth's
preparation, Let God be True, p. 168.
28. They also refuse to vote, salute the flag, sing the "Star Spangled Banner," or
celebrate Christmas or birthdays. They are not allowed to serve in the armed
forces.
29. Satan was entrusted with the obligation and charged with the duty of
overseeing the creation of the earth, Children, p 55
30.
Jehovah's Witnesses in a Nutshell
According to Jehovah's Witness' theology, God is a single person, not a Trinity, who does not know
all things and is not everywhere. He first created Michael the Archangel through whom He created all
"other things," including the universe, the earth, Adam and Eve, etc. This creative work took God
42,000 years. At one point, The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society taught that God ruled the
universe from somewhere in the Pleiades star system. They have since modified this to say that the
"Pleiades can no longer be considered the center of the universe and it would be unwise for us to try
to fix God's throne as being at a particular spot in the universe."
1
Such changes and even
contradictions in teaching are frequent in the Watchtower organization and when a doctrine changes,
they tell their followers that the light of truth is getting brighter.
After Adam sinned, the paradise which God had created for them, was ruined. So, God instituted a
system of redemption which was revealed in the Bible and would ultimately lead to the crucifixion of
Jesus the messiah. But, in the meantime, God needed to have a visible, theocratic organization on
earth to accurately represent Him. Throughout history, this true organization had a remnant of
faithful Jehovah's Witnesses (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.) but it wasn't until the late 1800's
that Charles Taze Russell formerly began what is now known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society which is run out of Brooklyn, New York. This organization claims to be the only true channel
of God's truth on earth today and that it alone can properly interpret God's word since it is the angel
directed, prophet of God on earth.
When it came time for the savior to be born, Michael the Archangel became a human, in the form
of Jesus. Jesus grew and kept all the laws of God and never sinned. Finally, when Jesus died, it was
not on a cross, but on a torture stake, where he bore the sins of mankind -- but this did not include
Adam's sins. Jesus rose from the dead as a spirit, not physically (his body was dissolved and taken by
God) and during his visitations to people on earth, he manifested a temporary physical body for them
to see and touch. Thus began the true Christian church of Jehovah's followers.
Throughout history there have been faithful Jehovah's witnesses who have managed to keep The
Truth in spite of the "demonic" doctrine of Trinitarianism that has permeated the Christian church in
"Christendom." Christendom is filled with pastors who are antichrists, in churches run by Satan, and
who support the earthly governments which are all of the devil. In other words, all of Christianity is
false and only the Jehovah's Witness "theocratic" organization lead by several men in Brooklyn, New
York, is true.
In the late 1800's, a young man of 18 years, by the name of Charles Taze Russell, organized a
Bible class in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1879 he sought to popularize his ideas on doctrine so he
co-published The Herald of the Morning magazine with its founder, N. H. Barbour and by 1884 Russell
controlled the publication and renamed it The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, and
founded Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society (now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society).
Russell served as the teacher and guide for the organization which taught that Jesus returned invisibly
in 1914 and is now reigning in heaven. When Jesus finally returns physical to earth, which will happen
at the time of the Battle of Armageddon, He will set up his earthly 1000 year kingdom. During this
1000 year period, people will be resurrected and have a second chance to receive eternal salvation by
following the principles of Jehovah's Organization on earth known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society. After the millennium, those who reject God and His organization will be annihilated; that is,
they will cease to exist. The rest of the Jehovah's Witness who have faithfully followed God's
organization on earth will be saved from eternal annihilation and reside forever on Paradise earth.
Heaven, however, is a place for a special group of 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses -- the only ones who
are "born again" and who alone are allowed to take communion in their annual communion service.
These are the ones who have "immortal life," all other Witnesses have "everlasting life." Those with
immortal life do not have resurrected bodies. They have "spirit bodies." Those on Paradise Earth
have everlasting life and consists of a resurrected body that must be maintained through eating, rest,
etc.
When you study with the Jehovah's Witness, you agree to attend five meetings a week where you
are taught from Watchtower literature. You cannot be baptized until you have studied their material
for at least six months and have answered numerous questions before a panel of elders. Men are not
supposed have long hair or wear beards and women are to dress in modest apparel. They refuse to
vote, salute the flag, sing the "Star Spangled Banner, celebrate birthdays or Christmas, won't take
blood transfusions, and they can't join the armed forces. A schedule of door-to-door canvassing is
required where you distribute the Watchtower literature, acquire donations, and forward all monies to
the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
If you ever leave the Jehovah's Witness organization, you are considered an apostate and are to
be shunned.
A Biblical Response to Jehovah's Witnesses
1. Their attacks on the Deity of Jesus.
A. Why did Jesus pray to the Father? (John 17).
i. Because as a man He needed to pray to the Father.
ii. Because He was both God and man (Col. 2:9; John 8:58 with Ex. 3:14).
a. The two natures of Christ are why we have two types of scripture
concerning Jesus: those that seem to focus on His divine-side, and
those that seem to focus on His human-side. The Jehovah's Witnesses
are simply ignoring, or changing, the divine-side scriptures and
concentrating on those that describe His human-side.
B. Why did He say the Father was greater than He (John 14:28)?
. This is because His position was different than that of God, not His nature.
i. Heb. 2:9 that Jesus is made for a little while lower than the angels; that is,
when He became a man. The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:10).
C. Why did He say, "Why call me good, only God is good?" (Luke 18:19)?
. Jesus was confirming His own deity because what He was doing was good.
i. Ask them, "Was Jesus good?"
D. Why did Jesus say that He could only do those things that He saw the Father do?
(John 5:19).
. This is an interesting verse and it is one that proves the divinity of Christ, not
that He wasn't God.
i. Ask the Jehovah's Witness who can do the same things God the Father can do?
Could an angel? Could a man? Of course not. Jesus, however, says He could
do whatever He saw the Father do. "I tell you the truth, the Son can do
nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because
whatever the Father does the Son also does."
E. The answer to these and other verses like them is that Jesus has two natures. Jesus
was fully man as well as fully God and as a man there will be verses that show His
humanity.
2. Witnessing Approaches using the Bible.
A. John 1:1: They translate as "In the beginning was the word and the word was with
God and the word was a god."
. Ask if Satan is a true god or a false God. The Jehovah's Witness will say a false
god. Then have them read aloud John 1:1 again in their Bible and ask them if
Jesus is a true god or a false one. If he says "true god," he's in trouble. If he
says "false god," he's in trouble.
i. If Jesus is a god, then doesn't that mean there are two gods? They often
answer, "Yes. But Jesus is not the Almighty God, He is only the mighty god.
And besides, there are those in the Bible who are called gods but really
aren't."
ii. The problem with this is that every God besides Jehovah is a false God. God
says to have no other God before Him (Exodus 20:3) because they are not by
nature gods (Gal. 4:8).
B. Col. 1:15: Is used by the Jehovah's Witnesses to say that Jesus is the first created
thing. This verse says, "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over
all creation."
. The Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that "firstborn" means first created. This
cannot be the case because...
0. There is a Greek word for "first created" and it is not used here.
1. "First born" is proto, "first," with tikto "to bring forth, bear, produce."
2. There is no word used in the New Testament for "first created."
However, if there were, the construction would be proto, "first," with
ktizo "to create." And this is not the construction used in Col. 1:1
i. Firstborn can certainly mean the first one born in a family. However, it can
also mean preeminence. For example:
0. In Jeremiah 31:9, the firstborn title is attributed to one of the tribes of
northern Israel. "They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring
them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path
where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim
is my firstborn son."
ii. Understanding biblical culture is important when interpreting Scripture.
Firstborn was a title, not only of the first born male, but also of preeminence
which is precisely what is occurring when it is said that Jesus is the firstborn.
3. Col. 1:15-17 in the Jehovah's Witness Bible has an addition of four words. Their version
reads, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of
him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and
the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or
authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all
[other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist," (Their word
"[other]" is in their Bible with the brackets. They maintain that they know it isn't in the
original Greek Scriptures but the word is implied and should be there.)
A. Instead of refuting the bad translation, simply ask them if this means that Jesus
created everything. They will say yes. Review this and be very clear and get them to
admit that it was Jesus who created everything. Then turn to...
. Isaiah 44:24 "This is what the LORD says -your Redeemer, who formed you in
the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out
the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself."
i. If Jesus created everything, then why does it say that the Lord (Jehovah in the
Hebrew) did it by Himself?
ii. The only answer is that Jehovah is not simply the name of the Father, but that
it is the name of God the Trinity. Therefore, since Jesus is God in flesh, it could
be said that Jesus created all things and that Jehovah did it alone.
B. You can also ask them to try to read the section of verses and omit the word "other".
You will find it to be an interesting experience.
4. John 8:58 in the Jehovah's Witness Bible says, "...Before Abraham came into existence, I
have been."
A. They have translated the present tense ego eimi, in the Greek, into the perfect tense,
I have been. Though this can be done rarely in the New Testament, it is not correct
here because Jesus was quoting the O.T. verse of Exodus 3:14 where God was telling
Moses who He was: "God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say
to the Israelites: "I AM has sent me to you."'" Jesus was purposely using the divine
title: I AM.
B. The Jehovah's Witness won't agree. So ask him if Jesus was saying that He "had been"
before Abraham, then why does it say in the next verse that the Jews pick up stones
to kill him?
C. Additionally, about 250 years the Jews translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. It
is called the Septuagint, also known as LXX. In the Septuagint Exodus 3:14 is
translated in the Greek in a present tense, i.e., I AM... The correct translation is,
therefore, "Before Abraham was, I AM."
D. If this verse should really be translated as "I have been" then why did the Jews want
to kill Jesus? The answer is simple: They knew He was claiming to be God, see the
next example.
5. John 10:30-34 is a section of verses where the Pharisees say that Jesus is making Himself
out to be God (v. 33).
A. "I and the Father are one." Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus
said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of
these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews,
"but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
B. You can say, "See, even the Jews knew He was claiming to be God. The Jehovah's
Witness (if he's quick enough) will say something like, "Jesus wasn't God, the Jew's
only thought that Jesus was claiming to be God." Then you can say, "Oh, I see. Then
let me get this right. You agree with the Pharisees, Jesus wasn't God? Is that correct?
The Jehovah's Witness will not like it that he agrees with a Pharisee.
6. Plurality in the Godhead
A. The following group of scriptures strongly suggests a plurality within the Godhead.
These verses are translated correctly in the Jehovah's Witness Bible so you can
encourage them to use it. The NIV is not as literal in its translation in the Amos
verses, so I recommend using either the King James or the New American Standard
Bible when doing your own.
. Gen. 1:26, "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness . . . "
0. They will say that angels are the ones who helped God make man.
However, there is no scriptural evidence for that. God is the only
creator.
1. You can also take him to Col. 1:15-17 where it says that Jesus is the
creator of all things--including man.
i. Gen. 19:24, "Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and
fire from the LORD out of heaven."
0. Is this saying there are two Lords, two Jehovah's?
ii. Amos 4:10-11, "I sent a plague among you after the manner of Egypt; I slew
your young men by the sword along with your captured horses, and I made
the stench of your camp rise up in your nostrils; yet you have not returned to
Me,' declares the LORD. I overthrew you as God overthrew Sodom and
Gomorrah . . . '"
0. Jehovah is the one talking and He says, "I overthrew you as God
overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah..." Very interesting.
iii. Isaiah 44:6, "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the
LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides
me . . . " See also, Isaiah 48:1
iv. If you are reading these verses to a Jehovah's Witness he might say
something like, "Are you trying to show the Trinity from these verses?" You
can then say, "You got the Trinity out of these? That's very interesting."
v. These verses and others are more fully developed in The Plurality Study, which
is a powerful tool for witnessing to the Witnesses.
7. John 20:25 says, "The other disciples therefore were saying to him, We have seen the Lord!'
But he said to them, Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger
into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe'" (NASB).
A. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny that Jesus was crucified on a cross. They say it
happened on a torture stake where His wrists were put together over His head and a
single nail was put through both. If that is true, then why does Thomas say "Unless I
shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails..." In the Greek the word used here for
"nails", helos, is in the plural. Therefore, there was more than one nail used in the
hands of the crucifixion of Christ.
8. First and Last
A. How many firsts and lasts are there? In the Bible God is called the first and last and so
is Jesus. Since God says there is no God apart from Him and Jesus and God are both
addressed by the same title, then that poses a problem for the Jehovah's Witness.
. Isaiah 44:6, "This is what the LORD says -Israel's King and Redeemer, the
LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no
God."
i. Revelation 1:8, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is,
and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
ii. Revelation 1:17-18, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then
he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and
the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and
ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
0. Obviously, Rev. 1:17-18 can only refer to Jesus.
iii. Revelation 22:12-13, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I
will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
0. Here, both the "Alpha and the Omega" and the "First and the Last" are
said to be one and the same.
1. Also, at this point go to Titus 2:13 where it says that Jesus is the one
who is coming soon, therefore, Jesus and Jehovah are the same.
9. The Holy Spirit
A. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Holy Spirit is an active force like radar. They deny
that He is alive, that He is a person. This is, of course, because they deny the Trinity.
Yet, if the Holy Spirit is simply a force then...
. Why is He called God (Acts 5:3-5)?
i. How is it that He can teach (John 14:26)?
ii. How can He be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31,32)?
iii. How can be the one who comforts (Acts 9:31)?
iv. How is it possible for Him to speak (Acts 28:25)?
v. How then can He be resisted (Acts 7:51)?
vi. How can He be grieved (Eph. 4:30)?
vii. How can He help us in our weaknesses (Rom. 8:26)?
B. If the Holy Spirit is a force, then how is it possible that the above mentioned
phenomena are attributed to Him? A force doesn't speak, teach, comfort, etc.
C. Nor can you blaspheme against a force.
10. The Resurrection of Jesus
A. The Jehovah's Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Jesus. They say that if the
sacrifice of Jesus were real then the body had to stay in the grave. They say that He
rose in a spirit body. This body was a manifestation similar to the way angels
manifested themselves in the Old Testament.
. The problem with their view is that the angels were not incarnated. Jesus
became a man by birth, therefore, He had a real, physical body, a permanent
body. In fact, right now, Jesus is in heaven in the form of a man. He still has
two natures, God and man, and will eternally be that.
B. For scriptural proof of Jesus being raised in the same body He died in, consider the
following verses.
. In John 2:19-22 before the crucifixion Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and in
three days I will raise it up...He was speaking of the temple of His body."
Since Jesus said He would raise the same body He died in, then it must be
true.
0. This last verse is worth focusing on. Remember, Jesus said He would
be the one to raise His body. So, it must be true.
i. John 20:27 -(to Thomas) "reach your finger...and put it into My side..."
0. If Jesus were not raised from the dead, then why did He have a
physical body.
1. They will reply that it was a temporary body materialized so the
apostles would believe that He was raised. Yet, this is not what Jesus
said in John 2:19-22. He said He would raise His very body.
ii. Luke 24:39 - "a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
0. Jesus said that He had "flesh and bones" not "flesh and blood." This is
important because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
(1 Cor. 15:50). The blood of Jesus was the sacrifice for sin (Rom. 5:9).
It is the blood that cleanses us of our sin (Heb. 9:22).
1. The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross and so, most probably, Jesus
doesn't have any functioning blood in His body.
11. Similarities between the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Pharisees:
A. Both deny the Trinity and the Deity of Christ Both deny the physical resurrection of Christ and
salvation by grace alone.