All, Questions Flashcards
What are the biblical grounds for divorce?
The Bible tells us that marriage is something God made. He defines what it is. That also means, He’s the only one that can give us clear grounds for divorce. And there only two instance where He says divorce is allowed. First, in Matthew 19, Jesus mentions that sexual immorality is a valid ground for divorce. Second, in 1 Cor. 7 says that when an unbelieving spouse abandons a marriage…you are not required to chase them down or stay married to them. Anything outside of that for follower of Jesus, is something we need to talk about reconciliaton. Working on the relationship and doing what Jesus has told us to do in John, “Love each other as I have loved you.” That’s a good place to start. But we could also take some time and walk Ephesians 5 where Paul gives husbands and wives clear instruction for how to treat each other. And he tells us that the way a husband and wife love each other helps people understand the way that Christ has loved us.
What do I do if I no longer love (or am attracted to) my spouse?
Start with questions: what do you mean by love? If it’s a feeling then there are some things you two can do to bring back some fresh romance.
But here’s what we see in the Bible… That love is more than a feeling, it’s a choice we make. God so loved the world that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins…that was more than a feeling…it was a decision.
Ephesians 4 tells us to bear with one another in love…that’s another decision a choice.
And at the same time, Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:6 “What God has joined together, let no one seperate.” As a Christian, this means two things: following Jesus in your marriage means choosing to stay united, not just legally, but as “one”…pursue your spouse. Two, it tells us that God has put you together…He will help you in your marriage. You two might spend some time praying together, opening up God’s word together….I can refer you to re|engage, counseling…but you’ve got to ask for God’s help.
What does the Bible say about gay marriage?
The Bible consistently defines marriage as something that is only between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). And so, to be up front, the reality is that anything outside of that….having multiple wives, or two people living together outside of marriage…is not God’s best and not how He designed marriage or us. And so the Bible puts all of that in the category of sin.
Is it good or bad for Christians to date?
I think you have to start with asking “Why date?” What’s the purpose of it? Because the Bible doesn’t give us a specific answer to that question. But it does gives us guidelines on how we’re supposed to live life. To start, Jesus told us clearly that we are to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. So if that’s the case, everything in how and who you date should follow that. We also know that there is some simple things to keep in mind too. First, like 2 Corinthians 6 tells us, not to be unequally yoked. That person, just like you, needs to put Jesus first in everything….even over you. Second, like Paul tells Timothy (2 Tim 2:22) to “flee from youthful passion and pursure righteousness…”
What is the Mark of the Beast?
Bible: Revelation 13:16-17 describes it as a mark on the hand or forehead symbolizing allegiance to the Antichrist. It’s more about loyalty than a physical mark. So along with it comes a clear decision to reject Jesus and be loyal to the beast. This won’t be a surprise to any of us. But the way I see it as well, is that this all happens during the 7 year tribulation period and I believe from the Bible that believers will have been raptured before then (Rev. 3).
Is the Anti-Christ Already Here?
Empathy: I get why you’d be wondering about the anti-Christ, especially with all the talk surrounding it. It’s normal to be concerned or confused about what’s to come, but I want to reassure you that God has it all under control.
Bible: The Bible tells us that the spirit of the anti-Christ is already at work in the world (1 John 2:18), but the actual anti-Christ hasn’t yet revealed himself. This figure will rise up during the tribulation, a time when many will be deceived. But for Christians, the Bible promises that we will not face this time of judgment. Jesus will return and take His followers up to be with Him in what’s known as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This will happen before the anti-Christ fully comes to power.
Next Step: Rather than getting caught up in fears about the anti-Christ, focus on your relationship with Jesus. 1 John 4:4 reminds us that God’s Spirit in us is stronger than anything in the world. Stay rooted in faith, trust that God will protect you, and live with the hope that Jesus will return for His people.
What is the unforgivable sin? How do I know if I’ve already committed it?
Bible: The Bible talks about the unforgivable sin in Mark 3:29, where Jesus mentions blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is often interpreted as a deliberate, ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work in convicting and drawing people to Christ. If you’re worried about it, that’s a sign you haven’t committed it, because a hardened heart wouldn’t feel conviction. John 3:18 reminds us that those who believe in Jesus are not condemned, but those who have not believed stand condemned. Ultimately, the only sin that can’t be forgiven is the rejection of Jesus.
Next Step: Does that make sense? Have you made that decision? Is there something that happened that’s got you asking that question?
Does someone go to hell if they commit suicide?
Bible: The Bible doesn’t say suicide is an unforgivable sin. Salvation depends on a relationship with Jesus, not a single action. Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not even suicide. For anyone, it’s not about how you die, but what you did with Jesus. Because the Bible tells us that (Romans 8) that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Next Step: Griefshare… or …Have you done that?
Can you lose your salvation?
So the short answer to that is simply “no”. A person’s salvation never depended on them. Saved by grace through faith, that it was Jesus who saved us by paying the price for our sins on the cross (Romans 5, propitiation for sins through His blood). So if we’re truly saved, Ephesians says we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of salvation. And Jesus tells us in John. 10 that He is the one that gives us eternal life and no one can snatch us out of His hand. But there are times it looks like someone loses their salvation when they walk away from the faith…and Jesus warned us this would happen when He told the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. It’s the rocky soil, the seed sprouts quickly but whithers away…because it had no roots.
Can Jewish people go to heaven if they follow the Law like other OT saints?
Bible: Great question. Here’s what we know from the Bible is that the Jewish people were God’s chosen people…that means He chose to reveal Himself through them. He did that through His covenant with Abraham, the law given to them by Moses, and ultimately through the Messiah, Jesus, coming from them. But the Bible is clear that we are not saved by our works, but by faith. God requirement for us on our own is “to be holy as He is holy”…that means perfect…none of us are. Paul in Romans says that God’s law revealed our sins. That’s why the Bible is really clear that we’re saved by grace through faith…not by works. And that’s consistent because Genesis says a guy like Abraham “believed God (put His faith in God) and it was credited to Him as rightesousness.” He was faithful with what He knew, with what God had revealed back then. But now, we’re called to be faithful with what God has shown us…that like Jesus says of Himself “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” That’s good news, because this is for anyone, Jew or not.
Doesn’t Acts 2:38 teach we must be baptized to be saved?
Bible: While Acts 2:38 mentions baptism alongside repentance, the Bible consistently teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is an important act of obedience and a public declaration of faith, but it’s not what saves us. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43) wasn’t baptized, yet Jesus promised him paradise, showing that salvation is about faith, not rituals.
Why doesn’t our church encourage praying to saints?
Bible: Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus intercedes for us before God, meaning He stands in the gap for us. We don’t need anyone else. As well, Jesus already taught us how to pray…you’ve heard it before when Jesus shows us the Lord’s Prayer, He starts by saying “When you pray, pray like this….Our Father…” Because of Jesus nothing seperates us from God, so you and I can go directly to Him.
Didn’t the early church practice infant baptism?
I know we hear and see a lot about that here in New Mexico. But when we look at the the Bible, it doesn’t really mention infant baptism specifically, but it does show that baptism was something that followed a person’s decision to repent and believe (Acts 2:38, Peter says “repent and be baptized”).
Next Step: Because of that, in our church, we do baptism for believers who can consciously choose to give their lives to Christ.
Isn’t the Catholic Church the original church Jesus started?
Empathy: I know this is a big question, especially considering the Catholic Church’s long history.
Bible: While the Catholic Church claims to be the continuation of the early church, over time it introduced traditions not found in Scripture, such as the veneration of saints and papal authority. They believe that Church Tradition is equal in authority to Scripture, implying that God’s Word isn’t enough…which isn’t line with the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 says that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” It’s is enough, sufficient, God’s Word is all we need.
If being gay is a sin, why did God give me feelings for the opposite sex?
Ya know, that’s a really relatable question to ask anyone. Because the Bible tells us that every one of us is born with a sinful nature. That means, be default, becuase of the curese of sin in this world, all of us feel and want things that aren’t what God has for us. If that’s the case, our feelings aren’t a good judge of what’s right and wrong. Neither is our heart, the Bible says that our hearts are “deceitful above all tings…” ( Jer. 17:9). So in the same way, as a straight guy, I might have feelings of attraction for a woman that isn’t my wife, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for me to follow through with that and cheat on my wife. Instead, like Paul tells, I need to change the way I think by the renewing of my mind. To take those thoughts and feelings captive and make them obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) And I can only do that with His help, by listening to the Holy Spirit when He convicts me, by reading my Bible, and praying all the time.
Can a gay or lesbian person be a Christian?
Let me ask you, what is a Christian? The Bible makes it clear that a Christian isn’t just someone who believe in Jesus but has made Him the Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9). And if that’s the case then Jesus made it clear what that looks like when He says ““Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) It a picture of following Jesus as you die to yourself and your desires. Could we agree on that?
Then, here’s how I read it in the Bible…can you be someone who struggles with being attracted to the same sex and follow Jesus? Yes. Just like someone who struggles with feelings of wanting to cheat on their spouse, or cheat other, or lie, or abuse alcohol can. The difference is in that idea of dying to ourselves and instead “seeking for the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt 6:33).
Why are some people born in the wrong body, gender-wise?
A couple of thoughts come to mind when we talk about our gender. First, we don’t see a spectrum of gender in the Bible. Go back to the beginning, when God makes human, He makes a binary: male and female. He makes them in His image, they’re both to reflect what God is like, as male and female.
But I can understand that having feelings like someone was born in the wrong body can feel really real. It feels very confusing, doesn’t it? And that’s my caution in all of this. Because the Bible tells us that “…For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33) It’s clear then, that God made you exactly how He intended to, and it wasn’t to be confused. That comes from a disconnect inside you. And God’s knows this is going on inside of us. That’s why in the Bible, the apostle Paul talks about the battle within him. He does what he doesn’t want to do, and doesn’t do what he wants to. And exclaims “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24) And then He says it’s only Jesus that can do that.
So the choice is to, like Paul goes on to say, are we going to walk by the Spirit, so that we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh…of how we feel? Do you have Jesus and His Spirit?
How can we be sure that Jesus rose from the dead?
Bible: All four of the gospels provide us with record of eye witness testimony that Jesus was resurrected. He also spen time for forty days appearing to His disciples and teaching them. And in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul record that over 500 witnesses saw the resurrected Christ. We also have account from secular historians during this time that attest to the fact that Christians, from the beginning, believed in and worshipped the resurrected Christ. And then, finally, you think about the 11 disciples, all of these guys went from being cowards to holding the line for their faith and belief that Jesus did…in fact rise from the dead. And all but 1 of them died horrendous deaths because of it.
What does the Bible tell us to do to end generational curses?
Let me ask, what do you mean by “curses”? There are a few places in the Old Testament (Ex 20 & 34, Num 14, Deut 5) that mention God visiting the iniquity of the father on the children for generations. But the implication here is about parents who don’t live godly lives and their children will naturally do the same. As far as breaking out of a pattern like that, we lean in on the fact that we’re not bound by our pasts or our parents. “…if anyone is in Christ, the they are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come.” (2 Cor 5:17) And so with His help, we change. We walk away from what we were given by our parents. We aren’t cursed, we’re free to choose to follow Christ.
Where did Jesus’ soul go when His body was in the tomb?
Bible: The reality is that the Bible doesn’t give us alot of details about this. But it’s clear from Jesus’s conversation with the thief on the cross that He says to him: “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” So that’s what we know for certain is that Jesus went to a place of blessing, where God is, and that the thief with Him. That’s where His soul was, while His body was placed in the tomb. Reunited three days later with His resurrection.
Who came up with the doctrine of the Trinity? When?
Empathy: It’s easy to get confused when thinking about the doctrine of the Trinity because it’s a mystery in many ways. It’s good that you want to understand where this belief comes from and how it developed.
Bible: The concept of the Trinity—God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—emerges throughout the Bible, though the word “Trinity” itself isn’t used. Passages like Matthew 28:19 and John 14:16-17 point to a triune God. The doctrine was formally articulated by early Christian leaders during the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, in response to various debates about the nature of God and Jesus.
Next Step: Embrace the mystery of the Trinity as a foundational belief that shapes your understanding of who God is. As you grow in your faith, continue to seek understanding through Scripture and prayer, trusting that God’s nature is beyond full human comprehension.
Why should we treat the Bible as God’s Word?
Empathy: I understand how you might wrestle with this question, especially in today’s world where many voices are vying for attention. It’s natural to question the authority of the Bible, particularly in a culture that often questions truth.
Bible: The Bible is treated as God’s Word because it is inspired by Him. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that “all Scripture is God-breathed.” Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of Scripture in Matthew 5:18, saying that not even the smallest letter will pass from the law until everything is accomplished. The Bible is a unique and trustworthy source that reveals God’s will and character.
Next Step: Approach the Bible with the expectation that it is God speaking to you through His Word. Make time to read it, study it, and let it shape your life. As you do, ask God to help you see the depth of His truth.
Couldn’t God have used evolution to create the universe?
I’m curious, if He did…would that change anything for you? Change anything about how you view God?
The reason I ask that is when it comes to something like evolution, I want to make sure we’re on the same page and know that what we’re talking about…is debatable. Paul tells us in Romans 14 that we shouldn’t fight over disputable matters. Because this one, doesn’t change who God is, or the fact that He’s the maker of heaven and earth, and it’s not a matter of salvation. So, it’d be fair from the very beginning to say we can agree to disagree, right?
So could God have used evolution? Sure. Did He? I’m not certain. I know we’ve only ever been able to observe short term/minor evolution…that’s all Darwin saw with the finches…small changes in their beak sizes and shapes. I also think you need an old earth view of things for evolution to work out, which is hard because that leaves open some questions with the fossil records (aquatic bones found in high places) and that carbon dating isn’t as reliable or accurate as it’s made out to be.
That’s why, when I look at the Bible, I lean towards it being a literal seven days of creation where God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth, and Eve out of his rib. Either way, the heart of the issue is that God is our creator. He’s made us to know Him, be known by Him, and enjoy Him forever.
Why don’t we let people speak in tongues at Sagebrush?
First, I know there is a difference of opinion on this, but we have the example of when the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles at pentecost in Acts 2 to speak in tongues, the crowd listening heard their own native tongues. That’s our base understanding of that gift of the Spirit…and Paul says that it is a gift in 1 Corinthians. But in chapter 14 he also tells us that when we speak in tongues that we edify ourselves. But when we prophesy, which means for the Holy Spirit to empower you to encourage, exhort, and even correct others through your words…then you edify or build up the church. Connect: So that is our intent that when we come into this place, we want to build each other up. And that like Paul talks about in that same chapter too, that our worship services would be orderly.
