Bible Study – 1 ‘WHY’
Lesson Point: What does scripture have to say about many of our Questions?
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Question-1; WHY would any of us choose to read or study our bible?
A Bible Study must mean your bible or the scriptures are used. WHY? It is to help enlighten each of us with what the God of heaven has spoken through the Prophets and Apostles in former years. How else do we get to know God better? Scripture is inspired [Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16; All scripture is inspired of God; it means the Holy Spirit is the author.]
There are various Religions in America and throughout the world. All must seem to think that theirs is the right path to take or they probably wouldn’t be taking it.
Question-2: How old are a few of the religions of today? Why not just one?
Judaism, around 1440-1410 BC when Moses wrote the Torah during the Exodus – Christian, AD 30; after Jesus died the Apostles started writing the Gospels and epistles – Islam, AD 622 when Mohammad fled Mecca, & wrote the Quran Mormon, AD 1830; Joseph Smiths 1st vision in 1814 – Jehovah Witness, AD 1931 after a split; they were the ‘Millennial Dawn’ prior, in about the 1880’s.
These are a few of the timelines that the various religions were founded, with their own versions of scripture. Do all of the various Religions, to some degree, have the same God only called or named something different? I don’t think so and more than likely they don’t think so either. I sat through a Theology 101 class a few years ago; we don’t all believe alike. One day, the God of creation will be the Judge of each of us, so to speak, and most likely our eternal destiny is on the line. God does not force anyone to go to heaven but God’s invitation is to ALL of us who are living.
[Comment – The ‘Sons of Israel’ could be traced back to Jacob and his twelve sons who served the God of Moses. Jacob’s grandfather was Abraham who had a son born out of season, named Ishmael. Islam claims him in their linage to Muhamad.] So, do all roads or religions lead people to heaven? Ans. – No.
Question-3: Do you know the triune God spoken of in Christian scripture? Why?
My choice at age 27 was to follow the Christian path so that is what I will write about. The God that I trust in, is known as a triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No other Religions believe in this concept; they have a single deity as their God or Supreme Being. So if you look at Genesis 1:26-27, the words are ‘Let US make man in OUR image.’ The words are plural; more than one is spoken about and we living mortals are each walking around with an image very similar to that of God; at least that of the Son. [Note-No one has ever seen the Father.] They were together at creation from how scripture reads.
A person has to have FAITH in something to believe what they can’t see, which means ALL of us who believe in a religion must have a portion of faith from within. What happens after death and we all move into eternity? Is there a God who will reward us with a dwelling place in heaven? If so, WHY?
Heaven is a HOPE for many religions from what I’ve read; how about you? What does it take to get there? Many believe that IF their Good outweighs their Bad, then they will be welcomed through the pearly gates but scripture doesn’t say that at all. If someone tells my Pastor they believe in God then it would be good if he responded with, “WHY do you think that?” He would let them reply with a testimony about their faith. My Pastor and many others have a concern for every person they encounter; he or they want to make sure the person hears the truth of the scriptures and then make their choice based on that truth. [Opinions are many but truth comes from God.]
Question-4: Is there more than one way to get to heaven, as some liberals talk about?
Have you ever thought about the scripture that talks about two ways of life? In Matthew 7:13-14 the reference is to a narrow gate and a wide road; many travel the wide road, WHY? Their choices are not on the things of God; many people get caught up in what the secular world has to offer and neglect the way of God; not actually bad people but don’t involve themselves with God. It appears when compared to the many traveling the wide road, few enter thru the narrow gate that leads to heaven.
How about you; scripture says “you must be born again”; have you been born again spiritually?
Backing up a minute. The concept of the Triune God is in a way, a mystery. It has been defined in different ways but I believe that God is all three; they have the same make-up. Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” John 10:37-38. Again in John 8:15-16 the Father and Son are compared. There are many other references but John 10:14-18 is good. Just like God is three in one; another triune example, though not great, is an Egg. The egg is made up of three; shell, yoke and the white protein, which are all a part of the “egg”. It is one egg but three parts. “Father, Son, & Holy Spirit = God.”
Question-5: Does sin require forgiveness?
WHY did God, the immortal Son, have to leave heaven and be born on earth as a mortal? Sin is the reason; Romans 3:23. The shedding of blood had to take place by ‘God’. He had to become a man, just like me to actually take my place. Back in Leviticus 16:1-34 is the scripture that God gave to Moses. It provided, for a once a year ATONEMENT to the Nation. When you read the scripture it tells of a sin offering to be performed by Aaron, the High Priest at that time; the brother of Moses. The shedding of the lambs blood was just temporary, one time a year. The shedding of blood by ‘God the Son’ was done one time for ALL mortals. That’s WHY the Christian Faith tells us that we have to trust in Christ for our Atonement. No one individual is good enough to go through that narrow gate, the one known as the pearly gate; the doorway to heaven on their own. Someone had to shed the blood for atonement, someone has to proclaim that our salvation has been paid for, someone has to mediate between the awesome Holy JUDGE of the universe and you or I; we are sinners by nature. My mediator, is Christ the Lord. Jesus is the New Covenant to the Christian.
Jesus is the only one who is fully GOD and also fully MAN. He sits at the right hand of HIS Majesty; making intersession for Christians.
Question-6: Why share the Gospel with others?
WHY would I put this document out in public for you to read? I hope that it might cause you to think about a choice you should make. Once each of us take that last breath; our eternity begins. According to Luke 23:32-43 Jesus was judged along with two thieves. The three were put on crosses and then in verses 40-42 the one thief made a choice to claim Christ as his atonement; he then rebuked the words of the other thief. Which of the two thieves did Christ say he would welcome into Paradise? The reason I asked WHY is that I hope you each choose Christ Jesus before that last breath.
Scripture tells all of us what we must do. There are many verses which help us in this task. Here are a few to consider and then in your own words talk with God. Scripture “means what it says and says what it means”; when read in context. What God the Son did for ALL was to provide payment or the ransom for our eternal souls. There is no other way to get to heaven but through HIM.
What’s your ‘Why’ Question?
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Scripture references
NASB version
Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the road is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
[Narrow Gate = Heaven; Wide Road = Hell]
John 10:37-38, If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
[Jesus is the ONLY Begotten; the rest of us are a part of the created offspring, in God’s image.]
Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [ALL sinners need to be forgiven]
Luke 23:32-43, Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments [Ps. 22:18] among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He [Jesus] said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with ME in Paradise.”
[The 2nd criminal confessed Jesus publicly as the Christ. He verbally put his trust in Jesus; have you?]
Matthew 10:32-33, [Jesus speaking] “Therefore everyone who confesses ME before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies ME before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
[This is a black or white area, no gray; a no-commitment defaults negative. You are OF-CHRIST or you are antichrist.]
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DG