Questions about God
This is a great resource for those of you who have questions about God and your relationship with Him. This is here to benefit you in your search for Christ. Our goal is to lead you to Jesus, whether it is with Open Heart's or another member of the body of Christ. Also if some of your questions are not answered in this section, feel free to email us with your question and we will try our hardest to provide you with the answer.
1. What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?
The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of “do’s and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is important for us to understand because sometimes when we begin the search for God we become fearful, when we introduce Christ into our lives He begins to change us. Let me tell you it isn't possible to have someone as big as God come into your life and your values don't change. So in other words chill out, get to know Him and allow Him to work wonders in your life.
2. How do I convert to Christianity?
A man in the Greek city of Phillipi asked a very similar question of Paul and Silas. We know at least three things about this man: he was a jailer, he was a pagan, and he was desperate. He had been on the verge of suicide when Paul stopped him. And that’s when the man asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) The very fact that the man asks the question shows that he recognized his need of salvation—he saw only death for himself, and he knew he needed help. The fact that he asks Paul and Silas shows that he believed they had the answer.That answer comes swiftly and simply: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (verse 31). The passage goes on to show how the man did believe and was converted. His life began displaying the difference from that day forward. To put it simply, to convert to Christianity, you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sin and rose again. You must agree with God that you are a sinner in need of salvation, and you must trust in Jesus alone to save you. When you turn from sin to Christ, God promises to save you and give you the Holy Spirit, Who will make you a new creature.
3. What is salvation?
Salvation is God's gift to us through the sacrifice of His only son Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ into our hearts and confess that we are sinners and ask Jesus to change us, we are forgiven. When I say forgiven I don't mean just today, I mean everything you have done is wiped clean. You are a new creation in Christ. Think about that for a second. You get the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and freedom from all your past sin's and mistakes. Sound's like a pretty sweet deal to me. If you are at a point in your life where you feel God tugging on your heart let me walk you through some scripture to aid you in accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.
1. Everyone needs salvation because we all have sinned:
Romans 3:10-12, and 23
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” ... For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
2. The price of sin is death. ( I know this sounds harsh, but sadly it is true)
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the price for our death.
Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
4. We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9-10, and 13
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
5. Salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship of peace with God.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us
Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?
The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of “do’s and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is important for us to understand because sometimes when we begin the search for God we become fearful, when we introduce Christ into our lives He begins to change us. Let me tell you it isn't possible to have someone as big as God come into your life and your values don't change. So in other words chill out, get to know Him and allow Him to work wonders in your life.
2. How do I convert to Christianity?
A man in the Greek city of Phillipi asked a very similar question of Paul and Silas. We know at least three things about this man: he was a jailer, he was a pagan, and he was desperate. He had been on the verge of suicide when Paul stopped him. And that’s when the man asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) The very fact that the man asks the question shows that he recognized his need of salvation—he saw only death for himself, and he knew he needed help. The fact that he asks Paul and Silas shows that he believed they had the answer.That answer comes swiftly and simply: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (verse 31). The passage goes on to show how the man did believe and was converted. His life began displaying the difference from that day forward. To put it simply, to convert to Christianity, you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sin and rose again. You must agree with God that you are a sinner in need of salvation, and you must trust in Jesus alone to save you. When you turn from sin to Christ, God promises to save you and give you the Holy Spirit, Who will make you a new creature.
3. What is salvation?
Salvation is God's gift to us through the sacrifice of His only son Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ into our hearts and confess that we are sinners and ask Jesus to change us, we are forgiven. When I say forgiven I don't mean just today, I mean everything you have done is wiped clean. You are a new creation in Christ. Think about that for a second. You get the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and freedom from all your past sin's and mistakes. Sound's like a pretty sweet deal to me. If you are at a point in your life where you feel God tugging on your heart let me walk you through some scripture to aid you in accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.
1. Everyone needs salvation because we all have sinned:
Romans 3:10-12, and 23
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” ... For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
2. The price of sin is death. ( I know this sounds harsh, but sadly it is true)
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the price for our death.
Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
4. We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9-10, and 13
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
5. Salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship of peace with God.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us
Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.