VIII.
Reference #1: Common Questions Pertaining to
Faith
A.
How do I know that there is a God? (Rom 1:18-20)
1.
The retribution for good and evil (Rom 1:18; Rev
22:12).
2.
Man’s natural desire to worship (Rom 1:19;
21-23).
3.
Natural inclination toward good (Rom 1:19; 2:14,
15; Mt 19:17).
4.
The creation of all things (Rom 1:20; Heb 3:4).
5.
The mystery of life (Rom 1:20; Job 12:10).
6.
The orderliness found in universe (Rom 1:20; Heb
1:3).
7.
The existence of miracles (Rom 1:20; Acts 2:22).
8.
The experience of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 3:24).
B.
How did God come to be?
1.
Not a creature (Rom 1:25).
2.
Not transformed from a dead person (Job 7:9,
10).
3.
Self-existent and everlasting, “I AM WHO I AM”
(Ex 3:14).
4.
The only God (Mk 12:29; 1 Cor
8:5, 6).
5.
Fills all in all (Jn
4:24: Eph 1:23).
C.
Why should one worship the true God?
1.
Our duty (Eccl 12:13).
a.
He gave birth to (created) us (Ps 139:13-15)
b.
He raised us (Acts 14:15-17)
c.
Life, death, curses, and blessings are all in
His hands (1 Thess 2:6, 7)
d.
He has a father-son relationship with us (Lk 3:38)
(a)
We ought to obey and respect Him like a parent
(Acts 17:24-29; Isa 1:2, 3).
2.
To have peace (Job 22:21; Isa 26:3).
a.
The world is a bitter sea
3.
To return home in heaven (Heb 11:13-16; Rev
21:4) like the prodigal son.
a.
We are like pilgrims
D.
Why should one believe in Jesus?
1.
Everyone has fallen into sin (Rom 3:23- 5:12).
(Please also refer to question H)
2.
No one can save himself or others (Rom 7:14-24).
(Please also refer to M)
3.
Everyone shall be destroyed in the future (Heb
9:27, Rom 6:23).
(Please also refer to I)
4.
Faith in Jesus can release one from bondage (Jn 3:16-18).
(Please also refer to J)
E.
Who is Jesus? (Mt 16)
1.
He is God born as man (Jn
1:1, 14, 18).
(Please refer to F)
2.
He is the Savior of mankind (Lk
2:8-11; Jn 3:16).
(Please refer to G)
F.
How do we know that Jesus is the true God?
1.
His birth (Mt 1:18-25).
2.
His miracles (Jn 3:2;
10:37, 38).
3.
His character (Rom 5:6-8).
4.
His resurrection (Jn
20:26-28).
5.
His promise (Jn
14:16-20; Acts 2:4).
6.
What He called Himself (Jn
10:30; 14:8, 9).
a.
Was He a lunatic, a liar, or the True God?
G.
How do we know that Jesus is the Savior?
1.
Sinlessness (Rom 5:12;
Ps 4:15; Mt 1:20, 21).
2.
Victory over sin (Rom 7:15-29; Heb 4:14-16).
3.
Forgiving sins of men (Mk 2:5-12).
4.
Resurrection (1 Cor
15:20-22; 50-58).
5.
Ascension to heaven (Jn
14:2, 3; 16:5-7).
H.
Do I have sins?
1.
From the following consequences or recompenses
of sin, we know that one has sins
a.
Toils of life (Gen 3:16-19; Ps 90:10).
b.
Death (Gen 19; Eccl 8:8; Rom 5:12).
c.
Sinful deeds (Gen 3:7; Rom 7:14-23).
I.
God is good and kind. Will He condemn men’s sins?
1.
God is merciful and does not want the sinners to
perish (Ps 103:8-13; Ezek 33:11; 2 Pet 3:9).
2.
God is just and cannot ignore sin (Dan 9:14; Nah
1:3).
J.
I have so many grievous sins. Will God want me?
1.
Jesus came to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15; Isa
1:18).
2.
Jesus was and still is a friend to sinners (Mt
9:10-13; Rom 5:8).
3.
As long as you repent and receive the Lord's
baptism (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
K.
After I have improved myself, I will believe in
Jesus
1.
Man cannot rely on himself to forsake evil for
good (Rom 7:18-24).
2.
Only by relying on the Lord can one be perfect
(Rom 8:1-4).
L.
As long as my heart is sincere, it does not
matter what I believe
1.
We must worship God in spirit and truth (Jn 4:24).
2.
Believe in Jesus, and He will forgive your sins
and give you salvation (Jn 3:16; Mk 16:16; Acts
22:16).
3.
If one refuses to believe in the truth, he will
be condemned (2 Thess 2:10-12).
M.
Why should I believe in anything if I can
cultivate myself and do good deeds?
1.
There is no one in the world who
always does good and never sins (Eccl 7:20; Rom 2:10-12).
2.
Confucius said: “Knowing righteousness but
unable to act upon it; knowing evil and incapable to change, such is my
sorrow.”
3.
Paul (Rom 7:18).
4.
It does not come from righteous deeds but from
one’s faith in the Lord (Rom 3:23-28).