Frequently Asked Questions

The following tract is posted here to provide answers to many questions asked about the church of Christ and New Testament Christianity, and to encourage further study of God's word to learn what His will is for mankind.

Some Vital Questions and Bible Answers

by Mack Lyon

There are many very vital religious questions with which we are confronted. Every man is responsible for his own soul, and must learn the truth on all such questions. The writer believes that the Bible is the Supreme authority in all matters religious, and as the final authority provides a sufficient answer to every problem of life. For this reason, we have presented the more common and vital questions of the day, with a scripture reference for the answer. Believing that the opinions of men are confusing, and have no place in religion, we have sought to eliminate all comments of our own, that you may read your Bible and know what it says.

It is our earnest desire that you shall know and obey the truth. John 8:24; Rom. 6:16-17.

1. Hear the gospel. Acts 2:37; Rom. 10:13-15; Jas. 1:25, Rev. 3:20.

2. Believe in Jesus as Christ. John 8:24; Rom. 10:10; Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; John 3:16; Rom. 5:1.

3. Repent. Luke 13:3-5; 24:46; Acts 2:38; 17:30.

4. Confess Christ. Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-37.

5. Be baptized. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; I Pet. 3:21.

1. It is a burial & resurrection. Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12.

2. It is a planting. Rom. 6:3-5.

3. It is a bodily washing. Heb. 10:2-22.

4. It is a birth of water. John 3:3-5.

5. The element used is water. Acts 8:36-39.

6. It requires much water. John 3:23.

7. It requires going down into water. Acts 8:38.

8. It requires coming up out of water. Acts 8:38.

1. Christ commanded it. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16.

2. For (unto) the remission of sins. Acts 2:38.

3. For (unto) the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:9, 11.

4. To wash away sins. Acts 22:16.

5. To enter the church. I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23.

6. To complete regeneration. John 3:3, 5; Jas. 1:17; (Gal. 3:27; 2 Cor. 5:17).

7. Baptism saves. I Pet. 3:21.

8. To enter Christ. Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27.

1. In Christ we are new creatures. 2 Cor. 5:17.

2. In Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7.

3. In Christ we have reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:17-19.

4. In Christ we have all spiritual blessings. Eph. 1:3.

5. In Christ there is life. 2 Tim. 1:1.

9. To reach atoning blood of Christ, shed in his death. Rom. 6:3-4; John 19:34; Rev. 1:5.

1. God warned against it. I Cor. 10:12.

2. Some had fallen. Gal. 5:4.

3. God provided for a brother's return. Jas. 5:19; Acts 8:22.

4. He made eternal life conditional. Rev. 2:10; I Cor. 15:2; Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 1:10; I Cor. 9:27; 2 Pet. 2:20-21; John 8:15; Gal. 6:7-9.

5. If a Christian can sin, he can be lost. Rev. 21:8, 27; Gal. 5:19-21.

6. Weak brother can perish. I Cor. 8:11.

7. If Christians live after the flesh, they shall die. Rom. 8:13.

8. Some gathered out of Kingdom, cast into fire. Matt. 13:41; (All in Kingdom are saved, John 3:3).

9. God spared not angels that sinned. 2 Pet. 2:4.

1. Sabbath given to Israel only. Deut. 5:1-5; Ex. 31:13.

2. It was sign between God and Israel. Ex. 31:16.

3. Given for remembrance of deliverance out of Egypt. Deut. 5:15.

4. Was to endure throughout their generations. Ex. 31:13-16.

5. Was to end at Christ's crucifixion. Amos 8:4-9; Mark 15:33.

6. Sabbath was part of "law of Moses," "law of God," "law" delivered at Sinai. Neh. 1:1-8, Rom. 7:4, 7.

7. Christians are dead to that law. Rom. 7:4-7.

8. We are delivered from that law. Rom. 6:6.

9. Christ is the end of that law. Rom. 6:14; Gal. 5:18.

10. Sabbath was blotted out at cross. Col. 2:14.

1. It is the body of Christ. Col. 1;18; Eph. 1:22-23.

2. It is the family of God. I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19.

3. It is the Kingdom of God, or Christ. Matt. 16:16-19; Acts 2:38-42, 47.

4. It is the Temple of God (the habitation of God through the Spirit). Eph. 2:20-22; II Cor. 6:16.

1. Only one church by divine appointment.

2. "There is one body" Eph. 4:4.

1. Body is church. Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18.

2. Hence only one church.

3. There is "but one body" (church) I Cor. 12:20.

4. "I will build my church" (one) Matt. 16:18.

5. You can't join it. Be saved and the Lord will add you to it. Acts 2:47.

6. Gates of Hades shall not prevail against His church. Matt. 16:18.

7. Every plant God has not planted shall be rooted up. Matt. 15:13.

8. Don't become member of anything you can "join."

1. All saved in the church. Acts 2:47.

2. Church will finally be offered to Christ. Eph. 5:25-27.

3. Christ purchased it with His own blood. Acts 20:28. Did He purchase a non-essential?

4. Christ gave Himself up for it. Eph. 5:25. Did He give Himself for a non-essential?

5. Christ built the church. Matt. 16:18. Did He build a non-essential?

6. God planned the church. Eph. 2:11. Did He plan a non-essential?

7. If some are saved in it, and some out of it, there are two ways. Matt. 7:13-14.

8. Reconciled in the body. Eph. 2:16. Body is the church.

1. By being saved. Acts 2:47.

2. See "What must I do to be saved?"

1. Teaching the word. Acts 2:42.

2. Contribution of means on the first day of the week. I Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42.

3. Singing. I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15.

4. Praying. Acts 2:42; I Cor. 14:15; I Thess. 5:17.

5. Observing the Lord's supper on the first day of the week. Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:26; Acts 20:7. These acts performed from the heart. Col. 3:16.

1. Church of God. I Cor. 1:1-2; I Tim. 3:15.

2. Church of the Lord. Acts 20:28 A.S.V.

3. Churches of Christ. Rom. 16:16.

4. My church (the Lord's) Matt. 16:18.

1. Not everyone, but he that doeth. Matt. 7:21.

2. Some will be rejected. Matt. 7:23.

3. The chief of sinners was conscientious. Acts 23:1; I Tim. 1:15. And lost. Acts 9:6; Acts 22:16.

4. Some doctrines false. Matt. 24:24; I John 4:1.

5. Can believe a lie and be damned. II Thess. 2:11-12.

6. To prove all things, hold fast to that which is good. I Thess. 5:21.

7. To try the spirits. I John 4:1.

8. To search the scriptures whether these things are so. Acts 17:11.

9. Religious folk will not be saved unless born again. John 3:3, 5. Converted. Matt. 18:3.

10. God does not approve of religious division. Gal. 5:19-21; John 17:11; 20, 21, 22, 23; I Cor. 1:10. He who practices it cannot go to heaven. Gal. 5:19-20.

1. Christ is the head. Eph. 5:22-23; Col. 1:18.

1. Church is subject to Him. Eph. 5:23.

2. Elders in every church. Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; I Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17; I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-10.

3. Deacons as helpers. I Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-8.

4. Members. I Cor. 12:27.

5. No ecclesiastical orders, synods, conferences, conventions, etc. Each congregation independent of all others yet bound together in love for a common salvation. Jude 3.

1. As followers of Christ - disciples. Acts 20:7.

2. As to purity of life - saints. I Cor. 1:2.

3. As related to the Father - children of God. Gal. 3:26; Rom. 8:16.

4. As related to each other - brethren. Heb. 3:1; I Cor. 15:1, 6.

5. CHRISTIANS. Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Pet. 4:16.

1. All scripture is inspired of God. II Tim. 3:16-17.

2. God has given all things that pertain to life and Godliness. II Pet. 1:3.

3. Faith was once delivered to saints. Jude 3.

4. Holy Spirit to reveal to apostles ALL truth. John 16:13.

5. Apostles wrote their revelation. Eph. 3:1-4.

6. When we read we may understand. Eph. 3:1-4.

7. If preach any other gospel than Paul, accursed. Gal. 1:6-9.

1. Time for miracles has passed. I Cor. 13:8, 10.

2. Purpose for miracles ceased.

1. Purpose was to confirm word. Mark 16:20; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 8:6; Heb. 2:1-4.

2. Word once confirmed need not be continually confirmed.

3. Means of obtaining miraculous powers cut off.

1. Power given by Baptism of Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4, 43.

2. Power given by laying on of Apostles' hands. Acts 6:6; 8:6; 8:12-21; 19:6.

3. Do not have access to either of these today.

Get your Bible and read these references for yourself, "to see if these things are so" (Acts 17:11). "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

There is a church of Christ near you that teaches and practices according to the New Testament.

Reprinted with permission of the author.