Requirements For Salvation (Question 9 of "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question  9:  To be saved is it necessary that one, 1) be born of water and of the Spirit, 2) eat Jesus' flesh and drink His blood and 3) receive the Kingdom of God as a child?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions")

Answer:  I believe the intent of this question is an attempt to show a contradiction in regard to what the exact requirements are for salvation.  What the person asking the question doesn't realize is that the basic requirement of salvation, which is belief in and surrender to Jesus Christ, is encompassed by all three points in the question.  Surrender to Jesus Christ consists of repentance for our sins and acknowledgement of Him as Lord of our life.  Therefore, ultimately, we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ as the payment for our sins against God (Eph 2:8, 2 Tim 3:15), however genuine "faith" in Jesus Christ is a multi-faceted thing.  Meaning, it is one thing made up of many parts to make a whole, each part being encompassed by the basic requirements of belief, repentance and surrender.

For example, when I say "salvation is through surrender to Jesus Christ," I am speaking a true statement.  When I say "salvation is by our repentance from sin," I am speaking a true statement.  When I say "salvation is by acknowledging Jesus as Lord of our life," that is another true statement.  When I say "we are saved by God's grace through our faith in Jesus," yet another true statement.  All these statements are true, all will lead to salvation, but all these statements are meant to be understood as a whole. Salvation and genuine faith are meant to be understood in the context of the entire Gospel.

 1)  When Jesus said "..unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5),  Jesus was talking about being born again.

The context of this passage is when Jesus was speaking to the Pharisee Nicodemus and He tells him at verse 3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus asks Jesus how could a person possibly be born twice?
That is when Jesus tells him at verse 5, "..unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".

So what does Jesus mean when He says one must be "born of water and the Spirit"?  When Jesus said, "unless one is born of water...", He was referring not only to the literal, physical birth of a human being, but also to Himself as the Living Water that indwells all genuine Christians.  So to be "born again" you must first literally be born into this world, you must exist here in the flesh.  Then you must give yourself over to Christ by believing in Him, which effects the "new birth" of a person as a "new creature in Christ" (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)

Jesus tells us at John 4:14, "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."
Again at John 7:37-39, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive;"
Only the spiritual bodies of those who have been born again can enter the kingdom of God, and those spiritual bodies must be washed clean by Jesus as the Living Water and born-anew by the blood of Christ.
So, do we have to be born-again to enter the kingdom of God?  Yes, that is a true statement.

2)  When Jesus said, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves." (John 6:53), Jesus is making a many-faceted inference. 

-As food is the source that keeps us physically alive, so is Jesus Who keeps us spiritually alive, "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world... I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." (John 6:33,35)
- Jesus is also inferring that we must "consume" His word and allow Him to "dwell" in us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." (John 6:63)  Jesus says the words He speaks to us are life.  Jesus is also called the Word that was made flesh (John 1:14).  
-Another reference that Jesus is making, is to our acceptance of the pouring out of His blood on the cross as the atonement of our sins, "And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'" (Matt 26:28)
So, do we have to, in essence, "consume" Christ to be born-again?  Yes, that is a true statement.

3)  When Jesus said, "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." (Mark 10:15), He was referring to child-like faith and obedience.  "Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'" (John 6:29)  A child should trust their parent and believe what they are told by their parent is truth, they should not disrespect their parent, nor should they be disobedient or rebellious.

So, do we have to have faith, trust and obedience toward God to enter His kingdom?  Yes, that is a true statement.

All three statements in Question 9 are true, and meant to be understood as a whole and in the context of the entire Gospel message.

Morality And Charity (Questions 7 & 8 of "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Questions 7 & 8:  Is one who is very moral and charitable, but who has never repented, saved?  Is one who is very moral and charitable, but who does not believe in God's Son saved?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions?")

Answer:  No.  Repentance and belief in Jesus Christ are required for salvation.  As stated in my answer to "Question 4", genuine belief in Jesus Christ as the propitiation for the sins of mankind brings a person to repentance.  And belief in Jesus Christ is an absolute necessity for salvation, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). 

We cannot earn our way to heaven, if we could, then Jesus' death on the cross would be rendered pointless.  Jesus had to die because it was impossible to save ourselves.  Because the sin of one man caused the fall of all mankind, only a Man Who had no sin could make atonement for all of mankind. (2 Cor 5:21; Isaiah 53:12; Rom 5:17-19; Rom 4:25; Matt 26:28; Luke 22:20; Mark 14:24; Heb 9:14,15,28)

Therefore no matter how "moral and charitable" a person is, unless they have surrendered to Christ, they are not saved.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph 2: 8,9)

As far as morality, for a person that doesn't believe in the Bible or hold God as the ultimate standard of measure, morality is relative.  Meaning, what they define as "moral" may not be according to what God defines as "moral", and His definition is the only one that matters.

My initial answer to this question was short and sweet.  However, God kept bringing me back to it, agitating my spirit to where I really didn't feel like I had given an adequate answer.  I slept on it and prayed about it, then felt that God was leading me to confront each and every scripture that was being used in an attempt to prove a contradiction on this point.  I felt very strongly that this was something that God wanted specifically addressed--something that was important to Him to get across to people.  So I prayed about it for several days, asking God to guide me in understanding and to lead me with His words over my own.  That is why my answer to this question is particularly long, because I have taken the time to explain each scripture reference in detail.  It is my heartfelt prayer that everyone who takes the time to read it, despite its length, will be blessed and edified.  To God be the glory.

The Scripture the "Biblical Contradictions" page uses as argument are as follows:

-(Matt 19:16-17) This scripture is grossly taken out of context. 

The context of this scripture is the account of a rich young man who sought to debate Jesus about good works.  In verse 17, Jesus even corrects the young man's understanding of God's standard of "good" versus our human understanding of "good" when He says, "Why are you asking Me about what is good?  There is only One Who is good..." 
Then Jesus concedes to enter the debate with the young man, with the sole intent to teach him truth.  He begins by telling him to keep the commandments, knowing that is what the young man expects Jesus to say. But Jesus' intent is to lead the conversation to where He can make His point to the young man and show him his error.  Which we are shown at verse 20 when the young man says, "..what am I still lacking?" Jesus answers, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."   So we see Jesus' actual response to the young man's question in verse 16, "..what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?"  isn't until verse 20 when He says, "come follow Me."  Jesus implies complete surrender by telling the young man to forsake all of his possessions and follow Him. 
Following Jesus requires belief in Him and repentance.

-(Matt 25:34-40,46)  This scripture is the parable of the sheep and the goats and is taken out of context. 

The setting of this event is after the tribulation when Jesus returns to set up His millennial kingdom.  When put in the proper context with the Gospel message as a whole, it is understood that the good works mentioned in the parable are not the cause of salvation, but the effect of salvation.  In the context of the Gospel message as a whole, we know that the good works of the sheep result from their relationship to the Shepherd.  The basic message of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is that followers of Jesus will serve others as if they were serving Jesus Himself.
Serving Jesus requires belief in Him and repentance.

-(Mk 10:17-21)  This is a parallel account of Matthew 19:16-17.  See my comments above.

-(Luke 10:25-37)  This is the Parable of the Good Samaritan and is taken out of context. 

At verse 25 the first thing we are told is the person speaking to Jesus was seeking to put Him to the test.  This account is very much like the rich young man who sought to debate Jesus about good works we previously discussed above.  A man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus replies, "..love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (v. 27)  When you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, your greatest desire is to obey Him. 
Obedience to Jesus requires belief in Him and repentance.

-(Luke 18:18-22)  This is another parallel account of Matthew 19:16-17.  See my comments above.

-(John 5:28,29)  These verses are taken out of context from an account of Jesus explaining His equality with God to a group of unbelieving Jews who sought to kill Him. 

Jesus explains to them at verse 24 exactly what is required for eternal life, "he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."  At verse 28 and 29 Jesus repeats this same point, but in the context of the resurrection of the dead, "..an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear [the voice of the Son of God] and come out-- those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."
Look again at this verse when He says, "those who have done good to the resurrection of life.."  Then look again at verse 24 where He defines "good" and what must be done to gain the resurrection of life, "he who hears my word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life".
Eternal life through Jesus requires belief in Him and repentance.

-(John 8:51)  This one is pretty self-explanatory and shows just how spiritually blind the person is who made the list of these supposed "Biblical Contradictions."

At John 8:51 Jesus says, "Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death."  What is Jesus' word?  Over and over throughout the entire Gospel account Jesus says, "Believe in Me."  The whole point of the Gospel message is about repentance and belief in Jesus Christ.  Believe in Me, believe in Me, He says it over and over and over.  There is no possibility whatsoever that anyone who has actually read even just one of the Gospel accounts, wouldn't understand this.  Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.." (John 11:25,26)
Keeping Jesus' word requires belief in Him and repentance.

-(Rom 2:5-7,10)  This scripture is about God rendering judgment according to each person's deeds and is taken out of context.

Paul is not contradicting the emphasis throughout the entirety of his recorded writings which attest that salvation is by faith in Christ, not according to a person's deeds.  The context of this passage is Paul explaining to certain Jews (who put their faith in their good works, rather than Christ), the principles of God's judgment, laying the groundwork to make his point that without Christ, they are hypocrites in their good deeds.  At verse 16, Paul explains to them that all deeds, whether good or bad, will be judged "through Christ Jesus."  The context of this passage is with the intent to show the Jews that without faith in Jesus Christ, they were condemned by the Law. 
At verse 5 Paul tells them they are, "storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."  How does God judge?  "...through Christ Jesus." (verse 16)  At verse 7 Paul says that those who persevere in doing good, seek eternal life.  And because Paul was an Apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he was not referring to the human standard of "doing good", he was referring to God's standard of "doing good" in the context of eternal life. 
According to the Law, what is God's standard of "good" in the context of eternal life?  "..'what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'  And [Jesus] said to him, 'What is written in the Law?'  And he answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'  Jesus said, 'You have answered correctly, Do this and you will live.'"  (Luke 10:25-28)
Loving God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind requires belief in Jesus and repentance.

-(James 2:24)  This scripture is in regard to faith without works, and is taken out of context.

James 2:24 says, "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."  The context of this passage is in regard to what is referred to or considered "dead faith."  Verse 17 says, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."  Dead faith is the intellectual acceptance of certain truths about Christ, without actual trust in Christ as Savior.  In essence, what this verse is addressing is genuine faith on the basis of surrender to Christ as Lord of a person's life, versus superficial faith which produces no internal change in the heart, spirit and mind of a person.  True faith in Christ, produces a genuine conversion of the individual.  Meaning, genuine faith in Christ will evidence itself through the change that begins to take place in a person, which will eventually begin to manifest itself through their actions (works).  "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor 5:17)  In essence, what James 2:24 is trying to explain is that our faith is justified by our "works".   Meaning, our genuine faith is declared authentic when we begin to act like it.
Genuine faith in Jesus requires belief in Jesus and repentance, and that genuine faith will manifest itself through our actions.

Repentance And Good Deeds (Question 4, 5 & 6 of "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question 4:  Is one who believes in God's Son, but who has never repented, saved?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions?")

Answer:  Genuine belief in Jesus Christ as the propitiation for the sins of mankind, brings a person to repentance.  They are mutually inclusive.  When scripture talks about "belief in Jesus Christ", it is referring more to a state of mind which affects a person's way of life, rather than a superficial acknowledgment.  The devil "believes" in Jesus Christ, insomuch as he acknowledges His existence, Who He is in relation to God and what He accomplished on the cross.  But we know that the devil is obviously not saved.  Why?  Because the devil has not repented of his sin, nor has he submitted to Jesus as Lord of his life.

Any scripture used to argue any perceived contradiction of this point is irrelevant, because any reference in scripture to "believing in Jesus Christ" assumes genuine belief which requires submission and repentance. 

Questions 5 & 6:  Is one who believes in God's Son, but has done no good deeds, saved?  Is one who has called upon the name of the Lord, but who has done no good deeds, saved?

Answer:  Two scriptures from the "Biblical Contradictions" page used in an attempt to prove a contradiction on this matter are Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13, both of which quote the Book of Joel, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

This is a quote from the Old Testament (Joel 2:32), and should be understood in the Old Testament context.  To "call upon the name of the Lord" in the Old Testament context, deals with worship, adoration and prayer.  It implies submission and obedience, because those who called upon the name of the Lord, made Him Lord of their life and lived their lives accordingly.

The other scriptures on the "Biblical Contradictions" page which are used in an attempt to prove contradiction are all in the context of faith without works.  The implication of this concept is that someone who is genuinely saved, someone who has genuinely put their faith in Jesus Christ, can't help but do good works.  Scripture says, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13).  Those who are truly saved are indwelled by God's Holy Spirit, Whom we are told is at work in us to accomplish good things. 

Is Salvation Predestined? (Question 3 From "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question 3:  Is salvation totally predestined by God?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions?" )

Answer:  The notion of predestination is much better served by using the word "foreknown".  Like we previously discussed in my answer to "Question 2", God foreknew those who would be obedient (Abraham, Isaac, etc.) and those who would choose salvation.  In that context, God "chooses" different people for different tasks and different levels of service.  But still, it all remains contingent upon the obedience and submission of each individual.  God doesn't force us to do anything.

Roman 8:29 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son... and these whom He predestined, He also called..."

Those who "love God" are those who choose salvation and obedience.  Those who choose salvation and obedience "are called according to His purpose".  God "foreknew" that I would reach a point in my life in which I chose complete obedience to Him, therefore I was "predestined to become conformed into the image of Christ."  God "calls us according to His purpose", because our obedience and humility make us usable.

Even though God already knew who would choose to come to salvation, we are still expected to share the Gospel with everyone we possibly can.  For people to choose salvation, they have to hear about it, and they cannot hear about it unless it is shared with them (Rom 10:14).  What about those who never hear it?  Perhaps those who never hear it are those whom God knew would never receive it anyway, which is something only He could know, which makes that His business.  Only God can see a man's heart (1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:10), and since we can't, we are called to share the Gospel with all men.

The Scripture the "Biblical Contradictions" page uses as argument are as follows:

-(Psalm 65:4) "How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts."

God chooses the righteous to be near Him, but we choose to be righteous.

 -(Prov 16:9 & 20:24) "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." 

We can make all the plans in the world, but they are still subject to fate, destiny, the effects of other people's choices and prayers, and God's overall sovereignty.  Hitler planned to take over all of Europe, but his plans were still subject to the prayers of those who were against his nefarious plans and subject to the free will of those whom God worked through to bring about an end to those plans. 

-all other scripture used on the page as argument is based on God's foreknowledge of who would choose to follow Him and can be understood in that context

Will Everyone Be Saved? (Question 2, From "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question 2:  Will everyone get saved?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions?")

Answer:  No. Not everyone will be saved because everyone has free will and, unfortunately, there will be those who will choose not to accept salvation through Jesus Christ.  Once you hear the Gospel, you are accountable to it, you must choose.  Those who hear the Gospel and accept it, are compelled to share it (Mark 16:15; Matt 28:19; Acts 1:8).  That is our instruction, therefore that should be our focus:   sharing the Gospel with all whom we can.  It is our responsibility to share the Gospel, it is God's responsibility to deal with those who have not heard the Gospel.  We know what God will do with those who hear the Gospel and reject it.  What God will do with those who have not heard the Gospel is His business.

The Scriptures the "Biblical Contradictions" page uses as argument are as follows:

-(John 12:32)  The literal reading of John 12:32 is, "If I am lifted up/raised up from the earth I will drag/draw all to myself." 

Jesus will draw all "what" to Himself?  We are told "what" at John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day."
What Jesus is saying at John 12:32 is that all who are drawn by God will be drawn to Him.  Who does God draw?  Those whom He knew would receive the Gospel, rather than reject it. 
We are also told in Col 1:19,20, "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross."  Therefore Jesus is also attesting to the reconciliation of all creation back unto God through His death on the cross. 

When Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30), He was referring to many things, not the least of which being God's plan for the reconciliation of all creation back unto Himself, including the salvation of mankind, which includes drawing unto Himself all those who will ultimately choose salvation.  God tells us, "I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done," (Isaiah 46:9, 10).  This means that He knew who would choose obedience and salvation before He ever created us.  It is those whom He knew would choose obedience and salvation which He draws unto Himself.  And because God is perfect in fairness and perfectly just, He has made the potential of salvation available to all mankind, but not all will choose it.  All of creation is reconciled through Jesus' death on the cross, but not all of creation will be saved. (2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev 21:1; Isaiah 65:17)

-(Romans 5:18) "through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men." 

When taken out of context, this scripture is used to argue that all will be saved, but when placed in its full and proper context, it is understood to mean the same thing I stated above:  salvation is available to all, but will not be chosen by all.

-(Romans 11:32) "For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all." 

God shows all of us mercy because salvation is available to us all, but not all will choose it.

-(1 Cor 15:22) "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." 

Only those who believe in Christ can be in Christ.  Therefore, all who are saved "in" Christ by making Him Lord of their life will surely be made alive.  Those who have rejected Christ are not "in" Christ, and therefore choose death.

-(1 Tim 2:4,6) "God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.... who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time." 

Just because God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth, doesn't mean that all men will.  Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all, making salvation available to all, but not all will choose it.

-(1 John 2:2) "..and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." 

Once again, salvation is available to all, but will not be chosen by all.

Hell And Eternal Torment (Question 1 From "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question 1:  Are unsaved sinners eternally tormented?
(Part of a series entitled  "Biblical Contradictions?")

Answer:  It doesn't really matter.  The only thing that matters is that hell is a real place and you don't want to be there.  Scripture used to debate the suffering that takes place in hell does not necessarily contradict itself because hell is a place that does not exist in our plane of reality.  Hell is not bound by the confines of linear time and corporeal space like earth is, because hell is in a spiritual realm.  Therefore, any attempts to describe it may seem contradictory because we are attempting to describe an eternal realm with a finite, non-eternal language and limited understanding. 

 

There is also more than one "hell", therefore if scriptures describing hell seem to contradict themselves, we may need to ask which hell they are describing.  We know that one hell which is described by darkness is referred to as Tartarus, which is where the angels who rebelled are being held in chains until judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).  Another hell is described as a lake of fire, which is where the devil, beast and false prophet will be thrown (Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10). And yet another hell, referred to as Hades, is described as a sort of holding place for the unsaved until the judgment (Rev 20:13).  Then, even Hades itself will be thrown into the hell that is described as the lake of fire (Rev 20:14). 

Ultimately, scripture describes hell as a place of destruction.  It doesn't really matter whether that destruction happens in an instant or over an eternity because either way, torment is involved.  All that matters is that hell is a place that God has given us the ability to avoid through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Contradictions?

I received an email from someone with a link to a page entitled "Biblical Contradictions Regarding Salvation."  Using scripture, the person who wrote the page presents the premise that the Bible contradicts Itself on the topic of salvation and the exact method required for a person to become, and be considered, "saved."  There were nine questions regarding salvation, each question having a list of scripture supporting a "yes" answer, and a list supporting a "no" answer.  After reading through the list, three things became glaringly apparent:

1.  The person who wrote the page had never read the Bible in Its entirety, or in any substantial quantity for them to have any contextual or foundational understanding whatsoever.

2.  The person who wrote it is not saved, nor a Christian, and has no desire for such.
3.  The scriptures this person used to make a point of "contradiction" in the Bible are taken out of context and isolated to make a false assumption.

The first issue that must be addressed is that the Bible does not contradict itself, no matter how it may seem to us.  The fact that a scripture is not understood by a reader does not make it a contradiction. 

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind." (Num 23:19)

"..if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." (2 Tim 2:13)
"..in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," (Titus 1:2)

When dealing with any seeming contradiction in the Bible, we must examine:

1.  What is the context of the passage?
          -Who is speaking and to whom are they speaking to?
          -What is the actual/specific subject matter which is being discussed?
          -Is it being used to support a doctrine previously discussed or is it a doctrinal
          statement that stands alone?
2.  What is the meaning of the words being used?
          -For example:  "I missed my family."  Did someone throw a ball and missed
          hitting their family?  Or is the person far away from them and misses their
          presence?
3.  Is the statement meant to be taken literally or metaphorically?
4.  Is the person reading the scripture committed to unbelief?

As believers and followers of Christ, God expects us to have faith in His revealed word, The Bible.  This is a given; it is basic, elementary and non-negotiable   Will we have questions?  Absolutely.  But to doubt His word is to undermine our own profession of faith.  When Christians doubt the word of God, they bring doubt upon their own profession of faith.  After all, a person who comes to Christ is doing so based on their faith in His Gospel message.  And how did that Gospel message come to us?  The Bible.  We were not alive when Christ preached the Gospel message to His Apostles.  We were not with the Apostles when they preached the Gospel to the early church.  Our salvation is ultimately by our faith in Jesus Christ, but it is based on the fact that we have heard the Gospel message of salvation accurately, that the Gospel of salvation which we have heard was accurately recorded and faithfully passed down to us.

A believer must first and foremost submit to God's authority through His Word.  Then a believer must submit to God in faith that the Bible is true, trustworthy and reliable and that God, Who created all existence in six days, is also fully capable of ensuring that the texts that attest to His authority and power maintain their integrity throughout the millennia for each believing generation.  Basically, if God can create all of existence, seen and unseen, in a matter of six days, then He is also capable of orchestrating the circumstances throughout history to protect and reasonably maintain His revealed word to us. 

When we seek answers from God, He is faithful to reveal them to us.  However, we must seek Him with the right heart and right motives.  We must enter God's presence in humility.  "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) and "He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble." (Prov 3:34)

If we examine scripture with doubt, seeking contradiction, we will always find it.  One of the fascinating things about the Bible is that it can be twisted to fit many personal agendas, but only His Spirit can give the right understanding of It.  Scripture even attests to this when we are told, "the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"  (Heb 4:12).  If the intention of our heart is doubt and contradiction, we will find doubt and contradiction.  If the intention of our heart is truth, we will find truth.

God will give us answers if we seek them with the right heart and motives, but it must also be in His timing.  If the soil of our heart is not prepared to receive His truth, then it is pointless for Him to reveal it.  See the parable of the sower at Matthew 13:19-23.

If He does not reveal the answers we seek, then it is His prerogative to do so and we must submit to His authority.  In essence, God will always reveal the answers we need to know, but not always the answers we want to know.  Many people go their entire lives without having questions that they deem important, answered.  Some receive their answers, but it is only after they invest much personal time and effort in seeking God with a right heart-- prayer and fasting and submission.  Yet sometimes, even when their answer is revealed, it is an understanding they are given in their spirit and not something that can be particularly articulated as an explanation to someone else.  God is faithful to speak to each of us in a way that we can understand. 

Even so, perhaps one of the reasons so many seemingly important questions remain unanswered is because God uses our effort to seek out such answers as a way to draw us nearer to Him.  Using our desire to know, to engage us in intimate fellowship with Him.  For some of us, if we had all the answers, then we would have no reason or desire to seek Him.

Normally, I refuse to argue Biblical points with someone who has never actually read the Bible.  However, because of the nature of my relationship with the person who sent me the link to the page being discussed, I have made an exception and taken the time and effort to answer the questions the page presents and explain and refute false assumptions.  I have also made an exception because the person who sent me the link has, in fact, read the Bible, yet the page being discussed managed to cause them discontent.  Therefore I have made the decision to post the questions and answers on my blog with the intention to help and/or guide anyone else that may be seeking answers also.  

Question 1: Hell and Eternal Torment
Question 2: Will Everyone Be Saved?
Question 3: Is Salvation Predestined?
Questions 4,5 & 6: Repentance and Good Deeds
Questions 7 & 8: Morality and Charity
Question 9: Requirements For Salvation