Wesley Walker - Answers To Your Bible Questions

ANSWERS TO YOUR BIBLE QUESTIONS

Wesley Walker

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

ANSWERS TO YOUR BIBLE QUESTIONS

Copyright 2005, 2006, 2012 by Wesley Walker

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN-13: 978-0-595-33622-7 (pbk)
ISBN-13: 978-0-595-78424-0 (ebk)
ISBN-10: 0-595-33622-1 (pbk)
ISBN-10: 0-595-78424-0 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 7/11/2012

Contents

As we check the Christian bookstores, we find that much has been written on many subjects of the Bible. The subjects or studies in this book have been written so that the individual might find additional information and, I hope, new thoughts on an old subject. The inquisitive mind is always searching for greater understanding of Gods Word.

Through the years of my pastoral work, I have used these studies with new converts. The purpose is to lead the student in finding out what he or she must or can do to become a child of God. Such information is not hard to discover, but sometimes the student just needs some help to find the right direction.

When the student finds out what is necessary to become a child of God, it is important also to discover what is necessary to maintain that relationship with God. Building a relationship is important, but it needs to be maintained each day, or else it will dissolve just as quickly as it was received. That is not to imply that we should worry whether we are constantly doing Gods will; we should just be assured we are pleasing God. Having that peace and freedom in our lives from living for God is a precious gift.

So for that purpose, this book of Bible studies is dedicated. My hope is that it will be a help to the reader and seeker of Gods Word. It is not intended to take the place of the leading of Gods Spirit, but to put the correct information in the reader s mind and heart so the Holy Spirit can do its work

God bless you as you study it.

Wesley Walker

C HAPTER

Most everyone will readily agree that man has a need of salvation. However a great number of people cannot give a biblical reason. In the Bible the reason is shown, and thus reveals the greatest love that man has ever known. Let us now examine the scriptures and learn the purpose that God had in mind when he extended to man the plan of salvation.

1.How did God create man? Genesis 1:26 F.P.

When man was created, he was made in the image of God and after his likeness. If we were created in the image of God, then God must have an image. Isaiah tells us he has hands and ears (Isa. 59:l). Exodus 33:2l23 speaks about the back parts. So God must then have an image.

But in what way was Adam made in the likeness of God? Just as God was pure and sinless, so was Adam. Adam was pure, and he was sinless; he was created in the likeness of God.

2.How long did Adam enjoy this likeness of God? Genesis 1:11

We do not know the exact length of time, but it was a short period. Then the devil came along and told Eve to go ahead and eat of the tree. She refused at first, but the devil told her, if she ate, she would know good and evil . Adam and Eve knew what good was, but they did not know what evil was, so they ate. Sin entered their lives and they were no longer in the likeness of God.

3.What happened to man? Romans 5:12

Death now was pronounced upon the human race. Unless something was done, man was doomed to die.

4.What did Jesus come to do? Matthew 1:21

Notice the words, For he shall save his people from their sins. Some feel that after accepting Christ as their Savior, they are still sinners, but this is not so. When we accept Christ as our Savior and he forgives our sins, we are no longer sinners, for he has saved us from our sins.

5.What did God do to man? l Peter 1:1819

When God created Adam, he belonged to God; he was Gods possession. When sin entered the life of Adam, he no longer belonged to God, but to the devil. God then had to redeem him. What does the word redeem mean? It means to buy back, to repossess. God bought man back through the death of his Son. This is why man needs salvation. He does not belong to God; he is lost, and through salvation (Christ), he can become the possession of God once again. Read 1 John 3:l2 F.P.

6.What are we to do? Proverbs 23:26

When we give our heart to God it means surrendering our life over to the will of God. When we accept Christ (salvation), we then belong to God; we are not our own. Read l Corinthians 6:1920.

7.What is it a man cannot do? Jeremiah 13:23

As the leopard cannot change his spots, neither can man change his life without the help of God.

8.To whom does Paul give credit? 1 Corinthians 15:10

9.How are we saved? Ephesians 2:8

10.When is the time for salvation? 2 Corinthians 6:2

Man should never put off accepting the salvation of God. Please bear in mind that when you play with your soul, you are playing for keeps.

11.What statement does Paul make in Hebrews 2:1-3 ?

Paul is telling us to give heed to those things we know we ought to do, lest time goes by and we soon forget them.

12.What could be the tragic end? Jeremiah 8:20

Christ is coming soon to harvest Gods people into the kingdom of God. It would please God if we could be a part of that great spiritual harvest.

SUMMARY

Man was first created sinless. He fell away from that purity and sold himself into sin. God then had to redeem (buy) him back unto himselfthus, the need for salvation.

C HAPTER

In Chapter l, we learned from the scriptures that man was first created pure and sinless. The devil deceived Adam and Eve, and they fell from that purity that they possessed. Instead of God forsaking and leaving man to destruction (for the wages of sin is deathRom. 6:23), he provided a way of escape through the plan of redemption. This shows or reveals the love of God for man. Gods love is so wonderful. He did not leave us to destruction, for we can be redeemed.

1.Does Jesus care if we perish? Mark 4:3639

Just as Jesus was concerned about the welfare of his followers then, he is concerned about our life and our welfare. Today, he can speak and calm the wind and storms in our life and we can feel the peace and the calm that comes when Jesus has control of our life. God is concerned about us today, even though we are lowly human creatures.

2.How much did God love us? John 3:16

Could any greater love be shown than was shown by God? He gave his only son so that we would not have to perish. This reveals how much God loves us.

3.Did Christ wait until we were good before he died? Romans 5:58

Would you consider dying for someone who is bad and sinful? That is not natural, is it? But then the love of God is not natural. It goes far beyond the bounds of human love. He died for us while we were sinners . Please consider Ephesians 3:l6l9.

4. What is the greatest love that one can have? John 15:13

Jesus manifested this love when he laid down his life for us. He died for us, so we could live. What greater love could be shown?

5. Was it because of our works? Titus 3:5

6.At one time we had no hope, but now Ephesians 2:12-13

At one time we had no hope, but now through Christ, we can have hope if we accept his love and live according to his way.

7. How many will God allow to perish? 2 Peter 3:9

If man perishes, it is because of his own choosing. It is not the will of God that any should perish. If we are lost, we cannot blame it on God; he has done all he can. The rest is up to us.