Questions & Answers

What is the hope of Heaven?

To understand the hope of Heaven, we first need to understand the word hope. There are two different words for hope that we see in New Testament Scripture. The Greek words elpizo and elpis. 1) Elpizo is used when expressing a wish or desire for something such as in 1 Timothy 3:14 when Paul says, “I hope to come to you shortly.” 2) The Greek word for hope, elpis, is a word that means confident expectation, or as Pastor Adrian Rogers would say, “blessed assurance” or “divine certainty.” This is the word used when referring to the things of Christ or the things of Heaven. For the Christian, seeing Jesus one day face to face and being with God the Father in Heaven is a divine certainty. How do we know? Jesus is the hope, our elpis, of Heaven and He told us so in His perfect Word. Keep reading and see the validity of our hope of Heaven.

What does the Bible say about the Antichrist?

The Bible speaks of two categories of antichrists: 1) The Antichrist (singular), of the End Times, spoken of mostly in the Book of Revelation. 2) The antichrists (plural), being those who misrepresent and/or oppose Jesus or lead people away from Him through heretical teachings. The Greek word for antichrist is antichristos and means the adversary of the Messiah. Antichrists have been in opposition to Jesus Christ since the time He walked this Earth, pushing and prodding to move people away from the truth of the Gospel and preparing the way for the Antichrist of Revelation. “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18).

What does the Bible say about worldly desires?

The Bible has much to say about worldly desires. It gives us warnings about submitting to those desires and instructions on how to battle them. It also shows us how God views us if we choose to pursue worldly desires or if we choose to deny them. The Bible says it is a matter of love. Who or what do you love most—the Lord or the world? The Apostle John said it best in 1 John 2:15-17,” Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Let’s look together at some of the warnings and instructions the Bible gives us.

How do you start a relationship with Jesus?

Starting a relationship with Jesus easy. Why? Because He has already done the work. All you have to do is accept the free gift of His salvation and the best relationship you could ever experience begins. It’s as simple as A, B, C: Admit, Believe, and Confess. A—admit that you are a sinner and that you need a Savior. B—believe that Jesus is that Savior, that there is no other way to receive salvation that through Him, that He is the Son of God who willingly sacrificed His life for you on the cross, that He rose from the dead, and that He walked out of the grave three days later. C—confess Him as Lord (Master) of your life. Jesus offers this gift to everyone; no one is excluded!!

For a clear view of this in the Bible, keep reading.

What is a born-again Christian?

The phrase “born-again Christian” is kind of a redundant phrase. To be born again is to be a Christian just as to be a Christian is to be born again. Jesus spoke about being born again twice in John chapter 3 and Peter also spoke of it in 1 Peter chapter 1. The term “born again” refers to the transformation that occurs in our spirits, by the work of the Holy Spirit, when we accept Jesus as Savior. That transformation happens immediately upon acceptance of Jesus as Savior and is called salvation. In John 3, Jesus tells us we must be born again to see/enter the kingdom of God. First Peter chapter 1 tells us that we are born again by the incorruptible seed and that the seed is the Word of God. Let’s look at what Jesus and Peter had to say about it.

How does the Bible say I can have a closer fellowship with Jesus?

To know how to have closer fellowship with Jesus we need to understand what fellowship is. The word for fellowship in the Greek is koinonia, and its meaning has several facets such as intimacy, communion, joint participation, and contribution. These definitions fit perfectly with our walk as believers in Christ Jesus. So, how do we involve ourselves in these facets to have closer fellowship with Jesus? Read more and discover your role.

What is the definition of fellowship in the Bible?

Fellowship in Scripture is much deeper than just having a meal with someone, or even with a group of people. The word for fellowship in the Bible is defined as: (Greek-koinonia) to commune, to communicate, distribution, contribution, partnership. However, biblical fellowship adds to that spiritual intimacy and a oneness of purpose focused on Jesus. The best fellowship we can have is the fellowship we can have with Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

What did Jesus mean when He promised an abundant life?

Jesus made this promise in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Three things about this promise need to be understood: 1) This promise is meant for all but not all will partake in it. 2) This promise does not describe material possessions, wealth, or the things of the world, but instead reveals the abundant working of the Holy Spirit in various ways in and through the life of the believer. 3) This promise does not, in any way, exclude one form difficulties in life. When these things are understood and lived out through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the abundant life Jesus refers to here is the best life to be lived!

What does it mean to abide in Christ?

To abide in Christ is to be fully surrendered to Him in all facets of your life. Abiding in Jesus involves giving Him access to, and control over, every thought, word, and deed in every moment of every day. To fully abide in Christ, we don’t take days off or go on vacation from Him. Abiding is, daily, a total dependence on Him for everything. On our own, we can accomplish nothing; John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Abiding in Christ requires that we be a people of prayer, a people of the Word, a people of worship, and a people of service to others.

What is joy?

True joy can only be possessed by an authentic follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that? It’s because true joy stems from the relationship a believer has with Jesus. Joy does not come from external possessions, life events, or worldly circumstances. For instance, people may claim to feel joy when falling in love with someone, but they are feeling happiness. Let that same relationship experience hardship without Christ as the center, and they will quickly change their minds on the “joy” they once had. The reason for that change is because the original emotion was based on the circumstances of that relationship.