Common Questions

 

 

questions

Common Questions

 

Don’t good people go to Heaven?

The real question we need to ask is ‘who is good?’ The Bible declares plainly that no one is good! I know we all like to think of ourselves as generally good people, but God gets right to the heart of the matter and declares that “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:12) and also “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10). So, do good people go to Heaven? If we define good according to God’s word that would be considered perfection. Technically if someone were ‘good’ according to this standard, then yes, they would go to Heaven. But the plain fact of the matter is that no one is good in God’s eyes and that is the reason Jesus Christ came to die on the cross and rise from the dead. He came seeking us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Click here if you’re interested in learning more about God’s forgiveness.

Are Baptist’s Christians?

Yes. The name Baptist defines what we believe and was actually a name given to us by those that persecuted us in centuries past. True Baptist’s are those that hold to the Baptist Distinctives which are principles taken from the word of God and have been believed in every generation since Christ founded His first church. But they are also those that hold to the first principles found in Hebrews 5:12-6:2

Is Jesus really the only way?

In our pluralistic anything goes society it’s not always popular to have absolutes, but God’s word is clear, there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ alone! Jesus said plainly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.“ The Apostle Peter further clarified after Christ’s resurrection when he said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Can I lose my salvation?

The emphatic biblical answer is absolutely NOT! The Bible is very clear in stating that salvation is the gift of ETERNAL life. The Bible speaks of the condition of every true believer as being: justified or declared righteous (Romans 3:24; 5:1), saved (Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-9), reconciled (Romans 5:10), forgiven (Romans 4:7), a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), possessing eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23), held in the hand of God that no man can take us out of (John 10:28-30), and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) to name a few of the promises dealing with our assurance of salvation.

Many times a question like this is asked because people have known someone that professes to be a Christian, but they live a life contrary to that profession. These people that profess to be Christians are sometimes more ungodly than some non-Christians we know. Rather, what we should be asking is, are these people truly saved? The Bible is clear that salvation is a decision made from the heart that will absolutely change a person. There are many evidences given in the Bible that reveal if someone is truly saved or not. For a more in depth study on this topic, please listen to Things That Accompany Salvation Pt. 1.

Is Hell a real place?

Yes. Jesus warned of a literal Hell throughout His earthly ministry. It was originally created for Satan, but the unsaved will go there also (Matthew 25:41-46). Jesus wasted His time coming to Earth and dying on the cross if not to save us from a literal Hell. It is described as a place of torment and fire as punishment for sin (Luke 16:23-24). Hell is an eternal punishment (Mark 9:43).

Do you baptize infants?

No. Baptism is for believers only. There is not one instance in the Bible of anyone being baptized who was not able to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). For a person to be saved they must be able to “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9). An infant is not able to understand salvation. Since they can’t understand salvation it’s impossible for them to call on the Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. The only examples of baptisms in the Bible is from those old enough to understand salvation and make a personal decision to receive Christ as their Saviour.

Do I have to be baptized?

Yes and no. Yes if you want to be an obedient follower of Christ and His commands. Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. It is a saved persons first step of obedience.

No, if you are doing it as a means of earning your salvation. Salvation is a free gift from God apart from any works or effort on your behalf.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…

I just got “saved,” now what?

1. Get baptized. 2. Let us know! We’d love to meet you and talk about what’s next. 3. Speak to us about enrolling in one on one discipleship so you can begin to learn the word of God. 4. Go share the gospel. Join us for our weekly soulwinning opportunities.

Should I be baptized?

See “Do I have to be baptized?” above.