Q. How can I know there is a God?

A. God has revealed Himself to man (Jn. 1:1-14). He is not far from every one of us (Acts 17:27). Mankind has a hunger for meaning in life because God created us for fellowship with Him. However, one cannot put God in a test tube. He is because He is (Ex. 3:14). He promises that if anyone, anywhere, and at any time wants to find Him and learn about Him He will reveal Himself (Jer. 29:13). And how does He reveal Himself? Primarily through His Word, the Bible (Jn. 5:39), though we may learn some general details of Him even through nature (Rom. 1:19-20).

 Q. Do Christians believe in three gods?

A. The Lord is one God (Deut. 6:4). This means He is one in unity. However, the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly taught in the Word of God. This is suggested in the very first verse of the Bible (Gen. 1:1—Elohim—a plural noun in Hebrew). It is inferred or referred to numerous times in Scripture, including at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17), the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), and in a form of benediction (II Cor. 13:14).

 Q. Aren’t all religions basically the same?

A. Not at all. Jesus said that those who follow the correct path that leads to heaven are few in number (Matt. 7:13,14,21-23). Other religions seem to be right, but their ways end in death (Prov. 14:2; 16:25). No other religion than Christianity says that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation (Jn. 14:6). Only the faith that is built upon the Bible as the Word of God teaches salvation by grace through faith in His Name (Acts 4:12). 

Q. Are heaven and hell real places?

A. Yes, absolutely. They are as real and physical as any material place in the universe. Paul visited heaven (II Cor. 12:4) and said that to depart from this world and be with Christ is far better than our present existence (Phil. 1:23). Heaven is always treated as a literal place in the Bible, as is Hell. Korah and his fellow rebels fell alive into Hell (Num. 16:33). Hell’s inhabitants will be stirred to greet Satan upon his arrival (Isa. 14:9). The rich man died and went there, agonizing over his torments (Lk. 16:24). Strangely, some believe that Hell is a myth but Heaven is a fact. This is absolutely wrong. One is as real as the other. The one must be avoided at all costs (Matt. 18:9); the other is described as paradise and is the abode of saved people forever (I Thes. 4:17).

Q. How can we know for sure about the afterlife?

A. We know that everyone is going to die (Heb. 9:27). Ideas such as reincarnation are of pagan origin and are false hopes of “second chances” after death. Jesus taught that those who want to know the truth will learn the truth if they come to him (Jn. 14:6). God promises to reward those who seek Him with their whole heart (Jer. 29:13). Assurance of the afterlife is a privilege of those who have believed on Christ as their only hope of salvation (I Jn. 5:13). No other religious system or leader can offer such assurance.

 Q. How do Christians explain suffering in the world?

A. Tears are often telescopes by which people can see far into heaven. Suffering is the lot of all people. It was introduced by Adam and Eve and their disobedience in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12). Even the righteous man Job suffered terribly (Job 2:7,8). Not even Christians are exempt from suffering (II Tim. 3:12; Rom. 8:17). God deals with us through our sufferings, desiring for us to draw close to Him and to seek His will for our lives. Our goal should not be a false hope or expectation that we will never suffer, but rather a desire to be faithful to God through the process.

Q. Is the Bible a collection of borrowed myths?

A. Absolutely not. The Scriptures claim divine inspiration (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:19-21). This means that God specifically gave the Bible as a message from Him. This does not mean that there will not be similarities between certain portions of Scripture and other pagan mythologies. For instance, the law code of Hammurabi, which is often cited as the forerunner of Moses’ law, is quite different from God’s revelation. However, there are certain similarities from culture to culture, such as “an eye for an eye.” If anything, pagan cultures borrowed from the Bible. An example of this is the Egyptian “Tale of Two Brothers,” which is quite similar to the story of Joseph and Potiphar in the Book of Genesis. But the Egyptian account was written later than Genesis, showing that that culture borrowed from either Genesis itself or, more likely, local memory of the events thus recorded. So, while certain similarities in the human experience exist between pagan and biblical accounts, God’s Word is the final authority.

Q. Did Jesus claim to be the exclusive Messiah?

A. Yes, He absolutely claimed to be God in the flesh. Consider the following:
In Isa. 9:6 Christ is called “The everlasting Father” or Father of eternity. He is the one “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2). John tells us that this Saviour was in the beginning and is none other than the eternal God             (Jn. 1:1,2). The Lord Jesus Himself said “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58). Immutability (changelessness). “I am the LORD (‘Jehovah’), I change not” (Mal. 3:6). The message concerning Jehovah given in Ps. 102:25-27 is also quoted in Heb. 1:10-12
and there applied to Christ: “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest...” Jesus is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). Omniscience (all knowing). Christ knew the one who would betray Him (Jn. 6:64) and what was in man (Jn. 2:25). Peter said of Him, “Lord, thou knowest all things” (Jn. 21:17). Omnipresence (present everywhere at once). He “filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:23) and as Jehovah walked with Israel (Lev. 26:12), so He would come and make His abode with believers (Jn.14:23). He promised to be in the midst even of two or three (Matt. 18:20) and that He would be with all believers always (Matt. 28:20). Other major attributes. These include life (Jn. 1:4; 5:26; 10:10; 14:6; Heb. 7:16); truth (Jn. 14:6; Rev. 3:7); holiness (Lk. 1:35; Jn. 6:69; Heb. 7:26); and love (Jn. 13:1,34; I Jn. 3:16).

Q. Wasn’t Peter the first pope?

A.  There are two officers in the New Testament church: pastors (also called bishops or elders) and deacons (see I Tim.3 & Tit. 1). There is no New Testament office of pope, archbishop, cardinal, or priest. Furthermore, there is no compelling evidence that Peter was even in Rome, much less that he was the first pope. He calls himself merely an elder (I Pet. 5:1). The position of pope is not a New Testament office or term. Christ alone is the mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5). Because of this we believers may now come boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) without the intercession of any other man, including priests or popes. Popes are not supposed to be married. However, Peter was married. We know this because Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Lk. 4:38). Each New Testament church is autonomous (self-governing) and is to be under no other authority but that of God. The pope’s claim to be the “pontifex maximus,” or supreme pontiff, has no biblical basis. This Latin term harkens back to the time of the Roman emperors, who claimed such authority over all their realm.

Q. Is the Biblical Jesus the same as the Jesus of Islam?

A. No. After comparing the claims one realizes the Bible and Islamic teachingss have no commonality.

Is He Eternal or just a created being? 
In Sura 3:59 The Qur'an states that Jesus is created from the dust just like Adam. But the Bible teaches that Jesus is eternal (Micah5:2). Jesus Himself equates His being with that of GOD's (Jn 8:58).  Also the apostles John and Paul identify Jesus as the Creator GOD.(Jn 1:3, Col 1:16-17) Islamic teachings also deny the Trinity [al-Maa'idah 5:73] and Jesus being the Son of God. (Maryam 19:34-38, Maryam 19:88-93, Surah4.17) Yet the Bible states that Jesus
 is the "Word Made Flesh (Jn 1:14), dwelt among us and is the Son of God (Jn 3: 16).

Is Jesus the perfect Lamb of GOD?
The Islamic Jesus is not the Lamb of God who was slain (Sura 4.157-158) butthe Bible teaches us the opposite. John the Baptist's identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29;36). 

Who did Jesus send after His departure?
The Islamic Jesus sent Muhammad and not the HolySpirit. [al-Saff 61 :6] The Biblical Jesus sent the Holy Spirit
(The Comforter) who came at Pentecost 50 days later NOT five hundred years later (Muhammad) (Jn 14:26,   Jn 15 :26, Jn 16:7, Acts 1:4-5)

Who is the source of Salvation?
In Islam its not in a person but  only in the Five Pillars of Islam; Shahada(Testifying of God's
Oneness), Salat (Prayer), Saum(Fasting), Zakat (Charity), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).Surah AI-Maa'idah 5: 116. The Bible
clearly states that Salvation is found in none other than Jesus. (Acts 4:12, Rom 10:9, Acts 16:31)

What kind of servant is Jesus?
Islamlic teachings state Jesus  is an involuntary slave to Allah. (Hadith: Narrated by Ibn Abbas 5.117-118; Hadith: Narrated Nafi, 007.063.209; Hadith: Narrated Anas, 009.093.532,Volume 9, Book 93, Number 507.)
According to the Bible Jesus made Himself a voluntary servant. (Phil 2: 6-8)

Is Jesus worthy of worship?
The Qur'an claims that Allah will ask  Jesus son of Mary if he ever claimed to be worshipped and the answer is no (Surah al-Maa'idah 5:116). On the other hand the Bible clearly teaches that both mankind (Phil 2:11) and angels (Heb 1:6) are commanded to worship Jesus.

Is Jesus just another Prophet?
The Islamic Jesus is simply another prophet with no special distinction.{Sura 2:136] The Bible teaches that His name is above all other names (Eph 1:20-21).

Did Jesus die and rise from the dead?
Islam not only denies the resurrection but also denies Jesus' crucudixtion as a historical event (al-Nisaa' 4:157-158). The Bible teaches that by the death and resurrection of Jesus, He  saves His people from their sins (Jn 11:25) Otherwise a Christian's faith is in vain (I Cor 15:14) There are several  Biblical accounts of the death of Jesus on a Roman Cross (Mt 27:35;38 27:44, Mk 15:24-25, Lu 23:33,Jn 19:20;23;41, Acts 2:36, Acts 4:10, 1 Cor 2:2, Rev 11:8) Lastly secular historians of that time corroboate the hstorical death of Jesus (Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger) Refer to our MAPS presentation on our For Your Consideration page for more information..

The distinction is not whether you believe in Jesus. The critical issue is what about Jesus do you believe and how it correspondsto facts.. The Bible states that the demons believe in Him with much fear. (James 2:19) yet their relationship with God is permanently severed with a future eternal punishment to come. Jesus left the Glory of Heaven, to enter into His own Creation, to take on human limitations, to suffer and die on a cruel cross and rise from His tomb to set people free from their sins. It's GOD's greatest gift to humanity. All it takes is a asking with a contrite heart and soley rely on His sacrifice.