Frequently Asked Questions
IS IT ALL RIGHT TO GO TO A CHURCH WITH OTHER RACES? The church is a collage of colors. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female [there is neither black nor white, there is neither rich nor poor, there is neither young or old, there is neither live in a big house live in an apartment...]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
SAVED FROM WHAT? Everyone is born into sin and spiritually separated from God. This separation is eternal if Christ is never received. To be saved is to be rescued from the dominion of darkness and eternal separation from God. God’s desire is that none perish (2 Peter 3:9) but that all will come to repentance and thus, live forever with Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever would believe on him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN? Being Born Again or Saved means that you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. Just like physical life begins at natural birth, spiritual life begins by giving birth to the spirit within you. Christ died to save us, not in our sins, but from our sins; "and we were yet sinners when he died for us." (Romans 5:10-12). Nevertheless, you can be spiritually Born Again and have a new life with a commitment to serve Jesus Christ. God will recreate within you new life! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I AM BORN AGAIN? Once you are born again, you are in position to live a blessed [empowered to prosper] life. It’s just the beginning! You are a spiritual baby. As in the natural, a baby must be cared for. If no care is given eventually the baby will die. Likewise spiritually, it is important for everyone who professes Christ to position themselves toward spiritual nurturing and growth.
HOW DO I GROW SPIRITUALLY? Joining a church where the Scriptures are taught in a manner that you can understand so that application is made is the primary way to begin growing (Psalm 92:13). Equal to attending a church that teaches God’s Word is the personal decision to develop a relationship with God. Relationships are formed with intention. If you expect to grow you must learn who your Father is by praying and studying the Scriptures. If you don’t know who God is or what He has said, you cannot have an expectation of his many promises. If you lean upon someone else’s relationship with God to establish your own, you’ll never know God personally; hence, your relationship will be fragile at best.
Make your relationship strong with God by pursuing him. Hebrews 10:22 encourages believers to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Then in James 4:8 we’re told to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” To have a relationship with God, effort is necessary. Talk to God, Listen to God (John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”). Read the Bible to learn God’s character and study the Bible to understand truth (Bible Study is available at Hope Cathedral each Wednesday at 7pm). Regularly associate with believers through church attendance.
WHAT IS BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT? Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is the receiving of divine power from God to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
WHY SHOULD EVERY CHRISTIAN BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT? As Christians we are to present such an attractive picture of Jesus to other people that they will want to know Him too; but living the Christian life that way can’t be done without His help. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at conversion our lives are changed to live for Christ. Then by baptizing us in the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us all the power we will ever need to witness for Him to a lost and dying world.
DO I REALLY NEED TO GO THROUGH JESUS TO GET TO GOD? I DO A LOT OF GOOD FOR PEOPLE AND EVERY RELIGION IS GOOD, RIGHT? Ephesians 2:9 says, for by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. People don’t work for gifts. Gifts are simply received. If we reject God’s gift - Jesus, 1 John 2:23 tells us, “whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
WHAT IF I AM A GOOD PERSON AND HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING REALLY BAD IN LIFE? The Bible says, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12). So, though you may be a good person, without Christ, you are still a sinner and separated from God. 1John 1:8 says, “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Sin was the reason Christ came into the world. For without the shedding of blood there was no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Yet, Christ shed his blood to remove the sins of man (Matthew 26:28). “Jesus is the propitiation [to regain favor or good will] for our sins” (1John 2:2). Our own works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)
What does it mean to be born again? There was a man named Nicodemus (John 3:3) who asked the same question. He mused how one could enter his mother’s womb a second time. Jesus’ response was, “that which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6). In other words, when you are born naturally, you were born to the order of the world and the god of the world is Satan. Once Christ is received, you have become re-born. Now, you are born of the Spirit and you belong to God. Your Father is the Creator of Heaven and earth and you are no longer alive to sin, but you are dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6) in Christ Jesus.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
HOW DO I KNOW I WHEN I'VE FOUND A GOOD CHURCH? When you can go to church and hear a word of encouragement, instruction and correction (2 Timothy 3:16), when you are challenged to do the Word of God beyond feelings and circumstances, and when you see people (not perfect people), but people with a sincere desire to please God and it shows, you have found a good church.
IS IT ALL RIGHT TO GO TO A CHURCH WITH OTHER RACES? The church is a collage of colors. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female [there is neither black nor white, there is neither rich nor poor, there is neither young or old, there is neither live in a big house live in an apartment...]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
SHOULD I STAY IN THE CHURCH I ATTEND? If you are growing spiritually, in other words, you understand and are able to apply the Word of God so there is a difference in your life, you should remain in your church. Another reason to stay is if you are clear God would have you remain. Obedience is the key.
I'VE MOVED TO THE AREA AND I STILL CANNOT FIND A CHURCH. WHAT DO I DO? It is very necessary for every believer to have a church covering. It’s easy to look for a church that is comfortable or perfect (from personal estimation); however, there are no perfect churches. Only people with vision to see the House of God established within a community.
With that said, it’s important to visit the various churches (removing inhibitions of race, church locales, and/or size), appreciate the vision that each church is assigned, ask your Heavenly Father for direction (Psalm 37:23) and determine to help make the church decided upon a place for others to receive the love of God.
Don’t stay home another Sunday with excuses. There is a church for you!
Kingdom Builders is a wonderful option for you and your family. We hope you will take the opportunity to visit.