Common Questions about faith
Here, we have answered some of the most common questions we get about, God, Christianity, and other topics here at ABT.
Can I Earn My Way To Heaven?
No, you cannot get to heaven on your own. But the great news is that you don’t have to do it on your own!
Although it may sound harsh, the Bible says no one is good enough to go to heaven on their own. According to scripture, even our good deeds are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). It also says that all men have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6), all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and none are worthy (Romans 3:10). Which makes the love of God even that much sweeter. You’re not good enough to go to heaven on your own, but Jesus has prepared the way for you. He lived the perfect life you couldn’t live, and died the death you should’ve died, paying the sacrifice you couldn’t pay. You’re not good enough to get to heaven on your own, but Jesus is. And he says, “Follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
Is There Another Way To Heaven?
No, Jesus is the only way to heaven. But don’t just take our word for it. Because Jesus himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Many people try many ways to get to heaven. But only one man lived a perfect life, and paid the sacrifice for you. His name is Jesus. Though there have been a lot of great men and women throughout history, none were the Son of God like Jesus was. No one could live the life He lived, died the death he died, or offer you true life like He does.
Sin Separates Us From God.
Sin forms a barrier between you and God that prevents you from being able to have a personal, unbroken relationship with Him. As a sinner, you can’t have fellowship with God, and will spend eternity separated from God in a place the Bible calls Hell.
Is The Bible 100% Accurate?
Yes, we believe that the Bible is entirely true, but we also recognize that there is a faith step required in that belief.
The Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible word. God has preserved exactly what we need “that pertain to life and godliness”
(2 Peter 1:3-4) in the pages of Scripture. The picture that the Bible itself paints is that Scripture is “breathed out” by God, useful for “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
But to fully trust something, you’ve got to take a step of faith. And trusting the Bible is no different. Read it for yourself. Wrestle with its claims. Live out the truth it calls us to live out. Find out for yourself its trustworthiness.
Is Hell A Real Place?
Yes, it sure is. Jesus talked about it. He said it was a place where the suffering never ends (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:48). It’s a curse worse than “being drowned in the sea” (Mark 9:42). The pain of Hell will produce “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).
Hell is the place reserved for those who reject Jesus in this life.
Hell is a real place, is scary, and is (unfortunately) coming for many people. This grieves us, and motivates us to live self-sacrificially so that others might see the beauty of Christ that we see.
Can I Lose My Salvation?
No, you can’t. Here’s what Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).
Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8) that God doesn’t take away (Philippians 1:6). When someone is living in a pattern of sin, a better question to ask might be, “Was I ever saved?” We know that people saved by God live a changed life. If someone isn’t living a changed life, there’s the real (and scary) chance that they’re not saved. To which we’d reply, “Be saved!”
Salvation is too precious of a gift for God to remove it once given. God gives us His Holy Spirit a deposit guaranteeing His fulfillment (Ephesians 1:14). When He gives the Holy Spirit, He doesn’t take that away.
Do I Have To Get Baptized?
Baptism isn’t required for salvation, but is the first step of faith for new believers. The water we use isn’t special. Touching it doesn’t save anyone… it’s Jesus that does that. Baptism is a picture of the work that Jesus has done in a person’s heart. Learn more…
I Just Got “Saved,” Now What?
1. Tell us! We would love to celebrate this journey with you.
2. Read the Bible daily.
3. Attend one of our weekly church services.
4. Find somewhere to get involved and serve.
5. Share your faith.