What evidence do we have that Old Testament prophecies we believe to be Messianic Prophecies are also considered to be Messianic Prophecies by the Jewish people? And if our versions of them are the same what is their reasoning for not accepting Jesus?

When talking to atheists, I am often asked some very difficult questions. It becomes frustrating at times, but I need help on how to properly address certain things they bring up.

One question was one that I probably should expect from them, it goes like this “If God told you to kill someone would you do it?” and of course they bring up Abraham as an example. My response was on what basis do you ask this question? Are you assuming things about God?

Then they tell me its not a hypothetical scenario, and that I’m not answering the question. The thing is that I know they are trying to back me up into a corner. They also said this “Many people have killed because they heard the voice of God”. The conversation then becomes very frustrating, and they often go to make insults from there.

The other thing that I want to address properly is the laws. Christ was sinless and he fulfilled the law. However, atheists always bring up the OT laws-the Mosaic and Levitical laws and so forth, and ask why we don’t follow them. So, if the keeping of the Sabbath is brought up, -and Jesus mentioned if a sheep falls into a pit, will not the man lift it out- how do I answer to them if they say he wasn’t keeping the commandment.

In other words, did the original commandment even restrict works on the Sabbath to the detail the Jews took it as being, or was the Sabbath just a day where no work was to be done in “general”, for lack of a better word.

Any answers or advice would be great, I just want to make sure that I answer them properly.

I was wondering what your thoughts are Gehazi being pronounced a leper in 2 Kings 5:27 then his reappearance in 8:4 but no sign or further discussion about him being a leper. What happened to his leprosy?

I just read your response to the question titled “Working Out Our Salvation” and I was wondering about one thing. When you said:

“We should strive to be more Christ like in our manner of living. Not to earn something, for we’ve already received it, but to allow God to work in us according to His purpose.”

I believe you are mistaken. I agree with you, that we are not trying to “earn” our salvation, for salvation is by faith alone. However, in our daily walk (or race as Paul puts it) we are trying to earn our crowns, or treasures in heaven, and all the other glorious things promised by our Savior. So while the Bible is clear we cannot earn our salvation, when Paul speaks of earning something he is talking about rewards, not our salvation, or at least that is what I believe. In that respect I believe we are trying to earn something in heaven. Your Thoughts?

Having researched the “emerging church” movement, I am left confused regarding the teaching of a ‘man friendly Gospel’ that these churches have adopted. Some theologians believe this is wrong; that God is a Holy God and man in his sinful state is God’s enemy. Also, Psalm 5 says God hates his enemies, but Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Why does He tell us to do this if he doesn’t love them himself? Finally, I have always believed that we mustn’t judge or condemn, yet this seems to suggest a ‘man centered approach’. These same theologians believe that the real Gospel preaches repentance and a making aware of sin; that the only way to God is through the ‘narrow gate’ by living a sacrificial life. I’m not sure what all this means anymore. Is God a loving father, or a strict judge?

Greetings. Paul says in Phil 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

I would like to have your comments on these two verses in regards to salvation. Currently, I am still continuing to study on this topic, your opinion on Salvation is very profound. Why was he admonishing believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling?

I’m a Christian and I believe the Bible is the word of God. The Bible says there is only ONE God and of course there is a trinity. My question is after the Rapture will we as Church be seeing God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost up in the Heaven? I know in the New Testament Jesus prayed to God. I’m confused because God came down in the flesh. So, where is God the whole time when Jesus was on earth? How is it possible that Jesus and God communicated with each other as there is supposed to be only ONE God. It can’t be 2 Gods talking each other!!! Follow me?

I came across scripture below from Acts 24:17 today as I was reading. If Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, and Jesus died once and his death paid the price for all of our sins, then why was there a need for Paul to make offerings at the temple? In other words, why was he still arduously keeping the law? Could you please clarify this for me? There is so much confusion with the rise of the Messianic Christian Movements and their penchant for law-keeping and this disturbed me. As a Follower of Jesus, I thought we had no need to keep the law in this manner. But after reading this scripture, I am a little confused.

Please help me understand the end times as they are being played out today. The most difficult thing to find out is, who is the modern day Israel ? Are we being deceived into error? Who and where are the true Jews that we are to bless and love that are God’s true people. Please try to keep it simple for me, thanks.

After Jesus was resurrected, he met with many, his disciples in particular. In Mark 16 verse 15, he instructs them to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” The term “creature” just doesn’t seem to fit, why not “all mankind” as creature implies other than man. Was that passage not translated correctly?