Common Christian FAQs
What is the purpose of communion?
Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22: 17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The first communion between Jesus and his disciplines occurred at the Passover meal. The Jewish custom of Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Jews out of slavery and bondage in Egypt. Today, we use communion to remind us of our deliverance from the bondage and slavery of sin by Jesus’ death on the cross.
During this time elements are consumed to represent the sacrifice of our Savior. Jesus used bread to represent his body. The leaven used in risen bread signified corruption or sin. (1 Corinthians 5:8) The use of unleavened bread symbolizes the sinless body of Jesus as He went to the cross. The “fruit of the vine” (Luke 22:17) or wine Jesus used to represent his blood. This wine is free of fermentation or corruption as well to represent Jesus’ sinless blood that was shed for the remission of sin.
The practice of communion was instituted by Jesus to be a time of fellowship, evangelism and self-judgment. Communion is a lesson to all that Christ died for sin, hence evangelism. It is a time for the Church to cast aside anything that would hinder or destroy unity within the body. As we participate in communion we are called search ourselves. We are to look inward at our thoughts, attitudes and deeds to make sure our lives are acceptable to God. (1 John 1:9)
Communion is a holy time that Jesus requires the Church practice until He returns. It represents our freedom from sin. It serves as a reminder of Jesus’ example that we might live in daily readiness for His return.
Material taken from “Pathways to Spiritual Understanding” by Dr. Richard Powers
What about good people in other religions who are not Christians…don’t they deserve to go to heaven?
Whether or not someone calls themselves a Christian, a Buddhist, a Muslim, an atheist or undecided, no one is “good enough” to deserve to go to heaven.
Actually, Jesus Christ was good enough to earn heaven. But all the rest of us are wicked and without hope. The sin of Adam was enough for all of his offspring to be considered unworthy—and how much more are we unworthy for our own wrongdoing!
But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Only the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not our own righteousness, is sufficient enough that all who believe in Him will be saved.
In short, it is not a matter of the amount of our goodness of the sincerity of faith, but it matters in whom we put our faith.
There is little or no argument among historians that Jesus of Nazareth existed. And the Bible—which describes his miracles and his perfect character—has been authenticated by statistical evidence, respectable eyewitnesses willing do die, archeological evidence, superior manuscript reliability, and detailed prophesy fulfillment. This Bible not only illustrates the perfection of His character but also records his claims to be the Son of God, the only way to the Father and the promised Savior and Redeemer.
Is it okay to cohabitate (i.e., shack up)?
It is wrong to have sex with someone to whom you are not married.
Now, you may say “We are not doing anything.” But God created healthy males and healthy females in such a way that they will occasionally have strong physical desire towards each other, especially if they dwell together for extended periods of time.
Now, perhaps you say, “But I am just not like everybody else.” But your “neighbors” don’t know this and in our culture it is reasonable for onlookers to assume that a male and female, living together, are doing so in a sexual relationship.
Or perhaps you say, “But I don’t care about my neighbors because I am being a good Samaritan and financially helping my friend.” Can we not find a single small group member or a family in the church with whom your friend can stay? Or raise up a little bit of cash for a room at an inn until a temporary home can be found?
If I am a Christian and I am caught doing wrong when Jesus returns, will I still go to heaven?
The amazing Good News is not that we can now live our lives in fear that we will be judged based on how good we think we are being “when the trumpet blows” or when Jesus splits the skies open.
The Good News is the amazing grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, which is sufficient to justify us and make us eligible for Heaven only because of the merit of the One in whom we have put our faith. We place our only hope in His righteousness and no faith in our own to save us.
“But won’t Christians, knowing this, take advantage of Grace?”
No, they cannot! The power of grace is so awesome, and effectual, a true convert to Christ is overwhelmed and convicted until the changing of their hearts. They can’t be comfortable, but rather miserable, if they stay long in a sin. It makes them so miserable compared to the initial joy of being washed clean that they will thirst for what God, in his Grace, has given them the hunger for. God’s chases them in his grace, or perhaps “arrests them”, or perhaps waits for them to surrender again. Since they find only misery in their sin, they are not taking advantage of anyone…rather they will find that they have lost precious time, joy, and possibly some eternal rewards. But the Good News is that God will never leave or forsake those who truly belong to Him. His love overwhelms His children.
Since drinking isn’t a sin, then why are the leaders of Destiny expected not to drink?
While the Bible does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol(1 Timothy 5:23) being drunk is clearly frowned upon in scripture. Like cigarettes and inhaling glue, drinking alcohol is one of those things where the Bible doesn’t forbid it, but the potential negative effects can outweigh the positive effects. Many organizations and professions restrict alcohol consumption, especially while on the job, because of these negative effects. It shouldn’t be considered shocking for a church congregation to set similar standards for their leadership. As Paul writes, “(Some say) ‘all things are permissible…’but not all things are beneficial.”
Our leadership, whom we believe have some wisdom, has determined that setting a higher standard for our leadership is beneficial for our witness and ability to minister credibly in our culture. We also think it to be a loving thing to do on behalf of those whom we reach who are being delivered from drunkenness and don’t need to be surrounded by tempting environments by their new mentors.
I have a loved one who died. They want to be cremated. Is there anything wrong with cremation?
There is no clear instruction against being cremated. I don’t envy anyone having to make such decisions about death preparation, especially if it is for someone else and at the last minute.
The opinion humbly offered here is no directive, but is offered for those in situations where they sincerely are in need of wisdom in the area. There is no judgment here for anyone who may have made differing decisions on the matter.
Some thoughts to consider:
Some cultures believe that after death all individuality is lost.
The Christian knows that the individual stays an individual after resurrection. They have the example of Christ, who before us, was resurrected to life in the body. And He walked among the disciples after He was resurrected. And He, afterward, would receive a glorified body, but He remains who He is, and is not blended into the creation. Likewise, we are told that we will be resurrected like He was.
Again, I know there are different circumstances. The opinion here is that those who would choose to go out of one’s way to be cremated simply to make a statement begs the question as to what statement do they believe they are making and why? I think the best way to make the statement that the Original Intent in creation was to make us in the image of God within a whole individual body is to have a burial or entombment for the most respectful treatment of the body.
Scripturally, only examples I can think to offer of a cremation is the burning of Saul and his three sons and the respectful burial of their bones afterwards.
Again, if you’ve made a different decision in the past, don’t trip! Surely we are confident that God in His awesome power will resurrect many bodies of Christians burned at stakes and devoured by lions for their faith through the centuries!
What’s wrong with practicing homosexuality?
(Men performing sexual acts with other men and women with other women)
People shouldn’t have sex unless they are currently married to one with whom they are having sex. That goes for heterosexual, homosexual, transsexual, bestiality ... anything outside of God's design is not the way he designed it.
Marriage is a covenant that God designed. It cannot be "redefined" by man nor a government, because it was defined by God.
Romans 1: 18-28 illustrates that when a culture has men having sex with other men and women with other women--this is a sign of a culture turning from God and deliberately suppressing the truth. Before the Bible was even written down, God held the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 1:7) accountable for confusing right and wrong because they should have inherently known better. God designed us to know better. He loves us and knows what is best for us. When we do not pay attention, He knows that there will be consequences.