Christians worship one God — not three gods, and not one God who changes forms. The Bible teaches that God is one in essence and three in person: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully and equally God, co-eternal and uncreated. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father, yet all three share the one divine being.

The Trinity is not a philosophical puzzle or a contradiction, but a revealed truth about who God is. This is why Christians confess Jesus as Lord, worship Him, pray through the Spirit, and call God Father. The gospel itself depends on the Trinity: the Father sends the Son, the Son accomplishes salvation through His death and resurrection, and the Spirit applies this salvation to believers.

Throughout history, many sincere people have tried to simplify the Trinity with analogies (like water, the sun, or a three-leaf clover), but these break down and often teach the wrong thing. God is not one person who appears in three modes (Modalism), nor is Jesus a created being lesser than the Father (Arianism), nor are there three separate gods (Tritheism). The Bible reveals one God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Spirit — a God who is relational, personal, and perfect in unity.

Biblical references:
One God

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” — Deuteronomy 6:4

The Father is God

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” — Romans 1:7

The Son is God

“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” — John 1:1
“My Lord and my God!” — John 20:28
“In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” — Colossians 2:9

The Spirit is God

“Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied to man but to God.” — Acts 5:3–4

All three together

“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ… the love of God… and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit…” — 2 Corinthians 13:14

Click here for a diagram that best explains the Trinity.

Most people assume that if there is a heaven, we get there by being “good,” being sincere, or doing our best. We tend to compare ourselves to others, hoping that the good will outweigh the bad. But the Bible teaches something very different. Heaven is not the reward for moral people, religious people, or spiritual people — it is the gift of God to forgiven people.

The problem is not that we aren’t trying hard enough. The problem is that our sin has separated us from God, and no amount of effort can remove it. We cannot undo guilt with goodness, any more than a criminal can erase a crime by doing community service. The standard of heaven is not “better than average,” but perfection — and none of us meet that standard.

If We Could Earn Heaven, Jesus Never Needed to Die

If heaven could be earned, Jesus would never have gone to the cross. The cross tells us two things at once: sin is serious, and God is gracious. Salvation does not come through us climbing up to God, but through God coming down to us in Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live and died the death we deserved, so that sinners could be forgiven.

Salvation is not achieved by effort, but received by faith. We are not saved by our works, but by Christ’s work. We do not present our goodness to God; we trust in His grace.

The Bible Summaries Salvation This Way

“By grace you have been saved through faith… not by works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” — Acts 16:31
“The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7
“He saved us… not because of works done by us, but according to His mercy.” — Titus 3:5

Heaven is not earned. It is given.

If It’s a Gift, Why Does It Require Faith?

A gift must be received. Faith is not a work we perform; it is the empty hand that receives what Christ has done. Faith says, “I trust Him — not myself.” It looks away from our efforts and rests in His finished work.

Salvation in One Sentence

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Then What About Good Works?

Good works do not get us to heaven — they follow salvation, not precede it. They are evidence of new life, not the cause of it. We obey not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it in Christ.

Short Summary

✔ heaven is not earned
✔ salvation is a gift, and a promise from God to all who have come to fully trust in Jesus
✔ Christ paid for all of our sin
✔ faith receives what Jesus accomplished
✔ good works follow salvation, they don’t cause it
✔ salvation is not what you do for God, but what God (Jesus) has done for you

✘ trusting in our baptism, good works, commandment keeping
✘ relying on our own actions, even in part will exclude us from the kingdom of God
✘ trying to be a good Christian doesn’t save us

Many Christians confuse saving faith with the everyday faith we live out after salvation. Saving faith trusts that Jesus paid for our sins once and for all - that He has accomplished everything by His life, death and resurrection, taking our sins and the punishment of God upon Himself.
Everyday faith is learning to trust God with the details of life — our circumstances, future, needs, relationships, suffering, fears, and unanswered questions.

A believer may have true saving faith (total confidence that Christ died for them and heaven is assured), yet struggle with everyday faith (doubting that God hears prayers, cares about their situation, or is working for their good). Scripture acknowledges this reality. We are saved through faith in Christ, but we are sanctified as our faith in God grows and matures (2 Peter 1:5–7).

Saving faith brings justification. Everyday faith shapes sanctification.

Saving faith is once-for-all. Everyday faith is lifelong.

Saving faith rests on what Christ has done. Everyday faith wrestles with what God is doing.

Struggling with Faith Does Not Mean You Aren’t Saved

Jesus spoke tenderly to those who struggled, calling them “little faith,” not “no faith.” Doubt, fear, and anxiety are common battles for believers — and they are not signs that saving faith is absent. The father who cried, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) captures the tension many Christians feel daily. God grows our everyday faith through trials, prayer, Scripture, and walking with Him over time.

In Summary

✔ Saving faith = trusting Jesus for salvation
✔ Everyday faith = trusting God in life
✔ Saving faith brings assurance
✔ Everyday faith brings maturity
✔ Saving faith is certain and objective
✔ Everyday faith is often slow and messy
✔ Both come from the same Spirit
✔ The strength of our faith does not save us — Christ does

Belief in Jesus is not merely acknowledging that God exists, that Jesus lived, or that Christianity has some truth in it. Many people agree with those things and yet have never trusted Christ. The Bible speaks of a kind of belief that is intellectual — “I think it’s probably true” — and a kind of belief that is personal and saving — “I trust Jesus with my life and my eternity.”

Saving faith is not measured by how religious you are, how moral you are, how emotional you feel, or how certain you are at every moment. It is measured by what (or who) you are relying on. True belief looks away from self — away from our goodness, our works, our sincerity, and our efforts — and places confidence in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

This means a person can be uncertain, fearful, or struggling and still truly believe, just as a person can be confident, moral, or religious and not believe at all. The issue is trust — who you are depending on to make you right with God.

Signs of Saving Faith (According to the Bible)

The Bible gives several marks of genuine belief. None of these are about perfection, but about direction:

1. Trust in Christ Alone
Not Jesus plus your works, rituals, or goodness — just Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 3:22).

2. A New Heart Toward Sin
Not sinlessness, but a shift — you don’t love sin the way you used to (1 John 3:9).

3. A Desire for Christ and His Word
Even if weak or slow (1 Peter 2:2).

4. Repentance
A change of mind — not payment or punishment for yourself (Acts 20:21).

5. The Presence of the Holy Spirit
Producing spiritual fruit over time (Galatians 5:22–23).

Again — none of these are tests of performance; they are evidences of new life.

What Saving Faith Is — and Isn’t

Saving faith is:
✔ trust in Christ
✔ personal reliance
✔ receiving a gift
✔ resting in His finished work

Saving faith is not:
✘ working for salvation
✘ proving yourself to God
✘ earning forgiveness
✘ trying harder
being perfect
✘ never doubting

Belief is not measured by how strong you feel, but by who you are trusting.

A Good Question to Ask Yourself

“If God asked me, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ — what would I say?”

If your answer begins with:
“I’m trying…”
“I’ve been…”
“I’ve changed…”
“I’m trying to do better…”
“I hope I’m good enough…”

…your trust may still be in yourself rather than in Christ.

If your answer begins with:
“Because Jesus…”
“Because He died for me…”
“Because His sacrifice is enough…”

…that is the heart of true belief.

In Summary

✔ true belief = trust in Jesus, not self
✔ weak faith can still be saving faith
✔ outward religion does not guarantee inward belief
✔ God saves those who rely on Christ’s finished work

When a person truly puts their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, something supernatural happens: they are born again, forgiven, justified, adopted into God’s family, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Salvation is not a temporary status or a trial period — it is an eternal work of God. Those whom Christ saves, He keeps. Believers do not cling to Christ by their own strength; Christ holds them by His.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a guarantee of their inheritance, not a conditional token that might be removed if they stumble or struggle. Our confidence is not based on our performance, sincerity, or consistency, but on the finished work of Jesus and the faithfulness of God. If salvation can be lost, then it depends on us. If salvation is eternal, then it depends on Him.

Scripture speaks directly to this:

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” — John 10:28
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6
“In Him you also… were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…” — Ephesians 1:13–14
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
“Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39

If eternal life could be lost, it would not be “eternal.” If the Spirit could unseal us, He would not be a “guarantee.” If nothing can separate us from God’s love, not even our own failures can undo what Christ has secured.

A Common Objection: “I once knew a Christian who became an atheist.”

Many people raise this concern: they knew someone who attended church, read the Bible, sang songs, served in ministry, and appeared devoted — but later walked away, renounced the faith, or embraced unbelief. Did they lose salvation?

The Bible addresses this directly. There is a distinction between external association with Christianity and true saving faith. Some people can be involved, knowledgeable, and religiously active without ever having truly trusted Christ for salvation. Jesus spoke of those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8). The apostle John explains:

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” — 1 John 2:19

John does not say they were once saved and then became unsaved; he says their departure revealed they were never truly of the faith. Their leaving was not the loss of salvation, but the exposure of unbelief.

True believers may struggle, wander, doubt, grieve, or go through seasons of dryness — but they do not finally abandon Christ. Not because they are strong, but because Christ keeps His own. Jesus promises:

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” — John 6:37
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me.” — John 6:39

If a person could be saved and then unsaved, Jesus would be failing the Father’s will. Instead, Scripture teaches perseverance — not as a heroic achievement of the believer, but as the preserving work of God.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity — truly God, not a force, energy, or feeling.
He is personal, active, and central to the Christian life.

When Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?

Scripture consistently teaches that believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion — when we put our complete trust in Christ and are united to Him.

Scriptures:

• “In him you also… were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)

• “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:9)

• “We were all baptised into one body… and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Receiving the Spirit is not something reserved for a later stage of Christianity, nor for an elite group of believers. If you truly have faith in Christ, you have the Spirit.

What Does the Holy Spirit Do for Believers?

1. He Gives New Life
The Spirit regenerates (John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5). Without Him, no one can be born again.

2. He Seals and Assures
He marks believers as God’s own (Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:16).

3. He Sanctifies
He produces holiness and Christlikeness (Galatians 5:22–23).

4. He Helps Us Know Christ
He opens our eyes to understand Christ and the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:10–14).

5. He Indwells and Leads
Not externally but inwardly — guiding, convicting, and strengthening (Romans 8:13–14; John 16:8).

6. He Gathers Us Into the Church
He unites believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:12–13).

7. He Equips for Service
Through gifts which differ but serve the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4–11).

Common Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit

Misconception 1: “We only receive the Holy Spirit at water baptism.”
Scripture shows believers receive the Spirit at conversion, not when they touch water (Ephesians 1:13–14; Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:2).
Water baptism is an important act of obedience and public confession, but it does not cause regeneration or the Spirit’s indwelling.

Misconception 2: “True Christians must speak in tongues.”
Paul explicitly denies this:
“Do all speak in tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30) — answer: No.
Tongues are a gift, not a requirement, proof, or spiritual badge. Many mature, Spirit-filled believers never speak in tongues.

Misconception 3: “The Spirit always produces dramatic experiences.”
Pentecost was dramatic (Acts 2), but regeneration can be quiet like the wind (John 3:8).
Emotion can accompany the Spirit’s work, but emotion is not the measure of the Spirit’s presence.

Misconception 4: “The Spirit makes worship chaotic or ecstatic.”
Paul corrects this in Corinth: the Spirit builds up, instructs, and brings order (1 Corinthians 14:26–33,40).
Confusion is not a mark of the Spirit.

Misconception 5: “The Spirit replaces the mind, Scripture, or discernment.”
The Spirit illumines the Word, He does not replace it (1 Corinthians 2:12–14).
The Spirit guards us from counterfeit teachings, not away from Scripture.

Summary

• Who is the Spirit?
  The third Person of the Trinity — fully God, personal, active, life-giving.

• When do we receive Him?
  At conversion, when we believe the gospel and are united to Christ — not at water baptism, and not only after a second “experience.”

• How do we receive Him?
  By faith, through the gospel, as a gift of grace — not by effort, performance, or ritual.

• What does He do?
  He regenerates, indwells, assures, sanctifies, guides, equips, produces fruit, and unites believers into the body of Christ.

• What doesn’t He necessarily do?
  Not all believers speak in tongues, nor does He guarantee dramatic emotional experiences, instant perfection, or disorderly worship.

• What doesn’t He replace?
  He does not override Scripture, the mind, discipleship, or discernment — He works through them.

• What is the hallmark of His work?
  Christ-centredness, holiness, assurance, truth, and fruit — not hype.

Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward reality. It is a public declaration that a person has believed in Christ, has been united with Him in His death and resurrection, and belongs to the family of God. Baptism does not save us, wash away our sins, or make us born again. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by water, ritual, or sacraments (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).

In the New Testament, baptism follows belief. Everywhere it appears, it is a response to the gospel, not a prerequisite for it: “Those who gladly received his word were baptised” (Acts 2:41). The water represents death to the old life and new life in Christ (Romans 6:3–4). It is a picture of what has already taken place in the believer’s heart, not a mechanism that makes it happen.

Some groups teach that baptism is necessary for salvation or that sins are removed through the water. But Scripture is clear that forgiveness comes through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7) and eternal life is received through faith (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). The thief on the cross was saved without baptism (Luke 23:42–43), and Paul explicitly states that Christ did not send him primarily to baptise, but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17) — showing the two are not identical.

Baptism is important, joyful, obedient, and public — but it is not the gospel. It does not make us Christians; it marks us as Christians.

The world tells us that our purpose is found in success, relationships, comfort, achievement, pleasure, career, self-expression, or personal happiness. But Scripture teaches that the purpose of a Christian is not discovered in ourselves, but in Christ. We were created to know God, to love Him, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever. We were redeemed not merely to be forgiven, but to be made new — to live for the One who died and rose for us (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Our purpose is not temporary or uncertain. It does not depend on talent, status, opportunity, health, or season of life. Young or old, single or married, rich or poor, healthy or frail — every believer shares the same ultimate calling: to glorify God and to bear witness to Christ. We do this through obedience, holiness, worship, love, good works, and the proclamation of the gospel. Everything else — career, family, creativity, skill, work, rest — fits under this greater reality.

Created, Redeemed, and Sent

A Christian does not belong to this world. We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), and a people set apart for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9). We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). We were not saved to live comfortable, safe, or self-focused lives, but to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13–16), pointing others to the hope that is in us.

Our lives matter because eternity is real and people are eternal. Work, relationships, marriage, gifts, talents, and resources are not ends in themselves; they are tools for serving Christ and blessing others. The Christian life is not about doing big things for God, but about being faithful to God wherever He places us.

Storing Up Heavenly Treasure

Jesus teaches that the way we live in this life echoes into eternity. We are called not to store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). Earthly treasures — money, success, reputation, comfort, possessions, and achievements — are temporary and ultimately fragile. Heavenly treasures, however, are eternal and indestructible. We store up treasure in heaven through obedience to Christ, love for others, generosity toward the needy, sacrificial service, faithfulness in suffering, and by investing our time, resources, gifts, and efforts into the kingdom of God. These acts do not earn salvation or merit God’s favour — salvation is a gift — but they do reflect a heart that values Christ above the world and rewards above the temporary. The Christian lives with eternity in view, knowing that nothing offered to Christ in faith is ever wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The Bible Summarises Our Purpose

Scripture gives multiple angles on the same theme:

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
“For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
“We make it our aim to please Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:9
“Let your light shine before others.” — Matthew 5:16
“As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.” — John 20:21

These are not abstract ideas — they define why we exist.

Short Summary

A Christian’s purpose is:

✔ to glorify God
✔ to love Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength
✔ to obey Him out of joy and gratitude
✔ to reflect Christ to the world
✔ to proclaim the gospel
✔ to serve others
✔ to bear fruit that lasts into eternity

This purpose does not expire with age, status, or circumstance. It cannot be taken by sickness, disability, unemployment, loneliness, or death — because it flows from Christ Himself, not from our situation.

Yes. Christians still sin. The Bible teaches that when we put our faith in Christ, we are forgiven, justified, and made a new creation — but we are not yet made perfect. Until the day we are glorified, we still battle the flesh, the world, and temptation. The presence of sin in a believer’s life does not mean they aren’t saved; it means they are still being sanctified.

Scripture speaks directly to this:

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8

John wrote this to believers, not unbelievers. Christians still fail, stumble, and disobey, yet the difference is that they now fight against sin rather than embrace it. They grieve over sin rather than justify it. They repent because they belong to Christ, and the Holy Spirit convicts them and shapes them over time.

Christ Paid for All Our Sin — Past, Present, and Future

The forgiveness we have in Christ does not expire and does not depend on our ongoing performance. Jesus paid for all of our sin — past, present, and future — when He died on the cross. Sin was not forgiven in installments or conditioned on continual confession. Scripture says:

“By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” — Hebrews 10:14
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

Christ’s sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 10:10). We do not remain forgiven because we continually repent well enough, sorrow deeply enough, or obey consistently enough. We remain forgiven because Jesus finished the work (John 19:30). Repentance is part of the Christian life, but it is the evidence of salvation — not the basis of it. Our assurance does not rest on how well we turn from sin, but on the One who paid for sin in full.

Does This Mean We Can Just Sin Freely?

Some worry that if all our sins are forgiven — past, present, and future — then Christians would have permission to live however they want. The Bible rejects this idea completely. Paul addresses it directly:

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” — Romans 6:1–2

True believers do not treat forgiveness as a license to sin, but as a reason to love Christ more deeply. Grace does not make us careless — it makes us grateful. Those who have been born again have new desires, new affections, and a new heart. We are not saved by obedience, but salvation produces obedience. We are not made holy by trying harder, but by the Spirit of God at work within us (Philippians 2:13). A Christian may fall into sin, but they cannot make peace with sin, because the One who saved them from sin now dwells within them.

Short Summary

✔ Christians still sin
✔ Christians repent and grow
✔ Christ paid for all sin — past, present, future, but this doesn’t give us a ‘free ticket’ to intentionally sin
✔ Forgiveness is based on His work, not ours
✔ No condemnation remains for those in Christ
✔ Salvation is secure

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers for the building up of the church, the encouragement of the saints, and the proclamation of the gospel. These gifts differ from person to person and are given according to God’s will, not human desire or status (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). No single gift belongs to all Christians, and no gift marks a “higher level” of spirituality.

Tongues, prophecy, teaching, mercy, generosity, discernment, encouragement, healing, and many other gifts are mentioned in Scripture. Paul emphasises that not all believers speak in tongues, not all prophesy, and not all perform miracles (1 Corinthians 12:29–30). Tongues were never intended to be a universal sign of salvation or evidence of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is evidenced by faith in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, not by a particular gift (Galatians 5:22–23).

Do Miracles Occur Today?
God is sovereign and free to act in the world however He chooses. Scripture gives no indication that miracles have ceased. Many believers can testify to healings, providences, answered prayers, and supernatural interventions that cannot be explained by natural means. Miracles are not relics of the ancient world; they are demonstrations of God’s power and mercy.

However, the Bible does not teach that miracles can be performed at will, on command, or as a show of spiritual authority. Even the apostles did not heal everyone (2 Timothy 4:20), and miracles were never used as performances or guarantees. They were signs that pointed beyond themselves to Christ and His gospel (John 20:30–31).

Warnings About Healers and Prophets

There is danger in movements that elevate individuals as “healers,” “prophets,” or “apostles” who claim to speak for God, tell the future, perform miracles on demand, or bestow blessings for money. Such claims often turn spiritual gifts into spectacles, commodities, or tools of manipulation. Scripture warns about false prophets who draw attention to themselves rather than to Christ, and about those who use religion for personal gain (2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 6:5).

Some charismatic movements teach that tongues, miracles, or prophecy are signs of superior spirituality or evidence that a person has been truly saved or “baptised in the Spirit.” The Bible teaches the opposite: the Spirit distributes gifts as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), not as we demand, and the greatest evidence of the Spirit’s presence is love, not power (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).

In Summary

• God gives different gifts to different believers.

• Not everyone speaks in tongues.

• Tongues are not proof of salvation, and lacking tongues does not mean a person is not saved.

• Miracles still occur as God sees fit to do them.

• Beware of people who are called ‘prophets’, ‘healers’, or ‘apostles’ and claim to be able to do miracles on command.

• Gifts exist to glorify Christ and build up the church, not individuals who do them.

Throughout history, some traditions have viewed communion as operating with inherent saving power — as if grace is transferred through the elements themselves, or as if participation keeps one “in the state of grace.” But the Bible teaches that grace comes through faith in Christ, not through rituals or sacraments. Communion is not a transaction between God and the believer, but a memorial of a transaction that has already been paid in full on the cross.

Scripture gives four primary purposes for communion:

1) Remembrance

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” — Luke 22:19

2) Proclamation

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26

3) Examination (not for salvation, but for sincerity)

“Let a person examine himself…” — 1 Corinthians 11:28

4) Participation in Fellowship
Communion is a shared meal of unity among believers (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17).

None of these add to salvation; all of them point to Christ.

When many people hear the word “tithe,” they think of a compulsory 10% payment that Christians are expected to give to their church. However, the Bible’s teaching on tithing is very different. In the Old Testament, tithing was part of Israel’s covenant law, designed to support the Levites, the temple system, and the poor (Numbers 18:21–24; Deuteronomy 14:28–29).
It was never a universal requirement for all nations or for the church, and it was never connected to earning salvation or gaining spiritual blessing.

Under the Law, there were actually multiple tithes—a yearly tithe for the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:22), a yearly tithe for festivals and communal feasts (Deuteronomy 14:23–27), and a third tithe every three years for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28–29). When averaged, this amounted to roughly 23.3% per year, not the simplified “10%” that is often taught today. These tithes were tied specifically to the Levitical priesthood and the temple system, which has now been fulfilled in Christ and brought to an end (Hebrews 7:11–12; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 10:1–14).

For that reason, the idea that Christians today must “tithe” is neither commanded nor modelled in the New Testament. Unfortunately, many churches continue to use tithing language—explicitly or implicitly—as a moral obligation or a form of religious taxation. This should not be so. The New Testament never presents giving as a law, a requirement, a means of blessing, or a way to earn God’s favour. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone—not by money, works, or religious contributions (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Instead, Christian giving is voluntary, joyful, and grace-driven. Believers are encouraged to give freely, generously, and without compulsion or manipulation, supporting both gospel work and those in need. As Scripture says:

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Giving flows from gratitude, not obligation. It is a response to what God has already done for us in Christ—not a condition for what He will do. Some give money. Others give time, hospitality, resources, skills, mercy, or practical help. In the early church, believers shared what they had to meet needs and to advance the gospel (Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:32–35), not because they were required to, but because they wanted to.

The New Testament pattern is simple:
• Give voluntarily
• Give generously
• Give joyfully
• Give for the gospel
• Give to those in need
• Give from grace, not to gain grace

For more information, watch this video from NeedGod.net

Many churches or pastors today aim to make Christianity appealing to those who are curious, skeptical, or non-religious. Their desire is to draw people in, remove offense, and help visitors feel comfortable. While the intention may be good, the result can be spiritually damaging when the gospel is softened, essential truths are avoided, or sin, judgment, repentance, hell, and salvation are rarely mentioned.

A “seeker-friendly” church/pastor may emphasize positive themes such as purpose, meaning, relationships, family, motivation, or personal improvement, while avoiding the reality of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the centrality of the cross. Christianity becomes a path to a better life rather than the announcement that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Instead of calling people to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, the message becomes how Jesus can help us become happier, healthier, more fulfilled, or more successful.

The danger of this approach is that it produces people who like Jesus, admire Him, or find Him inspiring — yet do not understand why He died, or why they need Him. It fills churches with attendees, but not converts; with consumers, but not disciples. It offers comfort without conviction, and encouragement without transformation.

Biblical preaching confronts us with truth:

• God is holy

• We are sinners

• Judgment is real

• Christ died for our sins

• We must repent and believe

• Salvation is a gift of grace

Seeker-friendly preaching avoids offense:

• God loves you

• You matter

• You have purpose

• Jesus can improve your life

• Try harder, feel better, do better

One leads to eternal life; the other to temporary uplift.

Scripture warns that in the last days people will prefer teachers who tell them what they want to hear:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but… they will heap up for themselves teachers… and they will turn their ears away from the truth.” — 2 Timothy 4:3–4
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you.” — Luke 6:26
“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” — Galatians 1:10

Jesus never softened the gospel to make it attractive. He told people to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. He spoke openly about sin, hell, judgment, and repentance — not to drive seekers away, but to save them.

How tragic is it that person can attend a seeker-friendly church for years, enjoy the music, feel inspired, find community, and still die in their sins — never having heard the gospel that could save them. This is not love. To withhold truth that leads to eternal life for the sake of comfort in this life is not kindness, but neglect.

Click here for an excellent video on what to watch out for in churches/pastors.

Not everything that calls itself “Christian” is Christianity. Throughout history, many groups, traditions, and religious movements have used Christian language, read the Bible, and spoken about Jesus — yet denied the heart of the gospel. The Bible warns that false teachers, false prophets, and false gospels would arise, not from outside the church, but from within it (Acts 20:29–30; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Peter 2:1–3).

A false branch of Christianity is not defined by the name on the building or the sincerity of its members, but by what it teaches about Jesus, the cross, and salvation. Christianity is not primarily a moral system, a social community, a liturgical tradition, or an institution — it is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, and that eternal life is received by grace through faith alone. When this gospel is altered, added to, or replaced, the result is no longer Christianity, no matter how familiar or religious it may appear.

False versions of Christianity consistently do one or more of the following:

1. Lower Jesus
   Turn Him into a prophet, teacher, angelic being, or exalted man rather than God the Son.

2. Raise Human Effort
   Teach that works, sacraments, righteousness, rituals, law-keeping, or moral performance contribute to salvation.

3. Redefine Grace
   Treat grace as empowerment to earn salvation rather than the unearned gift of God to the undeserving.

4. Deny Assurance
   Keep people uncertain, fearful, or dependent on the institution for salvation.

5. Shift the Authority
   Replace Scripture with tradition, prophets, councils, institutions, or leaders.

6. Remove the Cross’s Finality
   Teach that Jesus opened the door to salvation but must be completed by human effort.

Whenever Christianity becomes Jesus + …something, it ceases to be the gospel.

The test is simple and biblical:

1. Who is Jesus?
   Is He truly God?

2. What did He accomplish?
   Was the cross finished or partial?

3. How is a person saved?
   By grace alone through faith alone, or by works + rituals + performance?

4. Can we be sure?
   Does the system offer assurance based on Christ, or dependence on itself?

5. Who has authority?
   Scripture alone, or Scripture plus the institution?

True Christianity answers:

✔ Jesus is God
✔ Salvation is finished
✔ Grace alone through faith
✔ Assurance is possible
✔ Scripture is sufficient

Below is a list of groups/movements/systems to avoid for their false doctrines, distorted gospels and ulterior motives.

• Roman Catholicism — sacramental works, merit, infusion of grace, no assurance

• Eastern Orthodoxy — synergistic salvation, sacramentalism, no assurance

• Mormonism / LDS — polytheism, exaltation theology, works, non-biblical Jesus

• Jehovah’s Witnesses — Arian Christ (created being), no deity of Jesus

• Seventh-day Adventism — law + Sabbath + investigative judgment (Christ’s work not finished)

• Progressive Christianity — social gospel, universalism, denies sin, judgment, and substitution

• Prosperity Gospel — gain instead of grace, Jesus as pathway to success

• NAR / Apostolic-Prophetic movements — new revelation authority, modern apostles/prophets

• Seeker-Friendly Christianity — therapeutic self-help, no repentance, no cross

• Universalism — no hell, no judgment, no need for salvation

• Christadelphians — deny Trinity & deity of Christ, works/resurrection-based salvation

• World Mission Society Church of God — cultic structure, polytheism (God the Mother), works, non-biblical theology

The Bible teaches that evil spirits are real. Scripture describes a spiritual realm where beings oppose God and work against His purposes (Ephesians 6:11–12; 1 Peter 5:8). Evil spirits tempt, deceive, accuse, and influence — but they are not equal to God in power or authority. Their fate is sealed and the outcome of the spiritual battle has already been decided by Christ.

Jesus came into the world to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Through His death and resurrection, He triumphed over the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). Christians do not fight for victory, but from victory. The enemy may resist, but he cannot win.

Can Evil Spirits Possess Christians?

For those who are truly born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the answer is no. A believer may be tempted, attacked, accused, or influenced, but not possessed. The Bible teaches that a Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). God does not share His temple with demons. Light and darkness cannot dwell together (2 Corinthians 6:14–16).

Possession is a form of ownership and control. Christians are already owned by Christ — bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). The Spirit seals believers for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). A sealed, indwelt believer cannot also be indwelt by an evil spirit.

Be Cautious of “Deliverance Ministries”

Some preachers or self-appointed “healers” claim to remove demons from Christians through rituals, shouting, or staged “deliverances.” These practices create unnecessary fear and confusion among believers. They often treat Christians as if they are spiritually vulnerable, cursed, or oppressed in the same way as unbelievers — and they make the Christian life about chasing freedom rather than resting in the finished work of Christ.

Scripture never instructs Christians to purge evil spirits from believers, nor does it describe believers as needing deliverance after conversion. Instead, it calls us to resist the devil by faith, truth, prayer, and obedience (Ephesians 6:10–18; James 4:7). The weapons of spiritual warfare are not theatrics, rituals, or personalities, but the Word of God, the gospel, and the Spirit.

The Real Nature of Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare in Scripture is not mainly about dramatic encounters, but about resisting temptation, rejecting lies, enduring trials, proclaiming truth, and standing firm in Christ. The battlefield is often the mind and the heart. The enemy’s strategies are deception (John 8:44), accusation (Revelation 12:10), temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), and fear (2 Timothy 1:7). God equips believers with armor for this fight (Ephesians 6:10–18), and none of the armor implies defeat or possession.

The Battle Is Already Won

Christ’s victory over Satan is not future — it is past. On the cross and in the resurrection, He disarmed the rulers and authorities, triumphing over them (Colossians 2:15). Evil spirits are active in the world, but they are defeated enemies awaiting judgment (Revelation 20:10). Christians do not fight alone, and we do not fight to achieve victory — we fight as those who belong to the victorious King.

In Summary

✔ evil spirits are real
✔ Christians cannot be possessed
✔ the Spirit of God lives in the believer
✔ spiritual warfare is real but not theatrical
✔ deliverance ministries often confuse and mislead
✔ Christ has already won the decisive victory

Death is the universal appointment every person must keep: “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The world treats death as a natural part of life, but the Bible describes death as an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26) — a foreign intrusion into God’s good creation. Death exists because sin exists. Without Christ, death leads to judgment and separation from God in hell. With Christ, death becomes the doorway to eternal life in His presence.

Eternity is not a vague spiritual notion; it is the future of every human soul. Scripture teaches a final resurrection — the just to everlasting life and the unjust to everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29; Matthew 25:46). Believers will dwell in the new heavens and the new earth — a world without sin, suffering, death, or decay (Revelation 21:1–4). In eternity, nothing good will be lost, and nothing evil will remain.

Because eternity is real, life on earth is not meaningless. Our decisions, loyalties, and faith have everlasting consequence. This life is short; eternity is long; and Christ has made a way to live forever.

Allow this knowledge of eternity motivate us to share the good news with whoever will listen.

Hell is a real place of eternal conscious torment for those who die in their sins without Christ. It is not a metaphor, a temporary state, or a symbol for suffering in this life. Jesus described hell as a place of “unquenchable fire,” “outer darkness,” “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” and “everlasting punishment” (Mark 9:43–48; Matthew 25:46). The book of Revelation speaks of a “lake of fire” where the wicked “have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:11; 20:10, 15). These are not poetic exaggerations — they are divine warnings.

Hell exists because God is holy, just, and good. We often think of hell as excessive or unfair because we underestimate the seriousness of sin. Sin is not simply breaking rules; it is cosmic treason against the King of the universe. It is choosing self over God, darkness over light, rebellion over obedience, and pride over humility. People do not go to hell because God is cruel, but because they have sinned against a perfectly righteous God and rejected the only Savior who can redeem them.

“Isn’t Hell Too Severe, Unfair, or Unloving?”

Many struggle with the idea of hell, wondering how a loving God could send anyone there. But love and justice are not opposites — they are two sides of God’s perfect nature. We instinctively understand justice when it comes to earthly courts: the greater the crime, the more serious the penalty. Yet we often minimize our crimes against God because we minimize His holiness.

God’s justice does not make Him unloving — it reveals that He takes evil seriously. A God who ignores sin, injustice, cruelty, and rebellion would not be good. Hell is the just consequence of sin, not an overreaction. As Scripture says:

“The wages of sin is death.” — Romans 6:23
“The soul who sins shall die.” — Ezekiel 18:4
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

Jesus spoke about hell repeatedly and vividly — more than any prophet, apostle, or biblical writer:

“Everlasting punishment.” — Matthew 25:46
“Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” — Mark 9:48
“Outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” — Matthew 8:12
“Fear Him who… has power to cast into hell.” — Luke 12:5

If hell were symbolic or temporary, Jesus would not have warned so urgently or so often.

The final judgment described in Revelation confirms the eternal nature of hell:

“The devil… the beast and the false prophet… will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” — Revelation 20:10
“Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15
“The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night.” — Revelation 14:11

These passages remove any notion that hell ends, purifies, or annihilates.

Hell makes sense when we grasp two truths:

1. The severity of a crime is measured by the worth of the one sinned against.
   Sin against an infinite, holy God carries infinite consequence.

2. Hell is not filled with people who wanted God.
   It is filled with people who rejected Him, clung to their sin, and refused the only Savior who could rescue them.

God does not send unwilling people into a heaven they do not want; He gives them what they chose — separation from Him forever.

No one needs to go to hell. The invitation is open, the door is open, and the Savior stands ready to save all who come to Jesus by trusting in Him for salvation.

Many assume that becoming a Christian means life will become easier, smoother, or more comfortable. But Jesus never promised an escape from trials; He promised His presence through them. “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Christians suffer sickness, loss, betrayal, hardship, and persecution — yet none of these are signs that God has abandoned them.

God uses suffering for purposes we often cannot see: to refine our faith, shape our character, loosen our grip on the world, and draw us nearer to Christ (1 Peter 1:6–7; Romans 5:3–4). Trials are not pleasant, but they are not meaningless. For the unbeliever, suffering is tragedy without final purpose. For the believer, suffering is temporary and purposeful, producing “an eternal weight of glory” beyond comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

God does not promise Christians a painless life; He promises a perfect eternity.

God created humanity in His image — male and female (Genesis 1:27). These are not cultural inventions or social constructs, but God’s good design. Sex and gender are not self-defined realities; they are created realities. The differences between male and female are purposeful, complementary, and meaningful, reflecting God’s wisdom and order in creation.

God designed marriage as a covenant union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). Within that union, sexual intimacy is a gift to be enjoyed, celebrated, and stewarded. Outside of that covenant, sexual activity — whether heterosexual or homosexual — is called sin (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Hebrews 13:4). Scripture does not single out same-sex sin as uniquely damning, but calls all sexual sin to repentance and surrender under Christ.

Because of the fall, all of us experience broken desires — whether sexual, relational, or identity-based. The believer’s struggle with desire is not evidence against God’s design, but evidence that creation has been fractured by sin. Christianity does not teach that our temptations define us or tell the truth about us. Our identity is not grounded in our attractions, our preferences, our struggles, or our self-perception. Identity is received from God, not constructed by self.

The modern world teaches that authenticity means following our desires and affirming our feelings. Jesus teaches that authenticity means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him (Luke 9:23). The call of Christ is costly for every human being — heterosexual or homosexual, male or female, married or single — because all of us must surrender our desires to the lordship of Jesus. Grace does not affirm sin; grace rescues sinners.

The church must speak truth with compassion. Many people who identify as LGBTIQ+ are not driven by rebellion, but by confusion, pain, longing, or unfulfilled desires for love, belonging, or identity. Christians are not called to mock or dismiss such struggles, but to point people to the only One who can heal the soul. Christ came not to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). The greatest dignity we can show any person is to tell them the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

The deepest identity offered to human beings is not found in sexuality, gender, or self-expression, but in Christ. In Him we are forgiven, adopted, renewed, and made children of God — and this identity will outlast every earthly label, desire, or struggle.