{"id":230,"date":"2013-01-15T12:10:10","date_gmt":"2013-01-15T17:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/?p=230"},"modified":"2023-11-22T12:15:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T17:15:32","slug":"what-every-person-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Person Needs to Know!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Long Post:<\/strong> Use these links or the links at the bottom of each page<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">to navigate this document<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/2#one\">Questions about the Bible?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/3#two\">Questions about God?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/4#three\">Questions about Sin?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/5#four\">Questions about Jesus Christ?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/what-every-person-needs-to-know\/6#five\">What Do I Need to Do to Be Saved?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><!--more--><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\"><em>For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.<\/em>\u00a0(John 3:16)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The news of the invisible, omnipresent, all-powerful, and all-knowing God has been heard for many years throughout the whole universe. From the blade of grass growing in the darkest corner of the garden to the powerful oak on the mountainside, and from the sand on the seashore to the gigantic planets and twinkling stars in the dark heavens, everything speaks of an Almighty God.<img decoding=\"async\" title=\"More...\" src=\"https:\/\/gospelbillboards.org\/wp-includes\/js\/tinymce\/plugins\/wordpress\/img\/trans.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God lives in heaven and yet at the same time He is close to people. He wants all people to be saved from eternal destruction and He wants everyone to be with Him in heaven. Today God is inviting all, young and old, \u201cCome unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest\u201d (Matthew 11:28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Who is God? How do we come to Him and find rest? Who are the weary and heavy laden? The Bible has the answers to these questions, and this book <em>What Every Person Needs to Know!<\/em> will help you understand the deep thoughts of God\u2019s Word.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">This book, <em>What Every Person Needs to Know!<\/em>, will explain how the Bible came into being, why the Bible is called God\u2019s Word, how sin came into the world, how to be delivered from sin, and the truth about Jesus Christ, the Savior of all people.<br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"one\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">What is the Bible?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>\u201cAnd further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man\u201d (Ecclesiastes 12:12, 13).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">If you have ever gone into a library, you probably noticed how many different books there are! All the shelves in the library, from the floor to the ceiling, were full of books\u2014small and large, thick and thin, books with pictures, and books without pictures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">People need books. We study from books in school. Books have good advice for our daily lives, and through books we learn many things about the world around us. The person who wants to know more, reads more. But no person, no matter how long he lived, could ever read all the books in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Not all books are beneficial. Many publications, like a toxin, poison the heart and mind of a person by teaching all kinds of evil. These books awake evil desires and separate people from God. We need to read only upbuilding books, and have no interest in books that harm the soul.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">There is one unique book in the world. This book is the most important and the most precious of all books in the world. It is impossible to live right without this book called the Bible. No other book is comparable to it. Every person, young or old, needs to know what is written in the Bible. If you have read many books and still do not know what is written in the Bible, you are living your life in vain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">What makes the Bible superior to all other books?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible Is God\u2019s Word<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost&#8221;<\/i> (2 Peter 1:21).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">No other book in the world is like the Bible. Its author is not man, but God Himself. Everything God wants people to know is written on its pages. For this reason the Bible is called God&#8217;s Word or the Holy Scrip\u00adtures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible explains how God created the heaven and the earth, and how He made man. The Bible tells us how man sinned, and how God in His love for people made a way to save them through His Son, Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible consists of sixty-six separate books, and each book has its own name; for example: &#8220;Job,&#8221; &#8220;John,&#8221; &#8220;Nahum,&#8221; and &#8220;Hebrews.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God did not write the Bible with His own hand; but He used faithful, holy men who loved Him, as writers of His Word. He inspired these men and gave them wisdom to write. Among the writers were the simple and the outstanding ones. Kings, shepherds, a Greek doctor, uneducated fish\u00adermen, government officials, and priests all faithfully wrote God&#8217;s mes\u00adsage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible was written in different times, in different languages, and in different countries. It is divided into two parts\u2014the Old Testament, and the New Testament, which is also called the Gospel. The first books of the Old Testament were written about 3,500 years ago, but the New Testament was written about 2,000 years ago. Even though the Bible is an ancient book, it is very important in our time as well and its words have not lost their thought or meaning. It is a priceless Book for all people and for all times, because what has been written comes from God Himself!<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why is the Bible called the Word of God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible is Perfect Truth<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth&#8221; <\/i>(John 17:17).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">We know from childhood that truth is right and untruth is wrong. We need to believe truth, but we need to reject untruth\u2014we dare not believe it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God&#8217;s Word is perfect truth. It is the absolute truth. It reveals the truth about mankind and sin, about God and eternity, and about salva\u00adtion and the Savior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Every person can be sure the Bible is perfect truth, and needs to believe what is written in it. For example, in Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, &#8220;Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.&#8221; Perhaps you are that very person who is tired and heavy laden un\u00adder a burden of sin and a guilty conscience. This verse invites you to come to Jesus, so He can take your burden of sin and give you peace. Everyone who truly believes the Word receives peace and rest. Whoever does not believe is still pressed down by the weight of sin and is wandering around without purpose in life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible was written by hand for centuries before the invention of the printing press. Those who copied the Bible were very careful not to change one word or letter, because God has declared He will severely punish anyone who adds to or takes away from His Word.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Today the Bible is translated into many different languages of the world. It still contains the original thoughts of God&#8217;s Word, giving the Bible popularity, importance, and value.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Whether you believe what is written in the Bible or not, does not change the truth. God cannot lie and His Word will surely come to pass.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why is the Bible an absolutely true book?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">What truth does the Bible open to us?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible is a Book That is Able to Change One&#8217;s Life<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart&#8221; <\/i>(Hebrews 4:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God has done a wonderful work! He put the power of the Holy Spirit into ordinary human words, and the Bible has become a real and living Word. The Word is able to change the thought patterns of every person and their relationship with sin, with God, and with other people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Under the influence of God&#8217;s Word, hardened sinners repent of their transgressions and become holy. Murderers change and become kind and loving. Liars change and speak the truth, and thieves stop stealing. God&#8217;s Word comforts the believers in life&#8217;s most difficult circumstances and gives hope in the face of death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible is a divine book. The Holy Spirit opens the true meaning of the words written in the Bible. Without the illumination of the Holy Spirit, no one is able to understand its true meaning\u2014not even the most educated person. God sees those who want to know the truth, and by His Spirit He opens the truth to those who search for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">You need to read the Bible to experience its work in your life. Before reading, ask God to help you understand what you read and to believe what is written in His Word. The person who reads, believes, and applies all of God&#8217;s Word to his own life is the happiest person. Why is this? It is because those who read the divine Word of God hear God Himself speaking to them. They learn how to live and in whom to believe so they do not need to perish in eternal destruction. This gives a person hope of eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How does the Bible change the life of a person?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What do you need to do to experience the working of God&#8217;s Word in your life?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><!--nextpage--><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"two\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Who is God?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen&#8221;<\/i> (1 Timothy 6:16).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">There is likely no one on earth who has not thought about how the universe came into existence. Where did people come from? Is there a God, and what is He like? Where does God live and what does He do? As we look at ourselves and the world around us, we ask, &#8220;Where did this all come from?&#8221; Obviously, man could not make all the things we see. Then who did?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">When we see tracks in the snow during the winter, we say, &#8220;Someone walked here.&#8221; Even if we did not see who it was, we can tell by the tracks whether it was an animal or a person, an adult or a child. In a similar way we can see the &#8220;footprints&#8221; of a great and wise God in everything around us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">No one has ever seen God. He is not visible to people. He does not have a body like us, and He lives in a world inaccessible to mankind. It is impossible to make a drawing of God or to describe Him with words, because no one knows such high and wonderful words that could describe His glory, omniscience, and beauty. But even so, God made it possible for man to learn much about Him and to have fellowship with Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">To learn who God is, a person does not need to drive or fly anywhere. All you need to do is look at yourself and the world around you. Stop and think how marvelously man is made, and you cannot help but be amazed. How beautifully the birds sing in the morning! How majestically the sun rises above the earth! How wisely day and night, summer and winter were created! How harmonious it all is! In everything, absolutely everything, God&#8217;s wisdom and greatness are shown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Who is this great and powerful God?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God is the Creator<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him&#8221; <\/i>(Colossians 1:16).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me&#8221; <\/i>(Jeremiah 27:5).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Did you ever wonder about how and when the earth, the sun, the moon and stars, the oceans and rivers, the fish in the water, the birds in the sky, and the beasts in the forest came to be; and where man came from? Why, for example, does summer always come after spring, and never winter? Why do birds always migrate to warmer areas in the fall, and bears hibernate just before it gets cold? Why does our planet orbit the sun? Who put such a rigid and wise order in place in the whole universe? Who appointed such exact laws of nature?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The correct and true answer to these questions is given in the Bible. The Bible tells us God is the Creator of all things visible and invisible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Do you know how God created everything? The Bible tells us &#8220;By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast&#8221; (Psalm 33:6, 9). For an all-powerful God it was enough just to say a word and the land appeared, the rivers flowed, and the seas roared. God spoke and the beasts appeared, the birds flew in the sky, and fish swam in the rivers. God created man from the dust of the earth, breathed into him the breath of life, and put him in a wonderful place\u2014the garden of Eden.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Only God can create something from nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What did God create?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How did God create all things?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God is the Giver of Life<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life&#8221;<\/i> (Job 33:4).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Did you ever see a dead person? At first glance he doesn&#8217;t look dif\u00adferent from anyone else. He has a head, hands, and feet. He may even be dressed in stylish clothes, but something is wrong. Life is missing. A dead person cannot see even though he has eyes, he cannot hear even though he has ears, and he does not breathe even though his lungs are still in place. When a person dies, we often say that he left this life, or that life has fled. What is life? Where does it come from?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">People have been interested in this question for a long time. Scien\u00adtists have studied different organisms and tried to bring forth life, but nothing has worked for them. Man cannot give life to even the smallest spider or insect. Life becomes an unsolved and unreachable mystery for the scientist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">When nature wakes up in the spring, you have seen how the forest is transformed and the flowers begin to bloom. A small, seemingly weak sprout will break through the asphalt and stretch toward the sun. What is this? It is the great, unfathomable, hidden power of life!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible reveals the secret which scientists cannot understand. It tells us life is hidden in God Himself. He is the giver of life and the One who gives life to every creature. Without God giving life, the world would turn into a deathly still grave.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God does not only give earthly, temporal life, but He also gives eter\u00adnal life to those who believe in Him as their God and Savior. If you want to escape eternal destruction, come to God and accept this priceless gift\u2014eternal life. As you continue reading this book you will learn how to come to God for eternal life. For now, remember that there is no life without God.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Who gives life to people, plants and animals?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Is life possible without God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God is Light<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all&#8221; <\/i>(1 John 1:5).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life&#8221; <\/i>(John 8:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">How good light is! It would be very hard to live without light. Dark\u00adness is not pleasant. Only robbers and people who do not want others to see their deeds of wickedness love darkness. God did not want people to live in darkness, so He created the sun and the moon to shine on the earth. He endowed light with a wonderful quality\u2014the ability to chase away darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The Bible says God is not only the creator of visible light, but He is light. In His presence everything is clear, open, and visible. All our secret thoughts and desires, that we can hide from people, are impossible to hide from God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God reveals this truth even to children. As a child, you may have been tempted to take something belonging to someone else. You took it secretly. No one saw what you did or would have thought of accusing you of being a thief. But remember how your conscience pricked you\u2014&#8221;You are wrong! It is not right to steal!&#8221; This was God convicting you and making you understand that it is forbidden to take someone else&#8217;s things! God works this way with everyone. When someone does wrong, they feel these pricks of the conscience. God is light, and He gives people an understanding of what is right and wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Unfortunately, people love darkness more than light (John 3:19). A sinner does not love light because he wants to hide his evil actions. But God sees and knows everything. A day is coming when God will judge all people who did not love the light.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why is God called light?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How does light reach the heart and what does it do?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God is a Just Judge<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day&#8221; <\/i>(Psalm 7:11)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil&#8221; <\/i>(Ecclesiastes 12:14).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">In the world in which we live, many kinds of crime happen every day: stealing, murder, violence, and suchlike. To keep order and to protect in\u00adnocent people, criminals are judged and punished by the law. Judges can make mistakes in their judgment and condemn the innocent or justify the guilty. They may even knowingly judge wrong at times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God is a just Judge. He is holy and without sin. Even though earthly judges may judge unfairly, God always judges honestly. He never does anything unjustly. God has a law, the Bible, in which are written all His commands. By this law He will judge all people, and reward each one ac\u00adcording to their deeds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Maybe you think God&#8217;s law does not affect you, because you never killed anyone or stole anything; but before God, even a small disobedience\u2014anger, dishonesty, or lying\u2014is transgression. The Bible tells us God will bring into judgment every deed\u2014large or small, good or bad, secret or open. God will judge strictly and fairly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God has given everyone the opportunity to repent so no one needs to die for their crimes. He wants everyone to live a righteous life, for which they can receive a reward. If you want to be justified in the judgment and receive a reward, you must know God&#8217;s law and live by it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why do we need a judge?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>In what way can we escape the condemnation of God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God Is Love<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God,\u00a0<\/i><i>and God in him&#8221;<\/i> (1 John 4:16).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins&#8221;<\/i> (1 John 4:9, 10).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God is a just Judge, and at the same time God is love. These quali\u00adties are beautifully combined in Him! God loves us and does not want to punish us. He has done as much as He can for us so we can receive a reward at the judgment, and not a death sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">How do we know God loves us? First of all, the Bible tells us so. Sec\u00adondly, God reveals His love in action, and it becomes obvious to every\u00adone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God loves everyone, both those who do good and those who do evil. Every day the sun rises because God loves us. God gave life to everyone; this is also an expression of His love. But the greatest, most precious thing God did for everyone is give His Son, Jesus Christ, as a ransom for sin. This is the greatest love, and it cannot be described with words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">A mother&#8217;s love is considered the highest form of love on earth. Why? A mother tenderly cares for her children, trains them, and puts up with their childish antics. She is even ready to die for the good of her children. Yet a mother&#8217;s love can only be compared to God&#8217;s love in a very small way. Sometimes a mother rejects her child and leaves him to his own fate. God will never forsake His child. His love for us is far greater than a mother&#8217;s love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">It is impossible to describe God&#8217;s love, but it can be experienced. God loves you! He desires that you would love Him with all your heart and live with Him forever.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How did God reveal His love to you?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God Is Eternal<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;My days are like a shadow that declineth. . . . But thou, <\/i><i>0 LORD, <\/i><i>shalt endure for ever&#8221;<\/i> (Psalm 102:11, 12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the <\/i><i>LORD, <\/i><i>the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding&#8221; <\/i>(Isaiah 40:28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God desires for you to love Him with all your heart and to live with Him forever. &#8220;Forever?&#8221; you ask. Yes!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">The day that you were born is called your birthday, and is considered the beginning of your life. All people, animals, birds, and plants, and even the earth, stars, and sun, had a beginning. Only God is without be\u00adginning. He is eternal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">For an example, think of a circle. You cannot find a beginning or an ending to the circle. In the same way, God does not have a beginning or an end. God always was and always will be. No one created Him. He does not have a birthday, and He will never die. God lives without ending\u2014He lives eternally! This is difficult and even impossible for our human minds to comprehend. We simply need to believe it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">You have already read that God is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the only Giver of life and light, dispelling all darkness. God is a just Judge, and He is eternal. God is love. In His immeasurable love, He wants to take everyone with Him to heaven, to live with Him forever. To be able to go to heaven and live eternally with Him, we need to repent before God and believe in Him as Lord and Savior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">You will learn how to do this as you continue reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What does the word &#8220;eternal&#8221; mean?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What do you need to do to live with God eternally?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><!--nextpage--><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"three\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">What Is Sin?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;All unrighteousness is sin . . .&#8221; <\/i>(1 John 5:17).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law&#8221; <\/i>(1 John 3:4).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God created the earth and it was wonderful. The waves silently lapped in the rivers and seas. The sweet perfume of the flowers filled the air. The trees were laden with fruit, and the birds sang. Adam and Eve lived hap\u00adpily in the Garden of Eden. There was no evil on the earth. God made it possible for Adam and Eve to freely fellowship with Him and enjoy His presence. But . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">One day something terrible happened! Adam and Eve sinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God is holy and cannot let sin go unpunished. For this reason Adam and Eve were driven from the wonderful paradise. Since Adam had been placed in dominion over the earth, his transgression also brought evil to the earth. God told Adam, &#8220;The ground is cursed for your sake.&#8221; From that time thistles and thorns started to grow in the fields and it became hard to work the ground. Worms began to ruin trees and fruit, and many animals became predators. People began to do all kinds of evil, and to become sick and die.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Why did all this happen? Why did the earth and people change so much? It was because man sinned. Sin separated mankind from God and made people very unhappy. Sin brought with it evil, jealousy, destruction, suffering, and death. Sin destroys people&#8217;s happiness and brings disorder into the whole world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">So what is sin?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin Is Disobedience to God<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For as by one man&#8217;s disobedience many were made sinners . . .&#8221;<\/i> (Romans 5:19).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">God placed Adam and Eve in a wonderful paradise. He allowed them to eat fruit from every tree in the Garden of Eden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam that he would die if he ate the fruit from this tree. If Adam and Eve would have obeyed God, their happiness would have continued. But a tragedy happened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Satan, who is evil, spoke to Eve through a serpent, the most subtle of the beasts of the field. Satan planted doubt in Eve&#8217;s mind; she began to question whether God really meant what He said. Finally she disobeyed God&#8217;s word by eating of the forbidden fruit. Eve took the fruit, ate it her\u00adself, and gave some to her husband.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">Adam and Eve believed Satan&#8217;s word through the serpent, ignored God&#8217;s prohibition, and disobeyed Him. This first sin separated Adam and Eve from God, and because of their disobedience God drove them from the paradise in which they lived.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #00334b;\">As people multiplied on the earth, God gave them His law, which was made of ten basic commandments or rules. God told people exactly how to obey Him. These ten basic commandments are below. Think about them\u2014do you obey God&#8217;s commands, or not?<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt have no other gods before me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Honour thy father and thy mother.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not kill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not commit adultery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not steal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Thou shalt not covet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Exodus 20:1-17<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God commanded, &#8220;Honor thy father and thy mother.&#8221; If you do not obey and honor your parents, you are sinning.God said, &#8220;Thou shalt not steal.&#8221; If you take things that do not belong to you, you are sinning against God&#8217;s commandment.Look at one more of God&#8217;s commandments: &#8220;Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.&#8221; In other words, do not lie and say the untruth about your neighbor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Do you obey the commandments of God?<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What sin did Adam and Eve commit?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Which of God&#8217;s commandments do you know?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin Is an Inherited Deathly &#8220;Disease&#8221;<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned&#8221; <\/i>(Romans 5:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Because Adam and Eve sinned, all people have been born with a sin\u00adful nature. People have gone farther and farther from God, in deceiving, and hating, and killing each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin is passed from parents to children even in our day. Observe a small child. Even though the child cannot talk or walk, he gets angry and screams if he is not given something he wants. A child needs to be taught to sit, to walk, to eat with a spoon, and to listen to his mother and father. But no one needs to teach him to make trouble, to fight, and to lie. He can already do this!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Did you ever try living so you did not sin at all\u2014no lies, jealousy, or stealing? If you have tried to live without sinning, you probably already know that it is not possible. Do you know why? It is because we are sin\u00adners. We were born into this world with a sinful nature and the tendency to sin. The evil deeds we do come from our evil, tainted hearts. Our in\u00adherited sinful nature inevitably leads us to death. It brings terrible torture to our soul. It takes away our peace, rest, and joy, and the opportunity to go to heaven and live eternally with God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">How can we be delivered from this terrible &#8220;disease&#8221; of sin? Is it even possible to have deliverance from sin?<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why are all people born sinners?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Do you see any sins in your life?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin Is a Burden<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me&#8221;<\/i> (Psalm 38:4).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Evil has the amazing capability of multiplying. One sin leads to an\u00adother sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">For example, as a child, you may have been warned not to take money from your mother&#8217;s purse without permission. But you wanted to buy something your parents did not allow, so you secretly took some money anyway. When your parents asked if anyone took money from Mother&#8217;s purse, you answered, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t.&#8221; Stealing led to disobedience in buying what was not allowed, and then to lying. The next time you were tempted to steal you may have taken a larger amount of money from someone&#8217;s pocket instead of Mother&#8217;s purse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">People of all ages have wanted to fix the problem of sin. They want to be free from deceivers, thieves, criminals, and all kinds of villains, but nothing has worked to cure the sin problem. Today there is no less sin in the world than there was a thousand years ago. Instead, lawlessness in the world today has grown even worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin can be compared to rocks a person collects and carries in a bag on his shoulder. Each sin committed is like adding a rock to the bag. Weeks, months, and years go by, with the burden of sin growing heavier and heavier. The unbearable load of sin makes the person unhappy, but he cannot get rid of his burden and be free. No matter where this person goes or what he does, the burden of sin is always with him, oppressing him and getting bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What capability does sin have?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why is sin compared to a heavy burden?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">\u00a0Sin Is a Hard Taskmaster<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin&#8221;<\/i> (John 8:34).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?&#8221; <\/i>(Romans 6:16).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin never brings a person true happiness. In the beginning sin may seem attractive and harmless, but in the end sin always brings much suf\u00adfering, bitterness, and even torture. It does not work to promise yourself, &#8220;That&#8217;s it. I am not going to sin anymore!&#8221; When a person begins to un\u00adderstand how sin works and tries to change his lifestyle and free himself from sin, he finds he cannot stop sinning. Sin is a very hard taskmaster!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin takes God&#8217;s rightful place in the heart of man and turns man into a pitiful, tortured slave. Do you ever find yourself doing things you do not want to do? You do not want to deceive, but your tongue tells lies, and it seems impossible to change your ways. You do not want to become irritated, but again and again you find yourself yelling at your children, your wife, or your co-workers about trivial things. You resolve you will not smoke or swear, and shortly thereafter you break your promise. You know it is very wrong, but you cannot do anything about it. It is as if someone is forcing you to insult others, lie, speak foolishly, become an\u00adgry, and curse everyone and everything. This happens because sin is con\u00adtrolling you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin is a hard taskmaster, and no one can free themselves from the slavery of sin. Sin dictates a person&#8217;s life and makes him do things against the will of God.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What makes us sin?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Can a person stop sinning by himself?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin Is Our Accuser<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them&#8221; <\/i>(Isaiah 59:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Creator made mankind in such a way that when we do some\u00adthing wrong, we feel guilty. The knowledge of guilt fills our soul with bit\u00adterness and fear. It can even bring a person to depression. The feeling of guilt becomes especially depressing when what was done can no longer be corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">For example, unfaithfulness to your wife (or husband) is wrong, but perhaps you failed to stand in the hour of temptation. No matter how hard you try to erase the failure from your memory, tear it out of your heart, or justify your sin, you suffer pangs of guilt and the implacable condemnation of your conscience. In order to avoid eternal punishment, you must recognize your sin of adultery and repent of it before God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin always separates us from God, and we cannot avoid responsibility for what has been done. By God&#8217;s law, sin must be punished, and the pun\u00adishment for sin is death. Everything is open before God, and He knows everything about us. We cannot deceive Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin does not disappear with time. We can drown out our conscience and forget about sins, but on the Judgment Day when God requires a re\u00adport for all we have done, our sins will be there charging us with rebellion against God. The sentence for sinners has been established. God said the punishment for sin is death\u2014in other words, eternal destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What will your sins do for you in the day of judgment?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What kind of punishment do our sins require?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><!--nextpage--><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"four\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Who is Jesus Christ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>&#8220;And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?&#8221; <\/em>(Mark 4:41).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>&#8220;And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?&#8221;<\/em> (Luke 7:49).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Nearly two thousand years ago an unusual person lived on the earth. His name was Jesus Christ. He was God and man at the same time. Even though twenty centuries have passed, His name is known throughout the whole universe, and many people worship Him today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The birth of Christ became the beginning of a new era. Jesus Christ was a very wonderful person. No one was ever born like He was; no one ever lived like He did; no one died like He did; and no one ever rose from the dead like He did.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus, the great and powerful One, was also very simple. Children, youth, and older people could all easily communicate with Him. Multitudes followed Jesus so they could see Him and listen to His words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ had power that is not available to man. Jesus could, with one word, calm the waves of the sea. He fed more than five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes. He healed the sick, performed many miracles, taught people how to live so they could please God, and forgave sins. As people watched Christ, they were amazed and asked, &#8220;Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him? Who is this that forgives sins?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Who is Jesus Christ?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Son of God<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life&#8221;<\/i> (John 3:16).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ had supernatural power, wisdom, and authority because He was God Eternal. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to mankind in a human body only once in the history of the earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The coming of Jesus Christ was not a surprise. God had told people about the birth of Jesus Christ many years in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">As you have already read, sin separated man from God. With sorrow, the Creator watched as people multiplied on the earth and continued to sin. He saw how they suffered and were troubled by sin. The holiness of God did not allow Him to enter into fellowship with sinners. Between a holy God and sinful man, there was an impassable gulf.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">But God still loved mankind very much and wanted to save him. He made a way to bridge the gulf of separation, so a sinner could become holy and close to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">This is why the greatest, unrepeatable miracle of God sending His only Son into the world happened. Jesus Christ told His Father, &#8220;I come to do thy will, 0 God.&#8221; He left His heavenly glory and came down to earth to reconcile sinful man to God, and to save him from eternal death.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why did God send His Son to the earth?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Son of Man<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man&#8221;<\/i> (John 5:26, 27).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For the Son of man is not come to destroy men&#8217;s lives, but to save them&#8221; <\/i>(Luke 9:56).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ did not come to earth like a heavenly King, showing all the glory and greatness of God. Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem, of the virgin Mary. He did not have an earthly father, like everyone else has; His birth was a miracle. Jesus was the Son of God, and while living on this earth He was also called the Son of Man. Jesus was God and man at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The earthly life of the Son of God was lived in deep humility. Jesus was born in a stable, because there was no room found for Him in a reg\u00adular house. When Jesus grew up, He had no place to lay His head. He traveled from city to city, and from one village to another, telling people about the righteousness of God. He did not use divine power to make His life easier. Like all people, Jesus endured hunger, thirst, cold, and heat. He became tired and exhausted; he cried and suffered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ never sinned, even though Satan tempted Him sorely. Many people did not understand Christ. They laughed at Him, and want\u00aded to stone Him more than once. But Jesus told them about God&#8217;s love and called them to repentance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ was a holy person who pleased God in everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why was Jesus called the Son of Man?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Lamb of God<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world&#8221; <\/i>(John 1:29).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">In ancient times God commanded people to bring a lamb as a sacri\u00adfice for sin. The lamb needed to be without fault. It was not to be a blind, lame, or sick lamb. It was a type of the faultless, sinless Lamb\u2014Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">By the justice of God, sin must be punished with death. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Our loving God, not wanting the death of sinners, allowed sinners to bring an offering of an innocent lamb. The lamb died for sin in the place of the person, by being killed, put on the altar, and burned. The sin was transferred, symbolically, to the innocent lamb, and the people who brought the sacrifice became clean.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God because He took the guilt of everyone&#8217;s sin on Himself and died for all people. The innocent died for the guilty. This is a great miracle of God&#8217;s love and mercy! Since the death of Jesus, it is no longer necessary for sinners to bring a lamb as an offering for sin. The sacrifice of Jesus&#8217; blood is enough for all people of all ages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Lamb of God\u2014Jesus Christ\u2014removes our sins with His death. His blood cleanses sin from the lives of those who believe in His redemp\u00adtive sacrifice.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why is Jesus Christ called the Lamb of God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ mean for us?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection and the Life<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again . . .&#8221;<\/i> (Romans 8:34).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live&#8221; <\/i>(John 11:25).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ, the pure, holy Lamb of God, was crucified on a cross. After He died, His body was taken from the cross and laid in a new tomb. A huge stone was rolled to the door of the tomb. The chief priests sealed the stone and set a watch, because they were afraid the disciples would come and steal the body of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Relatives, friends, and the disciples of Jesus spent two difficult days in deep sorrow. Early in the morning of the third day, Mary Magdalene and two other women headed for the tomb to follow the eastern tradition of putting sweet spices on the body of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">But an unprecedented miracle had taken place. God had raised Je\u00adsus from the dead! Death could not hold the One who knew no sin. The women saw that the stone was rolled away and an angel was sitting in\u00adside the tomb. The angel said to them, &#8220;Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him&#8221; (Mark 16:6).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ is risen! He overcame death; now He resurrects sinners who are spiritually dead and gives them eternal life. This happens when a sinner turns to God and repents of his sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses his soul from evil, and this person receives forgiveness for sin. Through faith he accepts Jesus into his heart, and becomes spiritually alive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">You have already read that all people are sinners. All people are spiri\u00adtually dead to God and need resurrection. This includes you. Jesus Christ can give you eternal life, if you desire it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What happened on the third day after Jesus was buried?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Only Savior<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins&#8221;<\/i> (Matthew 1:21).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved&#8221;<\/i> (Acts 4:12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible tells us there was no one found in the whole universe who could save people from their sins, except Jesus Christ. He is the only Sav\u00adior of the world. <i>Jesus <\/i>is a Hebrew name which means &#8220;the Lord saves&#8221; or &#8220;Savior.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">We\u2014all people\u2014are dying in our own sin. Sin has saturated our in\u00adner being and destroyed life. It has led all of us to an inescapable, eternal death. There is no one on earth who can save us from this terrible fate. Only a sinless person, who had no sins of his own, could die for sinners. There was no one like this on earth. God, in His great mercy, gave His Son as a sacrifice for sinners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Holy and without sin, Jesus Christ shed His innocent blood for our sins and iniquities. He paid the price for our salvation with His life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus&#8217; death is still effective today. The blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed on Calvary, has the power today to free people from the bond\u00adage of sin. It cleanses the soul and life of the offender before God. The sin\u00adner who previously could not live one day without sinning becomes holy! He becomes free from bad habits and the bondage of sin by the power of the sacrifice of Christ. His life is completely changed! Only Jesus has the power to do a miracle like this! Jesus is the only Savior of the world because He alone died for the sin of mankind.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What does the name &#8220;Jesus&#8221; mean?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why can no one but Jesus save people from their sins?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Only Mediator<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus&#8221; <\/i>(1 Timothy 2:5).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Man&#8217;s sin and God&#8217;s holiness are not compatible. The Bible tells us that man cannot see God and keep on living (Exodus 33:20). This is be\u00adcause God is holy and man is sinful. Even so, God in His boundless love made a way to bring man to Himself. Jesus Christ became a mediator be\u00adtween God and man. With His death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled man to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">When Jesus had accomplished the things that He had come to earth to do, He went back to heaven. On the fortieth day after His resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. There Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples. When He had finished blessing the disciples, Jesus ascended to heaven. The disciples watched Jesus until a cloud hid Him from their sight. As the disciples stood looking heaven\u00adward, two angels appeared to them. They said that the same Jesus who was lifted up is coming back to the earth again. When Jesus comes to earth again, He will take all the faithful to heaven to be with Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus went back to His heavenly Father as our Mediator, Intercessor, and Advocate. Even today, He is interceding for us. Because of this, ev\u00adery person, no matter how great his sin is, can turn to God and receive mercy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">When Jesus Christ left the earth, He was no longer visible, as a person, to His followers. But ten days after His ascension, when the disciples were gathered together, He sent the gift of the Holy Spirit. He has promised to be with His witnesses everywhere and at all times, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This promise is being fulfilled even today.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What happened on the fortieth day after the resurrection of Christ?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Who is the Mediator between God and man?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus Christ Is the Good Shepherd<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep&#8221; <\/i>(John 10:11).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">When Christ lived on this earth, He called Himself the Good Shep\u00adherd, who would lay down His life for the sheep. Have you ever seen a flock of sheep? A sheep is a peaceful, calm animal with soft, warm wool and kind eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sheep are very weak creatures. They cannot live by themselves in the forest like wolves or bears do. They do not have the cunning of the fox, to hide from hunters. Sheep are feeble, domesticated animals that need care and maintenance. Sheep need to be led to pasture and water, and they need protection from wolves. Without a shepherd, sheep can easily become lost, get caught in the thorns, or find themselves in the teeth of a predator. Sheep cannot choose the right way by themselves, or find their own way home. They always need the shepherd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible tells us that all people in the world without God are like lost sheep without a shepherd. The Son of God had pity on lost sinners. He came to the earth to find and save the lost and to lead them to heaven\u2014to His heavenly Father. Jesus becomes a shepherd for all people who answer His call and trust Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Today the Good Shepherd is searching for the lost\u2014those who have become entangled in the thorns of sin. The Good Shepherd never fails anyone; He never forgets anyone. He wants to save all those who are lost and lead them to heaven. No one can find the road to heaven without Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">If you want to become one of Jesus&#8217; sheep, you can tell Him about it, and He will accept you!<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why do sheep need a shepherd?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why did Jesus call Himself the Good Shepherd?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><!--nextpage--><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"five\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">What Do We Need to Do to Be Saved<\/span><\/h2>\n<div style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;What must I do to be saved?&#8221;<\/i> (Acts 16:30).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">From the time of the fall of man, when sin came into the world, the soul of man has longed and searched for happiness. It is impossible for the sinful soul to find rest without God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Sin separates man from God and creates a great gulf in the relation\u00adship between God and man. People have tried for many years and in many different ways to bridge this gulf of separation, but nothing man tries in his own strength works for him to be at peace with God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Many people try pleasing God by fulfilling the law. They try to not break one law, but they sin anyway\u2014if not in one way, then in another way. The Bible tells us no one will be justified before God by the works of the law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Other people think they can please God with good works. But no matter how hard people try, they cannot be saved by their own works. Good deeds can never cover or outweigh our sins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Religion is another very popular way people try to get closer to God. Many people think that if they find the right religion, become a member of a fellowship, and try to follow all the rules this is all that is needed for salvation. They are greatly deceived! No religion can save a person from sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">All methods by which man tries to gain salvation based on what he does are doomed to fail. Man does not have the ability to save himself. If people could save themselves, then Jesus would not have needed to leave heaven, suffer, and die. There is only one way to be saved, and everyone can find that way, whether youth or adult. How can we find the way?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Believe God<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>&#8220;Jesus said: &#8220;Verily verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life&#8221; <\/em>(John 6:47).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house&#8221;<\/i> (Acts 16:31).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God&#8221; <\/i>(Romans 10:17).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Salvation is an act of God, not of man. People do not need to think of a way to be saved or work for something to give them salvation. They only need to accept the conditions God has laid out in the Bible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The first condition or the first step every person needs to take is to be\u00adlieve God and His Word. The first sin of people was unbelief. Eve doubted God&#8217;s word\u2014Did God really say the truth? Would they really die if they ate of the forbidden fruit? Disobedience followed unbelief. Eve took the fruit, ate of it herself, and gave some to Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">People lost spiritual life because of unbelief, and we can only come to God through faith. &#8220;But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him&#8221; (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith we cannot please God, and without faith no one can be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">How do we get faith? The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If you carefully read the Bible, you will hear the call of Jesus: &#8220;Come unto Me and I will give you salvation!&#8221; Obedi\u00adence to this Word is how faith begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What is the first step a person must take in the way of salvation?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Where does faith come from?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Repent of Our Sins<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out&#8221; <\/i>(Acts 3:19).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The second step that needs to be taken in the way of salvation is to acknowledge that you are a sinner and repent of your sins before God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">It is not easy to admit that you are a sinner. Usually a person tries to justify himself: &#8220;I am not all that bad. There are many people who are worse than me. I never killed anyone. I never stole anything. . . .&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">But God says all people have sinned and deserve to die for their sins. If you believe this, you understand that you are a part of the sinners to be punished with eternal death. This is revealed to you by the mercy of God. God, through His Holy Spirit, is opening your eyes so you can see yourself the way you are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">You can choose to ignore God&#8217;s Word and stay in the number of the perishing, or you can choose to fall on your knees and say, &#8220;Yes, Lord, I am a sinner! Forgive me! I am sorry I did not love You and did much evil\u2014I was not obedient; I deceived and offended others; I used bad words. . . . Now I know that You died for me. Free me from all evil. I ask you, Jesus\u2014cleanse my heart, accept me as one of Your children, and lead me to heaven! Amen.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Jesus wants to hear this kind of prayer. He is seeking all those who are lost and stained by sin and is calling them to Himself. Jesus stretches out His helping hand to people in sin and saves them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">But repentance is not everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What is the second step we need to take in the way to God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Who helps us see that we are sinners?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Turn Away From Sin<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby&#8221; <\/i>( 1 Peter 2:1, 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">After asking God for forgiveness for your sins, you need to turn away from sin and turn your whole heart to God. This means you can no lon\u00adger act as you did before. If, before repentance, you lightheartedly joked, lied, insulted others, tried to take revenge whenever you could on anyone who offended you, and committed all manner of evil, your life should be different now. All your strength must be put into serving God and stay\u00ading away from places where it is easy to sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">If your sins have hurt other people, you will want to make restitution. This means you will apologize to those you have wronged and will make things right with them as far as possible. In this way, your conscience will be cleared before God and man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Reading God&#8217;s Word gives us strength and tells us how to live right. For the person who has repented, turned to God, and is spiritually alive, the Bible becomes his measure for life, his compass for the way, and his daily food. If you ignore God&#8217;s Word, you will soon die spiritually and become a stranger to God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">So believe in God, acknowledge that you are a sinner, repent before God, and turn from your sin. These are the steps you need to take to be saved. Jesus Christ is waiting for you. Do not postpone your acquain\u00adtance with Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>What step do you need to take after repentance, so you can be saved?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How does the Bible help us become closer to God?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Receive Salvation by Faith<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast&#8221; <\/i>(Ephesians 2:8, 9).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Everyone, children and adults alike, enjoy receiving a gift. When someone gives you a gift, does the thought of paying for the gift even enter your mind? Of course not! You might have a great respect for the person who gave you the gift, but you do not give money for the gift, be\u00adcause it is a gift. It was given to you free and without price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Salvation is God&#8217;s gift to man. It is a very precious, very expensive gift. Jesus has paid for salvation with His own life. You cannot work for or buy salvation. You can only receive it as you would receive a gift.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">If you believe in Jesus Christ and His Word, have acknowledged that you are a sinner, and have repented before God, you can be assured that you have received the gift of salvation. You need to go on believing with all your heart what is written in the Bible\u2014that God forgives repentant sinners and gives them eternal life. Sinners who have turned to God and have received salvation become holy and are called the children of God, or lambs of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Perhaps you think, &#8220;But I am too sinful. I am unworthy of this gift.&#8221; Remember that Jesus came to this earth to save sinners\u2014ones just like you who need salvation. No one deserves to be saved or can do anything to deserve the gift of salvation. God gives this gift to us by His love and mercy and not according to our merits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The Bible says, &#8220;By grace ye are saved.&#8221; Grace is a gift of undeserved mercy from God. By God&#8217;s grace, we are saved from eternal destruction!<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Why do we need to pay for salvation?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Do you want to be saved from eternal destruction?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Live in Obedience to God<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again&#8221; <\/i>(2 Corinthians 5:15).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><i>&#8220;But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you&#8221;<\/i> (Romans 6:17).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">If you have believed God&#8217;s Word, repented of your sins, and by faith have received salvation, then Jesus Christ is now your Lord and Savior. Your name is written in the book of life with those who are saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are a very happy person, and the Bible tells us the angels in heaven are rejoicing about your salvation. The day is coming in the future when you will enter eternity with all the saints. You will see God with your own eyes and live with Him forever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">For now, a new unknown path is ahead of you. Without God&#8217;s help, it is impossible to walk this path. Satan will try to get you to return to your old life, and you will need to battle with your bad habits and desires along with other kinds of temptation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The gift of salvation can be lost and needs to be carefully protected. It is not easy to protect the gift of salvation, but the Lord will help you if you love Him with all your heart and diligently try with all your strength to live the way the Bible teaches. This means the Good Shepherd is always with you and will never leave you, when you obey God in everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">Read the Bible every day, especially the New Testament, which was written after Jesus was here on this earth. The New Testament is the guide for the Christian&#8217;s life today. Read carefully, remember what you read, and try to live by what is written. If you sin, do not become discouraged\u2014ask forgiveness from God and avoid sin in the future. Pray and ask God continually for help and strength to obey His Word. He has promised to be with you and guide you to eternity!<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>How do we need to live so that we will make it to heaven?<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">If You Have Recently Begun to Follow Jesus<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>&#8220;He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned&#8221; <\/em>(Mark 16:16)<em>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>Jesus said, &#8220;I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it&#8221; <\/em>(Matthew 16:18).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">A person who is following Jesus in his daily life will desire the fellowship of other believers. He will want to meet with them to read the Bible, pray, and sing together in worship to his Savior and Lord. Being in presence of other believers for fellowship and teaching is very helpful for every believer to remain stedfast in the faith.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">The assemblies of those who have been called out from this evil world and separated unto God are called churches. These churches have been in existence ever since the day of Pentecost, (the day when God&#8217;s Spirit was given to the believers, soon after Jesus ascended into heaven). Churches exist to this present day, and churches will exist until the end of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">God has designed that born-again followers of Jesus are initiated into the church by being baptized with water. Baptism is a testimony before God and man that a person is finished with his past life of sin and is committed to living a new life. It signifies that he is now a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things are passed away and all things have become new. He is now choosing to identify with and to suffer affliction with God&#8217;s people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which last only for a time. Baptism is the response of a good conscience before God, and symbolizes the outpouring (baptism) of the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\">We urge you to find a group of believers who are serious about following Jesus and all the teachings of God&#8217;s Word. Join yourself to such a group of believers. Remain faithful to Christ and His church as long as you live. May God bless you in your new walk with Him!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #00334b;\"><em>And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his SON JESUS CHRIST. 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