1. 1 Peter 3:15

2. In the book of Genesis, who are the Nephilim? The “Nephilim” are mentioned only twice in the Bible – Genesis 6:4 & Numbers 13:33 – and translated this way in the ASV, NASB, NIV and others (but not KJV or NKJV). Their identity has been contested & mythologized: –Offspring of men and angels –Offspring of demonically-controlled men & women –An apostate – one who has “fallen” –One who “falls upon” or attacks another

3. In the book of Genesis, who are the Nephilim? The mention of these “Nephilim/giants” does not demand they are the offspring of the “marriages” mentioned in the context. The use in Numbers 13:32-33 (obviously men of extraordinary size) should explain its meaning in Genesis 6:4. There were giants in O.T. times. There is no reason to try to explain this particular “race” any other way. “Giants” is how the KJV & NKJV translate it.

4. Did Jesus baptize His disciples with water? If the emphasis is on “did Jesus baptize” personally, the answer is “no” (John 4:2). If the emphasis is on “with water,” the answer is “yes” (John 4:1). –The context demands water baptism. Jesus also baptized the apostles with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16), but that is outside the scope of this question.

5. Were the apostles baptized with water? In John 3:3-7, Jesus taught that one must be baptized (born of water & the spirit) in order to enter the kingdom of God. Would the apostles have to be baptized? They weren’t apostles yet. In John 3:22, it states, “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.” In John 3:26, John’s followers “complained”— “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” Who was baptized?

6. Were the apostles baptized with water? In John 4:1-2, the Jews knew of Jesus baptizing— “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples).” Jesus taught the necessity of baptism. Jesus baptized those who came to Him (disciples). It was actually Jesus’ disciples doing the baptizing. The entire context requires water baptism. There is no possibility the Apostles (later to be named) were not baptized. If they were not, why was anyone?

7. John had a God-given task: –Isaiah 40:3 – “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God’” (which he fulfilled, cf. Matt. 3:1-3). Why did John’s baptism help prepare the way for Christ’s? Didn’t it confuse more than help?

8. John had a God-given task: –Malachi 4:5-6 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet…And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” –Luke 1:17 – “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Why did John’s baptism help prepare the way for Christ’s? Didn’t it confuse more than help?

9. John introduced the doctrine of baptism: –Ordained/Authorized by God (Mt. 21:25-26) –Burial in water (John 3:23) –Told to believe on the coming Jesus (Ac. 19:4) –Required repentance (Mk. 1:4; Mt. 3:2, 7-8) –Confessing their sins (Mt. 3:6) –For the remission of sins (Mk. 1:4) –A “baptism of repentance” (Luke 3:3) – a part of his teaching, “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2)—prepared for the kingdom –Limited duration—prepare for Christ (Jn. 3:26-30) Why did John’s baptism help prepare the way for Christ’s? Didn’t it confuse more than help?

10. Interesting on the day of Pentecost: – Acts 2:41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” –“added” – something already present to add to –“to them” – was there not already a body of believers who had been baptized for the remission of their sins who had been prepared previously? Why did John’s baptism help prepare the way for Christ’s? Didn’t it confuse more than help?

11. “Didn’t it confuse more than help?” –Only when there were those who continued to preach and practice the baptism of John after it was no longer a valid act? (cf. Acts 18:24-19:7) –But that is the case with any doctrine that is taught when there is no authority for it. –The same could be said about the Old Testament continuing to be taught and practiced after the New Testament was in effect. The Old Testament did NOT confuse the New Testament. It prepared man for it. John’s baptism did NOT confuse the baptism of Christ. It prepared man for it. Why did John’s baptism help prepare the way for Christ’s? Didn’t it confuse more than help?

12. Explain John 20:23 in reference to being baptized for the remission of sins. John 20:23 — “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” This “theory” claims that the apostles could forgive someone’s sins as they saw fit. ALL the jailor had to do to be saved was believe, while those on Pentecost were required to repent and be baptized. It was left up to the apostles to decide when to forgive sins and when not.

13. Explain John 20:23 in reference to being baptized for the remission of sins. Question: Did the apostles have the power to forgive sin? Or was it limited to God only (Mk. 2:7; 1 Jn. 1:9)? God alone has the power to forgive sin (1 Jn. 1:9; Isa. 43:25; Acts 8:22). Did God relinquish that power to men?

14. Explain John 20:23 in reference to being baptized for the remission of sins. If different men were saved from their sins based upon meeting different conditions: –Does God show partiality? –How does the one gospel save differently (cf. Rom. 1:16; Eph. 4:4-6)? –What gospel should we preach today? –How should we tell men to be saved today? If someone is in need of having their sins forgiven and is studying to that end, is it fair to tell one man he has reached salvation a step (or two steps) before another man?

15. Explain John 20:23 in reference to being baptized for the remission of sins. The text of John 20:23 will not support this. Did God allow the apostles to make up laws as they went? Some so claim that Jesus gave them the right in Matthew 16:19, 18:18 to bind and loose, and that heaven would follow the apostles’ lead (use same logic in Jn. 20). But Matthew 16:19; 18:18 and John 20:23 do not teach any such thing.

16. “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18, NASB; cf. 16:19). “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained” (John 20:23, NASB). “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18, NASB; cf. 16:19). “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained” (John 20:23, NASB). Perfect tense verbs following aorist tense verbs indicate an abiding/present state from an action prior to the action of the aorist verbs.Perfect tense verbs following aorist tense verbs indicate an abiding/present state from an action prior to the action of the aorist verbs. So what happened prior to the binding, loosing and forgiving that the apostles “did”?So what happened prior to the binding, loosing and forgiving that the apostles “did”? -GOD ALREADY DID IT IN HEAVEN! Perfect tense verbs following aorist tense verbs indicate an abiding/present state from an action prior to the action of the aorist verbs.Perfect tense verbs following aorist tense verbs indicate an abiding/present state from an action prior to the action of the aorist verbs. So what happened prior to the binding, loosing and forgiving that the apostles “did”?So what happened prior to the binding, loosing and forgiving that the apostles “did”? -GOD ALREADY DID IT IN HEAVEN!

17. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does it mean “old things are passed away, all things are become new”? Living “in Christ” includes being “a new creature.” When one is “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6:3), he is raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). –With a new purpose – to glorify God. –With a new way of living – holy in conduct. –With a new home/citizenship – heaven The “old things” refer to pre-conversion life – the “old man” that was “put off” (Eph. 4:22) & “crucified” (Rom. 6:6) to give place to the “new things” of the “new creature.”

18. Can God speak to us through dreams? God did at one time (Gen. 20; 28; Matt. 1) But that time has passed – –Hebrews 1:1-2 – “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” Jesus’ words (delivered by the Holy Spirit): –Provide all things & all truth – Jn. 14:26; 16:13 –Will be that which judge us – John 12:48

19. Can God speak to us through dreams? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Jude 3 … contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

20. Can you explain how a teenage relationship should be in terms of what’s too far? 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Fornication (Gk, porneia) = “illicit sexual intercourse”

21. Can you explain how a teenage relationship should be in terms of what’s too far? Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Uncleanness (Gk, akatharsia) = “moral uncleanness; the impurity of lustful living; impure motives; vileness especially of sexual sins”

22. Can you explain how a teenage relationship should be in terms of what’s too far? Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Lewdness (Gk, aselgeia) = “denotes excess; absence of restraint; indecency; wantonness; lasciviousness; unbridled lust; wanton (acts or) manners as indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females; intended to excite lustful desires; indulgence in sensual pleasures; showing preoccupation with bodily or sexual pleasure”

23. Can you explain how a teenage relationship should be in terms of what’s too far? Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. And the like

24. Can you explain how a teenage relationship should be in terms of what’s too far? Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. God designed all sexual activities (even those before intercourse) for the marriage bed. Draw your line where God draws the line and don’t ever cross it (cf. James 1:13-16). Run away from compromising situations (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18; Gen. 39:7-13). Wait for marriage!

25. Is there a good internet site for locations of churches of Christ nationwide? Yes! www.churchzip.com

26. The Bible’s Answer for Your Salvation Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Acts 16:31 Repent of your sins – Acts 2:38 Confess your faith in Jesus – Acts 8:37 Be immersed in water – Mark 16:16 –Sins are forgiven – Acts 22:16 –Added to His church – Acts 2:47 –Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Be steadfast in serving Him – 1 Corinthians 15:58