When the Scripture says “that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep” or to say, those who are dead, it is not to say that those dead or alive in the Lord go up at the same time. For “the dead in Christ will rise FIRST”. It is only a time shortly AFTER that “we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”.
 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12…
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Do notice that “the falling away comes FIRST”. It is not until then that “the man of sin is revealed”. The words “that Day will not come” are in italics in the King James and New King James Version Bibles while bracketed in the New International Version. It is because these words do not actually appear in the original Koine Greek text but are put into the text for the sake of making grammatical sence in English. The “falling away”, again, comes before as FIRST and then the Antichrist is revealed.

The word in Koine Greek for “falling away” is αποστασια (apostasia) which, foremostly, means an apostasy. There are those who believe that the apostasy here refers to a physical departure from the earth rather than a spiritual departure from the Lord. I do not find sufficient enough Biblical evidence myself to support this conclusion, although it may yet be the true interpreation after all. Nonetheless, the interpreation of this word, as such, is not a prerequisite to understanding that this passage from 2 Thessalonians is indeed refering to the PreTriublation Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NKJV

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

The time of “falling away” that is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 coincides with the “Peace and safety” that is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. This is describing a time where a number of believers in Jesus are departing from the faith during a time of alleged secure peace. Moral laxity grows widespread.

Revelation 3:14-22 describes the Laodicean church which typifies the Church age during these last days. Revelation 3:17 reads, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—”. This further demonstrates it is not a great revival before the Rapture, but is a time of decadent morals. Do not spiritually slumber into moral laziness. The instruction from the passage on the Laodicean church as mentioned in Revelation is to “Therefore be zealous and repent.”

A great falling away is coming. Stand fast in Christ! Lest you fall into what the Lord Jesus warned in Revelation 3:16, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” The ones who are saved by repentant faith in Jesus are the ones who will be in the Rapture. Those whose faith has lapsed into moral decline show themselves not as ones trusting in Jesus for salvation. Did ever such truly believe to begin with? Such unbelief is not what leads one to be Raptured but leads someone to be left behind for the Tribulation.

Reading continues on our page about the PreTribulation Rapture evidence.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 mentions that those caught up, or “raptured”, to meet the Lord meet Him in the air…

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

These Christians will ever be with the Lord, but they do not stay in the Air. They later appear in Heaven by the sixth seal judgment in Revelation as is read in Revelation 7:9-17…

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

These are said, by some, to be the tribulation saints because the above passage says they “came out of great tribulation”. However, if this were so, then who are these others who are these mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11 which discusses the earlier fifth seal judgment? …

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

It is evident that these who cry out for judgment here are the tribulation saints who must wait for their brothers and sisters, who were not martyred as yet, to be killed. Christians, from the church age, are not those who cry out to God for judgment as these do. Therefore, the great multitude mentioned in Revelation 7:9-17 are indeed the raptured saints of the Church.

Before you are convinced by someone that you must stock up on items and prepare, do know it is not for the tribulation that you can prepare yourself for, unless it is that you, in fact, do not actually have trusting faith in God solely through His Son Jesus as you own Savior. About such kinds of preparations let us ask you, please, did God tell you to make them? If not, with whom really is your confidence? In God or with yourself? We encourage you to get your directions first from God.

Return to the previous page on the Forthcoming PreTribulation Rapture.

In 1984, being born-again for one year at that time, I was prayed over in church in regard to a paranoia that had followed me most of my childhood till then. While I was prayed for in front of the church and being touched only lightly on the forehead, I was knocked out. When I opened my eyes again I found myself delivered from that paranoia and could feel the Holy Spirit springing up inside my chest continually like a fountain. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Some have referred to this experience as “Slain in the Spirit”. All I can say is that I was spiritually delivered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, I have had even a number of experiences from the Lord where He helped me in unusual ways.

Many years later, I was an assistant pastor in a Pentecostal church in the United States during the mid-1990s. The experience of the “Toronto Blessing” was hotly criticized. Christians who attended the Toronto Airport Vineyard Christian Fellowship were experiencing what was called in this denominationally generated Pentecostal article as the “Holy Giggles” or what is generally called “Holy Laughter”. People were reported to be laughing as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit. What was also cited was that certain people spoke in what were called “Animal Noises” with people barking like dogs and roaring like lions. I found, hearing about this, disturbing. This article was read in the Pentecostal church by the pastor more than once and said, in its conclusion, that none of the experiences there could be supported by Scripture. I had accepted what was said at the time when I knew nothing of what went on in Toronto then.

In the mid-2000s, a Vineyard pastor who I was friends with, loaned me a book written by Derek Morphew from the New Wine Movement in the Episcopal Church in England. This book gave a Biblical and otherwise apologetic defense for what happened at the Toronto church. He noted that the greatest critics to a new revival are those who were the recipients from the previous one. As a result of this book, I kept an open mind regarding the Holy Laughter that happened at Toronto in the mid-1990s but was still very skeptical about what was called “Animal Noises”.

In 2012, my friend David gave me two magazines, dated October 1995 and February 1996 titled “Spread the Fire”. The first one was from the “Toronto Airport Vineyard Christian Fellowship” and the other simply from the “Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship”. (That church is now called Catch The Fire.) I said, “Dave, do you know what these are that you are giving me? Are you sure you want to part with these? These are the very magazines that the Toronto Airport church published during the time of the breakout of Holy Laughter and then its break off from the Vineyard.” Because he gave these collector item magazines to me so freely, I gave David something he wanted which was my collector Chick Tract “Kiss The Protestants Good-bye”. That Chick tract was never sold but as far as I know was only sent to place such as Christian bookstores during the mid-1980s.

So, it came time I started reading the Spread the Fire magazine dated October 1995 which featured the article “Close Encounters of the Divine Kind”. It had articles such as “Prophet Margins” by Mike Bickle describing how prophecy and prophetic words can often cause controversy in the church and how he draws on his experience to give guidelines on handling prophecy.

By the time I got to page 17, I saw another article. This other article was written by Steve Long and was titled, “What About Animal Noises?” I gave a big smirky smile at my desk when I saw this and sarcastically said, “What about animal noises? Let this guy give any kind of apologetic defense for this!” So I started reading. When I got to the third paragraph it said, ‘When we talk to “roarers”, they often tell us of very profound images, visions, and feelings they have had from God. Among interpretations that keep emerging, two appear quite often: the “roaring” sometimes signifies an impartation of boldness to evangelize; it sometimes represents a type of intercession which breaks down stronghold of the enemy.’ I was stunned by what I read and stopped right there and said, “OH … MY … GOD.”

Then I continued and said, “He proved it! He actually proved it!” I said this because I remembered how back in the mid-1990s, after I was delivered from paranoia, I also received a boldness to evangelize. But also, I remembered that evening, after I got home that night, I felt the Holy Spirit rising inside of me but it was not tongues. I felt like roaring. I did not understand this. The feeling got stronger so I looked up to Heaven and said, “O.K., God. I am going to roar once and get it over with.” I roared and maybe I even roared twice. Afterwards, I had not done that again.

I thought this was an interesting experience but forgot all about it until I read that article. I then said to myself, “What does this mean?” I thought it over then said, “It means I took something of God and called it the devil.” Upon saying that, I clumped down on my desk, as I did when I first got saved about thirty years before, and repented.

I remembered again how “I roared like a lion” and how this was called “Animal Noises”. Then I said, “That wasn’t an animal noise. It was a human noise that only sounded vaguely like an animal.” I knew what an animal noise sounds like. I once heard a dog barking at someone’s house when my wife and I were home shopping, but it wasn’t a dog, it was a little boy. My wife and I heard how it really sounded like a dog. It was freaky and demonic. What I experienced was not like that.

Shortly after this, I had a home Bible study, with just four of us. During worship, I felt the Holy Spirit rising inside of me. Again, this wasn’t tongues. I felt myself about to break into laughter and there was nothing in the natural which I found to laugh about. I thought to myself that if I wanted to do this, this was going to be the safest public time to do it, so I let it go and started laughing. At the Bible study they asked me, “Why are you laughing?” I laughed and said, “I don’t know! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.” and kept laughing. This happened continually to me for about two weeks. It did happen during some awkward times such as driving home. I had to try to with great effort stay quiet during quite inopportune moments.

I later contacted the national director of Catch The Fire U.S.A. in Raleigh, North Carolina and spoke to the pastor there my previous criticism of their movement and how I repented of that. I told him my story then I said to him, “That being said, I have a number of questions about this.” From his answers I found my experience matched theirs.

My reason for writing this is not to promote Holy Laughter nor the practice of making Animal Noises. I do believe in being sober-minded but there is, after all, a “time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). I am only mentioning my experiences to share with you that God is full of surprises. What He may do in your life might be something different from others but if it glorifies God, and furthers His gospel of the free gift of eternal life and forgiveness of all sins through trusting faith in Jesus, then it is from God. I could quote to you Isaiah 5:29-30 where people were roaring and Hosea 11:10 when the Lord Himself roared and could even tell you about Sarah saying in Genesis 21:6, “God hath made me to laugh” but I do not believe I need to do this.

So what does the Bible show about “Holy Laughter”? This is just the result of the fruit of the Spirit known as JOY. There are various reactions that people have had resulting from the work of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life. If the fruit of the Lord is evident, who are we to cast judgments? What we are supposed to do is to be led by the Word and Spirit of God and discern but use proper judgment even regarding your own skepticism.

All I can say is that the apostle John said in John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The Holy Bible is complete in its message but it does not say everything that God does. We dare not, though, go against the Bible with contradictions. However here, I do not find such contradiction.

Yes, this certainly surprised me like any other believer in Jesus. Even more so, since when I first “roared” there was no “Toronto Blessing” yet. It was nine years before that happened and those who had experienced such like this before then I had never heard of nor seen. Yes, I was skeptical about the “Toronto Blessing” when it came to news until I found that I, myself, was a recipient. I am sorry but I do not know what more I can say about this. I was just as surprised if not more so than others. Please, continue to trust God’s word, the Holy Bible, as the basis of your faith and doctrine. I only recommend that you keep an open mind on what God can or will do for God is full of surprises. The Holy Spirit does do amazing things.

I first heard this song for the first time when it came out just after my 2012 experience…

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. – Romans 12:3 (KJV)

Sometimes you might get such amounts criticism that you ask, “Are those criticize me such the wonderful people they think they are?” So really, are they? Most likely you will find that such people are not such the wonderful people they think they are. When the finger gets pointed three more get pointed back at the accuser. None of us are perfect people and we all have our faults. It might be that if we find ourselves being the accuser needing to ask the question, “Am I such the wonderful person I think I am to go on with such complaints against so-and so?”.

We are justified by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are not justified by our own deeds. Our faith in Jesus does change our conduct. Still nonetheless, we are not justified by what we do. Yet we do know that faith works by love as said in Galatians 5:6. Since Jesus is the one who justifies those who have faith in Him it is evident that we cannot justify ourselves and cannot justify ourselves by what we are or do. There comes a time when criticism needs to come to an end lest we fall into folly and hypocrisy.

The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within
by Erwin Raphael McManus

Two thousand years later the call to follow Christ has been repackaged to be smooth and trouble-free, filled with opportunity and promise but lacking risk, passion, and sacrifice. Is this really what Jesus died for? If He chose the way of the cross, where would He hesitate leading us? Is it possible that to follow Jesus is to choose the barbarian way?

Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper or safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far from the easy road. It is a path filled with adventure, uncertainty, and unlimited possibilities―the only path that can fulfill the deepest longings and desires of your heart.

This is the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God. To go where He sends you, no matter the cost.

Comments by Maverick Christians…

We find this book of good encouragement to follow the Lord in passionate desire for Him as true disciples. In the Scriptures, Jesus is quite clear about the cost of living life as a true disciple of Christ. Still, we find that this understanding has often been lost in the modern church of Jesus Christ. We are, therefore, glad for this book.

Please note, however, that the book’s author is a leader within the Emergent Church movement. The Emergent movement has the tendency to water down the gospel by contextualizing which we find is not being rooted and ground in the faith that was once for all delivered to the believers in Jesus.

As Maverick Christians, it is not our pursuit to cling to error or to favor one error over another. We should not adhere to undue conservative attitudes. Yet still, we should not seek for mere modern contextualizing of the gospel in relativism. We believe that proper emphasis of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, which are taught in the Holy Bible, comes about as a result from true and bold passion for Christ. This passion is not found in or resulting in an exploration of mysticism nor of post-modern thought.

If we have true passion for the true God, we will be faithful to Christ’s teachings not wishy-washy about them in either our faith or our conduct. Christian faith is founded in the truth of Christ. Neither liberalism nor conservatism can rightly replace Bible fundamentalism and should never be used as substitutes for God’s Holy Word. Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. Yes! Unleash untamed faith in Jesus Christ! Be sure to do so in Spirit and in Truth.

For an exposé on the Emergent Movement, please see this video…The Real Roots of the Emergent Church.

This unusual image, shown below, was posted on Facebook by ChristiaNet… http://www.facebook.com/ChristiaNetcom

Excuse me, but I feel that I have to ask…

Does our Lord Jesus Christ ask us to “Like” Him on Facebook if we accept Him? Does He expect us to give Him such “kudos” in social media in order to accept Him?

My dear friends, please be certain that we cannot receive Jesus by simply approving of Him by electronic means! Is this some other gospel here? Salvation through Christ by Facebook?

There is no other gospel. Christ Jesus is accepted by faith.  Faith solely in Him.  He is not received as your Savior by liking Him on Facebook!

If you want to “Like” Jesus if Facebook, that is fine.  Please do not think it is Christ Himself who asks you to do this, though.

Perhaps yet this image’s words are some kind of San Fernando Valley Girl talk.. “I FORGIVE YOU, LIKE, IF YOU ACCEPT ME!”.  If anyone, by any chance, came to this conclusion after reading this image, please know that Christ’s forgiveness of mankind was paid for all of us at the cross with His precious blood. We can only receive that forgiveness if we accept that forgiveness by accepting Jesus by faith.  Still, the forgiveness is already there to receive whether someone accepts Jesus or not.  If that existing forgiveness is not received by accepting Jesus, neither will it be applied personally to us.

For all the ploys we have seen to gather clicks to “Like” someone’s post on Facebook, this has gone to a serious low point when confusion like this gets presented by those who call on the name of Jesus.  While we find that gathering attention to the Christ and the gospel a good thing, in general, but we must be careful how we present the gospel and Christ Himself. When those reputed to be Christians will go as far as to promote perversions of the gospel, it is certainly not for Christ’s glory nor His true service. It appears that Christianet is only promoting a man’s own selfish interests by speaking falsely as Christ.

ChristiaNet’s post also links to their Salvation quiz of 25 questions at http://www.christianet.com/bible/salvation.htm .  Somehow, I do not feel very motivated to take this quiz.

I am sure it was not the intention of ChristiaNet to distort the gospel.  Yet, we do need to be careful.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:21 (NKJV)

Still, I do wonder if the agenda of ChristiaNet is really to move forward the gospel.

I find this site as much more commerically oriented than Christian with the mix of links I find on their site…

Diabetic Recipes

Syrian Refugees & JESUS

Meet Christian Singles

Business Opportunity

Chat with Local Singles

Free Bible Study

Arthritis Pain Relief

Bad Credit Loans

Bankruptcy Avoidance

Buy Gold & Silver

Cholesterol Treatments

Church Furniture

Debt Management

Hawaii Vacations

Menopause Treatments

Personal Loans

Small Business Loans

Structured Settlements

Work From Home

Not that I have any objections to Christians doing business.  I do find problems, though, when methods of advertising hit extremes and religious excess such as ChristaNet does.  Continually they try to find as many images they can for Christians to respond to by posting such images on a regular basis.  Images like…

I am not saying there are not real matters being addressed, but is ChristiaNet scraping the bottom of the barrel for topics to get themselves liked?  Indeed, the Christians at ChristiaNet should be told that Christians should NOT be smoking pot. Please let us know what you think and how you feel about this by commenting below.  Thank you.

Taking up your own cross.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
- Luke 14:27 (KJV)

 
The gift of eternal life is free. Discipleship has a cost. Count the cost for being a disciple.

Luke 14:28-33 (KJV)
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

 
This is with you willingly having Jesus as lord of your life, going where He decides, doing His will. It is no longer living with you as lord of your own life, going where you want. The Lord calls us personally to follow where He leads us each individually.

John 21:18-22 (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

 
Never mind what the Lord has some other Christian to do, we are to obey the Lord’s personal call for each of us. This is what it means to live as Maverick Christians. As for those in the hall of faith mentioned in the New Testament book of Hebrews chapter 11…

Hebrews 11:37-40 (KJV)
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

 
This is the call to discipleship by our Lord.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

When telling others the gospel of Jesus Christ undoubtely you will face, at one time or another and perhaps very often, those who will dispute your faith and engage in conversation with you.  It is not necessary for the conversation to be heated.  Speak the truth in the love as the Bible says.  Arguing is frequently the way unbelievers will search out to find if faith in Jesus Christ is for real.  Therefore, be prepared.

If you intend to share your faith in Jesus, it is important for you to know what true faith in Jesus is. Therefore, be firm in your understanding of basis Christian doctrines, such as the Trinity of God, the virgin birth and Incarnate Deity of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, blood atonement through Jesus Christ, salvation by grace solely through faith in God’s Son Jesus.

Being familiar with basic proofs of Christianity and how to explain them becomes important, too. Such as the existance of God, the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, and the historicity of Jesus Christ.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
- 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

Your Christian testimony is powerful, because even if your beliefs and evidence is not viewed credible, your perception of how you view the events in your life is generally beyond criticism. It can hardly be doubted that this is the way you personally experienced Jesus Christ. Know your own testimony and be prepared to tell it.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Know the Holy Bible. Know the Bible verses that address particular topics.  If you do not have a good answer regarding what you are replied with, you can respond saying, “That is good question, I would like to look into this.” Give a fair consideration regarding arguments made with understanding so when you research the Bible for what the Bible says, you can then answer intelligently. Listen to the Holy Spirit for what answers He gives you to say since the Holy Spirit has the role in the believer’s life to do this.

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)

Be sure to speak what God gives you as a response. Do not leave questions unanswered that you or others may have about God, Jesus, and the Bible.  There are a number of good questions and the Bible has good answers.

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
- 2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NKJV)

Some questions are best avoided since those who ask foolish questions will only get foolish answers by those who entertain such.  The goal of sharing your faith is not winning arguments but to lead people to salvation which is received only through trusting faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ.

There is also such a thing as “foolish answers”.  If you do not know the answer to a question, search out the matter in the Bible and needful resources to find out the facts.  Simply searching the internet to find a snappy response will not help you learn proper apologetics but will only train you in “Bible Karate”.  This would be like, “If they say this, then I say that” going back-and-forth and so on.  This will not properly build your knowledge but will only train you in brainless responses such as the cults use.  Learn the truth of the Holy Bible for your own knowledge so you may instruct others well.

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- 1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV)

We should not be checking our brains out at the door once we believe in Jesus. We are able to keep an open mind yet also we are not to be deceived, muchless being deceived so easily. False religions will behave toward those who subscribe to them to what amounts as, “That’s right you found the truth with us now. You don’t need to look any further anywhere else.” Yet, through Jesus we do find the truth because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Therefore, we need to continually seek Him. As Jesus said, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

 
The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The balance between Word and Spirit ministries is found through the proactive emphasis of both. This is the model for spiritually healthy and vibrant Christian ministry.

When the Word of God is misunderstood and misused to minimize the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit, dry orthodoxies develop. The “rules” become more important than the spirit and intent of God’s Word. Relationship with Christ may yet seem personal but turns less interpersonal with God. As if God may hear your prayers but He will not speak back to you. This can result in a dead faith.

When the ministry of the Spirit is done with a minimizing of the Word of God false doctrines and religious excesses can result. Believers may turn to a wrong spirit and follow every wind of doctrine and popular fad spiritual movement. Faith may become strong but will tend to be a groundless faith and turn counterfeit.

We dare not leave off either the Word of God or the Spirit of God. We need to be emphatic and zealous for both lest we drift away. Nations need to have breathed in them the awakening given by God’s Spirit and to be built up by the Word of God. Lest mere human understanding be the rule of the land. Without a strong basis of God’s Word and Spirit a spiritual vacuum develops inside. This will only be left to be filled with demonic and unclean spirits and worldly philosophy which is not after Christ.

Take heed and embrase the fullness of God through Jesus Christ.

Thou wilt make know to me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.
- Psalm 16:11

2. There is a barrier between God and us: Sin.

Behold the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your inquities have made a separation between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
- Isaiah 59:1-2

3. Our good deeds won’t remove the barrier.

And we are all as one that is unclean, and our righteousness (good deeds) as filthy rags.
- Isaiah 64:6

4. God has provided atonement as a way of removing the barrier. Atonement demands blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the alter to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes that makes an atonement for the soul.
- Leviticus 17:11

5. During temple times in Israel, animal sacrifices provided temporary atonement. Permanent atonement requires a unique sacrifice.

Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.
- Psalm 40:6 (Septuagint)

6. The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah identifies this sacrifice as a man who was rejected by his people, yet whose death provided the ultimate atonement.

…he was despised, and we esteemed him not… But he was wounded because of our transgressions, bruised because of our iniquities; his sufferings were that we might have peace and by his injury we are healed…but he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
- Isaiah 53:3b,5,12b

7. At least 48 specific prophecies further identify the Messianic figure, all of which have been fulfilled in Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth.

• He would be a descendent of King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
• The city of his birth would be Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-2)
• He would have a divine nature (Isaiah 9:5-6)
• He would come before the destruction of Herod’s temple in 70 C.E. (Daniel 9:26)
• He would be be executed by crucifixion (Psalm 22:14-17)
• He would rise from the dead (Isaiah 53:10)
• He would return with the evidence of having been mortally wounded (Zechariah 12:10)

8. God has provided perfect atonement (forgiveness of sins) through the sacrifice of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). All who place their trust in Him have restored fellowship with God and assurance of eternal life.

Blessed are all they who take refuge in him. – Psalm 2:12

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name… – John 1:12 (New Covenant)