Have you ever questioned what the Bible says about certain topics or issues?  Take a moment and look at a few questions that are frequently asked and the answers God has given us through His Word.

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A: First of all I know that church attendance or non-attendance is not a direct reflection of whether an individual is a Christian or not.  Church involvement and attendance is just one part of the Christian life, but it is a crucial part of any growing believer. After all, if Christ had not wanted us to attend church then why did He establish it?  You see, Christ established the church, which is made up of born again believers carrying out the work of Christ on earth as His hands and feet.

Church attendance is the means in which we experience worship with fellow believers, share in fellowship, share in each others' burdens and receive instruction in God's Word to follow after Him and live the Christian life.  Church should also be a place for the lost person to see and hear the Gospel of Jesus and His desire for a relationship with them. The book of Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  We are admonished to be a part of the local church in the new testament in order to use our spiritual gifts for the good of the body of Christ and for God's glory.  

Some of you may be saying, "All churches are the same."  That simply is not true.  If you have been burned or turned off by church, seek out a Bible-teaching church where the Word of God is held in high esteem and the scriptures taught with practical application for everyday living where Christ is head of the Church and everyone in the pulpit and the pews are in submission to him and in fellowship with one another.

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A: This is a frequent and confusing question for many believers.  Jesus tells us in the Great Commission (Matthew 28) to make disciples and baptize them, so then baptism must be a requirement for salvation and heaven, right?  Well, not so quick with your answer.  Let's explore what scripture teaches about this ordinance of the church.

First, let's define baptism for what it is: an outward sign of an inward change.  The only candidates for baptism are people who have accepted Jesus as Savior.  Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ by those who have begun the Christian life by repenting and giving their life to Christ.  Baptism is the way that we identify with Christianity and Jesus' teachings.

Secondly baptism is symbolic of what happens when a person is born again.  We are cleansed from our old life, dying to the old self and life, and born into a new life, being raised in that newness.  All of these are illustrated when someone is baptized by immersion as the New Testament teaches.

Another reason that we should be baptized is due to Christ's command for us to do so.  Growing in Christ calls for us to be obedient.  One final thought for those of you who believe baptism is necessary for salvation: consider the repentant thief on the cross.  He had no time to be baptized after he repented, yet Jesus assured him that he would be in paradise. 

Should a person be baptized?  Yes, as an act of association and obedience, but that is why we call it believers' baptism.  You must be a believer in Christ first, and then be baptized afterwards.  But nowhere in scripture is found the requirement of baptism equating to salvation.

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