Jesus often used simple stories that sometimes confused His listeners. Answer: Jesus used parables to reveal the truth to those whose hearts were open to hear and to conceal the truth from those who were willfully hostile or spiritually dull. Biblical Explanation: The Purpose of Concealment and Revelation: When the disciples asked why He spoke in parables, Jesus answered, "The knowledge...

Many wonder why a loving God would require such a violent act. Answer: Jesus died as a perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin, thus reconciling humanity to God.   Biblical Explanation: Sin's Penalty: The Bible states, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). All humanity has sinned (Romans 3:23).   The Atonement: Jesus' death was a voluntary act to take on this...

Answer: There are two main theological viewpoints based on different interpretations of Scripture: Eternal Security (Once Saved, Always Saved): A truly saved person, whom God has chosen, will be kept by God's power and cannot lose their salvation (e.g., John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). Conditional Security: Salvation can be lost if a believer deliberately and permanently turns away from...

Most Protestant Bibles contain 66 books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament). Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles include additional books (known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical Books).