FAQ's -Basic Knowledge For Evangelization
If you met an unbeliever who wanted to know about Jesus how would you begin?
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the son of God who came to earth and became man to tell us about the love of God and how sin had broken our relationship with him. He then offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross to obtain forgiveness for our sins. As proof that his sacrifice was accepted God raised him from the dead, took him to heaven and made him king over heaven and earth. Now everyone who believes in Jesus, repents and is baptized receives complete forgiveness of all sins and his relationship as a child of God is restored and he is rewarded with eternal life. (John 3:16, Acts 2:22-24, 1:3, 1:9-11, 4:12, Philippians 1:9-11, Acts 2:38)
What happens when our relationship with God is restored?
When our relationship with God is restored we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as our divine personal helper to be with us to teach, guide, remind, inspire and animate us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is proof of our adoption as children of God. We also become eligible for a life of abundance in every area of our earthly life as promised by Jesus. (John 17:3, Romans 8:11, John 14:26, Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 4:30, John 10:10)
What about baptism?
Baptism has to be received as commanded by Jesus to prove that our decision to accept Jesus as our Lord is irrevocable. The gift of the Holy Spirit can be received before baptism depending on the firmness of the person to accept Jesus as his Lord. (John 3:5, Mark 16:16, Mathew 10:32, Acts 10:44-48)
What happens when a baptized person commits grave or mortal sin?
Grave or mortal sin amounts to total rejection of God. This leads to following consequences. Our relation with God is broken. The Holy Spirit cannot remain with us. The gift of eternal life is lost. The promise of abundance in our earthly life ceases to be operational. Since we are no longer under God's protection our enemy the Devil is free to bring sufferings on us.
Is there no hope?
The sacrament of confession with genuine repentance restores us back to baptismal grace. But we need to remember that forgiveness from God is in proportion to how much we forgive others. In cases where possession by evil spirits has taken place special deliverance prayers are required by self as well as by another knowledgeable christian. (John 20:22-23, Mathew 6:14-15, 18: 33-35)
What about venial sins?
Venial sins do not amount to total rejection of God. So our relation with God is not broken. The Holy Spirit does not leave us and we remain eligible to all gifts and promises. But BEWARE. God is grieved. Venial sins definitely weaken our relationship with God. A person who is negligent of venial sins will in all probability end up in grave sin someday. Be mindful of your venial sins but do not allow them to discourage you in your spiritual journey. It is the work of the enemy to discourage you to give up trying. (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7)
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