Frequently Asked Questions

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The purpose of our Frequently Asked Questions section is to “dig up” the facts for those of you who have received more opinions than answers to your questions. The index below lists the questions that we received from others. Click on the question to jump to the page with the answer for that question.

Note: All information contained in Clarifying Christianity is a resource for questions dealing with Christian issues. It is not to be taken as Christian counseling. Seek a qualified Christian counselor for help with all such issues. If you choose to work with a Christian counselor, it is your responsibility to ask pertinent questions before you begin, to assure yourself of their qualities and abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Angels

Do angels have a free will as we do here on earth?

In a dream, angels communicated with me through some sort of telepathy. Do they really do that?

Do people who have died become angels?

My friend claims to have had contact with an angel. Is that possible?

What are the symbols or personal signs of the nine important angels (Gabriel and others)?

Do you have any information on guardian angels?

I was nearly killed in a car accident, but I believe that “someone” kept me safe. Was it a guardian angel?

Is there any way to contact my guardian angel?

Frequently Asked Questions About Baptism

What happens when a person accepts Jesus on their deathbed (or on a battlefield) and cannot be baptized by immersion?

Isn’t it true that you must be baptized in Jesus’ Name?

If you later learn that the person who baptized you was a cult member, is that baptism valid?

If a pastor who baptized someone later fell into sin, is the baptism still valid in God’s eyes?

On your baptism page you say that baptism does not save. Then you say it is required to be saved. Can you further clarify your point?

Do you have to have godparents to be baptized?

Is baptism a requirement to get to heaven? Wasn’t the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39-43 saved without baptism?

Why was John the Baptist baptizing men and women before Jesus died on the cross if they were still under Old Testament law?

Jesus said to baptize “all nations,” wouldn’t this also include small children?

Frequently Asked Questions About The Bible

Did Mary have children after Jesus?

I read at another site that the NIV bible is perverse and wrong. Is that true?

Isn’t Yeshua the correct spelling for Jesus name? I heard the name Jesus came about from a bad translation.

What is the most accurate English translation of the Greek (New Testament) text?

Jesus told His apostles that some of them would be alive when He comes into His kingdom. What did He mean?

Who committed suicide in the Bible?

Why does the Catholic Bible have more books in it?

Someone has told me the bible as we know it was compiled about the year 300. Who decided what was put in and what was not?

Can you explain the Bible codes?

I read that there are many contradictions in the Bible. Is that true?

Where did Cain’s wife come from? Was it one of his sisters? What about Incest? Isn’t that against the laws of the Bible?

Do you know the name of Noah’s wife?

Is there a passage in the Bible about God turning a man black?

Who are the “144,000 from all the tribes of Israel” in Rev. 7:4-8?

Frequently Asked Questions About How Christians Live

What did Jesus mean when He said “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions” in Matthew 6:7?

Is it a sin to live with someone who you will marry if you are not intimate with them, and do I still have the right to be married to this person in the church in the eyes of God if I do?

What does the bible say about getting married by the justice of the peace and not in a church?

What does the Bible say about cremation and burial?

Is it wrong to read or watch Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?

Is it OK for Christians to celebrate Halloween?

I have trouble overcoming a certain sin. What can I do?

I desire to pray more effectively for others and myself. How can I get started?

Is it a sin to gamble (like in the casino)?

I have many close friends who are very strong Catholics. It seems they pray to Mary more than to Jesus. When I say prayers at night I address the Lord Jesus or God Himself, not Mary. Is this wrong?

What does the Bible say regarding interracial marriage?

What does the Bible say about God’s view on tattoos and body piercing?

What does the Bible say regarding divorce and remarriage?

Do we still need to honor the Sabbath to get right with God?

Christ kept the Sabbath on Saturday. Should we do the same?

I was told that when we pray out loud Satan can hear us, and that we should pray silently as only God can read our minds. Is that true?

A minister told me that if I did not believe that I could be perfect in this lifetime, that I don’t have true faith in God. Is this true?

What are the views on tolerance in the Christian religion?

Is it ungodly to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol (not in excess)?

Is it ok to use a contraceptive with your spouse?

If bible says “thou shall not kill” why do people eat meat, wear furs, experiment on animals, and exterminate bugs and vermin?

Are there any foods a Christian can not eat?

What does the Bible say about marriage and family life?

What does the Bible say our attitude should be toward people in need?

The Bible says that God gave man dominion over the world. Does that mean that humans can exploit the world or does it convey the idea of responsible stewardship?

Frequently Asked Questions About Heaven, Hell, and Salvation

What is the best way to get right with God if I am Jewish?

What is the meaning of “third heaven” in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 2?

If someone commits suicide, can they still go to heaven without God punishing them?

What is Purgatory?

What is meant by Abraham’s Bosom in Luke 16:23?

If you ask Jesus into your heart, then drift away and die before you repent, will you still go to heaven?

Will a child born out of wedlock go to heaven?

Can any sin be forgiven?

Can God forgive a lifetime of sin (and how do I know)?

Will a homosexual go to hell?

Can you explain the necessity of Christ? If God is the executor of judgment, then why couldn’t He also pardon everyone?

What happens to small children who have died before they have accepted Christ?

Will people who are insane (or handicapped mentally) go to heaven if they sin?

What if someone lives their whole life and never hears about God, Jesus, or the Bible.

Doesn’t Mark 16:16 say that whoever does not believe in Jesus will be condemned? Wouldn’t the uneducated man in a remote jungle tribe fall into that category?

If everyone who is saved goes to heaven, then who will be on the earth for Satan to deceive when he is let loose again in Revelation 20:7?

The Bible says that God does not change, so why do we find places where God changes His plan for people? What about Genesis 6:6 where God grieved that He had even made man?

Frequently Asked Questions—Miscellaneous Christian Topics

If dinosaurs were on the ark, what happened to them?

If a scientist cloned a human, could that human get right with God?

If the government supports war or tries to kill Usama bin Laden, are we murderers?

Can musical instruments be used in church services?

Do you believe in pretribulation, midtribulation, or posttribulation rapture?

Will our pets be in heaven with us?

Why did God condone the wholesale slaughter of people during the conquest of Canaan?

What exactly does “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” mean?

If the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) talk about the coming of the Messiah, why don’t Jewish people embrace the New Testament?

If Noah brought all the animals with him on the ark, how did they get to all of the continents of the world?

Why would God allow people (especially children) to be raped and murdered or suffer terrible diseases?

Why does God always receive credit for the good things in life, but not considered responsible for any of the bad?

What are the similarities and differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic Holy Communion?

Can you comment on the human and dinosaur footprints found together at the Paluxy River site?

I know the Y2K bug may bring computer problems and so forth in the year 2000. But many people predict that the rapture will occur or Jesus will return at the turn of the new millennium. What do you think?

What is the difference between Christianity and Christian?

Is modern science wicked?

What is Christianity’s country of origin?

What is the difference between Christianity and Judaism?

I was not raised into Christianity. How would I learn if Christianity is right for me?

Who is the founder of Christianity?

Is homosexuality the devil’s work or a chromosome problem?

Are there any Biblical limitations to the ways that a woman can serve in the church?

How much does the average person give at church?

What do they mean by a denomination, or for that matter, the term non-denominational?

What are the differences in the denominations of the Christian Church?