Search the
Scriptures
a comparison of the apostles’ teaching
with the traditions of denominations
including
How To Become A Christian
prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, Canada.
No rights reserved. Print and distribute freely. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture references are from the New International Version. Date of Publication: August 17, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-1516948765 ISBN-10: 1516948769
Translate this book into your own
language here https://translate.google.com
Printed in the United States of America.
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Search the Scriptures a comparison of the apostles’ teaching
with the traditions of denominations
“They worship me in vain; their teachings are
merely human rules.” - Matthew 15:9
“They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching,
the breaking of bread, and in prayer.” – Acts 2:42
Directions: Followers of Jesus desire to
follow the apostles’ teaching rather than
human rules and traditions. Read the
scripture passages for each numbered set
below, then decide which statement is the
Truth of God’s Word and which is false
human tradition. Enter (T) for the Truth of
God’s Word and (F) for human tradition.
Remember that other scriptures may also
be relevant.
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JESUS
1. ( ) Mary is a mediator between God and man. ( ) Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man.
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5
2. ( ) Mary remained a perpetual virgin and had no children other than Jesus. ( ) Jesus had other brothers and sisters, the children of Mary.
Scripture: Mark 6:3; Matthew 13: 55, 56
3. ( ) Jesus Christ was God in the flesh or God in the form of a man. As deity, He is to be worshipped. Christians can pray to Jesus. ( ) Jesus was only a man with special wisdom and power. He had a special relationship to God, but he is not God and should not be worshipped.
Scripture: Matthew 1:23; John 20:28; Hebrews 1: 6; John 1:1, 14; Acts 7:59, 60
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THE CHURCH
4. ( ) Jesus’ followers are called
Christians.
( ) Jesus’ followers are called
Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans,
Pentecostals, etc.
Scripture: Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4: 16
5. ( ) Christians should assemble
regularly together.
( ) A Christian need not meet
regularly with other Christians.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:25
6. ( ) There is one church, one body of
Christ. Divisions are sinful.
( ) It is good to have many
denominations among professing
Christians.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:24;
1 Corinthians 1:10
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7. ( ) Women are to be silent in the
church assembly and may not have
authority over men.
( ) Women may preach to the
church and may be leaders in the
church and have authority over
men.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:34-3; 1
Timothy 2: 11, 12; 1 Timothy 3: 1-13
8. ( ) The church can be called the
United church, Anglican,
Pentecostal, Orthodox, Roman
Catholic, Baptist, Mennonite, etc.
( ) The church should be referred to
as the church of God, churches of
Christ, the body of Christ, the
household of faith.
Scripture: Romans 16:16;
2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 6:10;
1 Corinthians 12: 27
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9. ( ) One does not have to be a
member of the body of Christ, the
church, in order to be saved.
( ) Jesus bought the church with his
own blood. He is the Saviour of the
church and gave himself up for her.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:23-25; Acts 20:28
CHURCH LEADERS
10. ( ) Saints are a special group of holy
ones among God’s people.
( ) Every follower of Jesus is a saint.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 2; 14:3;
Romans 1:7
11. ( ) All of God’s people today are a
royal priesthood.
( ) Only a special class among
God’s people may be called priests.
Scripture: Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9
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12. ( ) The title “Reverend” belongs only
to special church leaders.
( ) All of God’s people are to be holy
or reverend.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15, 16
13. ( ) Jesus is the head over everything
for the church, and the church
headquarters is therefore in heaven.
( ) The church may have a human
head such as a pope, patriarch, or
other appointed individual, and the
church headquarters may be on
earth.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians
1:17, 18
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14. ( ) The terms bishop (overseer),
elder (presbyter) and pastor
(shepherd), refer to one office in the
church.
( ) A bishop is higher than a pastor
who is higher than an elder.
Scripture: Titus 1: 5-9; 1 Peter 5: 1-4; Acts
20: 17, 28
15. ( ) A bishop is a ruler over several
congregations.
( ) A bishop is one of a plurality of
bishops who rule one congregation.
They are served by deacons.
Scripture: Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1
Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-7
16. ( ) Bishops must not be married.
( ) Bishops must be the husband of
one wife.
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3: 2, 4, 5; Titus 1: 6, 7
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17. ( ) Peter alone was given power to
bind and loose.
( ) All the apostles had power to
bind and loose.
Scripture: Matthew 16: 16-19;
Matthew 18: 1, 18
18. ( ) Peter held first place among the
apostles and was the recognized
head of the church.
( ) There was a plurality of leaders in
the Jerusalem church including
James, Peter and John. James
gave the final judgment at the
Jerusalem council. Jesus is the
head over all things for the church.
Scripture: Galatians 2:9; Acts 15: 13-21;
Ephesians 1: 22
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BAPTISM
19. ( ) Baptism does not save us.
( ) Baptism saves us. It is the pledge
to God of a good conscience. It
saves us by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21
20. ( ) We are baptized so that our sins
may be forgiven and that we may
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
( ) We are baptized to show that our
sins have already been forgiven.
Scripture: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
21. ( ) He who believes, is saved and
should then be baptized.
( ) He who believes and is baptized
shall be saved.
Scripture: Mark 16:16
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22. ( ) Baptism is a sprinkling or pouring
of water.
( ) Baptism is a burial or immersion
in water.
Scripture: Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4
23. ( ) To be forgiven after baptism, one
should confess his sins to a priest
who will pray to the Lord.
( ) To be forgiven, a Christian should
repent and confess his sins directly
to the Lord.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:13, 22
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24. ( ) Salvation is obtained by praying
to receive Jesus as Lord and
Saviour.
( ) Salvation from sin is obtained by
believing the gospel, plus
repentance, plus confessing Jesus
as the Christ and Son of God, plus
being immersed into Christ and His
death in order to receive the
forgiveness of sin. By baptism one
pledges to keep a good conscience
toward God.
Scripture: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38;
Matthew 10:32, 33; Romans 6:3,4;
1 Peter 3:21
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25. ( ) Babies and little children need to
be baptized.
( ) Little children are innocent. No
one inherits the sins or guilt of an
ancestor. Only older people who
have sins of their own need to be
baptized.
Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6, 10, 11;
Acts 8:12; Ezekiel 18:19-32
26. ( ) After believing the gospel, people
should be baptized immediately.
( ) After believing the gospel, people
should wait until the church can be
assembled or until relatives can
observe this special occasion. One
should wait for a special day like
Sunday or Easter.
Scripture: Acts 2:41; Acts 8:35-38;
Acts 16:32,33; Acts 22:16; Acts 19:4,5
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27. ( ) One does not have to be
baptized in order to enter the body
of Christ, the church.
( ) In order to be united with Christ
and His body, the church one must
be baptized.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:13;
Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27
28. ( ) In order to enter the kingdom of
God one only needs to be born of
the Spirit. Water is not necessary for
salvation.
( ) Unless one is born of water and
the Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of God.
Scripture: John 3:5
Stari Grad, Hvar, 6th century A.D.
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29. ( ) We receive salvation and
forgiveness simply by praying for it
and asking Jesus to come into our
hearts.
( ) We receive salvation and
forgiveness by being baptized into
Jesus’ death so that we may live a
new life.
Scripture: Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3, 4;
Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
THE COMMUNION
30. ( ) The practice of the early church
was to take communion or the
Lord’s Supper on the first day of the
week.
( ) The communion or Lord’s Supper
may be taken quarterly or annually.
Scripture: Acts 20:7
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31. ( ) In the communion or Lord’s
Supper it is the real flesh and blood
of Christ that we eat.
( ) In the communion or Lord’s
Supper, it is bread and fruit of the
vine (the cup) that we eat and drink.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:25,26;
Matthew 26:29
32. ( ) Only the priest may drink the cup
in the communion or Lord’s Supper.
( ) All Christians are to receive both
the bread and the fruit of the vine
(the cup).
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
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THE HOLY SPIRIT
33. ( ) Special gifts or manifestations of
the Holy Spirit were given by the
laying on of the apostles hands.
( ) Gifts of the Holy Spirit were
received through prayer with any
Christians laying on hands.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 1:11;
Acts 8:14-18; Acts 19:6
34. ( ) The baptism of the Holy Spirit
was received simply by praying for
it.
( ) The baptism of the Holy Spirit
came unexpectedly and was never
prayed for, did not save anyone, nor
was it a sign that the person
receiving it was saved.
Scripture: Acts 1:4,5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts
11:13-17; Acts 10:44-48
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35. ( ) The gift of tongues was the ability
to speak a foreign language without
learning it. This was to be a sign to
unbelievers that the gospel was
true.
( ) The gift of tongues was the ability
to make ecstatic sounds, not a real
human language but a prayer
language that could be received by
human prompting.
Scripture: Acts 2:4-12; 1 Corinthians 14:22
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36. ( ) God is the same yesterday,
today, and forever. This means His
Will has never changed and that He
still performs miracles like those
recorded in the Bible.
( ) God’s Will for man has changed.
The old Will or testament has been
replaced by the New Testament.
Miracles were for the purpose of
confirming the word of God, the
message of salvation. The record of
miracles in the Bible is given so that
we might believe in Jesus.
Scripture: Hebrews 8:7, 13; Hebrews 9: 14-
18; Mark 16: 20; Hebrews 2: 3, 4; John
20:30, 31
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE
37. ( ) Any additions to or deletions from
the Bible are forbidden. The
scriptures are sufficient.
( ) Inspired prophecy and
revelations are still being given and
can be added to the New Testament
as instruction in righteousness.
Scripture: Revelation 22: 18, 19
38. ( ) The tradition of the church is just
as true as the Word of God. The
scriptures are not adequate to
explain everything a Christian must
believe and do.
( ) The tradition of the church may
nullify the Word of God. The
scriptures thoroughly explain what a
Christian must believe and do.
Scripture: Matthew 15:3,6-9;
2 Timothy 3: 16,17
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39. ( ) The apostles were given all the
truth we need, and this faith has
been delivered once for all.
( ) Additional truths of the faith are
still being given and revealed to
special men who God has chosen.
Scripture: Jude 3; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3
OLD TESTAMENT RULES
40. ( ) God’s people today must observe
the Sabbath day, Saturday, as a day
of worship and rest.
( ) God’s people today worship on
the first day of the week. The
Sabbath kept by Jews was a
shadow of a reality found in Christ.
Scripture: Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2;
Colossians 2:16, 17
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41. ( ) Christians should not eat pork
and certain other meats.
( ) Everything God created is good,
and nothing is to be rejected if it is
received with thanksgiving.
Scripture: Colossians 2:16; 1 Timothy 4:3-5
BEFORE AND AFTER MARRIAGE
42. ( ) Divorce should be granted for
incompatibility or any other good
reason.
( ) Divorce should not be permitted
for any reason.
( ) Divorce for any reason, except
for the cause of fornication, should
not be practiced.
Scripture: Matthew 5:31,32;
Matthew 19:3-9
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43. ( ) Sex before marriage (a life
commitment) is healthy and may
help a couple discover if they will be
compatible in marriage.
( ) Sex is good and honourable but
belongs only in marriage. Sex
before marriage (fornication) is
condemned.
Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 13:4
44. ( ) Marriage to the one you love can
last through eternity in heaven.
( ) In heaven no one will be married
but will be like the angels.
Scripture: Mark 12: 24, 25
OTHER RELIGIONS
45. ( ) It doesn’t matter what you believe
as long as you are sincere.
( ) One may be zealous for God yet
still be wrong about what he
believes and not please God.
Scripture: Romans 10:1-3
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46. ( ) All world religions are true and
teach basically the same thing. It is
not absolutely necessary to believe
in Jesus to be saved.
( ) Unless one believes that Jesus is
who He claims to be, the Word that
was God and became flesh, one
shall die in his sins and not see
eternal life.
Scripture: John 3:36; John 8:24; Acts 4:12
47. ( ) A person should not try to change
his religion but should die in the
religion he was born with.
( ) Both the Jews and the Gentiles
had to change their religion in order
to be saved.
Scripture: Romans 10:13-15;
1 Thessalonians 2:16
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48. ( ) People who have not heard the
gospel, would not need to hear and
obey it in order to be saved.
( ) Unless someone takes the
gospel to those who have not heard
it, they will not be saved.
Scripture: Romans 10:13-15;
1 Thessalonians 2:16
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FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
49. ( ) Everyone must die once, then
face purgatory.
( ) Everyone must die once, then
face judgment.
Scripture: Hebrews 9:27
50. ( ) Most people will go to heaven.
Only a few really bad people like
Hitler or Judas, will go to hell.
( ) Most people will go to hell.
Punishment for not obeying God’s
Word will be never-ending.
Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15;
Matthew 7:13, 14; Matthew 25:45, 46;
2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
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51. ( ) Hell is only the misfortune and
suffering that people experience in
this life. There is no hell after death.
( ) There will be a final judgment of
all people and many will then suffer
eternal punishment.
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46;
Revelation 20: 11-15
52. ( ) After becoming a child of God, a
Christian is unable to sin to the point
that he would be lost eternally.
( ) After becoming a child of God,
one may be severed from Christ.
The possibility always remains that
a Christian may so sin that he would
be lost eternally.
Scripture: Luke 8:13; John 15:1-7;
Romans 11:19-22; Hebrews 4:11;
Hebrews 6: 4-6, 12; Hebrews 10: 26, 27;
Hebrews 12:15-17; 2 Peter 2:17-22;
2 Peter 3:17
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53. ( ) There is no forgiveness for sins
committed after baptism.
( ) If we repent and confess our sins,
God will forgive us even after we are
baptized. But shall we sin knowing
this is true?
Scripture: 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:13,22;
Romans 6:1-3
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
WWW.BOX.COM/LOVEGOD
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Dedicated to The Author of Life
and my loving Wife, Jennie
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CONTENTS
How To Use This Guide 41
Foretold 43
God With Us 43
Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ 44
The Lamb Sacrificed For Our Sins 45
What Jesus Wants Everyone To Do 46
Forgiveness of Sins 47
Crucified With Him 49
How To Be Happy 50
Why Be Baptized 51
Encouraging Words 52
Shall We Go On Sinning After Baptism? 54
What About Little Children? 58
Can One Be Forgiven After Baptism? 59
How To Stay Faithful To God 60
A Final Question 61
Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled 65
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What People Say About This Book 79
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How To Use This Guide
Reading this guide will change your life. If you want to help someone decide to become a Christian, ask the person to read the scriptures aloud from this guide book or from the Bible. Then ask them to read and answer the questions aloud. Then ask the person if they believe what they have read. Another approach is to refer to the guide while inviting the person to read the scripture verses from their own Bible. Then after each reading, ask the corresponding questions from the guide. If you are not yet a Christian, simply read the scriptures and answer the questions for yourself. If you decide you want to become a Christian as described in this guide, contact the person who gave you this booklet or find a Christian community by doing searches on the internet. God bless you as you travel farther down the path that leads to a life of love, compassion, peace, and adventure in reaching the lost.
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FORETOLD
Read Isaiah 53 (written in the 8th century before Christ)
Question: Who is this chapter speaking about?
GOD WITH US
Read Matthew 1:21-23 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).
Question: According to the verses above, who is Jesus and what was he to save people from?
Do you believe it?
Read John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;
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without him nothing was made that has been made.... The Word became flesh and lived among us.
Question: According to the verses above, who was the Word?
Do you believe it?
Read John 20:28-29 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Question: According to the verses above, who is Jesus?
Do you believe it?
DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have
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believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures....
Question: According to the verses above, what must we believe that is of first importance?
Do you believe it?
THE LAMB SACRIFICED FOR OUR SINS
Read John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Read 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Question: According to the verses above, what did Jesus do?
Do you believe it?
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WHAT JESUS WANTS EVERYONE TO DO
Read Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Read Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Question: According to the verses above, what does Jesus want everyone to believe and do to be saved?
Do you believe it?
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FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Read Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Question: According to the verses above, where would forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name begin to be preached to all nations?
Do you believe it?
Several days after the above words were
spoken, the disciples were in Jerusalem.
Read Acts 2:14,36-41 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven (apostles), raised his voice and addressed the crowd.... “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to
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the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Question: According to the verses above, what two things were the people told to do to receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit? Is the same promise also for us today? What did people do when they accepted the message?
Do you believe it?
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CRUCIFIED WITH HIM
Read Romans 6:1-4,6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.... 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin...
Questions: According to the verses above, how do we enter into Christ and his death, in order to live a new life? When is a person crucified with Christ, to give up sin?
Do you believe it?
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HOW TO BE HAPPY
Read Acts 8:32-39 This is the passage of Scripture (Isaiah 53) the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
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Question: According to the verses above, what does the eunuch want to do immediately after he was told the good news about Jesus? When does the eunuch rejoice? Why do you think he was so happy?
Do you believe it?
WHY BE BAPTIZED?
Read Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Question: According to the verse above, why should one be baptized?
Do you believe it?
I wonder if you have thought about being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and to start a new life following the teaching of Christ.
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ENCOURAGING WORDS
Read 2 Timothy 1:10 ...it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Read 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Read 1 Peter 1:3-6 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Question: Do you want to be happy knowing your sins are forgiven and hopeful that you will go to heaven when you die? What will you do?
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Sixth century immersion baptismal basin at Nocera Superiore, Italy
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Crucified with Christ Fourth century immersion baptismal basin in the shape
of a cross, San Pedro Alcantara, southern Spain
SHALL WE GO ON SINNING AFTER BAPTISM?
Read Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried
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with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Read Romans 6:6-13 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part
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of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
Read Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Read Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins...
Questions: According to the verses above, when is one done with sin, crucified with Christ, made alive with Christ, and forgiven of sins?
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Read 1 Peter 3:20-21 ...in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ...
Question: According to the verses above, what saves you? What is our pledge to keep a clear conscience before God? Do you believe it?
Immersion baptism of Christ, depicted by Paolo Veneziano, artist of the 14th century, Venice, Italy
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WHAT ABOUT LITTLE CHILDREN?
Read Matthew 18:2-5 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Question: According to verses above, what is the spiritual condition of little children?
Read Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Question: According to the verse above, what did people do when they heard the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ? Were little children baptized?
Do you believe it? What will you do?
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CAN ONE BE FORGIVEN AFTER BAPTISM?
Read Acts 8:13,18-23 Simon himself believed and was baptized.... When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
Question: According to the verses above, what was Simon told to do to be forgiven when he sinned after being baptized?
Do you believe it?
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Read 1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Read 1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Question: According to the verses above, how can we be forgiven of sins committed after baptism?
Do you believe it?
HOW TO STAY FAITHFUL TO GOD
Read Hebrews 3:12-14 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we
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hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Read Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Question: According to the verses above, what can help us stay faithful to the end?
Do you believe it? What will you do?
A FINAL QUESTION: HOW SOON WERE PEOPLE BAPTIZED?
Read Acts 2:40-41 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Read Acts 8: 35-38 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture (Isaiah 53) and told
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him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Read Acts 16: 32-33 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
Question: According to the verses above, how soon were people baptized after they heard the message or good news about Jesus? Why do you think they wanted to be baptized so soon?
What will you do?
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Are you thinking of being baptized to receive the forgiveness of your sins, new life, and the Holy Spirit?
To find someone to assist you to be baptized, email Daniel at [email protected]
Or phone 1-778-433-1547
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Mosaic of the immersion baptism of Christ
13th century, Florence, Italy
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Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled HOW CAN WE KNOW JESUS IS THE ONE WHO
WAS PROMISED TO SAVE THE WORLD?
"As to this salvation, the prophets who
prophesied of the grace that would come to
you made careful searches and inquiries,
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit
of Christ within them was indicating as He
predicted the sufferings of Christ and the
glories to follow. It was revealed to them that
they were not serving themselves, but you, in
these things which now have been announced
to you through those who preached the gospel
to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--
things into which angels long to look."
- 1 Peter 1:10-12
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Given the eyewitness accounts of the life of
Jesus of Nazareth are accurate, the following
details selected below out of hundreds
contained in ancient Hebrew writings (Old
Testament) that pre-date Jesus, appear to
confirm his identity as the Messiah, the
promised one who would save Israel as well as
the Gentiles who turn to God.
1. He would be born in the town of
Bethlehem. - Micah 5:2 (700 BC) fulfilled in
Matthew 2:1-6
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of
Judah, out of you will come for me one who
will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times.
Matthew 2:1-5 After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King
Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
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and asked, “Where is the one who has been
born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it
rose and have come to worship him.” When
King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all
Jerusalem with him. When he had called
together all the people’s chief priests and
teachers of the law, he asked them where the
Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in
Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the
prophet has written…”
2. He would be born of a virgin. - Isaiah 7:14
(700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-25
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give
you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus
the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was
pledged to be married to Joseph, but before
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they came together, she was found to be
pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
3. He would perform miracles. – Isaiah 35:5-6
(700 BC) fulfilled in all the gospel accounts
Isaiah 35:5-6 Then will the eyes of the blind be
opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the
mute tongue shout for joy.
4. He would calm the storm.- Psalm 107:29
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Mark 4:39
Psalm 107:29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and
said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the
wind died down and it was completely calm.
5. He would speak in parables. – Psalm 78:2
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Mark 4:34
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Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth with a
parable; I will utter hidden things, things from
of old.
Mark 4:34 He did not say anything to them
without using a parable. But when he was
alone with his own disciples, he explained
everything.
6. He would enter Jerusalem as a lowly king,
riding on a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9 (500 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 21:6-9
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king
comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.
Matthew 21:6-8 The disciples went and did as
Jesus had instructed them. They brought the
donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on
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them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd
spread their cloaks on the road, while others
cut branches from the trees and spread them
on the road.
7. The price of his betrayal would be thirty
pieces of silver. – Zechariah 11:12-13 (500 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15 and Matthew
27:3-10
Zechariah 11:12-13 I told them, “If you think it
best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So
they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the
Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the
handsome price at which they valued me! So I
took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them
to the potter at the house of the Lord.
Matthew 26:14-15 Then one of the Twelve—
the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the
chief priests and asked, “What are you willing
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to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So
they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:3-10 When Judas, who had
betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned,
he was seized with remorse and returned the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and
the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have
betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your
responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into
the temple and left. Then he went away and
hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the
coins and said, “It is against the law to put this
into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So
they decided to use the money to buy the
potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.
8. His death would be as a sacrificial lamb. –
Isaiah 53:5-8,10-11 (700 BC) fulfilled in John
1:29
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Isaiah 53:5-8 But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was on him, and by his wounds we are
healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way; and the
Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He
was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not
open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is
silent, so he did not open his mouth. By
oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested? For he
was cut off from the land of the living; for the
transgression of my people he was punished.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!”
9. Lots would be cast for his garment. – Psalm
22:18 (1000 BC) fulfilled in John 19:23-24
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Psalm 22:18 They divide my clothes among
them and cast lots for my garment.
John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified
Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into
four shares, one for each of them, with the
undergarment remaining. This garment was
seamless, woven in one piece from top to
bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one
another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be
fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes
among them and cast lots for my garment.” So
this is what the soldiers did.
10. His manner of death (crucifixion): hands
and feet pierced. – Psalm 22:16 (1000 BC)
fulfilled in Matthew 27:38 (see nail marks in
his hands in John 20:25)
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Psalm 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of
villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and
my feet.
John 20:25 So the other disciples told him,
“We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them,
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and
put my finger where the nails were, and put
my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
11. Specific words would be spoken by those
mocking him at his death. – Psalm 22:7,8
(1000 BC) fulfilled in Matthew 27:42-43
Psalm 22:7,8 All who see me mock me; they
hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in
the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
Matthew 27:42-43 “He saved others,” they
said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king
of Israel! Let him come down now from the
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cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in
God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him,
for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
12. He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb.
– Isaiah 53:9 (700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew
27:57-60
Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death, though
he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in
his mouth.
Matthew 27:57-60 As evening approached,
there came a rich man from Arimathea, named
Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of
Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body,
and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean
linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb
that he had cut out of the rock.
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13. After his death, he would return to life. –
Isaiah 53:10-11 (700 BC) fulfilled in Matthew
28:5-6
Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it was the Lord’s will to
crush him and cause him to suffer, and though
the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he
will see his offspring and prolong his days, and
the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of
life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my
righteous servant will justify many, and he will
bear their iniquities.
Matthew 28:5-6 The angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not
here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and
see the place where he lay.”
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14. He would be Light to the Gentiles. – Isaiah
42:1; Isaiah 49:6 (700 BC) fulfilled in
Luke 2:29-32
Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I
uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will
put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice
to the nations.”
Isaiah 49:6 he says: “It is too small a thing for
you to be my servant to restore the tribes of
Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have
kept. I will also make you a light for the
Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the
ends of the earth.”
Luke 2:29-32 “Sovereign Lord, as you have
promised, you may now dismiss your servant
in peace. For my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared in the sight
of all nations: a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
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15. He would bring a new testament or
covenant. – Jeremiah 31:31 (600 BC) fulfilled
in Luke 22:20
Jeremiah 31:31 “The days are coming,”
declares the Lord, “when I will make a new
covenant with the people of Israel and with
the people of Judah.”
Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper
he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you.”
Do you believe Jesus of Nazareth is the one
who was foretold by the ancient Hebrew
prophets; the divine son of God who came to
earth, died for the sins of the world, and rose
to life again?
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Phyllis B. (Oklahoma-Catholic) “It is so
inspirational! Just the little I've read, brought me to
God's dwelling place, and I can see how it'd be very
effective! Very beautiful, Daniel!”
Cherylyn Roddenberry (Florida – Mennonite)
“I believe there is great potential for effectiveness.
It is well written and the questions are thought
provoking. I think it would be a great witnessing
tool.”
Febin John (Bangalore – YWAM) “It's really
fantastic, Mr. Daniel. Awesome..... Explained well
too... God Bless you....”
Miguel Abaunza (El Paso – Catholic) “I believe that
this would be an excellent and effective tool to
evangelize.”
Sean St. Jean (Vancouver- Church of Christ) “I just
read through your booklet and I really like it.
Specifically, I like that it is Jesus-focused, built on
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scripture references, and generally keeps to the
essentials.... Of course one could argue that there
are many additional points that ought to be
communicated when leading someone to Christ,
but I think you do a fine job of communicating the
fundamentals. I hope that helps, and good luck! I
am sure that God is already blessing your efforts.”
Deanna Magistad (British Columbia) “Sir, I have
read your booklet. It was easy to open and read. I
do believe it has potential and can be effective.”
Donna Saumell Golder (California - Catholic) “I very
much like your booklet. It is to the point and
contains all of the important elements addressed
to adults. Thank you for this wonderful booklet.
Our Lord desires each soul He created to know and
love Him.”
Peter Tucker (New York – Anglican) “Well done
from a road-to-Damascus (Bible) perspective.”
Sam Lalonde (Victoria, British Columbia – Church of
Christ) “Hey Dan, I just scrolled through the
booklet you sent me. I definitely like the simplicity,
yet effectiveness of the message the booklet is
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trying to send to the reader. The format is good. I
give it a thumbs up! Thanks for sending it to me.”
Nathaniel Ogden Kidd (Wisconsin – Anglican)
“Without question, to the extent it IS effective, it is
a very clear testament to the Scriptures as the core
and foundation of Christian faith and theology. I
appreciate that emphasis -- whatever ways we win
people to Christ, this certainly needs to be
emphasized, and the sooner we can get people
thinking this way, the better.”
Suzanne Gyles (New York – Catholic) “Good
morning, Daniel. Thank you for the booklet. I
appreciate it and had no trouble downloading on
my tablet. I will print it and give it to my family.”
Victoria Patricia (Philadelphia – Catholic) “You did
an excellent job as always, Daniel! I enjoyed
reading this! I think it may be helpful to those who
choose to read it.”
Barry Leonard (Kentucky – Methodist) “I think this
would be a very effective tool for evangelism,
especially in a discipling situation, One-on-one or in
a group. I like the logical progression of the
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material and the way it is laid out. Thanks for
allowing me to preview this and to comment on it.”
Shawn Paden (Texas – Church of Christ) “It looks
good to me. Keep up the good work” (1 Cor.
15:58).
West Nigeria Christian College: “The booklet is
definitely a solid potential and very effective
means of evangelism. It has a general link of better
understanding of salvation. God bless you.”
Diana Cooper (California - Baptist) “Hello Daniel, I
very much enjoyed your booklet, and I think that it
has the potential for effectiveness in the very best
of ways. I understood it; in fact it was very well
understood. I personally liked the layout, and being
a child of God is a very special place. Yes we ask for
forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but we also need
to be baptized. I would enjoy reading some other
books, God Bless.”
Roger L. Leonard (Georgia - Church of Christ) “I
think the booklet is clear and straightforward. Well
done. Do you mind sharing the program used to
make this electronic book?”
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Towers Chelsea (Tennessee) “I enjoy reading and
found it very interesting from the start. It started
off well. The time flow was well designed. I was
very impressed with the visual pictures that were
added. I was trying also to figure out what
particular audience of readers you were or maybe
applying to in this book. Could you have been
writing to someone who backslide and need a
refresher or a person who do not know Christ at all
who needs a starter? But according to your title
the answer is well enough said. I say thank you for
writing such material and hope to see you continue
to share God's words. Thanks.”
Denise Gansmann (Illinois – Pentecostal) “Well it
seemed OK to me....a person new to Christianity
needs simple basics to receive ....had some nice
pics to it to help it be interesting...is simple so I like
it.”
Katherine Mary Martin Osb (Alabama – Anglican)
“Daniel, several thoughts and questions: Who is
the intended reader? Your Denomination only?
Looks like a booklet to be discussed with someone
who has knowledge. Not sure it is a stand-alone
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booklet without a mentor. But would be a good
"structure" for a 1 on 1 discussion set. Thanks for
allowing me the privilege of reading and the gift of
time to respond.”
Christa Smith (British Columbia – Church of Christ)
“First of all, I really appreciate you made a resource
to this end. I think this is important. One thing I've
learned over the past few years in ministry is the
need for breaking things down for people, helping
them interpret what is going on in their lives. I
really like the part on baptism, particularly how
you've incorporated the photos of the baptismals
you came across while in Europe.”
Adaeze Emilia Mbakwe (Nigeria – Catholic)
“Viewed it on Academia and consider it a good
medium for spreading the Gospel. This simple
booklet contains basic truths about our faith which
every Christian should know and answers certain
questions which the curiosity of a new believer
may raise. The questions you ask after each Bible
Verse makes one think deeply about what the
verse says and come to their own decision about it.
Keep up the good work.”
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Karen Songe (Louisiana – Catholic) “I find this guide
How to Become a Christian, to be very well laid out
for the person discerning becoming a Christian, but
more than that, it gives basic answers to many
Catholics who were not properly catechized in their
formative years. This of course has been the cause
of a number of Catholics turning away from the
Church or even turning to another religion. This
Guide reminds me of the Baltimore Catechism,
which was the way many of us learned about the
Catholic faith. I am on our RCIA team and believe it
to be one effective tool to those Catholics who
were baptized, but never were catechized and did
not receive the other Sacraments of the Church. I
believe you did a great job in putting this together
and offering it at no cost, showing us where your
heart is. Hopefully this will lead to other material
to help many in their journey to follow the narrow
path to the Father.”
James D. Suiter (Tennessee – Church of Christ) “I
have read, posted and sent to many! Great book!!”
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Maybe you are thinking of being baptized to receive the forgiveness of your sins, new life, and the Holy
Spirit? To find someone to assist you to be
baptized, email Daniel at [email protected]
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