Thanks, I’ve read over the FAQ and only have a few questions that were not answered there.
Yours answers are below. =)
1. Why believe the bible, why, out of all the holy scripture to you think this is the one true book?
The Bible is the divinely inspired word of God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Has God ever directly spoken to you or anyone in your congregation?
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21
3. If you believe America is doomed, why does your congregation stay here in America?
This is where The Lord Our God put us and this is where we will stay until it is time for us to go and then this country’s destruction comes upon them; or until The Lord Jesus Christ comes back in power and glory. His will, not ours. His timing, not ours.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 3:1
4. I was recently reporting at the picket here in Madison, and one of your group was wearing a “Glee” T-Shirt, even though your congregation preaches not to worship false idols. “Glee” also has Homosexual characters. Your thoughts on this?
It’s a shirt, nothing more. We live in this world, but are not of this world. P.S. Whoever was wearing it probably took it for face value – we are full of glee! =D
“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not
of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:11-17
We are sanctified or separated by The Truth, by His Word. We are kept by The Father and none of these things move us.
5. What would you describe as true salvation for sinners?
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:47-48
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:9-11.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
Obey. Fear God. Confess that Jesus is Christ, The Son of God and is risen from the dead.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccesiastes 12:13
6. Is it reasonable in your mind to believe that the Bible is just a book full of ancient laws and stories that are not applicable in today’s society? Explain.
See the answer above to question #1. It is applicable in every society since the beginning of time and forever more. The Bible was written for His people, but just because a person has not been given eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand, does not mean it does not apply to each and every human that has ever lived or will live.
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
“For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Acts 28:27
Furthermore, don’t be willingly ignorant of what “ancient laws” you are & are not to follow. Those ceremonial laws (eat not, wear not, touch not, etc.) were fulfilled when Christ Jesus died on the cross. Christ reinforced those moral laws time & time again; for example:
“And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 19:17-19
7. Is it difficult to speak so harshly to your fellow man?
Do you whisper sweet nothings to a child as they run out into traffic or to a blind person that is walking into a buzz saw? No, you yell loudly-scream and get their attention any way you can. Isn’t burning in flames for
eternity, where the worm never dies, a little harsh?
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9: 42-48
Is it difficult to tell our fellow man about The Savior who bled and died for those that He loves? It is an amazing, absolute privilege!
Putting your assuming question aside, we’re standing on our own two feet, having tread coast to coast, speaking words of life & truth & hope to you. That is so far from being harsh to your fellow man, it truly is THE only way to practically & truly love your neighbour. I think that question is harsh, personally.
8. With all due respect, isn’t it a bit hypocritical to denounce America but use the freedoms it provides to you so effectively?
No. We use all the tools the Lord Our God has given us.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1: 3-4
9. If your congregation were to run the country, would freedom of speech and press exist?
Of course freedom of speech and press would exist and we wouldn’t drag people to The U.S. Supreme Court to enable them to continue to use their God-given freedoms.
Speaking of the Supreme Court what a beautiful door that was-to the whole world! The Lord did that! We preach every day in the colleges, libraries and institutions around the world via that lovely decision.
10. Hypothetically, what would your congregation do if everything you believe in turns out to be false?
Seriously? In Christ’ words:
“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” John 3:12
“But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:47
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Romans
3:3
We are not hindered by you or anyone else’s unbelief.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8
“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Proverbs 21:30
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
I do not mean any offense by any of the questions asked, it is strictly from a journalistic standpoint. I thank you very much for your time.
Robert
Your lack of journalistic professionalism is showing, Robert. The reasons your “questions” aren’t answered in our FAQ is because they’re presumptive & impertinent, sweetheart! No offense taken, though! 😉
You’re welcome!
Your friends at the Westboro Baptist Church