BACC Session 8 Appendix:

Answering Objections

7 Common Questions:
1. Don’t all religions basically teach the same things,
and use different names for the same God?
2. As long as each person is genuinely sincere, what
difference does it make what they believe?
3. Isn’t it narrow-minded for Christians to think that
they’re right and everyone else is wrong?
4. What credentials back-up the claims of Christianity,
and is there any good evidence to support it?
5. What makes you so confident the Bible is true? It
has so many authors, so many translations, and was
written over so many years – there must be mistakes!
6. How do you know that God even exists? Jesus is the Answer

7. If God is all-powerful & loving, why is there so much

evil and suffering in the world?

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World Religions...Have contradictory beliefs!
Q: Don’t all religions basically teach the same things?
A: No, they contradict each other. Some teach there is no god,
others that god is in everything. Obviously, Christianity doesn’t
share these beliefs.

Truth cannot be reconciled across all religions.

• Although there are literally hundreds of different belief
systems and religions…
• They all stand under one of two banners: Islam, Buddhism
– They’re either right or wrong, -- true or false, Jehovah’
Jehovah’s Witness
– But essentially divided by Grace and Works: Mormonism, Judaism
Grace: resting in God’s divine accomplishment Christian Science
» Salvation is spelled DONE Hinduism, Unitarian
» It’s acceptance is a function of humility Christianity, New Age
Works: striving in the camp of human achievement
Scientology,
» Salvation is spelled DO… Theosophy, Baha’
Baha’I
» It’s origin is a function of intellectual pride Wiccan, TM
Satanism, Humanism
Confucianism
Cults are notorious for denying the affect of sin, the need of a Rosacrucianism
a Savior, and the finished work of atonement by grace. “And everyone did what was
right in his own eyes” (Judges
17:6b ) 2
 World Religions - Dissimilar Beliefs
Comparison of Christianity with Major Cults & Religions
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to
deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…” (1 Tim 4:1)
Christians
God One God is revealed in
Scriptures as Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit - the Trinity
(Gen 1:26; Lk 1:35; Mt 3:13-
17; 28:19; 1Cor 15:3-4).
Trinity memory aid :
remember ABC -
Annunciation, Baptism,
Commission.
Jesus Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God, one with the Father,
sinless redeemer of sinful
man through His vicarious
death on the cross and
resurrection from the dead
(Jn 1:13-14; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet
3:18; 1Cor 15:3)
Sin Sin is proud, independent
rebellion that separates man
(In Us)
from God. It is falling short
of the standards God has
established in His Word.
Sin must be punished, and
its consequence is death
and eternal separation from
God.
Salvation Salvation is a free gift
provided by the grace
(unmerited favor) of God for
all who believe and accept
His plan (Eph 2:8-9; Jn
12:26; 14:1-3, 6; 1Jn 3:1-2).
Scripture The Bible, consisting of the
Old and New Testaments,
comprised of 66 divinely
inspired, inerrant books.
Jehovah's Witness Mormons
There is one solitary being God is a material creature
from all eternity, Jehovah who was once a man as we
God, the Creator and are now men. They say that
Preserver of the Universe and men can finally achieve
all things. They deny the godhood, and that there are
doctrine of the Trinity. many such gods.
Other faiths deny the triune nature of God...
Christ was not God, but Jesus, who before his
God's first created creature. incarnation, was the spirit-
They deny Christ's deity. brother of Lucifer, and was a
polygamist (the husband of
the Mary's and Martha), who
was rewarded for his
faithfulness by becoming
Other faiths deny the Deity of Jesus...
ruler of this earth.
Sin is a violation of God's Mankind is progressively
laws. However, there is no becoming god. Mormons
hell or eternal punishment. teach that Adam's sin in
Those who do not measure Eden was necessary in order
up to Jehovah's standards to provide parentage for the
will be annihilated. spirit children of God who
were ready and waiting for
the experience of earth life.
Other faiths deny mankind’s sin nature...
Christ's death provides theSalvation comes by works
opportunity for mankind to and all men will spend
work for their salvation: eternity on some level of
perfect human life for eternity
multistoried heaven. The
on an Eden-like earth. level will be determined by
the scope of each man's
Other faiths promote salvation by works...
good works.
The Watchtower Society has They have "new scripture"
its own version and and the writings of Joseph
translations of the Bible. Smith as divinely inspired
revelations -- God's
nineteenth century additions
to the Bible.
Other faiths claim so-called inspired texts...
Moslems
Believe there is no God but
Allah. Islam rejects the
doctrines of the Trinity and
the deity of Christ.
Jesus Christ was only a Jesus was a good teacher,
man, a prophet equal to though less important than
Adam, Noah, Abraham , and Buddha.
Moses, -- all of whom are
below Mohammed in
importance. Christ did not
die for mankind's sin. Judas
in fact, not Jesus, died on
the cross.
Sin is failure to do Allah's
will, or failure to do one's
religious duties as outlined in
the 5 Pillars of Islam. Islam
denies the sin nature and the
necessity of atonement.
Mankind earns his own By self-effort only.
salvation, and pays for his
own sin. No provision is
articulated for grace or
mercy, only judgment -- with
the exception of martyrs.
The Koran is the final and
only inerrant revelation of
God to man, as authored by
Mohammed.
Buddhists
Deny the existence of a
personal God, even though
this is self-evident. God's
existence memory aid:
remember CCC - Creation,
Conscience, and Christ
Jesus.
Anything which hinders
man's progress is sin.
Mankind is responsible for
their own sin.
Buddha's teachings,
collectively called dharma,
deal with escape from
Samsara (reincarnation).
Freedom from Samsara
leads to nirvana (eternal
bliss).
Hindus
Brahman is formless,
abstract, eternal without
attributes. Takes form in a
trinity as well as millions of
lesser gods.
Christ is just one of many
incarnations of God. Christ
was not the Son of God. He
was no more divine than any
other man, and He did not
die for mankind's sins.
Good and evil are relative
terms. Whatever helps is
good; whatever hinders is
vice. Mankind cannot help
"stumbling" over these
obstacles as he strives to
know himself. If he cannot
succeed in this life, he may
try again in reincarnated
form.
Man is justified through
devotion, meditation, good
works and self-control.
Vedas which include belief in
pantheism, karmic
retribution, and reincarnation.
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 The Test of a Counterfeit
• How do you test a counterfeit message?
– Focus on the original (Gospel message):

9 1. The Lord Jesus Christ is God Almighty, being co-

and co-
co-eternal with the Father & the Spirit.
co-equal

9 3.2. That we are saved by grace through faith in Christ.

9 The Bible is God’

God’s only written revelation to mankind,
which being uniquely inspired and inerrant, constitutes When training units in
our only infallible rule of faith and practice. the field to recognize
counterfeit currency,
both the FBI &
– Cults uniformly deny these core truths, suggesting: Scotland Yard
1. That Jesus is not God, who existed in pre-incarnate tri-unity predominately have
with the Father and Spirit. their agents study the
genuine articles, --
2. You must work your way into right standing with God, -- even becoming expert with
though His perfect standard is unattainable but by His grace, what’s true, versus
through the atoning work of His Son’s death. that of the counterfeit.
3. That there are divine revelations other than those found in
the Holy Scripture.

To disarm spiritual counterfeits, it’

it’s crucial that you know what you believe and why.
Although many cults are sincere, they are also sincerely wrong.
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The Deity of Christ
Q: If we’
we’re sincere, what difference do beliefs make?
A: Sincerity doesn’
doesn’t validate truth. Jesus is
the only acceptable Object of our faith!
What He said of Himself:
• Alpha & Omega (Rev 22:13)
• The Almighty (Rev 1:8)
• One with the Father (John 10:30)
• The Way, Truth & Life (John 14:6)
• See Me, See the Father (John 14:9)
• Son of Man (NT)
What Others Said of Him:
• Messiah (Daniel 9:25) Prophet, Priest & King, Son of
• Immanuel (Matt 1:23) God, Son of Man …Jesus:
Who is He?
• My Lord & my God (John 20:28)
• King of Kings & Lord of Lords (1Tim 6:15) The Almighty, The Word of
• Mighty God (Isa 9:6) God, Lamb of God, Jehovah,
• Father to the Son:
Savior, Emmanuel, The Christ,
Lord of Lords, King of Kings,
“Your throne O God, is forever and ever; Therefore
The Alpha & Omega…
God, Your God, has anointed You…” (Heb 1:8-9)

Jesus is God. The analogy of His sonship helps us understand the 2nd Person
of the triune Godhead. Essentially, God took on humanity, to do something
for us, that we could never accomplish on our own. 5
 The Deity of Christ (Credentials)
Signs
Signs after
after His
His Resurrection:
Resurrection:

•• Manifests
Manifests aa Glorified
Glorified Body
Body (Lk
(Lk 24:37-39)
24:37-39)
•• Appears
Appears to
to Over
Over 500
500 over
over 40
40 days
days (1Cor
(1Cor 15:6)
15:6)
•• Ascends
Ascends into
into Heaven
Heaven (Acts
(Acts 1:9)
1:9)
•• He
He is Seated at the Right Hand of
is Seated at the Right Hand of
the
the Father.
Father. (Heb
(Heb 1:3)
1:3)

Q: Aren’t Christians just narrow-minded?

Redemptive
Redemptive Operations
Operations of
of the
the
Lord
Lord God
God Almighty—
Almighty —Prophet,
Almighty—Prophet,
Priest
Priest &
& King:
King:
Signs
Signs during
during His
His Earthly
Earthly Ministry:
Ministry: •• Son
Son of
of God,
God, the
the Creative
Creative Logos
Logos
Jesus is (Col
(Col 1:16-17)
1:16-17)
•• Led
Led aa sinless,
sinless, perfect
perfect life
life (2Cor
(2Cor 5:21)
5:21) the only •• Son
Son ofof Man
Man who
who was
was Virgin
Virgin Born.
Born.
(Jn
(Jn 1:1,14)
1:1,14)
•• Knows
Knows the
the Hearts
Hearts of
of Mankind
Mankind (Jn
(Jn 2:25)
2:25) One who
•• Mediator
Mediator between
between
•• Turns
Turns Water
Water to
to Wine
Wine (Jn
(Jn 2:6-10)
2:6-10) claimed to God
God && man
man (1Tim
(1Tim 2:5)
2:5)
•• Feeds
Feeds the
the Multitudes
Multitudes (Mat
(Mat 14:15-21)
14:15-21) be God, •• Sacrificial
Sacrificial Lamb
Lamb of of God,
God,
•• Walks
Walks on
on Water
Water (Mat
(Mat 14:25-27)
14:25-27) and the who
who fulfills
fulfills the
the Law,
Law, and
and
atones
atones for
for sin.
sin. (Jn
(Jn 1:29)
1:29)
•• Commands
Commands Wind
Wind && Waves
Waves (Mat
(Mat 8:23-27)
8:23-27)
only One
•• Victor
Victor over
over sin
sin && death
death (Heb
(Heb 2:14)
•• Restored
Restored Sight,
Sight, Hearing,
Hearing, Health
Health (NT)
(NT)
to back-up 2:14)
•• Advocate
Advocate toto the
the Father
His claim. (Heb
Father
•• Raises
Raises the
the Dead
Dead (Jn
(Jn 11:40-44)
11:40-44) (Heb 7:25;
7:25; 8:1)
8:1)
•• Accepts
Accepts death
death for
for us
us (Rom
(Rom 5:8)
5:8) •• King
King of
of Kings
Kings (Rev
(Rev 19:16)
19:16)
•• Resurrects
Resurrects Himself
Himself (Jn
(Jn 10:18)
10:18)
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A: Not if Jesus is the only way, truth and life!
Salvation by Grace...

• God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

• Unmerited Favor:
– Contrasted to Justice – getting what we deserve.
– Different from Mercy – not getting what we deserve.
– Grace is – getting what we do not deserve.

• Something God has done for us:

– Satisfied the requirements of the Law. (Mat 5:17)
– Substituted His life for ours. (Rom 5:8)
– Defeated sin & death. (1Cor 15:51-57)
– Offers Salvation as a Gift. (Eph 2:8-9) “He is the image of the invisible God…All
things were created through Him and for
• Something we couldn’t do for ourselves: Him…and in Him all things consist.”
(Col.1:15-17)
– Make peace with God, through reconciliation.
(2Cor 5:18-21) Defending the Resurrection:
– Provide access to Heaven. (Titus 3:7) F – Factual eyewitness accounts
– Guarantee an eternal inheritance. (Eph 1:13-14) E – Empty tomb
A – Appearances to over 500
T – Transformed lives
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The Bible: A Portrait of Jesus
Salvation has only and always been offered by grace, through faith in the Messiah...

Genesis: Creator, Seed of woman, the Lion of Judah

the Ark of Noah, Abraham’s Lamb, Joseph,
Moses, the Burning Bush, Passover Lamb,
the Tabernacle, the Shekinah Glory Cloud,
Manna, the Rock…
Leviticus: Offerings, High Priest, Day of Atonement
Goat, Annual Feasts…
Numbers: Red Heifer, Serpent on the Pole, Parable of
Balaam, Cities of Refuge…
From Genesis to Revelation,
Joshua: Captain of our salvation…
God’
God’s Word deals with God
Ruth: The Kinsman-Redeemer…
reconciling Man unto Himself
Kings: The splendor of Solomon’s reign…
through the Person and Work
Isaiah: The suffering Servant, the Glorious Messiah…
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Daniel: The Stone cut without human hands…

“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and
and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” life.”
(1 John 5:11-
5:11-12) 8
 The Bible:
“All Scripture is given
Q: What credentials back-up Christianity? by inspiration of God…”
A: Scripture is the basis for our beliefs (2 Tim 3:16)

• As Christians, the basis for our beliefs are dependent upon“Truth” as revealed by the
God of the Bible. Consider however, that the Bible was written over a span of 1,500
years, comprising over 40 generations, by over 40 authors (from every walk of life),
across 3 continents, in 3 languages. So…

Q: Can the Bible be trusted, and if so, why?

A: Yes! The Bible is altogether trustworthy, and when it’s attacked, it’s
usually on the basis of the following:
Š Is it Accurate? Remember "M
M" for Manuscripts Over 24,000 source copies…
Š Is it Authentic? Remember "A
A" for Archeology Recent Discoveries Confirm…
Š Is it Authoritative? Remember "P
P" for Prophecy Over 2,000 Predictions…
Š Is it Absolute? Remember "S
S" for Statistics Facts Based on Probability…

Also consider the Bible’

The Bible is uniquely different from any other
so-called holy books, in terms of its divine
inspiration and inerrancy.
Bible’s CLUES:
• Candor – Flawed human nature is exposed...
• Literal – Divine inspiration of God’s Spirit...
• Unity – No contradiction in its 66 books...
• Endorsement – By Christ Himself...
• Survival – Writings pre-date all others...
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 Acrostic – “MAPS”
“M” in MAPS stands for Manuscript Evidence
• Answers the “accuracy” questions.
• The OT is corroborated by the Greek Septuagint
and the Hebrew “Dead Sea Scrolls.”
• And there are over 24,000 NT manuscripts in
existence today.
• To question the Bible’s accuracy, effectively
discredits all books of antiquity.
M - Manuscript Evidence, answers the "accuracy" questions. As for the NT alone, there are over 24,000
manuscript copies in existence today. These are comprised, according to McDowell's Evidence that Demands a
Verdict (pg. 39), of more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts, plus over 10,000 Latin Vulgate, and at least 9,300
other early versions. As for the OT, there is a wealth of corroborating manuscript evidence as well, such as the
Greek Septuagint and the Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls. Given the weight of available manuscript evidence, there is
no basis to question the accuracy of Scripture. To do so, is to discredit all books of antiquity.

10
 Acrostic – “MAPS”
“A” – in MAPS stands for Archeological Finds
• Addresses “authenticity” issues.
• Artifacts from more than 25,000 OT region sites
substantiate the long-extinct societies found in Scripture.
• Conversely, no archeological discovery has ever
controverted a Biblical reference.
• Now, compare the enormity of historical evidence found
in the Bible, with the lack of evidence in others faiths.

A - Archeological Finds, addresses "authenticity" issues. For example, in Ron Rhodes book, The
Complete Book of Bible Answers (pg. 21), sources indicate that more than 25,000 OT region sites
have substantiated Scripture by producing artifact discoveries of ancient Biblical societies and
cultures that have long since disappeared. It goes on to state categorically "that no archeological
discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.

11
Acrostic – “MAPS”
“P” – in MAPS stands for Predictive Prophecy.
• Answers questions of “authority.” Involving one fourth of Scripture,
prophetic texts reveal the purposes of God and His sovereignty over
time and eternity.
• Arguably, if everyone’s opinion is equally valid, the Bible serves as a
higher source of truth outside of ourselves—as only God knows the
end of things from the beginning. (Isa. 46:10)
• The Bible contains over 2,000 specific, predictive prophecies.
• The re-emergence of the ancient State of Israel is exemplary of
prophetic fulfillment in our generation.
• 1 of every 30 verses in the Bible also refers to the return of Christ.
P - Predictive Prophecy, answers "authority" questions, since only God can demonstrate that He knows
the "end from the beginning." Involving over one fourth of Scripture, the Bible contains over 2,000
specific prophecies (involving people, places, and events), made hundreds of years in advance of
their fulfillment (according to apologetic works by McDowell, Lindsey, Jeffrey, Kennedy, Swindoll, Hagee,
etc.). For me, the book of Daniel is most notable in that it traces the rise and fall of world kingdoms like
Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome (in advance) as they intersect with Jewish history. Also, 1 of
every 30 verses in the Bible refers to the prophetic 2nd return of Christ. 12
 Acrostic – “MAPS”
“S” – in MAPS stands for Statistical Probability.
• Answers absolutely, scientifically. Who says the case for the Bible can’t
be proven. Christianity is an evidential faith.
• While probability (or chance) defeats the case for evolution theory, it
reinforces the concept of creation.
• As for identifying the promised Messiah, based on fulfilled prophecy
alone, probability mathematically confirms only Jesus Christ.

• As for end-time prophecy (Rebirth of Israel & EU, knowledge explosion,

intensity/frequency of wars and natural disasters, etc.) the odds are 1 in
50 of any “one” of these predictions occurring in our lifetime. For “ten”
to occur in the same generation – it balloons to one chance in 97,500
Trillion! Probability indicates that we will see Christ’s return.

S - Statistical Probability, answers absolutely, scientifically. Norman Geisler in When Skeptics Ask (page 116)
mentions, "Logically, it is possible for chance to have caused all things to converge on one man, but it is certainly
not probable. Mathematicians have calculated the probability of sixteen predictions being fulfilled in one man at 1
in 1045. If we go to forty-eight predictions, the probability is 1 in 10157 ...All evidence points to Jesus as the
divinely appointed fulfillment of the messianic prophecies." By the way, if chance exceeds 1 in 1050, it's
considered beyond reasonable probability. So, to trust that Jesus is who He says He is (i.e. God & Messiah), is
to hold a belief that is beyond reasonable doubt. 13
 God’s Manifest Existence
Q: How do you know that God exists?
A: God’s existence is more than self evident through:

• The created order – Intelligent design is seen from cosmos, to the smallest of creatures.
• Conscience – Our innate sense of morality and guilt, is proof of an external Law-giver.
• Christ – The super-natural person and work of Jesus testified to God’s existence.
• Simple logic – Behind every thing is a thought & behind every thought is a thinker.
• Predictive prophecy – God’s sovereignty over history is evidenced in fulfilled prophecy.
• Statistical probability – While evolution violates chance, creation accommodates it.
• Transformed lives – The manifest goodness of any society is due to their belief in God.
• The problems with evolution theory:

Refuting the FACE of Evolution:

F – Fossil record doesn’t support it
A – Ape-man hoaxes
C – Chance alone is >10150 (>1050 = No Chance)
E – Entropy (Order to Disorder)
* Not to mention laws of conservation, cause & effect, etc.

14
God’s Sovereignty
Q: If a loving and powerful God really exists, why doesn’t He do
something about all the evil and suffering in the world?
A: Several reasons would explain why God allows evil and
suffering to exist:

– Suffering comes with the freedom to choose.

– Mankind’s inhumanity to man, results in suffering.
– If God decided to destroy evil, He’d have to destroy us as well.
– The Bible promises that God will one day judge all evil. At
present though, He’s extending opportunity to repent and
receive the forgiveness and life that He offers. (2 Pet 3:9)
– In the meantime, suffering warns us of danger, reveals what’s in
our hearts, and provides an opportunity to trust God.
– Christ’s sacrificial death at Calvary, demonstrated God’s love for
us, His judgment of sin and His power to overcome evil.
– Ultimately, God works all things together for good, to those who
love God, to those called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
– Tribulation in the life of a believer is usually either for our
perfection or correction.
15
Summary
• It is important to know what you believe and why!
• Christianity is unique from all other faiths:
– In its message of Grace.
– In the Person & work of Christ.
– In the divine inspiration of the Scriptures.
– In its transformational ability for time & eternity.

• Christianity is also an evidential faith.

• Cults pour different meaning into familiar

Christian terms, but upon closer examination,
they deny Christianity’s core truth (Jesus).
• Seekers expect you to:
– Be Genuine.
– Appeal to their intellect.
– Provide a reason for the hope.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses
Me before men, him the Son of Man also
will confess before the angels of God.
But he who denies Me before men will
be denied before the angels of God.”
(Lk 12:8-9)

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