Common Questions Answered - Your Doubts, God's Answers

Common Questions Answered

Your Doubts, God's Answers

Welcome to the honest conversation space.

If you're reading this, you probably have questions. Maybe even doubts. That's completely normal and okay. Faith isn't about pretending you don't have questions—it's about bringing those questions to God and seeking truth.

Jesus never condemned people for asking questions. In fact, He invited them: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).

This blog addresses the most common and difficult questions young people ask about Christianity. Let's tackle them honestly, with Scripture as our foundation.

1. Is Baptism Required for Salvation?

The Question: "Do I have to be baptized to be saved? What if I believe in Jesus but haven't been baptized yet?"

The Biblical Answer:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Here's the truth:

Salvation comes through faith in Jesus - believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth
Baptism is commanded - Jesus told us to be baptized as a public declaration of our faith
Baptism doesn't save you, but it's part of obedience - it's the next step after salvation
The thief on the cross proves this - he couldn't be baptized, yet Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise"

The Right Perspective:

Think of it this way: If you truly love Jesus and believe He's your King, why wouldn't you want to obey Him by getting baptized? If someone refuses baptism when they have the opportunity, it reveals a heart issue—are they really surrendered to Jesus as Lord?

Baptism is like a wedding ring. The ring doesn't make you married, but it's the public symbol of your commitment. Refusing to wear it while claiming to be married raises serious questions about your commitment.

Bottom line: You're saved by faith alone, but true faith produces obedience. Get baptized as soon as you can after accepting Christ!

2. Are Catholics Saved? What About Denominations?

The Question: "My friend is Catholic/Baptist/Pentecostal. Are they really saved? What's the right denomination?"

The Biblical Perspective:

"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13)

Important Truths:

Salvation isn't about denomination - it's about personal relationship with Jesus
Many Catholics are genuinely saved - if they've repented and put faith in Jesus alone
Denominations can create division - God wants unity in the body of Christ
Scripture must be our foundation - not tradition or extra books

The Real Test:

Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). Ask these questions:

Do they have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Do they base their faith on Scripture alone?
Are they living transformed lives?
Is their faith in Jesus + nothing, or Jesus + traditions/works?

Red Flags to Watch For:

Praying to saints or Mary instead of to Jesus
Adding books or teachings beyond the Bible
Teaching that works or rituals save you
Claiming special revelation outside Scripture

Remember: If it's not founded in Scripture, it's not from God. Stick to the Bible!

3. Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?

The Question: "Can Christians drink? My friends say having one or two drinks isn't getting drunk, so it's okay."

What the Bible Actually Says:

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)

"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)

Biblical Truth:

Getting drunk is clearly sin - the Bible explicitly condemns it
Jesus drank wine - He made wine at a wedding (John 2)
Context matters - Jesus never got drunk; He drank at appropriate times
Some should never drink - if it's a stumbling block or part of your past sin

The Heart Check:

Ask yourself these questions:

Where are you drinking? At a party where everyone's sinning? Or at dinner with family?
Why are you drinking? To "have fun" (get a buzz)? Or simply with a meal?
What's your past? Did you struggle with alcohol? If so, stay away completely
Will it cause others to stumble? Will newer believers see and think sin is okay?

Major Warning Signs:

If you're saying "I'm only having 1-2 drinks" but you're:

Going to parties where sin is rampant
Around people getting drunk and sinning
Listening to vulgar music and watching immoral behavior
Making excuses to be in that environment

...then your heart is wrong, regardless of how much you drink.

Personal Conviction:

If God has convicted you not to drink—don't drink. Period. Many Christians, especially those with a past of drunkenness, should never touch alcohol again. It's not worth the risk.

Remember: Just because something isn't explicitly sin doesn't mean it's wise. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23).

4. Are Tattoos Sinful?

The Question: "The Old Testament says not to mark your body, but is that still relevant today?"

The Old Testament Reference:

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:28)

The New Testament Perspective:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Honest Answer:

The Bible doesn't explicitly prohibit tattoos in the New Testament, but here's wisdom to consider:

Your body is God's temple - treat it with respect
It's permanent - why mark up what God created?
There are other ways to express yourself - t-shirts, jewelry, etc.
The Old Testament command exists for a reason - God cares about how we treat our bodies

Personal Stance:

Many mature Christians avoid tattoos out of respect for their bodies as God's temple. Others believe it's a personal conviction issue. Here's the question: Why risk it?

If there's any chance it displeases God, why permanently mark your body? There are plenty of other ways to express your faith or personality.

Will tattoos send you to hell? No. Is it worth the risk when there's a clear Old Testament command about it? That's between you and God. When in doubt, err on the side of honoring God.

5. How Do I Know God's Voice vs. My Own Thoughts?

The Question: "How can I tell if it's God speaking, my own thoughts, or even the devil?"

Biblical Tests:

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." (1 John 4:1)

Three Tests to Discern God's Voice:

1. The Scripture Test

God will NEVER contradict His Word. If what you're "hearing" goes against the Bible, it's not from God.

2. The Jesus Test

The Bible says to test the spirits by asking: "Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh?" Literally ask that "voice" or "thought" this question. If it's demonic, it will not affirm Jesus.

3. The Holy Spirit Test

The Holy Spirit will give you peace and confirmation. If something feels "off" or "unclean," pay attention to that spiritual discernment.

Practical Wisdom:

God's voice brings peace - even when calling you to hard things
God's voice aligns with Scripture - always, without exception
God's voice produces fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
God's timing is perfect - He's not rushed or frantic

Most important: Spend time in His presence daily. The more you know Him, the easier it is to recognize His voice. It's like knowing your best friend's voice in a crowd.

6. Why Did God Let This Bad Thing Happen?

The Question: "If God is good, why did He let my family member die? Why does He allow suffering?"

The Hard Truth:

This is perhaps the most difficult question we face. Let's address it with honesty and Scripture.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Understanding Suffering:

1. Satan is the enemy, not God

The devil causes destruction and death. God is good. Don't blame God for what Satan does.

2. We live in a fallen world

Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Death, disease, and disaster are consequences of living in a broken world—not God's original design.

3. God gave us free will

God doesn't force people to obey Him. Bad things sometimes happen because people make sinful choices. God could have made us robots, but He wanted us to choose to love Him.

4. God's will vs. man's will

"How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37)

This verse shows God WANTED to protect people, but they were "not willing." God's will doesn't always happen—human choice matters.

What About Trials God Allows?

Sometimes God allows trials to test and strengthen us—like Job. But notice:

Satan was the one attacking Job - not God
God set limits on Satan - He was in control
God restored Job double - the outcome was blessing

Key Principle: If someone goes through trials but ends up worse off (bitter, broken, far from God), that wasn't God's will being fulfilled. God's will leads to growth, restoration, and double blessing.

What Should You Do?

In times of suffering:

Don't blame God - He's not your enemy
Draw near to Him - He's your comfort and strength
Resist the devil - don't give in to bitterness
Trust God's goodness - even when you don't understand
Seek Him for answers - He may reveal specific reasons in time

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

7. Is God Different in the Old Testament vs. New Testament?

The Question: "The God of the Old Testament seems angry and judgmental, but Jesus seems loving. Are they different?"

The Truth:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

God Never Changes:

Both Testaments show God's love AND justice
Old Testament: God provided mercy - sacrificial system, patience with Israel
New Testament: God still judges sin - Ananias and Sapphira, eternal hell
Jesus showed both love and judgment - He also spoke about hell more than anyone

Why It Seems Different:

Many modern churches only preach half the gospel—the "love and grace" parts—while ignoring God's holiness and justice. When you read the FULL New Testament, you see:

Jesus overturning tables in the temple (righteous anger)
Paul striking people blind for opposing God
People dropping dead for lying to the Holy Spirit
Warnings about eternal judgment and hell

The issue isn't the Bible - it's that many churches cherry-pick verses and ignore the ones about God's holiness and justice. Read the whole Bible, and you'll see God is consistent: infinitely loving AND perfectly just.

8. What About Evolution and Science?

The Question: "Doesn't science prove evolution? How can I believe the Bible when science contradicts it?"

Important Clarifications:

First, understand this:

Science and faith aren't enemies - many scientists are Christians
Observable science vs. historical science - we can test gravity; we can't test what happened millions of years ago
Evolution is a theory - not proven fact, despite what some claim
The Bible isn't a science textbook - but where it speaks on science, it's accurate

What the Bible Says:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

Think About This:

The complexity of DNA - more complex than any computer code
The fine-tuning of the universe - odds are impossibly against random chance
The fossil record - missing transitional forms that evolution predicts
Irreducible complexity - organs like eyes couldn't evolve step-by-step

Bottom line: It takes more faith to believe everything came from nothing by accident than to believe an intelligent Creator made it all. Don't let anyone intimidate you with "science says..." There's strong scientific evidence FOR creation.

Research Christian scientists and apologetics ministries. There are answers!

9. Can I Lose My Salvation?

The Question: "Once saved, always saved—is that true? Or can I lose my salvation if I sin?"

What Scripture Shows:

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28)

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." (Hebrews 10:26)

The Balance:

True believers are secure in Christ - nothing can snatch you from His hand
But true faith produces change - if there's no fruit, was there real faith?
We must continue in the faith - it's not "say a prayer and live however"
Willful, ongoing sin is dangerous - it reveals the heart

The Real Question:

Instead of "Can I lose salvation?" ask "Am I truly saved?"

Evidence of True Salvation:

Do you love Jesus and desire to obey Him?
Are you being transformed (even if slowly)?
Do you hate your sin and fight against it?
Is the Holy Spirit producing fruit in your life?
When you fall, do you repent and return to God?

Warning Signs:

If someone "prayed a prayer" but shows no fruit, no change, and lives in ongoing willful sin without conviction—they may not be truly saved. True salvation transforms.

10. How Do I Handle Doubts?

The Question: "Sometimes I doubt God is real or that the Bible is true. Does that mean I'm not really saved?"

First, Know This:

Doubts are not the same as unbelief.

Doubt asks questions - and seeks answers
Unbelief rejects truth - and refuses to seek
Even John the Baptist had doubts - while in prison (Matthew 11)
Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection - Jesus didn't condemn him, but showed him proof

Where Do Doubts Come From?

Three Sources:

1. The Enemy

Satan plants doubts to weaken faith. The devil tempted even Jesus with "If you are the Son of God..." (Matthew 4:3)

2. Lack of Knowledge

Sometimes doubts come from not knowing Scripture or understanding theology. Study more!

3. Distance from God

When we drift from daily time with God, doubts creep in. Stay close to Him.

How to Overcome Doubts:

Don't feel guilty - doubts are temptations, not sins
Speak Scripture out loud - "It is written..." like Jesus did
Remember what God has done - His faithfulness in your life
Seek answers - research, ask mature Christians, pray
Draw near to God - spend more time in His presence
Stand firm on what you know - even if you don't know everything

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

This is a perfect prayer when you're struggling with doubt. God honors honest seeking.

Final Encouragement

Questions are part of growing in faith. Don't be afraid to ask them. God is big enough to handle your doubts.

Remember:

Keep seeking truth - in Scripture and prayer
Don't isolate - talk to mature believers
Give God time - He will answer in His timing
Stand on what you know - while seeking what you don't
Trust God's character - He is always good, even when you don't understand

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You don't have to have all the answers to have faith. You just need to know the One who does.

Keep seeking. Keep growing. Keep trusting. God is faithful.