Faith & Human Reasoning: Can They Work Together?

REASON “The ability to think, form judgments, and draw conclusions.” Bible faith is a faith based on reasoning, based on what God has revealed.

“Reasoned with Them” “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” –(Acts 17:2) Acts 17:3

“Great Faith” Luke 7:1-10 Centurion over men Loved the Jewish nation Heard about Jesus Felt unworthy Reasoned based on his own circumstances

Unbelief Mark 6:1-6 Heard His teaching and were “astonished.” Jesus marveled at their “unbelief.” He was rejected in His own country!

“Slow to Believe” Luke 24:13-35 Two men on the road to Emmaus. They talked about recent events. He “ opened the scriptures ” for them.

God Wants Us To: Think — Matthew 22:42 Judge — John 7:24 Conclude — 1 Kings 18:21

Reasoning— No Faith There is no faith when human reasoning becomes the standard in place of the revelation of God.

Hell “My disbelief in eternal torture is stronger than my belief in God.” (Nearer My God, pg.71— William Buckley Jr.)

Hell—The Truth Matthew 25:46 Mark 9:47,48 Revelation 14:10,11 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 Jesus taught more about Hell than any other person!

Jonah and the Great Fish “I just can’t accept the story of Jonah and the great fish swallowing Jonah as historical fact.” –Jonah 1,2 –Matthew 12:38-41

Church vs. Individual “I’m convinced that whatever the individual Christian can do— the church can also do.” –1 Timothy 5:16

Water Baptism “I just can’t believe the concept that one must be baptized in water in order to be saved.” –Mark 16:16 –1 Peter 3:21 –Acts 2:41-47

Baptized Into Christ — Galatians 3:27 Into one body — 1 Corinthians 12:13 Wash away sins — Acts 22:16

Be a Christian Believe — John 8:24 Confess — Romans 10:9,10 Repent — Acts 17:30,31 Be baptized — Acts 2:38