In the Bible, God explains that He wants us to worship Him with joy and a thankful heart. We can also worship Him in many other ways, such as using all kinds of instruments, clapping, and by lifting of our hands.
Our services are times spent with Jesus, when we express our love and praise to God. The public preaching of God's Word and worshipping in a large crowd are things that have a unique and powerful dynamic. In our gatherings there is often a strong sense of God's presence, and a real sense of unity and vision as people hear from the shepherds of the local church. But ultimately our services are celebrations!
Q3. どうしていつも聖書から引用するの? Q3. Why do you always use the Word from the Bible?
The Bible is a love letter from God. It is the most influential book ever written. It is so precious to us, like a 'treasure'. Through the Bible, God speaks into each of our lives. We can solve various issues in our lives by keeping the Word from the Bible and by putting it into action. In our services, we share a message from the Bible in a simple way so that each one of us can learn how to apply it to our daily lives.
When we pray, we communicate with our Father, God. God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us through conversation. When we pray from our heart, God begins to hear and answer our prayers according to each situation - such as healing, encouraging, forgiving, and providing us with the strength to go on. Just like human relationships, our frequent communication helps to deepen our relationship with God!
Q5. 「キリスト教」と「他の宗教」とはどこがどう違うの? Q5. How is Christianity different from other religions?
The God of the Christian faith draws near to us when we draw near to Him. Most 'religions' believe in a god who is distant, and they emphasize the point that in order to be accepted by their god you must obey. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, that he was raised from the dead, that he gave us eternal life and restored our relationship with God. Christians are not 'religious' people, they are people who believe in God and have a 'relationship' with Him.
Q6. どうしてイエス・キリストを信じなければいけないの? Q6. Why do you have to believe in Jesus?
Jesus Christ existed as a human being, more than 2000 years ago. The miracles he performed and the words he spoke are recorded in the New Testament - these words have the power to change people's lives. As we believe in Jesus Christ, we discover the purpose of life and the true love of God. Rather than being some distant god, Jesus becomes our best friend and one who will always be with us at every stage of our lives. By believing in Jesus Christ and his commandments, we are able to live an abundant and valuable life.
Q7. クリスチャンになると、教会に所属しないといけないの? Q7. Do I have to commit to a church when I become a Christian?
No. But if you desire to know more about God, to grow in fellowship, love, and understanding, you will naturally want to join a church which is filled with the presence of God. Learning to know God better, and strengthening your faith, are things which take time to develop. By joining a church filled with the love of God, you will be able to feel His love filling your heart and you will begin to look forward to church life.
Q8. 教会にきたら必ず献金しないといけないの? Q8. Do I have to give offerings when I come to church?
No, you don't have to. As Christians, we believe that it is important for people to give offerings by their own free will and with joy in their hearts. Our giving is always an expression of our thankfulness towards a God who provides for our every need.
Q9. クリスチャンは先祖を崇拝するの? Q9. Do Christians honour their ancestors?
While each culture has different practices about how people should view their ancestors, the Bible does give us some boundaries about how we should act. It is not appropriate to worship, pray to, or depend on the spirits of our ancestors (Exodus 20:3-6), but it is appropriate to respectfully remember them.