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Catechizing Q&A
What is the meaning of prayer? What is its content? Does it have a definite pattern? Why dose a prayer close with “in the Lord’s name” and “Amen”?
2018-11-20
Prayer is speaking with God, communicating with God and entreating Him.  The main content of prayer includes expressing gratitude to God (cf. Psalm 95:2; Philippians 4:6), asking God’s forgiveness (cf. Psalm 51:1-3, 19:12-13), making intercession (cf.ⅠTimothy 2:1).  Prayer has no set pattern.  One may pray aloud or pray in silence.  One may use a set formula or refrain from using one.  One may kneel, stand or sit while praying.  One may pray at a set time in the morning or the evening, or may be constantly in prayer at any time during the day or night or in any place (cf.ⅠThessalonians 5:17-18). A prayer is concluded with the words ‘in the Lord’s name’ in accordance with the command and promise of the Lord Jesus Himself (cf. John 14:13-14).  The meaning of the final ‘Amen’ is ‘Truly, truly’, this is my sincere desire.  
What is the meaning of prayer? What is its content? Does it have a definite pattern? Why dose a prayer close with “in the Lord’s name” and “Amen”?
2018-11-20

Prayer is speaking with God, communicating with God and entreating Him. 

The main content of prayer includes expressing gratitude to God (cf. Psalm 95:2; Philippians 4:6), asking God’s forgiveness (cf. Psalm 51:1-3, 19:12-13), making intercession (cf.ⅠTimothy 2:1). 

Prayer has no set pattern. 

One may pray aloud or pray in silence. 

One may use a set formula or refrain from using one. 

One may kneel, stand or sit while praying. 

One may pray at a set time in the morning or the evening, or may be constantly in prayer at any time during the day or night or in any place (cf.ⅠThessalonians 5:17-18).

A prayer is concluded with the words ‘in the Lord’s name’ in accordance with the command and promise of the Lord Jesus Himself (cf. John 14:13-14). 

The meaning of the final ‘Amen’ is ‘Truly, truly’, this is my sincere desire.  

How is God’s faithfulness to be understood?
2018-11-19
God is a faithful God (cf. Deuteronomy 7:9; ⅠCorinthians 1:9), and His love towards men never changes.  Even if they turn their backs on Him, He cannot bear to give them up (cf. Hosea 11:8).  The Bible says, 'If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny Himself' (ⅡTimothy 2:13).  However, many are the promises to bless which He makes, they will all be fulfilled through Jesus Christ (cf.ⅡCorinthians 1:20).
How is God’s faithfulness to be understood?
2018-11-19

God is a faithful God (cf. Deuteronomy 7:9; ⅠCorinthians 1:9), and His love towards men never changes. 

Even if they turn their backs on Him, He cannot bear to give them up (cf. Hosea 11:8). 

The Bible says, 'If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny Himself' (ⅡTimothy 2:13). 

However, many are the promises to bless which He makes, they will all be fulfilled through Jesus Christ (cf.ⅡCorinthians 1:20).

How is God’s righteousness to be understood?
2018-11-16
He is a righteous God (cf. Isaiah 45:21), and 'He is just in all His ways' (Psalm 145:17).  'He loves righteousness, and the upright shall behold His face'  but 'He hates with all His heart the wicked and the one who loves violence' (Psalm 11:4-7).  He 'will by no means clear the guilty' (Exodus 34:7).  God cannot tolerate man’s oppression of his fellowman.  The Bible speaks of Him as the father of the orphan, as the one who champions the poor and the oppressed (cf. Psalm 68:5).  What pleases God is not an offering of “thousands of rams or tens of thousands of rivers of oil”, but what pleases God is a man who acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with Him (cf. Micah 6:6-8).  He has no favorites, and on the day of judgment His righteousness will be revealed when He renders to every man according to his works (cf. Romans 2:5-11).
How is God’s righteousness to be understood?
2018-11-16

He is a righteous God (cf. Isaiah 45:21), and 'He is just in all His ways' (Psalm 145:17). 

'He loves righteousness, and the upright shall behold His face'  but 'He hates with all His heart the wicked and the one who loves violence' (Psalm 11:4-7). 

He 'will by no means clear the guilty' (Exodus 34:7). 

God cannot tolerate man’s oppression of his fellowman. 

The Bible speaks of Him as the father of the orphan, as the one who champions the poor and the oppressed (cf. Psalm 68:5). 

What pleases God is not an offering of “thousands of rams or tens of thousands of rivers of oil”, but what pleases God is a man who acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with Him (cf. Micah 6:6-8). 

He has no favorites, and on the day of judgment His righteousness will be revealed when He renders to every man according to his works (cf. Romans 2:5-11).

How is God’s holiness to be understood?
2018-11-15
God is holy (cf. Leviticus 19:2; ⅠPeter 1:15).  He is called “the Holy One” (cf. Isaiah 57:15), and His name is ‘Jealous’(cf. Exodus 34:14).  He is ‘of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look on wrong’ (Habakkuk 1:13).  The way of the wicked is an abomination to Him, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (cf. Proverbs 15:9).
How is God’s holiness to be understood?
2018-11-15

God is holy (cf. Leviticus 19:2; ⅠPeter 1:15). 

He is called “the Holy One” (cf. Isaiah 57:15), and His name is ‘Jealous’(cf. Exodus 34:14). 

He is ‘of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look on wrong’ (Habakkuk 1:13). 

The way of the wicked is an abomination to Him, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (cf. Proverbs 15:9).

Is human history under God’s Control?
2018-11-14
Yes. God is the Lord of human history.  He rules the kingdom of men. He lifts up the downtrodden, and casts the wicked to the ground.  ‘He sets up the most lowly to rule the kingdom’ (Psalm 147:6; Daniel 4:17). His authority ‘rules over all’and He ‘called the generations’ from the very beginning, controlling the entire history of mankind (cf. Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 41:4).  His Spirit ‘searches all things’; to Him belongs all glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time, now, forever and ever (cf.ⅠCorinthians 2:10; Jude 25).
Is human history under God’s Control?
2018-11-14

Yes. God is the Lord of human history. 

He rules the kingdom of men.

He lifts up the downtrodden, and casts the wicked to the ground. 

‘He sets up the most lowly to rule the kingdom’ (Psalm 147:6; Daniel 4:17). His authority ‘rules over all’and He ‘called the generations’ from the very beginning, controlling the entire history of mankind (cf. Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 41:4). 

His Spirit ‘searches all things’; to Him belongs all glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time, now, forever and ever (cf.ⅠCorinthians 2:10; Jude 25).

Is God Father?
2018-11-13
God is the Father of spirits (cf. Genesis 2:7; Hebrews 12:9).  He gives life and breath to all, so that all men are His offspring. However, not everyone recognizes Him.  Those who recognize Him, believe in the Lord Jesus, and are the ones who acknowledge the Father in heaven, and are able to obtain rebirth through the Holy Spirit (cf.ⅠJohn 2:23; John 3:5-6).  They were led by the Holy Spirit and they call Him “Abba, Father” (cf. Galatians 4:5-6).  This must not be, merely based on verbal statements, but by displaying God’s righteousness in one’s behavior.  The Bible says, “Everyone who dose right is born of Him”.  Those who are born of God do not commit sin. They cannot sin because they are born of God” (ⅠJohn 2:29, 3:9).
Is God Father?
2018-11-13

God is the Father of spirits (cf. Genesis 2:7; Hebrews 12:9). 

He gives life and breath to all, so that all men are His offspring.

However, not everyone recognizes Him. 

Those who recognize Him, believe in the Lord Jesus, and are the ones who acknowledge the Father in heaven, and are able to obtain rebirth through the Holy Spirit (cf.ⅠJohn 2:23; John 3:5-6). 

They were led by the Holy Spirit and they call Him “Abba, Father” (cf. Galatians 4:5-6). 

This must not be, merely based on verbal statements, but by displaying God’s righteousness in one’s behavior. 

The Bible says, “Everyone who dose right is born of Him”. 

Those who are born of God do not commit sin. They cannot sin because they are born of God” (ⅠJohn 2:29, 3:9).

Did God cease from work after He created the universe?
2018-11-12
 No. After God created the universe, He continued to use His authority to maintain and govern all things.  The universe not only has its source in Him, it also depends on Him and will eventually return to Him (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Romans 11:36). God’s work in the universe will never cease. Particularly since the fall of Adam, God’s work of redeeming, calling, healing and comforting humanity has grown and it will never cease.  Thus, the Lord Jesus said, “My father has been at work until now, and I am working too” (John 5:17).
Did God cease from work after He created the universe?
2018-11-12

 No. After God created the universe, He continued to use His authority to maintain and govern all things. 

The universe not only has its source in Him, it also depends on Him and will eventually return to Him (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Romans 11:36). God’s work in the universe will never cease. Particularly since the fall of Adam, God’s work of redeeming, calling, healing and comforting humanity has grown and it will never cease. 

Thus, the Lord Jesus said, “My father has been at work until now, and I am working too” (John 5:17).

Was the universe created by God?
2018-11-11
The whole universe was created by God (cf. Genesis 1:1-2:3; Psalm 33:6), and it belongs to Him, as the psalmist says, “The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours, the world and all that is in it, you have founded them all” (Psalm 89:11).  And so, all things are proclaiming the glory and the might of God (cf. Psalm 19:1).
Was the universe created by God?
2018-11-11

The whole universe was created by God (cf. Genesis 1:1-2:3; Psalm 33:6), and it belongs to Him, as the psalmist says, “The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours, the world and all that is in it, you have founded them all” (Psalm 89:11). 

And so, all things are proclaiming the glory and the might of God (cf. Psalm 19:1).

How does God love people?
2018-11-09
God’s love is like that of the Father for the Son within the Trinity (cf. John 17:23). He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (cf. Psalm 103:8).  He loves all that He has created, and His steadfast love is very precious. People can take refuge in Him (cf. Psalm 36:5-7).  God’s deepest love for man is revealed in His redemption of mankind, such that He delivered up His only dear Son through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross,  so reconciling man with God and restoring Him to His love (cf. Romans 8:32; John 3:16; ⅠJohn 4:9-10).
How does God love people?
2018-11-09

God’s love is like that of the Father for the Son within the Trinity (cf. John 17:23).

He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (cf. Psalm 103:8). 

He loves all that He has created, and His steadfast love is very precious. People can take refuge in Him (cf. Psalm 36:5-7). 

God’s deepest love for man is revealed in His redemption of mankind, such that He delivered up His only dear Son through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross,  so reconciling man with God and restoring Him to His love (cf. Romans 8:32; John 3:16; ⅠJohn 4:9-10).

What are the basic and essential attributes (virtue or nature) of God?
2018-11-08
The supremely basic and essential attribute of God is ‘love’, for God is love (ⅠJohn 4:8, 16).  Not only is the relationship within the Trinity one of love, but God’s creation, election and redemption of man are an expression of His love.  It is God’s will that people should understand and accept His love, and that they should love Him with all their hearts, with all their souls, with all their strength and with all their might (cf. Luke 10:27).  God loves people with an ‘everlasting love’, and at the same time He draws them with compassion (cf. Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4).  
What are the basic and essential attributes (virtue or nature) of God?
2018-11-08

The supremely basic and essential attribute of God is ‘love’, for God is love (ⅠJohn 4:8, 16). 

Not only is the relationship within the Trinity one of love, but God’s creation, election and redemption of man are an expression of His love. 

It is God’s will that people should understand and accept His love, and that they should love Him with all their hearts, with all their souls, with all their strength and with all their might (cf. Luke 10:27). 

God loves people with an ‘everlasting love’, and at the same time He draws them with compassion (cf. Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4).  

What is the meaning of “The Trinity”?
2018-11-07
The God whom we worship is the one true God, who exists in three Persons, namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who are together glorified and worshipped.  The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit cooperated in the work of creation and redemption.  The doctrine of the Trinity is mentioned a number of times in the Bible. One time is when Lord commands the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 28:19).  Another time is when Paul blesses the Corinthian Church he says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (ⅡCorinthians 13:14).
What is the meaning of “The Trinity”?
2018-11-07

The God whom we worship is the one true God, who exists in three Persons, namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who are together glorified and worshipped. 

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit cooperated in the work of creation and redemption. 

The doctrine of the Trinity is mentioned a number of times in the Bible. One time is when Lord commands the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 28:19). 

Another time is when Paul blesses the Corinthian Church he says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (ⅡCorinthians 13:14).

What is the meaning of “Jehovah”?
2018-11-03
 “Jehovah” is the Christian way of transliterating the Hebrew name of God. The original meaning is “the eternally self-existent One”.  The God in whom we believe is eternally self-existent (cf. Exodus 3:14-15), the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (cf. Revelation 1:4, 8).
What is the meaning of “Jehovah”?
2018-11-03

 “Jehovah” is the Christian way of transliterating the Hebrew name of God. The original meaning is “the eternally self-existent One”. 

The God in whom we believe is eternally self-existent (cf. Exodus 3:14-15), the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (cf. Revelation 1:4, 8).