Iowa Basic Skills Test

 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

    Okay, people, settle down. You have each been given a test booklet for which you will need two sharpened No. 2 pencils. Once the test has begun, you will not be permitted to go to the sharpener. We will open our test booklets in unison precisely at 9:00. Ready, class?

    It's time to get down to the basics. This is where the recitation of creeds of our Christian faith are important, be it the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene, for example. When the lies of the devil leech into church doctrine, sharpen your pencil and write a creed of what you believe and why you believe it. Ask yourself:

    True or False?

• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis. 1:1)
• "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
• Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
• "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
• "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
• "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
• "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30)

    If you answered "true" to all of the above, you have claimed that the Triune God is your Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Sustainer and Judge. Congratulations! You have passed the test! If your church is teaching anything other than the truth, leave. Learn the truth of God's word for yourself by devouring your Bible. Do not be deceived. Here is an essay question for bonus points:

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25)