CHAPTER 1
GETTING STARTED RIGHT

The reasons for the writing of this book, and for whom it was prepared, are contained in the Introduction. It begins by laying out the format; that is, painting small pieces of the colorful puzzle of Christianity and Jesus Christ, and then fitting them together as the book progresses. The italic method is used to introduce new concepts/words, marking them for explanations in greater detail as quickly as possible. Seekers and new Christians alike have many remaining unanswered questions about my topic, and those are answered in the simplest manner possible—from the beginning—in an effort, by God's grace, to bring them to Christ, or, mature their faith. or, to renew their faith.

CHAPTER 2
THE REAL AND THE COUNTERFEIT

Since we are in the center of a lifelong spiritual warfare between good and evil, the book defines the true Christian as well as the counterfeit person acting it out, pointing to both as guilty of often poorly representing Jesus Christ to the world; the former in public acts of disgrace, and broken trust; the latter with intentional destructive purposes. 

CHAPTER 3
WHO IS GOD?

Since this title sounds presumptuous, we turn to the Bible to learn how God explains His own attributes—His justice, love, mercy, holiness, and faithfulness, to mention a few. the covenants of God are also explained. The fact He is Almighty, Omnipresent, Jealous, Unchangeable, Triune, Transcendent, Invisible, has always agitated mankind for better or worse. In our human minds, God is truly incomprehensible and mankind quickly becomes defensive, asking: "Is God fair?" That question is answered throughout the book, and it will surprise the reader.

CHAPTER 4
WHAT WERE THE ODDS OF THE PROPHETS BEING RIGHT—EVERY TIME?

A change of pace chapter gripping the question often posed by seekers, and answered mathematically. The exercise is designed to erase doubts about the authenticity of Scripture. Isaiah 53 is printed out and the number of predictions are counted—with the conclusion that God had no problem with astronomical odds.

CHAPTER 5
CREATION

The story is reproduced from Scripture. Questions are asked about the logic of evolution, and answered in Genesis 1 and 2:1-7.

CHAPTER 6

SPECIAL FAITH

GOD'S GIFT TO SOME AND NOT TO OTHERS— IS THAT FAIR? 

Here, the philosophical question of fairness is raised again, and answered in a biblical way as to provoke reflective thought.

Chapter 7
MANKIND'S BIGGEST PROBLEM

Sin is the subject. God's demands perfection and man's inability to deliver is more than frustrating at times. Original sin is explained, free will is discussed—as it was in the beginning—and how it, too, became defective in the fall. The futility of our attempts to do good in God's sight is explained in the context of the Devil's efforts to hide the universal problem of sin.

Chapter 8
SIN

What constitutes a sin, and by whose standards are sins measured. Illustrations are given. The concept of mankind's "sin-debt" is introduced—frustration is again purposefully generated, since we cannot pay that debt—only grow it. The intent is to fully realize the extent of the bad news, so that the Good News is seen in the context of the absolute hopelessness from which the sinner cannot escape, and is delivered by the tremendous grace and atonement of our Heavenly Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ through the operation of the Holy Spirit—without calling it the Trinity—yet.

Chapter 9
SIN'S NEGATIVE RETURNS

The wages of sin is death—both physical and spiritual. Within the discussion of physical death, reincarnation is disqualified. "There is a way which seems right . . . " is God's warning. "It is appointed onto men once to die, then the judgment." An introduction of spiritual death is included, but the subject continues throughout the book in answer to another question often asked; "How can there be any pain if our bodies are dead?"

Chapter 10
PAYDAY FOR THE WAGES OF SIN

Chapter 11
ONCE DEAD, NO PAIN?

Physical death ends one's ability to feel anything, so how can Hell hurt anyone? The mortality of our bodies is explained. The Devil is depicted as the soul-deceiver and more of his cunning tricks are uncovered using 1 Pet. 5:8.

Chapter 12
HOW SLICK CAN THE DEVIL BE?

Many unsuspecting people will be totally stunned on Judgment Day to know how well the Devil duped them. This is a powerful chapter on how the Devil works. Temptation, what it is and how it can be avoided. The Devil is incapable of forcing anyone to commit a sin.

Chapter 13
REAWAKENING FROM DEATH

The story of Lazarus, and the purpose of the Resurrection Day. Death as a by-product of sin. How and when the dead will be raised (1 Cor 15:35-44). The second coming, new bodies (now immortal) re-united to our own immortal souls—how we will be capable to either feel eternal pain or experience eternal joy. Christ's words are used.

Chapter 14
THE JUDGMENT DAY AND THE LAST DAY

How they differ, and are alike. The new body's ability to feel the pain of Hell is driven home for the last time here, followed by a review of everything taught to this point—ending the bad news section of the book.

Chapter 15
HEAVEN

The chapter of Heaven was purposefully placed here as a bridge to the rest of the book; namely, the exciting Good News. This chapter represents a major shift of emphasis. Heaven is a place prepared for forgiven sinners. How Jesus opened Heaven. Our citizenship is there. What glory that will be, to be with Jesus!

Chapter 16
JESUS

The first of nine chapters on Jesus. Here, we start with "Who is He?" His words and teachings are quoted. His authority described, His identity confirmed—the Messiah—only Son of God—Second Person of the Trinity in the flesh. Here, because of God the Father's initiative, is a willing volunteer to take away our sin-debts for us, and instead of us—by paying the wages of sin—death—giving the forgiven His righteousness in exchange.

Chapter 17
THE TWO NATURES OF JESUS CHRIST

A biblically authoritative explanation of this God-Man mystery. His incarnation explained, and the Holy Spirit's part in it. The virgin birth. A snap-shot of Christ's mission is presented. His divine and human natures appropriately discussed without making two Jesus' out of Him.

Chapter 18
CHRIST'S TEMPTATIONS: WERE THEY REAL?

A hard hitting chapter on the seriousness and the authenticity of temptations. What the original stakes were. How real it was. The means of temptation once used on Jesus. How Christ handled it. Being tempted as we, Christ's temptations are compared to the first Adam and Eve's temptation; such as Adam was tempted to eat in a Garden full of food, while Christ was tempted to eat in a desert where there was no food and after 40 days of fasting! He was tempted in every way we are tempted today, and He knows ours!

Chapter 19
WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS?

Why couldn't God the Father just declare everyone pardoned? Why didn't He just forgive everyone? A powerful chapter on God's justice and love coming together in Jesus Christ for the benefit of those who would believe. Why Jesus volunteered. The fairness issue, raised earlier, is now reversed. A sinless Jesus has to die for sins he never committed to save sinners who were guilty? Is that fair?

Chapter 20
WHOEVER BELIEVES

Everyone will not be saved. A complete and historical background coupled to today's significance of sin-sacrifices culminating in the Lamb of God being presented as the Solution. God's initiative is stressed.

Chapter 21

CHRIST'S UNDESERVED HUMILIATION 

HIS CRUCIFIXION 

How Jesus was sacrificed. Christ's crucifixion scene portrayed. The words of Jesus, the soldiers—prophecy fulfilled.

Chapter 22
WHY JESUS?

The question many raise about others who have laid down their lives for the good of mankind—why is Jesus' death outstanding beyond other notable sacrifices of ordinary men in history? Why Jesus? No one else could do what had to be done, and have it accepted by the Father. 

Chapter 23
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus is in a class by Himself—alone—victorious over sin and death. Alive today. He ascended, promising to return again—all portrayed through biblical proofs. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Salvation can be found in no one else. He is unique!

Chapter 24
CHRIST'S ATONEMENT

What "vicarious" means and how beautiful it is to us in His atonement. Reconciliation and righteousness are now treated in detail.

Chapter 25
FORGIVENESS

A building block chapter. Forgiveness is a necessary element in salvation. What does it mean to repent—an introduction. The term redeemed is introduced, as is Justification:  How God forgives and forgets as well.

Chapter 26
REDEEMED AND ADOPTED SINLESS-SINNERS

Justification is fully explained. Adoption (in the biblical sense) is explained. The concept of sinless-sinners is developed.  Total forgiveness in Christ is taught, where God the Father sees His redeemed as sinless in Christ, using a diagram to portray this truth. Yet, we continue to sin. Therefore the term "sinless-sinners" is coined. It is an emotional chapter giving the redeemed the freedom to look at one's self as God sees us.

Chapter 27
GOD'S GRACE

This is what makes all the foregoing possible. It is amazing grace—also seen as Christ's withdrawing of our sin-debt from our account, and the transfer or deposit of His righteousness to us—instead. 

Chapter 28
FAITH

Historic and saving. The words "Special faith" are dropped at this point in the book and it is now called Saving Faith. This is the first of four chapters on faith. The difference between the two faiths is studied and contrasted—by God—from His Word. How intellectual historic faith is used by the Devil to dissuade seekers into complacency. Blessed assurance is also discussed as another of the products of saving faith.

Chapter 29
SAVING FAITH—ITS EXCLUSIVITY 

Why the term "exclusive" need not be a negative term—with positive examples of how it can be very beneficial. This is an intriguing chapter on how Jesus' sacrifice was exclusively the only valid offer out there. Many pieces of the puzzle are put together in this chapter. 

Chapter 30
SAVING FAITH MAKES A DIFFERENCE

It is the test of faith—"By their fruits . . . "  Which attributes best reflect Jesus Christ? One is forgiving others, another is love, gratitude leading to good works, and obedience. Sincere repentance is discussed and defined.

Chapter 31
HERE I AM

This chapter begins with a second total review of everything taught to this point, followed by a clear picture of God's plan of salvation subdivided into seven steps with pauses in-between for mini reviews—all designed toward a commitment for Christ.

Chapter 32
YOU ARE INVITED

The invitation! An invitation to eternal life with Jesus Christ. A sample prayer of commitment is written out. A word of caution regarding the Devil's intent to attack the new believer. 

Chapter 33
BLESSED ASSURANCES!

The words to that song are reproduced as an introduction to a study on election and predestination—the final uncovering of God's masterful plan of salvation—"It was not I who sought . . . ."  This is a comforting chapter on assurance. How God pursues in spite of our past sins. The banquet story is given as a lead in to the next chapter.

Chapter 34
GOOD NEWS FOR TODAY'S JEW

Paul also preached to the Gentiles just to make the Jews jealous. The example of Gentiles being grafted as unnatural branches, and how much easier it would be to re-graft a natural branch. 

Chapter 35
BAPTISM

What is baptism? Who can receive it? Why it does not save. Different ways of administering it. The importance of its command as given in the Bible. How belonging to the family of God guarantees you will never again be alone. Those who have lost loved ones will identify here.

Chapter 36
THE CHURCH

A comprehensive chapter on Christ's Bride. What is the church? A cautionary statement that a perfect church on earth is as hard to find as a perfect person this side of Heaven. Politics and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution are presented in the context of church membership, concluding that separation of church and state is grossly misunderstood. Christians not only have a right, but have a duty to be involved in all facets of world events with their opinions and Christ-centered leadership.

Chapter 37
FINALE

God's mandate to all Christians and the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. How to be filled with the Holy Spirit and how the new Christian can go out into the world to make a difference in service for his Lord, both in obedience and power.