3. Those who doubt the existence of God.
The passages under 1 and 2 can also be used with this class and generally it is wise to use them before those given under this head. There are however, three passages that are often times effective with this specific class of skeptics. Ps. xiv. 1; before using this passage you can say to the man, “Let me read you from God’s own word what he says about those who deny his existence.” Often times it is well to leave the passage to do its own work. Sometimes, however, it is wise to dwell a little upon it. Call the man’s attention to the fact that it is “in his heart” that the fool says “there is no God.” He does not believe there is a God because he does not wish to. You can add that the folly of saying in one’s heart that there is no God is seen in two points; first, there is a God and it is folly to say there is not one, and second, the doctrine that there is not a God always brings misery and wretchedness. Put it right to the man, and ask him if he ever knew a happy atheist. Ps. xix. 1, 2; Romans i. 19–22, are also effective passages.
4. Those who doubt that the Bible is the word of God.
Romans iii. 3, 4, is useful in showing that questioning the fact does not alter the fact. Matt. xxiv. 35, is often used by the Spirit to carry to the heart of the skeptic the certainty and immutability of God’s word. Mark vii. 13; Matt. v. 18; John x. 35; Luke xxiv. 27, 44, are useful as giving Christ’s testimony that the Old Testament is the Word of God. They are especially helpful in dealing with those who say that they accept the authority of Christ but not that of the Old Testament, for in them Christ sets His seal to the Old Testament Scriptures and they show conclusively that if we accept His authority we must accept that of the Old Testament also. Along the same line John xiv. 26, and xvi. 12, 13, are useful as containing Christ’s indorsement of the New Testament.
1 Thes. ii. 13, can be used with good effect to meet the statement which is often made, that Paul nowhere claims that his teaching is the word of God. 2 Peter i. 21, John viii. 47; Luke xvi. 30, 31, can also be used in dealing with this class. 2 John v. 10, is very effective in showing the guilt of those who believe not the record that God has given. Before using this last passage you can say, “You doubt, do you, that the Bible is the Word of God? Now let us see what God says about those that believe not His testimony;” then turn them to the passage and have them read it.
5. Those who doubt a future existence.
1 Cor. xv. 35–36; Jno. v. 28–29; Dan. xii. 2.
6. Those who doubt the doctrine of future punishment, or the conscious, endless suffering of the lost. Rev. xxi. 8, defines what “death” means when used in the scriptures Rev. xvii. 8, compared with Rev. xix. 20, shows what perdition or destruction means in the scriptures. Rev. xix. 20, compared with Rev. xx. 10 shows that “the lake of fire” is not a place where those consigned to it cease to exist, for we find in the latter passage the beast and false prophet are still there at the end of a thousand years and that they, so far from being annihilated or losing conscious existence are tormented night and day forever and ever. Rev. xiii. 7–8 show that those who are subjected to the terrible retribution here described are those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Matt. x. 28 shows that there is destruction for the soul apart from the destruction of the body. Luke xii. 5, shows that after one is killed and is of course dead, there is a punishment in “hell.” Mark iii. 28–29 (R. V.) shows that there is such a thing as eternal sin. Luke xvi. 23–26, shows that the condition of the wicked dead is one of conscious torment. Mark xiv. 21, shows that the retribution visited upon the wicked is of so stern a character that it would be better for him upon whom it is visited if he had never been born.
2 Peter ii. 4; Jude 6, show that hell is not a place where the inhabitants cease to exist, but where they are reserved alive, for the purpose of God. Heb. x. 28–29, show that while the punishment of transgression of the Mosaic law was death, that sorer punishment awaits those who have “trodden under foot the Son of God.” Matt. xxv. 41 gives further light upon the subject. It shows that the wicked go to the same place with the Beast and False Prophet and the Devil mentioned in Rev. xix. 20, and xx. 10, and share the same endless, conscious torment.