What Do We Believe and Practice?



Mission: What's the Evidence, Inc is an apologetic ministry. It is the mission of What's the Evidence to: Educate, Equip and Evangelize by communicating the truth of God's Word by showcasing scientific evidence that confirms the Biblical account of creation as recorded in Genesis chapters 1-11. 
We strive to communicate to our neighbors that the entire Bible is true. We bring evidence regarding the historical and scientific accuracy of Genesis 1-11, including the genealogies that confirm the age of man and the earth, laying the foundation for the truth of the entire Bible.
Our desire is also to associate with like-minded people who will further the religious purpose and beliefs we hold.

Vision: It is the vision of What's the Evidence to see many come to faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior from sin and fully embrace the truthfulness of the entire Bible.


Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline of the What's the Evidence? group, we are the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

The Catechism below summarizes what we believe:
1. What is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
(I Cor. 10:31, Ps.73:25-26, Rev. 4:11)
2. Where do we learn how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever?
We learn how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever in the Bible alone.
(II Tim. 3:16-17)

The Bible

3. Why do we call the Bible the Holy Scripture?
The Bible is the "Holy Scripture" because God the Holy Spirit gave to His chosen writers the thoughts they expressed and the words they wrote.
(II Pet. 1:20-21)
4. Can we trust the Bible to be true and accurate?
The Bible is the "Holy Scripture" because God the Holy Spirit gave to His chosen writers the thoughts they expressed and the words they wrote.
(II Pet. 1:20-21)
5. What does the Bible principally teach?
The Bible principally teaches what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
(II Tim. 1:13, 3:15, Deut. 32:46-47, Ps. 119:130)
6. What is the key to the correct understanding of the Bible?
Jesus Christ is the heart and the center of the Bible, and therefore, the key to its true understanding.
(Luke 24:13-27)
7. How is the Bible to be read so that it may properly teach us God's world view?
We must study the Bible with diligence, preparation, and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives
(I Peter 2:1-2, Acts 17:11, James 1:22-25, Ps. 119:129, 131)
8. How is human reason to be used in understanding the Bible?
To determine what the Bible says we need to apply the rules of language, but the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential for its proper understanding.
(John 14:26, John 16:13)

Creation

9. Who created you?
God created me and all of creation.
(Gen. 1:1-31, Col. 1:16-17)
10. How did God create all things?
God made all things out of nothing, by the Word, in the space of six days, and all very good. God created plants and animals according to their kind, whose seed is in itself. These kinds reproduce according to their kind. One kind of plant or animal does not evolve into a different kind.
(Gen. 1:1-31, John 1:1-3)
11. How did God create man?
God created man from the dust of the earth and woman from the rib of the man. He made
them after His own image: thinking, feeling and creative beings, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. Every people/ethnic group in the world are descendents of Adam and Eve. All of mankind is one blood. The nations came from the people at the dispersion at Babel.
(Gen. 1:1-31, 2:7, 22 and Gen. Chapter 10-11) (Acts 17:26)
12. What is Providence?
Providence is the care and guidance of God over all His creation.
(Matt. 6:26-33)
13. What is the theory of evolution?
The theory of evolution is an unscientific idea of how the world began on its own without God there to create it. Some scientists believe in this theory even though there is no evidence to support it.
(Romans 1:20-25) (Col. 1:16-17)
14. What is the Christian's proper response to theories of evolution regarding the beginning of the world?
Christians should use all of their God-given abilities to show that the Bible and science both point to God as the all-powerful, infinite, and awesome Creator of the entire universe.
(Matt. 22:37)

The Ten Commandments

15. What are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments are part of the Law of God.
(Ex. 20:1-17, Deut. 5:6-21)
16. Are the Ten Commandments the only place where God's Law is found?
No. God's law is also found in His case laws and in the law of Christ.
(Exodus, Deuteronomy, John 14:21, Matt. 28:19-20)
17. Where did God give the Ten Commandements?
God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai.
(Ex. 19:1-3)
18. What is the first commandment?
The first commandment is, "You shall have no other gods before me."
(Ex. 20:3)
19. What does God forbid in the first commandment?
In the first commandment, God forbids us to have any other gods.
(Isa. 42:8, Matt. 4:10, I Cor. 8:4)
20. What does God require in the first commandment?
In the first commandment, God requires that we fear, love and trust Him above all things. We fear God above all things when we revere Him alone, honor Him with our lives and avoid what displeases Him.
(Ps. 33:8, 96:4, Rom. 12:2)
We love God above all things when we cling to Him alone as our God and gladly devote our lives to
His service.
(Matt. 22:37)
We trust in God above all things when we commit our lives completely to His,keeping and rely on
Him for help in every need.
(Ps. 118:8, Prov. 3:5-6, Matt. 6:25-33)
21. What is the second commandment?
The second commandment is, "You shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
(Ex. 20:4-6)
22. What does God forbid in the second commandment?
In the second commandment, God forbids the worship of Himself through images, or any other way not appointed in His Word.
(Deut. 4:15-19, Rom. 1:22-23, Col. 2:18)
23. What does God require in the second commandment?
In the second commandment, God requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in His Word.
(Deut. 32:46, Matt. 28:20)
24. What is the third commandment?
The third commandment is, "You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain."
(Ex. 20:7)
25. What does God forbid in the third commandment?
In the third commandment, God forbids the misuse of His Name.
(Lev. 24:10-16)
26. What does God forbid in the third commandment?
What does God require in the third commandment?
In the third commandment, God requires the holy and reverent use of His name, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word and works.
(Ps. 138:2, 29:2)
27. What is the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment is, "Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it."
(Ex. 20:8-11)
28. Do Christians today adhere to the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment has been fulfilled in Christ who is the substance of the Sabbath shadow.
We have entered into Christ's Sabbath rest through faith.
(Matt. 12:8, Rom. 14:5, Col. 2:16-17)
29. Are there principles in the fourth commandment which are wise for us to apply to our lives?
Yes, in two ways. First, we should, as Christians, keep one day a week holy to the Lord in that we attend church. The day established by Christians to do so is Sunday, the first day of the week in which Christ rose from the dead. The Scripture commands that we not forsake the assembling of the saints. Second, we should not work one day of the week in order to rest our physical bodies, spend time with our families, and revere God.
(Heb. 10:25, 4:9-10)
30. What is the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment is, "Honor your father and your mother; that your days may be long upon
the land which the Lord your God gives you."
(Ex. 20:12)
31. What does God forbid in the fifth commandment?
In the fifth commandment, God forbids us to disrespect or abandon our parents.
(I Tim. 5:4,8, Proverbs 30:17)
32. What does God require of us in the fifth commandment?
In the fifth commandment, God requires us to love and obey our parents. As adults, God requires us to love, respect and care for them in their old age.
(Col. 3:20, I Tim. 5:8)
33. What is the sixth commandment?
The sixth commandment is, "You shall not murder."
(Ex. 20:13)
34. What does God forbid in the sixth commandment?
In the sixth commandment, God forbids the taking away of our own lives or the life of our neighbor unjustly.
(Acts 16:28, Gen. 9:6)
35. What does God require of us in the sixth commandment?
In the sixth commandment, God requires all endeavors to preserve our own life and the lives of others from unjust death.
(Acts 16:28, Gen. 9:6)
36. Has God given us a right to life?
Yes, God has given us a right to life. (Gen. 9:6, Ex. 20:13, Num. 35:33, Deut. 19:11-13, Gen. 2:7, Ps. 139:13-16)
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)

God expects us to guard our own life so that we can continue to serve Him until our natural death or until He calls us to lay down our life.
(John 8:59, 10:39, Acts 9:23-25, I Cor. 3:16-17, 6:19-20, John 15:13, Matt. 10:39, 16:25, Acts 7,
20:22-24, Rom. 5:7-8, Phil. 2:8, Ex. 22:2-3)

Also, if we witness our neighbor being harmed, God expects us to defend that person.
(Deut. 22:23-27)
37. Does God ever take away our right to life?
Yes, our right to life can be forfeited by committing an act for which God requires the death penalty.
(Gen. 9:6, Num. 35:33, Deut. 19:11-13, Rom. 13:4)

38. What is abortion?
Abortion is the murder of a pre-born child, and therefore, is forbidden by God
(Exodus 20:13)
39. Does the Church condemn the act of abortion?
Historically, the Church has always affirmed the humanity of the pre-born child, and affirmed that abortion is murder, and therefore, the Church condemns abortion. Any church which teaches otherwise is a false church.
40. Do we have an obligation to act on behalf of pre-born babies threatened by abortion?
Yes, we have a holy obligation to act on behalf of pre-born babies threatened by abortion because they are our neighbors and Jesus taught: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
(Luke 10:27-37)
41. What is the seventh commandment?
The seventh commandment is, "You shall not commit adultery."
(Ex. 20:14)
42. What does God forbid in the seventh commandment?
In the seventh commandment, God forbids all unchaste thought, words, and actions.
(Matt. 5:28, Eph. 5:3)
43. What does God require of us in the seventh commandment?
In the seventh commandment, God requires the preservation of our own, and our neighbor's
chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.
(I Thes. 4:4, II Tim. 2:22, Col. 3:5, 4:6)
44. What is the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment is, "You shall not steal."
(Ex. 20:15)
45. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
In the eighth commandment, God forbids every kind of robbery, theft, or dishonest gain. Whether by an individual, the State, or any other group.
(Lev. 19:35, Eph. 4:28)
46. What does God require of us in the eighth commandment?
In the eighth commandment, God requires us to be honest and industrious, and to help our
neighbor in their need.
(Eph. 4:28, Phil. 2:4, Heb. 13:16)
47. What is the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment is, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
(Ex. 20:16)
48. What does God forbid in the ninth commandment?
In the ninth commandment, God forbids us to slander our neighbor or damage our neighbor's
reputation.
(Zech. 8:16, Prov. 14:5, Deut. 19:16-21)
49. What does God require of us in the ninth commandment?
In the ninth commandment, God requires us to defend our neighbor, that is, we should speak up for and protect our neighbor from false accusations.
(Zech. 8:16, Eph. 4:25)
50. What is the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment is, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that your neighbor's."
Ex. 20:17)
51. What does God forbid in the tenth commandment?
In the tenth commandment, God forbids every sinful desire to get our neighbor's possessions
openly or by trickery.
(Micah 2:1-2. I Tim. 6:8-10)
52. What does God require of us in the tenth commandment?
In the tenth commandment, God requires us to be content with what He has given us and to assist our neighbor in keeping what God has given that person.
(Phil. 4:11, Heb.13:5)
53. What do the first four commandments teach?
The first four commandments teach our duty to God.
(Matt. 22:37, Deut. 6:5)
54. What do the last six commandments teach?
The last six commandments teach our duty to our fellow man.
(Matt. 22:39)
55. What is the summary of all the commandments?
The summary of all the commandments is found in Matthew 22 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
(Matt. 22:37-40)
56. Can any man keep these ten commandments perfectly?
No mere man ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.
(Ecc. 7:20, I John 1:8)

Salvation

57. Of what use is God's Law to us?
God's Law reveals to us His character, teaches us our duty, and shows us our need of the Savior.
(Gal. 3:24, Ecc. 12:13)
58. What was the estate of man after God created the world?
Man was in complete and perfect fellowship with God.
(Gen. 1:31)
59. Did man continue in that estate?
No. Man fell from that estate when he committed sin by eating of the forbidden fruit.
(Gen. 3:1-24)
60. What is sin?
Sin is the transgression of God's Law.
(I John 3:4, James 4:17)
61. What is meant by transgression?
Transgression means to disobey.
(James 2:10-11, I John 3:4)
62. How do we disobey God's Law?
We disobey God's Law by doing what he forbids or by failing to do what He commands.
(James 4:17, Mal. 3:8, Dan. 6:4)
63. Who has sinned?
Everyone has sinned.
(Rom. 3:23)
64. What does every sin deserve?
Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
(Rom. 6:23)
65. Did God leave all mankind to perish in their state of sin?
No. God sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem mankind unto Himself.
(Rom. 5:6-11)
66. How did Jesus redeem mankind?
Jesus redeemed mankind by the shedding of His blood through death on a cross.
John 19:16-18, Mark 15:21-41, Eph. 1:7, Gal. 3:13)
67. From what did Jesus Christ redeem us?
Jesus Christ redeemed us from our sins and from Gods wrath.
(Heb 2:17, John 1:29, Rom. 5:9, Titus 2:14)
68. For what did Jesus redeem us?
Jesus redeemed us to do the will of God and to walk in good works, whereby we glorify His Name and He expands His Kingdom in all the earth.
(Eph. 2:10, Matt. 6:10)
69. Are all men saved because of Jesus Christ's redeeming work?
No. Many reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit, therefore, they remain in unbelief and under
God's judgment by their own fault.
(Rom. 1:18-19, Heb 4:2)
70. What will God do to those who reject His Word?
Upon their death, God will throw those who reject His Word into Hell where they will suffer forever.
(II Thes. 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15, Isa. 66:24)
71. Why does God damn people to Hell?
A. God is just and judges each man according to his deeds. Those who reject His Word receive the just recompense for their disobedience.
(Deut. 32:4, Mk. 16:16, Rom. 1:27, Rom. 2:6, Rev. 16:7)
B. God will not tolerate sinners in His presence.
(Ps. 5:4-5, Ex. 33:5, Heb. 10:27, 12:29)
C. God loves His children and would not force them to spend eternity with sinners.
(Isa. 11:6-9, Ez. 34:25-30, Rev. 21:4)
72. Who can be saved?
All those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ can be saved.
(John 3:16, Acts 2:21)
73. What does it mean to repent?
Repentance is the willingness to turn away from everything in our lives that is unlike God.
(Luke 15:11-32)
74. What does it mean to believe?
To believe is to trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins.(Acts 4:12)
75. What is the atonement?
We should have died for our sins. Atonement was made when Christ satisfied God's divine justice by dying in our stead, so that if we will believe in Him, we will not have to die but obtain eternal life.
(I Pet. 3:18, I Pet. 2:24, John 3:16)
76. What will God do for those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ?
Upon their death, God will take those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ into heaven where
they will rejoice forevermore.
(I Pet. 1:3-4)
77. What is justification?
Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
(Rom. 3:24, Gal. 2:16)
78. Why do we say it is by faith alone that we are made right with God?
We say this not because our faith has any value in which God is pleased with us. Rather, only Christ's satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness make us right with God. And we can receive this righteousness and make it ours in no other way than by faith alone.
(I Cor. 1:30-31, Rom. 10:10, I John 5:10-12, Eph. 2:8-9)
79. What is adoption?
Adoption is an act of God's free grace, wherein we are received as His children and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.
(I John 3:1, John 1:12)
80. What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the work of God in us whereby we become holy in heart and conduct.
(Eph. 4:17-24, Rom. 6:13)
81. Who is God?
God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He is eternal and triune, consisting of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:26, Psalm 90:2, John 15:26, 16:13-14)
82. Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is God's Son, who came to earth in the flesh. He is God come in the flesh, One part of the Trinity.
(Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 1, John 1:1-3, 5, 8:56-58, and 14, Philippians 2:5-8, I John 4:2-3)
82. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
Christ became man by taking to Himself a human body, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
(Luke 1:31-35)
83. For what purpose did Christ become a man?
Christ became a man to die for the sins of all men.
(I Tim. 1:15)
84. What kind of death did Christ die?
Christ died the painful and shameful death of the cross.
(Mark 15:21-41)
85. Is it significant that Christ was crucified instead of dying some other way?
Yes. Death by crucifixion was accursed by God. Christ's death proves that He shouldered the
curse which lay on mankind.
(Gal. 3:13)
86. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's resurrection?
The Scriptures teach that on the third day Christ victoriously rose from the grave and showed
Himself alive to His disciples.
(I Cor.15:4-8)
87. Why is Christ's resurrection so important?
Christ's resurrection proves that:
A. Christ is the Son of God.
(Rom. 1:4)
B. Christ's doctrine is truth.
(John 2:19-22)
C. God has accepted Christ's sacrifice for our sins.
(Rom. 4:25)
D. All believers in Christ will rise to eternal life.
(John 11:25-26)
88. What does the Bible teach about Christ's ascension?
The Bible teaches that 40 days after His resurrection, Christ, in the presence of His disciples,
ascended bodily unto the glory of His Father, to prepare a place for us in heaven.
(Luke 24:51, John 14:2-3)
89. Is the Law of God made void through the finished work of Christ?
No. The Law of God, other than that which is overturned or fulfilled in the New Testament, is applicable to both the individual life of a Christian and to the governance of society as a whole.
(Rom. 3:31 8:3-4, I Tim. 1:8-11)
 

Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.
(Gen 1:26-27)
Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Marriage and sexual intimacy were instituted by God for the purpose of procreation. (Gen 1:27-28; 1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.
(Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of [the organization] as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the [the organization] members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by [the organization] in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality.
(Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity.
(Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of What's the Evidence?.

Code of Conduct for Team Members
The What's the Evidence? Team is made up of voluntary members. The expectations for team members includes a code of conduct which consists of Biblical values. These values include prohibition of sexual activity outside of the marital union of one man and one woman (see our Marriage, Gender and Sexuality statement), conforming to one's biological sex in the use of restrooms, locker rooms and mode of dress, honest and ethical dealings with others, respect for parents and authority figures, and a lifestyle in accordance with Biblical values in all areas. Team members who do not live in accordance with these expectations will be asked to disassociate with What's the Evidence?.
HERE is another good summary of what we believe