Some answers for PCB. I hope this helps.

Pops, God, in the form of Christ, died on the cross (remember the three parts to His Diety). He did this to satisfy His own demands, set forth in the Old Testament that *without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins.* As JenBKR said, blood offerings were offered before this time and God *counted it for righteousness* (remember the Passover?) After Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin there was no longer a need for a blood sacrifice. Jesus is referred to as the *Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.* We accept His sacrifice and apply it to our lives and out of gratitude to Him we follow Him.

Over the ages many denominations have come into being. People approach Christianity from many differing backgrounds and many different cultural ideas. Denomination is not the issue here. What someone does in their heart is. The place that Christ has in one's own heart is more important than the denomination or church where they worship. God is able to sort it all out. If we have accepted Jesus into our lives as our Lord and have accepted His grace which allows us to become partakers of his atonement that is all that matters. We worship Him and live for Him out of gratitude and a thankful heart.

When I have surrounded certain phrases by * & * they are direct quotes from the Bible.