We Believe Foundations Class Study Manual
Preface
We are living in a very challenging time. It seems that time moves faster than ever before. And with it comes vast changes to the landscape of our lives. The way we live today in no way resembles the way we used to live. The world is changing around us so fast we cannot even keep up with it. The way we receive news and information for example. Because of all the technology options available to us we are more informed than ever before. We have information at our fingertips twenty-four hours a day. We probably get too much information! We also have more entertainment options from which to choose right in our own homes. The world is now more open and accessible to us and that makes us more open to new discoveries and new ideas. That can be good and bad. There is so much to pick and choose from it can be a real challenge to select the right content for us and for our children. And with all of this new openness our core belief systems are being questioned and tested. And that can be good because it will make you take a good long look at what you really believe and why. This is especially true for those of us who embrace the Christian faith. Now more than ever you need to know what you believe and why you believe it. You need to be able to defend the positions you hold. As long held traditional beliefs are being laid aside for newer ideas and to become more relevant to today’s culture you will find yourself trying to determine where you stand in these issues. And that is the purpose of this study manual. To help you know what you believe and be able to support that belief system with a ready answer. This manual is designed to be a companion with our Foundations Class rather than a stand-alone resource. To get the complete benefit of this material it will be necessary to attend the classes that are offered with this manual. I pray that this study will equip you with the information that you need. That you can plant your feet on the ground you claim and then be able to defend it. This will give you tremendous inner peace! When everything and everyone else is like shifting sand you will be like a huge strong tree planted by the waters!
Pastor Glenn McElhenny
The Essentials Of Christianity
It is important to note before beginning this study that many of us come from different religious backgrounds and traditions. This makes it inevitable that on all points of doctrine there will be differences of opinion. There are many areas upon which we can agree to disagree and it makes little difference. There are however non-negotiables in our Christian Faith upon which we must stand firm and there can be no debate. We will call these The Essentials Of Christianity. These are the things that as a Bible believing Christian you must embrace. Here at Grace Covenant we believe they are as follows:
1. The Word Of God Is Inspired And Infallible
2. God Is The Sole Creator Of All Things
3. The Deity Of Jesus Christ
4. The Virgin Birth Of Jesus
5. The Sinless Life Of Christ
6. Christ Death And Atonement On The Cross
7. The Resurrection Of Jesus
8. Salvation Is By Grace Alone And Not By Works
9. Salvation Is Only Through Jesus
10. All Of Mankind Is In Need Of Salvation 11. The Imminent Return Of Christ
Chapter 1 The Word Of God
THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD
The Bible is the inspired Word Of God. It is a revelation of God given to man. It is the living, infallible and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason.
What elevates the Holy Bible above other sacred writings?
1. Jesus gave full sanction and authority to the Old Testament by His many references to it.
2. There are 66 books that must be the mastermind of one author. The Bible was written by forty different people over a span of 2,000 years, yet each book perfectly compliments the other.
3. The types, symbols and shadows that were fulfilled through the life of Jesus are evidence of the Bibles divine inspiration.
4. It is the only sacred writing that has fulfilled prophecy. No other writing can make this claim. There were 333 prophecies concerning the life of Jesus alone and he fulfilled every one of them!
5. The high moral tone of the Bible proves it is divine. Man would never have written such a standard to live by.
6. The plan of salvation as revealed could never have been conceived by the mind of man. It provides the most wonderful and
simple plan of redemption and also the only way for. men to have eternal life.
7. By the fruit this book produces we know it is divine. No other writing has transformed lives the way the Bible has. Just consider the impact this one book has had upon the world and it's inhabitants.
Seven Steps To Help You Study The Word Of God
1. Always begin with prayer. The advantage we have in unlocking the mysteries of God's Word is that the author of this book lives within us. Let the Holy Spirit cleanse your heart of preconceived notions and ideas which may be wrong. If they are right they will prove the test of examination under the study of God's Word.
2. Study the scripture with a variety of reading. Use 2 or 3 different translations to help you arrive at a correct reading of the passages. Refer to a Hebrew or Greek reference to further help you with original word meanings. Most important is to rely on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
3. Read the verse of scripture several times. Read it again more slowly. You will be surprised at how this simple exercise will better help you understand the Word of God.
4. Always analyze the context in which the scripture was written. Read the chapters around the verses you are studying to get a feel for the complete picture.
5. Determine to whom the passages were written. Much confusion as to the meaning of certain scriptures can be easily cleared up when you understand to whom the writer was referring.
6. Refer to other sources of commentary. Read the thought and opinions of others with open heart and mind. Examine all of the evidence together before drawing a final conclusion.
7. Always base your final conclusion and conviction on what the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart. Rely on the Joy, Peace, and Life of the Light of The Holy Spirit.
The Author Of The Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. "
2 Peter 1 :20-21 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. "
PURPOSE OF THE WORD
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
a) Profitable (helpful or serviceable, useful)
b) Doctrine (instruction, learning, teaching)
c) Reproof (proof, conviction, rebuke)
d) Correction (a straightening up again)
e) Instruction (education or training)
2 Timothy 3:17 "that we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. "
a) Perfect-Complete (fresh, complete)
b) Equipped-Furnished (equip fully)
GOD'S WORD IS A SOURCE OF POWER
1.Dividing Power (sword)
a) Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
2. Reflecting Power (mirror)
James 1 :22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
James 1 :23 "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror"
James 1 :24 "for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
James 1 :25 "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
3. Cleansing Power (detergent) 6
Ephesians 5:26 "That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word."
Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."
John 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."
4. Reproductive Power (seed)
1 Peter 1 :23 "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. "
5. Nourishing Power (food)
1 Peter 2:2 '~s newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."
6. Guiding Power (lamp)
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. "
GOD'S WORD IS COMPLETE
Deuteronomy 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
Deuteronomy 12:32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it."
Chapter 2 In The Beginning God...
IS THERE A GOD?
1. No where does the Bible try to prove the existence of God.
2. "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." Psalm 14:1
3. Atheism runs counter to everything within us and around us.
4. Materialism - Nothing spiritual exist because all is matter.
5. Rationalism - The power of reason
6. The Agnostic - The unknown god. I know nothing.
7. Pantheism - Nature is the manifestation of god.
8. Polytheism - There are many gods.
9. Deism - Believes in god yet without revelation.
Witnesses To The Existence Of God.
1. The Physical Universe. The cause and result.
Romans 1:19-20 “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”
2. The Human Soul. Body, Soul And Spirit.
Romans 2:14-15 “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)”
3. The Written Word.
II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
THE NATURE OF GOD
1. God Is Love
1 John 4:8 "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
1 John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. "
2. God Is Spirit
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. "
3. God is not limited or confined to: a) A physical body
b) Dimension of space
c) Dimension of time
4. God Is Perfect
Matthew 5:48 'Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. "
The word “perfect” here means complete or having reached an end. God is complete, mature and perfect. He is not lacking and does not need anything added to Him.
5. God Is Personal
1 Peter 5:6 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time"
1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. "
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Matthew 6:27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"
Matthew 6:28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin"
Matthew 6:29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Matthew 6:30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, 0 you of little faith?"
Matthew 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what shall we wear?"
Matthew 6:32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. "
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
An attribute describes the quality or character of someone.
1. Eternal
Psalm 90:1 "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. "
Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
2. Immutable or Unchangeable
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, a sons of Jacob. "
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. "
3. Omnipotent (unlimited authority, power, or influence)
Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."
Psalm 62:11 "God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God."
4. Omniscient (infinite awareness, understanding, and insight)
Psalm 139:1 "0 LORD, You have searched me and known me."
Psalm 139:2 "You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off."
Psalm 139:3 "You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. "
Psalm 139:4 "For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, 0 LORD, You know it altogether."
5. Omnipresent (present in all places at all times)
Jeremiah 23:23 "Am I a God near at hand, says the LORD, And not a God afar off?"
Jeremiah 23:24 "Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him? says the LORD; do I not fill heaven and earth? says the LORD."
6. Holy
Leviticus 11 :44 "For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Leviticus 11 :45 "For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
7. Righteous
Romans 3:25 "Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed"
Romans 3:26 "to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. "
8. Merciful
Exodus 34:6 "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. "
THE TRIUNE GODHEAD
1. The Trinity
The triune Godhead is comprised of three separate and distinct personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28: 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. "
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."
2. The Three Identities Are Distinct
A. The Work of Creation - The Father
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1 :26 "Then God said, let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
B. The Work of Redemption - The Son
Galatians 4:4 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law"
Galatians 4:5 "to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. "
C. The Work of Sanctification - The Holy Spirit
1 Peter 1:2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace be multiplied.”
3. The Doctrine Of The Trinity In Scripture
In the Beginning, The Triune God Creates the Universe
Gen 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Father is portrayed as the creative source of all things.
Gen 1:2: “.. and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Here, in the second verse of Genesis, the Spirit of God appears as active in the creation process.
Gen 1:3: “Then God said,“Let there be light; and there was light.” The Son, the eternal Word of God, speaks the first of Gods works into existence.
The Triune God Creates Man
Gen 1:26: “Then God said, “Let Us [plural] make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...”.
The Pre-incarnate Son Speaks of the Father and Spirit
Isaiah 48:16 “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was,I was there. And now the Lord God and His Spirit have sent Me.” In this instance the pre-incarnate Son of God is speaking, indicating that He will go on behalf of the Father and the Spirit and redeem God’s creation.
Father and Spirit at the Baptism of the Son
Mark 1:9-11 “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The Commandment to Baptize
Jesus is record as saying in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Three Who Bear Witness, and These Three are One
John wrote in 1st John 5:7 about the assurance we have of salvation, by stating: “For there are three who bear witness in heaven:the Father,the Word, and theHoly Spirit: and these three are one.”
Paul, writing to believers, encourages them to in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” Here we have the three persons of the Godhead described, each with their own distinctive qualities:
* The Grace Of The Lord Jesus Christ
• The love of God the Father
• Thefellowshipof the Holy Spirit
Peter, writing in 1 Peter 1:2, also greets fellow believers in the name of the Triune God: “To the ...elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of theSpirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace be multiplied.”
THE NAMES OF GOD
1. El - Strong
2. Elohim - Plural. Genesis 1: 1
3. El Elijon - The Most High God. Genesis 14:18
4. El Shaddai - The Almighty God. Genesis 17:1
5. El Olam - The Everlasting God. Genesis 21 :33
6. Jehovah - I Am That I Am. The Lord. Yah. Yahweh. Exodus 3:14
7. Jehovah-Elohim - Lord God. Genesis 2:4
8. Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Provides. Genesis 22:17
9. Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord Our Healer. Exodus 15:26
10. Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord Our Banner. Exodus 17:8-15
11. Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord Our Peace. Judges 6:24
12. Jehovah-Raah - The Lord Our Shepherd. Psalms 23:1
13. Jehovah- Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6
14. Jehovah-Soboath - The Lord Of host. I Samuel 1:3
15. Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord Is Present. Exekial 48:35
JESUS THE SON OF GOD
THE DEITY OF JESUS
John 1:1-14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own[d] did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Word Becomes Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
No Other Man Has Had Such Impact Upon The World! His Deity Is The Pivot Point Of Christianity.
HIS PAST MANIFESTATIONS
1. He was always the manifestation of God throughout the ages.
2. The entire Bible is a revelation of Jesus Christ.
John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
Luke 24:44 “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
3. Jesus Existed Before His Birth On Earth
John 1:18 “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”
John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
4. Before Creation He Became The Sacrifice
Ephesians 1:4 “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love”
Revelation 13:8 “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
5. A Few Examples of His manifestations as God are found in His appearances to:
A. Adam and Eve In Eden
B. Hagar
C. Abraham
D. Moses
F. Jacob
G. Joshua
H. The Fourth Man In The Furnace
PROPHECY CONCERNING HIS BIRTH, LIFE AND DEATH
1. The first promise of a Messiah.
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
2. Messianic prophecy and fu1fi1lment.
His Birth
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”
Fulfilled
John 1:1-3, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Born Of A Virgin
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Fulfilled
Mattthew 1:20-23 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
From The House Of Judah
saiah 37:31 “Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.”
Fulfilled
Matthew 1:1-2, 16 “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son [descendant] of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, [16] and [a later] Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
From The Root And Stump Of Jesse
Isaiah 11:10 “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.”
Isaiah 11:1-5 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”
Fulfilled
Romans 15:12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
Matthew 1:1-2a, 5-6, 16 [A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, ... [5] ... Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of King David. [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
From The House Of David
Isaiah 16:5 “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.
Fulfilled
Matthew 1:1-2A, 6, 16 “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, ... [6] and Jesse the father of King David. [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
Born In Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Fulfilled
Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem”
Rejected By Rulers
Psalm 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone [cornerstone of a building;”
Fulfilled
Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:" `The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?
Betrayed For 30 Pieces Of Silver
Zechariah 11:12 “I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
Fulfilled
Matthew 26:14-15 [14] Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
Beaten With A Rod
Micah 5:1 “Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. “
Fulfilled
Mark 15:19 “Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.”
Given Vinegar And Gall To Drink
Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”
Fulfilled
Matthew 27:34 “There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.”
Matthew 27:48 “Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.”
Hands And Feet Nailed
Psalm 22:16 “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.”
Fulfilled
John 20:25 “So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
Crushed For Our Iniquities
Isaiah 53:5-6 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Fulfilled
Romans 4: 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
1 Corinthians 15:3 “I handed on to you first of all what I myself received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures
Pierced For Our Transgressions
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”
Fulfilled
John 19:33-34; 36-37 “But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. [34] Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. [36] These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," [37] and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
No Bones Broken
Psalm 22:17 “I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.”
26
Psalm 34:20 “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”
Fulfilled
John 19:33; 36a “But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. [36a] These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
Soldiers Gamble For His Clothes
Psalm 22:18 “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”
Fulfilled
Matthew 27:35 “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Buried In A Rich Man's Tomb
Isaiah 53:9 “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death”
Fulfilled
Matthew 27:57,59-60 “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. [59] Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
The Messiah Would Return From The Dead
Isaiah 53:8, 11 [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [11] After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.”
Fulfilled
Matthew 28:2, 5-7, 9 [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.”
Unless He was operating under the authority of God, how could Jesus arrange to fulfill any of the following Messianic prophecies?
• Born in Bethlehem
• BefromNazareth
• Come out of Egypt (as a young child)
• Descended from Judah
• Descended from Jesse
• Descended from David
• No bones broken
• Betrayed by a friend
• Betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver
• 30 pieces of silver returned
• 30 pieces used to buy the potter's field
• Born of a virgin
• Performmiracles
• TheResurrection!
Chapter 4 The Holy Spirit
THE THIRD PERSONALITY OF THE GODHEAD
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."
1. The Holy Spirit Is A Person
1. Speaks
Acts 13:2 '~s they ministered to the Lord (worshiping the Lord) and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. "
2. Works
1 Corinthians 12:11 "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
3. Teaches
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. "
4. Guides
John 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "
John 16: 13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "
John 16:14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."
John 16:15 '~II things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."
2. Characteristics
1. Mind
Romans 8:27 "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. "
2. Will
1 Corinthians 12:11 "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
3. Love
Romans 15:30 "Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. "
4. Grief
Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT IS REPRESENTED IN THE SCRIPTURES
A. DOVE
Matthew 3: 16 "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. "
B. WATER
John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. "
John 7:39 "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
C. WIND
Acts 2:2 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. "
Acts 2:3 "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. "
Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
D. FIRE
Acts 2:3 "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. "
E. RAIN
Joel 2:23 "Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you - the
former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. "
F. OIL
Psalm 89:20 "I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him. "
HISTORICAL SETTING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. People In The Old Testament Were Used By The Holy Spirit
1. Bezaleel
Exodus 35:30 "And Moses said to the children of Israel, see, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah"
Exodus 35:31 "and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. "
2. Samson
Judges 15:14 "When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.”
3. David
Matthew 22:43 "He said to them, how then does David in the Spirit call Him Lord?"
4. Old Testament Prophets
2 Peter 1 :20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation"
2 Peter 1 :21 "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. "
B. The Promise Of The Holy Spirit Was A Prophetic Promise Of The Old Covenant
1. Pouring Out the Spirit on Your Descendants
Isaiah 44:3 "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. "
2. Spirit to be Poured Out on All Flesh
Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
C. The New Testament Validates The Promise Of The Holy Spirit
1. John the Baptist Refers to the Fullness of the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:8 "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. "
2. Jesus Spoke of the Fullness of the Holy Spirit
Luke 24:49 "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. "
Acts 1:4 "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me"
Acts 1:5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Acts 1:6 "Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
Acts 1:7 "And He said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority"
Acts 1:8 "but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
3. Peter Refers to the Promise of the Holy Spirit a) Acts 2:32-33
Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. "
Acts 2: 33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear."
D. The Promise Of The Holy Spirit Was Not Just For The Early Church
1. It is for All Who are Afar Off
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said to them, repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "
Acts 2:39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Chapter 5 The Plan Of Salvation
WHY DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?
The Greek word for save used in the passage above is SOZO, which means to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively), heal, preserve, do well, be (make) whole.
Webster's dictionary defines salvation as the saving of a person from sin or its consequences.
1. The Fall Of Man
Genesis 2:15 "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. "
Genesis 2:16 "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat"
Genesis 2:17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. "
2. Sin Separated Man from God
Genesis 3:1 "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, has God indeed said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"
Genesis 3:2 "And the woman said to the serpent, we may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden"
Genesis 3:3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. "
Genesis 3:4 "Then the serpent said to the woman, you will not surely die. "
Genesis 3:5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. "
Genesis 3:6 "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. "
Genesis 3:7 "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. "
Genesis 3:8 "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. "
Genesis 3:9 "Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, where are you?"
Genesis 3:10 "So he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
Genesis 3: 11 "And He said, who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
Genesis 3:12 "Then the man said, the woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
Genesis 3:13 "And the Lord God said to the woman, what is this you have done? The woman said, the serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:20 "And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. "
Genesis 3:21 "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. "
Genesis 3:22 "Then the Lord God said, behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever - "
Genesis 3:23 "therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken."
Genesis 3:24 "So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. "
3. Sinners By Birth
Psalms 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. "
Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV) "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. "
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
HOW CAN WE BE SAVED?
1. We Must Be Born Again
John 3:1 "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews".
John 3:2 "This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said to him, most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4 "Nicodemus said to Him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
John 3:5 "Jesus answered, most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. "
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "
John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again."
John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. "
John 3:9 "Nicodemus answered and said to Him, how can these things be?"
John 3:10 "Jesus answered and said to him, are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?"
John 3:11 "Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. "
John 3:12 "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up"
John 3:15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. "
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "
John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "
John 3:20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."
John 3:21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
2. Salvation Is A Free Gift
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "
Romans 3:24 "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. "
3. Salvation Through Confession
Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. "
Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. "
4. Saved By Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God not of works, lest anyone should boast."
5. Evidences Of Salvation
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. "
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. "
Matthew 7:16 "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?"
Matthew 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "
Matthew 7:18 '~good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "
Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "
Matthew 7:20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. "
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
Mark 1: 15 "And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. "
Repent
a) To think differently or afterwards
b) Reconsider
c) A change of mind or change of heart and attitude
Repentance Is A Turning Toward God
Acts 26: 19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision"
Acts 26:20 "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. "
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE SIN?
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
WHAT ABOUT WORKS?
1. Salvation Is Not By Works
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God"
Ephesians 2:9 "not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. "
Titus 3:4 "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared"
Titus 3:5 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. "
2. We Will Be Accountable For What We Do
2 Corinthians 5: 10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. "
WATER BAPTISM
1. What Does Baptize Mean?
The Greek word for baptize is baptizoo (bap-tid'-zo).
a) To make whelmed (that is, fully wet)
b) To cover or engulf completely
Water Baptism involves being fully submerged or immersed in water.
2. Our Identification With The Lord's Death, Burial, And Resurrection
Romans 6:3 "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. "
Romans 6:5 "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection"
Romans 6:6 "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. "
Romans 6:7 "For he who has died has been freed from sin."
Romans 6:8 "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him."
Romans 6:9 "Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him."
Romans 6:10 "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God."
Romans 6: 11 "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Colossians 2:12 "Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. "
I’M SAVED! NOW WHAT?
Regeneration, Justification & Sanctification.
I Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Titus 3:3-7 “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Justification
1. This is a legal term - A declaration of righteousness or right standing. Romans 5
2. God is righteous and therefore cannot fellowship with unrighteousness.
3. Man has no righteousness of his own.
4. But we are now the righteousness of God through Christ! 2 Corinthians 5:21
5. Imputed righteousness does not change our character but changes our standing before God.
6. Man's court verses God's court.
7. Your position of righteousness must be accepted by faith.
Regeneration
1. This is not a gradual change in the old nature.
2. Fighting until the old nature finally succumbs denies the utter ruin of man. Matthew 12:33-35
3. The law searched the heart of man for something good. Christ magnified the law.
4. You can't make flesh spiritual. "That which is flesh is flesh!"
5. Regeneration then is new life in the spirit. You are a new creation with a new nature.
6. "I'm not ashamed to call them brethren." From the same womb. Born of divine seed.
7. Life in the Spirit brings son-ship. If a son then an heir .
8. This is not eradication of our sin nature. Dead men tell no tales!
Sanctification
1. Set apart in God - Made Holy.
2. Sanctification is not a progressive work.
3. Is your sin nature any better today?
4. The danger of looking at a progressive work in your nature instead of a sacrifice.
5. The work of sanctification was all done in Christ.
7. Sanctification is instantly done as a work of inward holiness.
8. We are transformed as Christians however through the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2
9. What God has placed on the inside will come to the outside.
10. You must first be holy and righteous before you can do holy and righteous works .
Chapter 6 AMAZING GRACE!
THE GRACE OF GOD
2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Ephesians 2:5-8 “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”
Titus 3:7 “That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Abraham And The Grace Of God.
A Brief Study Of Romans 4
The Nature Of Grace
1. Grace is God giving freely.
2. Grace is uncaused by the recipient.
3. Grace is sovereign.
4. Grace does not just help, it is an absolute!
5. Flesh has no place in the plan of grace.
The Place Of Man Under Grace
1. Christ is his standing.
2. He is not on probation.
3. His past life no longer exist.
4. Failure will not cause the withdrawal of grace.
5. You will never do anything to make God love you more than he does now!
6. You will never do anything to make God love you less than He does now!
Our Attitude Under Grace
1. To believe and consent to be loved.
2. Do not make resolutions and vows.
3. Expect to be blessed.
4. Rely on God's chastening hand as an act of love and kindness. Trust the Wisdom of God.
5. Avoid being burdened about yourself but consider others. 6. To hope to be better fails to see yourself in Christ;
7. To be disappointed is to have believed in yourself.
8. Blessing first. Devotion second.
The Correct Christian Life
1. Your royal birth. No longer a servant but a son.
2. Your standing with God. Declared righteous.
3. Your start in this new life. "I" CRUCIFIED.
4. Your resources. The in-dwelling Christ. Christ in you, the hope of Glory.
5. Your relationship among others. You are free and bear the marks of the redeemed.
6. Your supreme occupation is to reproduce Christ.
Grace Is God's Warranty For Your Life.
Saved By Grace - Kept By Grace - Justified By Grace - Sanctified By Grace Standing In Grace - Walking In Grace - Growing In Grace- Experiencing The Riches Of Grace Receiving More Grace - Grace Is Abounding Towards Us
His Grace Is Sufficient Or More Than Enough
God Has An Ongoing Program Of Grace!
Seven Steps Important Steps To Living The Life Of Grace
1. Know that you have died.
2. Know that Christ lives in you;
3. Take yourself out of the way. Have no confidence in the flesh.
4. Live totally dependant on His faithfulness.
5. Be Christ-conscience and not self-conscience.
6. Repudiate every claim of the world.
7. Keep a clear channel of fellowship with Christ.
WHO AM I IN CHRIST?
"Christ in you the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27
The Word Of God Says...
I am...
1. God's child for I am born of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God. I Peter 1:23
2. Forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood. Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:14, Colossians 1:14
3. A new creation. 2 Corinthians 5: 17
4. The temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19
5. Delivered from the power of darkness. Colossians 1: 13 6. Redeemed form the curse of the law. 1 Peter 1:18-19
7. Blessed. Galatians 3:9
8. A saint. Romans 1:7
9. Holy and without blame. 1 Peter 1: 16, Ephesians 1:4
10. Elect. Colossians 3:12
11. Established to the end. 1 Corinthians 1: 8
12. Brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 13.Victorious. Revelation 21:7
14. Set free. John 8:31-33
15. Strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10
16. Dead to sin. Romans 6:2-11
17. More than a conqueror. Romans 8:37
18. Joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17
19. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13 20. In Christ Jesus by His doing. 1 Corinthians 1 :30
21. Accepted as the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
22. Complete in Him. Colossians 2: 10
23. Crucified with Christ. Galatians 2:20
24.Alive with Christ. Ephesians 2:5
25. Free from condemnation. Romans 8:1
26. Reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-
27. Qualified to share in His inheritance. Colossians 1:12
28. Firmly rooted, built up and established in the faith. Colossians. Colossians 2:7
29. A fellow citizen with the saints and of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19
30. Built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. Ephesians 2;20
31.The light of the world. Matthew 5:14
32. The salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
33. The righteousness of God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5 :21
34. A partaker of His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4
35. Called of God. 2 Timothy 1:9
36. The first fruits among His creation. James 1: 18
37. Chosen. 1 Peter 2:9
38. An ambassador for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20
39. God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10
40. Healed by the stripes of Jesus. 1 Peter 2:24
41. Being changed into His image. 2 Corinthians 3: 18, Philippians
1:6
42. Raised up in Christ and made to sit in heavenly places. Colossians 2: 12, Ephesians 2:6
43. Beloved of God. Colossians 3:12, Romans 1:7 44. One in Christ. John 17:21-23
I HAVE:
1. The mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5
2. Obtained an inheritance. Ephesians 1: 11
3. Access by the Spirit unto the Father. Hebrews 4: 16, Ephesians 2: 18
4. Overcome the world. 1 John 5:4
5. Everlasting life and will not be condemned. John 6:47
6. The peace of God which passes understanding. Philippians 4:7
7. Received power, the power of the Holy Spirit. Power to lay hands on the sick and see them recover; Power to cast out demons; Power overall my enemies. Mark 16:17-18. Luke 10:17-19
I LIVE:
By the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Roman 8:2
I WALK:
In Christ Jesus. Colossians 2:6
I CAN:
Do all things in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 13
I SHALL:
Do even greater works than even Christ Jesus through His power. John 14: 12
I POSSESS:
In me the one who is greater than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
I PRESS:
Toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God. Philippians 3:14
Chapter 7 A Victorious Life
THE LIFE OF FAITH
Hebrews 1:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith Is The Substance
1. The Word "Substance" means "a standing under".
2. This was used in reference to standing under a claim.
3. Faith in God's Word is the claim we stand under.
4. Faith then is the title deed to things hoped for.
Faith Is The Evidence
1. We have more of a problem here than with the title claim.
2. We look to our circumstances for evidence that rather than looking to our faith.
3. The fact that I believe the Word of God should be evidence enough.
Hope And Faith
1. We set our hearts on a hope.
2. The hope of our hearts should be the highest will of the Father for our lives.
3. Faith is the engine that brings our hope into existence. 4. You cannot just hope it happens. You must believe it!
Principles Of Faith
1. It Is Important To Speak The Word Of God.
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
2. Have Faith In The Face Of Delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
3. Wise Words Bring Health.
Proverbs 16:23-24 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. but the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
4. Don't Be Hypocritical In Your Confession Of Faith.
Matthew 15:7-9 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
5. The Name Of Jesus Is Faith's Complete Authority.
Acts 3:6 “Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
6. Be Steadfast In Your Confession.
Hebrews 11: 13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[a] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
7. Faith Always Exalts The Lordship Of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
8. Stand Your Ground – Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
10. When All Else Fails There Is Always Trust
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE PURPOSE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a complete immersion of the believer in the Holy Spirit. This Baptism grants us an entrance into the realm of spiritual power from on high.
A. TO BE A WITNESS
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. "
B. FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"
Galatians 5:23 "gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
Galatians 5:24 "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. "
Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
C. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 12:4 "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."
1 Corinthians 12:5 'There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord."
1 Corinthians 12:6 "And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. "
1 Corinthians 12:7 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all"
1 Corinthians 12:8 "for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit"
1 Corinthians 12:9 "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit"
1 Corinthians 12:10 "to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. "
1 Corinthians 12:11 "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. "
a) Revelation Gifts
Word of Wisdom Word of Knowledge Discerning of Spirits
b) Spoken Gifts
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy
c) Power Gifts
Faith Healings Miracles
EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. SPOKE IN TONGUES
Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
Acts 10:44 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word."
Acts 10:45 "And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also."
Acts 10:46 "For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. "
Acts 19:4 "Then Paul said, John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
Acts 19:5 "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. "
Acts 19:6 "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. "
B. DEMONSTRATION OF POWER & BOLDNESS
Acts 8:14 "Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them"
Acts 8:15 "who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. "
Acts 8:16 "For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 8:17 "Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. "
Acts 8:18 "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money"
Acts 8:19 "saying, give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”
ADVANTAGES OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. PRAYING
1 Corinthians 14:14 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful."
1 Corinthians 14:15 "What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Romans 8:27 "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. "
B. UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written: eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1 Corinthians 2: 1 0 "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. "
1 Corinthians 2:11 "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. "
1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."
C. EDIFICATION
Jude 1:20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit"
Jude 1:21 "keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. "
1 Corinthians 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."
D. EFFECTIVE WITNESS
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
HOW DOES THE BELIEVER RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. SOVEREIGN ACT OF GOD
Acts 2:2 "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. "
Acts 2:3 "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. "
Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
Acts 10:44 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word."
Acts 10:45 'And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also."
Acts 10:46 "For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. "
B. LAYING ON OF HANDS
Acts 8:14 "Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them"
Acts 8:15 "who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8: 16 "For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 8:17 "Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. "
Acts 8: 18 "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money"
Acts 8:19 "saying, give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Releasing God's Potential Within You
1. God has already placed His Spirit within you.
2. We should release the Holy Spirit within us and allow Him to fill our lives.
3. Walking in the Spirit is simply allowing the Spirit to fill up your life.
What must I do to receive God's promise?
1. Confess your sin. You must be emptied first before you can be filled.
2. Desire and seek. "God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. "
3. Unreservedly yield yourself to God. More intimacy will make you less inhibited with God.
4. Receive this gift through simple faith. You do not have to earn it. You are qualified!
Learn To Walk In A Place Of Continual Filling.
1. Stay hooked to the pump!
2. The church was filled in Acts 2 and filled again in Acts 4. 3. We need constant renewal in our walk.
Anointed For Service
1. Without the Spirit we do not have life and we therefore cannot serve.
2. Jesus was anointed for His ministry. 3. We need the power of God!
4. God gave us the Gift of His Spirit for a reason. Not just to make us feel good.
Chapter 9 THE CHURCH
Ephesians 1 :22-23 "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through His Spirit. The Church consists of a group of born again believers meeting together to worship God, to be trained in the ways of God's kingdom, and to minister the Gospel to the world.
Called Out Ones
1. The Greek word for church is ekkleosia (ek-klay-see'-ah). a) A calling out
b) Meeting
c) Congregation
Ephesians 1 :22 "Ana He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church"
Ephesians 1 :23 "which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. "
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"
1 Peter 2:10 "who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. "
B. THE CHURCH IS NOT A PHYSICAL BUILDING - IT IS A BODY
1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. "
Ephesians 2:19 "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God"
Ephesians 2:20 "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone"
Ephesians 2:21 "in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord"
Ephesians 2:22 "in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."
C. THE CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION OR SECT
There is no scripture authorizing the present divisions in Christianity. The New Testament Church is not to be divided. The Church has the responsibility of reaching every society, every nation, every language, and every person.
Ephesians 4:4 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling"
Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" Ephesians 4:6 "one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
1 Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
1 Corinthians 12:14 "For in fact the body is not one member but many."
1 Corinthians 12:15 "If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?"
1 Corinthians 12:16 "And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?"
1 Corinthians 12:17 "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?"
1 Corinthians 12:18 "But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. "
1 Corinthians 12:19 "And if they were all one member, where would the body be?"
1 Corinthians 12:20 "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. "
1 Corinthians 12:21 "And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. "
1 Corinthians 12:22 "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary."
1 Corinthians 12:23 "And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty"
1 Corinthians 12:24 "but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it"
1 Corinthians 12:25 "that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. "
1 Corinthians 12:26 "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
THE LOCAL CHURCH
A. THE PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
1. A Local Assembly of Believers Gathered for the Purpose of a) Praise and Worship
b) Prayer
c) The Word
d) Fellowship e) Evangelism
Acts 2:40 "And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, be saved from this perverse generation. "
Acts 2:41 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. "
Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Acts 2:43 "Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. "
Acts 2:44 "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common"
Acts 2:45 "and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."
Acts 2:46 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart"
Acts 2:47 "praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. "
1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. "
B. THE MISSION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
1. To Proclaim and Demonstrate the Message and the Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ
Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Matthew 28: 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and 10, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. " Amen.
Mark 16: 15 "And He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "
Mark 16: 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues"
Mark 16:18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
C. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS A PLACE OF EQUIPPING AND TRAINING
Ephesians 4: 11 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers"
Ephesians 4:12 "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
Ephesians 4: 13 "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"
Ephesians 4:14 "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting"
Ephesians 4:15 "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - "
Ephesians 4: 16 "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. "
D. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS TO BE A PLACE OF EDIFICATION AND COMFORT
1 Thessalonians 5: 11 "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
E. THE SCRIPTURES COMMAND THE LOCAL CHURCH TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER
Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works"
Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. "
THE GOVERNING OF THE CHURCH
A. Government Is Necessary To Provide Order And Maintain Peace
1 Corinthians 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order." Order is not to restrict, but to orchestrate.
B. Christ Is The Head Of The Church
Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."
Colossians 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
Colossians 2:19 'And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God."
1 Peter 2:25 "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer (Bishop) of your souls. "
C. Leadership In The Local Church
1. Elder, Shepherd (Pastor), Bishop (Overseer)
1 Peter 5:1 "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed"
1 Peter 5:2 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly"
1 Peter 5:3 "nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock"
1 Peter 5:4 "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
1 Timothy 3: 1 "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work."
1 Timothy 3:2 '~bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"
1 Timothy 3:3 "not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous"
1 Timothy 3:4 "one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence"
1 Timothy 3:5 "(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)"
1 Timothy 3:6 "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. "
1 Timothy 3:7 "Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
Titus 1:5 "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you."
Titus 1:6 'An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient."
Titus 1:7 "Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. "
Titus 1:8 "Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. "
Titus 1:9 "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. "
2. Deacons, Bishops And Elders
Acts 6:1 "Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. "
Acts 6:2 "Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, it is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables."
Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business"
Acts 6:4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
1 Timothy 3:1-7 “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money”
1 Timothy 3:8 "Likewise deacons (servants) must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money"
1 Timothy 3:9 "holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. "
1 Timothy 3:10 "But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. "
1 Timothy 3:11 "Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. "
1 Timothy 3: 12 "Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. "
1 Timothy 3:13 "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 3:1-7 “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money”
Titus 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.”
D. Other Offices Within The Local Church
1 Corinthians 12:28 "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. "
1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV) "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues."
2. Ephesians 4: 11 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. "
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Chapter 10 The Return Of Christ
THE BLESSED HOPE – THE RAPTURE
1. Caught Up!
Acts 1: 10 "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them."
Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
1 Corinthians 15:20 "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."
1 Corinthians 15:21 "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. "
1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. "
1 Corinthians 15:23 "But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming."
1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. "
1 Corinthians 15:25 "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. "
1 Corinthians 15:26 "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death."
2. We Shall Be Changed
1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption."
1 Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - "
1 Corinthians 15:52 "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
1 Corinthians 15:53 "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. "
1 Corinthians 15:54 "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Corinthians 15:55 "0 Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?"
1 Corinthians 15:56 "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law."
Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. We Shall Always Be With the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope."
1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. "
1 Thessalonians 4:15 "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. "
1 Thessalonians 4: 16 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in
1 Thessalonians 4: 17 "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4: 18 "Therefore comfort one another with these words."