Answering Doctrinal Questions (Part 4)

Stan Crowley

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Pet 3:15 NKJV)

No. Jesus, Peter, and Paul said that we cannot know when Christ will return.

(Mat 24:42 NKJV) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

(2 Pet 3:10 NKJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, …

(1 Th 5:2 NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

9. Can we look at Scriptures or the “signs of the times” and determine when Christ will return?

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Many misunderstand Matthew 24 to give forewarning signs of His return.

(Mat 24:1 NKJV) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

(Mat 24:2 NKJV) And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

(Mat 24:3 NKJV) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

9. Can we look at Scriptures or the “signs of the times” and determine when Christ will return?

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Warning of destruction of Jerusalem (“days”)

(Mat 24:34 NKJV) … this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

All were fulfilled before 70 A.D. Wars and rumors of wars Famines and earthquakes Jerusalem surrounded by armies Great tribulation/Days of vengeance Lightning, carcasses, and eagles Signs in the heavens and on earth

9. Can we look at Scriptures or the “signs of the times” and determine when Christ will return?

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Typical of prophetic language about great military battles: HEAVENS BEING SHAKEN and

DARKENED depicts the struggles of the nations and the fall of the great military and political powers.

Signs in the heavens and on earth

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Typical of prophetic language about great military battles:(Isa 13:10 NKJV) For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.(Isa 13:13 NKJV) Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place …

Signs in the heavens and on earth

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Typical of prophetic language about great military battles:

(Jer 4:23 NKJV) I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light. (Ezek 32:7 NKJV) … I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, And the moon shall not give her light.

Signs in the heavens and on earth

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Typical of prophetic language about God coming in judgment:

CLOUDS signify the coming of the Lord in judgment against His own nation.

Signs in the heavens and on earth

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Typical of prophetic language about God coming in judgment:(Isa 19:1 NKJV) … Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.(Jer 4:13 NKJV) “Behold, he shall come up like clouds, And his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are plundered!”

Signs in the heavens and on earth

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Compare this language with Matt. 24:(Mat 24:29 NKJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.(Mat 24:30 NKJV) "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Signs in the heavens and on earth

Warning of destruction of Jerusalem (“days”)

(Mat 24:34 NKJV) … this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

All were fulfilled before 70 A.D. Wars and rumors of wars Famines and earthquakes Jerusalem surrounded by armies Great tribulation/Days of vengeance Lightning, carcasses, and eagles Signs in the heavens and on earth

Return of Christ: (Mat 24:36 NKJV) "But of that day and hour no one knows, …

9. Can we look at Scriptures or the “signs of the times” and determine when Christ will return?

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No. One cannot be “faithful” without being

obedient.(1 John 3:24 NKJV) Now he who keeps His

commandments abides in Him, and He in him.(Luke 6:46 NKJV) "But why do you call Me 'Lord,

Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Jesus commanded baptism for His

followers.(Mat 28:19 NKJV) "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,

10. Can a person be a faithful Christian without being a member of Christ’s church?

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No. Matt. 28:19 teaches that one becomes a

Christian by the action of baptism (Ques. 1). Baptism is also the action that puts one

“into Christ” (Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27), which is the one body/church that He saves (Eph. 1:22-23).

It is baptism that causes one to be added to the church (Acts 2:41).

Therefore it is by the same action that one becomes [1] a Christian and [2] a member of Christ’s church.

10. Can a person be a faithful Christian without being a member of Christ’s church?

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No. The Scriptures teach that baptism is

essential for remission of sins(Acts 2:38 NKJV) …"Repent, and let every one of

you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; …

This is the same phrase (English and Greek) as in Matt. 26:28.

(Mat 26:28 NKJV) "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Both are necessary to have remission of sins.

11. Can one be saved without being baptized for the remission of sins?

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No. The Scriptures teach that baptism is

essential to be saved.(1 Pet 3:21 KJV) … baptism doth also now save us

… The Scriptures teach that baptism

washes away sins.(Acts 22:16 NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting?

Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, …

11. Can one be saved without being baptized for the remission of sins?

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11. Can one be saved without being baptized for the remission of sins?

No. Baptism puts one “into” Christ.(Rom 6:3 NKJV) … baptized into Christ Jesus …(Gal 3:27 NKJV) … baptized into Christ …

“In Christ” is the only place of salvation.(2 Tim 2:10 NKJV) … the salvation which is in

Christ Jesus …

(Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

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