The Bible

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The Bible“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitablefor teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, a collection of 66 books (39 in the OT and 27 in the New Testament).

The Bible was written by over 40 different authors, from about 1500 B.C. to about A.D. 90, on three continents, and in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

The Old Testament is a history of God’s people and deals with the origins of mankind in the book of Genesis, their deliverance from captivity in the book of Exodus, and the Law requirements.

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The Bible4. The first five books of the Old Testament are

known as the Pentateuch. 5. The New Testament was written from around 40 A.D. to 90

A.D.

Chapters in O.T. – 929; N.T. – 260; Verses in O.T. - 33,214; N.T. - 7,959; Total number of verses - 41,173; Words in the O.T. 593,393; Words in N.T - 181,253; Total number of words - 774,746; The shortest chapter is Psalm 117; The Longest is Psalm 119; Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except “j.” Esther 8:9 is the longest verse. John 11:35 is the shortest verse.


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The Bible

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The Protestant Christian CanonOld Testament New Testament

Pentateuch - 5 booksGenesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Historical Books - 12 booksJoshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Poetical - 5 booksJob, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

Prophetical - 17 booksMajor Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

Minor Prophets - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Historical Books - 5 booksMatthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Pauline Epistles - 13 booksRomans, 1 Corinthians,2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Non-Pauline Epistles - 9 booksHebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation

Note: Some authors attribute Hebrews to Paul.

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The Bible

George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

John Quincy Adams: “So great is my veneration of the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.” Andrew Jackson: “That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.”

Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”


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The Bible - Inspiration and Inerrancy6. The word "inspiration" means "God breathed.”

Therefore, when we say that the Bible is inspired, we are saying that it is authored by God, that God moved through the personality and abilities of the Biblical writers in such a way that what they wrote was without error and was correct in all that they addressed.

7. Therefore, the Scriptures are the product of both men and God.

8. The process of inspiration was not a mechanical dictation during which the apostles heard a voice and wrote down what they heard. Nor does it mean they went into some sort of a trance and God wrote through them without their knowledge.


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The Bible - Inspiration and Inerrancy9. Instead, the writers were free to write what

they wanted as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In fact, the writings reflect the personalities and styles of the various writers. Yet, these personalities and styles did not degrade the quality or authority of the Biblical writing.

10. The Christian Church, through its councils in the first few centuries, did not determine what the inspired Scriptures were. They recognized what they were.

The authority to recognize scripture comes from God, not from any church authority. Christian hear the voice of Christ (John 10:27) and recognize his word. The Church didnot give us the Bible. God gave us the Bible. The Church recognized God’s word.


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11. Inerrancy means the Bible is without error in the original documents, and that everything it addresses is without error in fact and understanding. The Bible is not a scientific book, but what it says scientifically, is accurate: The spherical shape of the earth - (Isaiah 40:22) The earth is suspended on nothing - (Job. 26:7) The stars are innumerable - (Gen. 15:5) The existence of valleys in the seas - (2 Sam. 22:16) The existence of springs and fountains in the sea - (Gen. 7:11; Prov. 8:28) The existence of water paths (ocean currents) in the seas - (Psalm 8:8) The water cycle - (Job. 26:8; 36:27-28; 37:16; Ps. 135:7; Ecc. 1:6-7) The fact that all living things reproduce after their own kind - (Gen. 1:21;

6:19) The nature of health, sanitation, and sickness - (Gen. 17:9-14; Lev. 12-14) The concept of entropy, that energy is running down - (Psalm 102:26)

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The Bible - Inspiration and Inerrancy

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"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it," (Isaiah 55:11).

12. Authority basically means, "The power and right to enforce something." The Christian has the authority to be a child of God (John 1:12). Jesus has authority to judge (John 5: 26). Furthermore, in regard to the Bible, this authority is the right to declare what is true and what is not true. This means that the Bible carries the God-ordained and God-derived power of proclaiming who God is, who and what He is not, who Jesus is, what He did on the cross, and what is required of us in order to be forgiven of our sins.


The Bible - Authority

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13. The authority of Scripture is not derived by its relationship to the Christian Church; that is, the Church does not grant authority to the Bible.

14. Neither is Biblical authority derived by a consensus whereby Christians agree that it has authority and then choose to submit to it.

15. Instead, the authority of Scripture is derived by the virtue of it being authored and inspired of God, and it has authority over everyone, whether they are Christian or not.

16. Though not everyone submits to God's Word now, they will later when the truths of God's Word are made evident on the Day of Judgment. Because the Bible comes from God, everything it says is true and authoritative, and will come to pass.



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17. This means that the Bible has authority over all areas of the Christian's life.

18. When you speak God's Word, you are speaking authoritatively - so be careful what you say unless you misrepresent God.

You need to study the Word, memorize Scripture,and quote it to people when appropriate.

19. The Word of God is powerful, and it must be used during the establishment and defense of the faith. Therefore, when speaking forth the truth of God's Word, be confident that it has the authority to accomplish what God wants it to (Isaiah 55:11).



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20. Because we are sinners, we are incapable of interpreting God’s Word perfectly all of the time. The body, mind, will, and emotions are all affected by sin and this makes 100%

interpretive accuracy impossible. However, this

does not mean that accurate understanding of God’s Word is unreachable. But it

does mean that we need to approach His Word with care, humility, prayer, and reason.


Interpreting the Bible

One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind,” (Rom. 14:5).

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21. Following are generally accepted principles of Biblical interpretation. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself when studying the Bible: Who wrote/spoke the passage and to whom was it addressed? What does the passage say? Are there any words or phrases in the passage that need to be

examined? What is the immediate context? What is the broader context in the chapter and book? What are the related verses to the passage’s subject and how do they

affect the understanding of this passage? What is the historical and cultural background? What do I conclude about the passage? Do my conclusions agree or disagree with related areas of Scripture

and with others who have studied the passage? What have I learned and what must I apply to my life?


Interpreting the Bible

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Views on God: Atheism"The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,'" (Psalm 14:1).

22. Atheism is a denial of God and atheists offerdifferent definitions for what it is. "An atheist is someone who believes/knows there is no

god." "An atheist lacks belief in a god." "An atheist exercises no faith in the concept of god at all." "An atheist is someone who is a free-thinker, free from

religion and its ideas." A strong atheist believes there is no God. A weak atheist does not know if God exists or not.


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Views on God: Deism

23. A deist is someone who believes that God exists, but that He is not involved in the world. He is somewhat like a watchmaker who makes a watch, winds it up, and lets it run on its own, with no further intervention. In deism, God made the universe, "wound it up," and is letting it run. He is not involved in the affairs of the universe,or of men.


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Views on God: Theism24. Theism is the position that maintains there is a God who is

distinct from the world/universe, that He created the universe, and that He is involved in the world. Therefore, theism includes Christianity as well as cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Islam.


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Views on God: Polytheism25. Polytheism is the view that there are many gods in existence.

Groups that hold to this view are Mormonism, Hinduism, and Wicca.


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Views on God: Monotheism26. Monotheism is the view that there is only one God in all

existence. Groups that hold to this view are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.


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God – knowability of"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, whatwe beheld and our hands handled, concerningthe Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us," (1 John 1:1-2).

27. General Revelation is where God has madehimself known through creation.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse,” (Rom. 1:18).

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God – knowability of27. The Bible tells us that even those without the Bible

can know a little about God. They can learn that God is powerful, wise, and vast, by looking at creation. But, this does not mean they can figure out that God is a Trinity, or that Jesus is God in flesh, or that they need an atonement to escape God's judgment.


Time Space Matter

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God – Special Revelation29. Special revelation is another term for the Bible.

It is called “special” because it is God’s direct written communication to us.

30. The Scriptures clearly teach us that God is the Almighty (Job 11:7), who is incomprehensible (Psalm 145:3), infinite (Psalm 147:5), and wholly "other." Yet, the Bible also tells us that God is knowable (John 17:3; Gal. 4:8-9). This means that though we cannot know Him exhaustively, we can know Him at a level we can comprehend, even if it is limited to our finite abilities.


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God – Special Revelation We can know that God is love (1 John 4:8). We can know that God loves us (John 3:16). We can know that God is spirit (John 4:24). We can know that God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). We can know that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). We can know that God knows all things (1 John 3:20). We can know that God is moral since he gave us the

Ten Commandments (Exodus 20).


TAKE

NOTE

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God – Special Revelation31. The Bible is the Special Revelation of God to

us so that we might know his will more accurately.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me,’” (John 14:6).

It is special revelation that informs us of the person of Jesus, God’s communication to us in human form by which he died on the cross and rosefrom the dead.


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Immutability of God32. God is immutable. This means that God is unchangeable. He

is always the same. He does not grow in wisdom, knowledge, scope, or power. He is eternally the same, eternally perfect.“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of

Jacob, are not consumed," (Mal. 3:6). "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from

above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow," (James 1:17).

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever," (Heb. 13:8).


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Immutability of God33. God does not change in his nature. He is always God (Psalm

90:2). Because God does not change, and because He knows all things from all eternity, you can rest in the knowledge that His plans for you are perfect. From all eternity His knowledge has been perfect, and when He created the universe and put you in it, He did so with a plan and a purpose. He is not surprised by your choices, nor is He going to give up on you because of your sin. He has loved you forever, in an unchanging and perfect way.


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God – Holiness34. Holiness in character is the possession of God alone. It is the

unchanging purity and perfection of His wondrous character. His character is perfect in morality, essence, and purity.

35. God cannot sin. 36. God alone is worthy of worship, honor, and glory.

He cannot be anything other than pure and perfect in all His ways.

37. God cannot improve or diminish in moral quality and purity.


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God – Nature of 38. When we speak of the nature of something, we're speaking

of its essence. So, when we are speaking of the nature of God, we are speaking about what God is in his innermost being.

39. Unfortunately, when speaking about God and his nature, we must use anthropomorphic terms. In other words, we must use human terms to describe God.


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God – Nature of Nature God Does Not Change - Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6; James

1:17 God is Without Limit - 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23-24 God is Eternal - Psalm 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17 God is One - Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4 God is Trinitarian - Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14 God is Invisible - 1 Tim. 1:17 God is Truth - Psalm 117:2; Jer. 10:10 God is Light - 1 John 1:5 God is Infinite - Jer. 23:24; Psalm 147:5 God is Perfect - 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139


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God – Nature of Attributes

God is Love - 1 John 4:8,16 God is Merciful - Exodus 34:6; Psalm 67:1; James 5:11 God is Forgiving - Dan. 9:9; Eph. 1:7; Psalm 86:5 God is All-Knowing - 1 John 3:20 God is Everywhere - Psalm 139:7-12 God is All-Powerful - Jer. 32:17,27 God is Incomprehensible - Rom. 11:33; Psalm 145:3 God is Most Wise - Rom. 16:27; Jude 25 God is Most Holy - Isaiah 6:3; Rev. 4:8 God is Most Free - Psalm 115:3 God is Most Absolute - Isaiah 44:6; Acts 17:24-25 God is The Creator - Isaiah 40:12,22,26


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Omniscience"...for God is greater than our heart, and knows all things,” (1 John 3:20).

40. Omniscience is that quality of knowing all things. There is nothing that God does not know whether it be actual or potential. This means that God knows everything that does exist as well as could exist.


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Omnipresence41. Omnipresence is that quality of being everywhere. 42. God's presence is in the entire universe, in all places, in all

time, in all dimensions."Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 even there your hand will lead me and your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,' 12

Even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you," (Psalm 139:7-12).


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Omnipotence“Ah Lord God! Behold, you made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You...27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me?” (Jer. 32:17, 27 ).

43. God is able, because of his infinite power, to accomplish anything he desires.

44. God will not desire to do anything contrary to his nature nor can God accomplish the logically impossible such as make a round square, or not be what he is. Therefore, God is all-powerful, and can do whatever he desires to do.

Notice the trinity of omni’s: Knows all, is everywhere, is all powerful. God cannot not know something

God is everywhere in the universe God can do anything he desires.


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God – Trinity45. The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian

doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

46. The Father is not the same person as the Son who is not the same person as the Holy Spirit. Yet, there are not three gods, but only one.

47. If you remember an earlier lesson about God being revealed in nature, we can find an analogy to use to describe the Trinity.


Time Space Matter

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God – Trinity, continued48. Let’s take a look at time. Time consists of three “parts”: past,

present, and future. Each part shares the same nature of being time. Yet, the past is not the same as the present which is not the same as the future. However, there are not three times, but one thing we call time that encompasses three parts: past, present, and future.

49. Likewise the Trinity is one God with three "parts", the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each shares the same essence of being divine, yet there are not three gods, but one.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all,” (2 Cor. 13:14).


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God – Trinity, continued50. So when developing the doctrine of the

Trinity, we first understand that the Bible teaches there is only one God in all existence. I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there

is no God," (Isaiah 45:5). “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel And his

Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides me,'" (Isaiah 44:6).

"I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no God," (Isaiah 55:5).


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God – Trinity, continued51. Once we see there is only one God, we then see what the

Scripture says about the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.


FATHER SON HOLY SPIRIT

Called God Phil. 1:2 John 1:1,14 Acts 5:3-4

Speaks Matt. 3:17 Luke 5:20 Acts 8:29

A Will Luke 22:42 Luke 22:42 1 Cor. 12:11

Love John 3:16 Eph. 5:25 Rom. 15:30

Everywhere 1 Kings 8:27 Matt. 28:20 Psalm 139:7-10

All knowing 1 John 3:20 John 16:30 1 Cor. 2:10-11

Creator Isaiah 64:8 Col. 1:15-17 Job 33:4,26:13

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God – Trinity, continued52. Theologians have designated the encompassing of these

attributes in the term "person". As you can see, each of the persons is called God, speaks, as a will, loves, is everywhere, is all-knowing, etc.

53. In the context of the Trinity, the word person does not designate a being the way we would speak of a person who might speak to on the street. Theologians use the term to designate the three "parts" each of which is self-aware, aware of others, his divine, speaks, etc.

54. Therefore, the Trinity is arrived at by using Scripture and logic. If there is only one God, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each called God, then we have one God in three persons.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," (Matt. 28:19).


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Jesus"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of me," (John 5:39).

55. Jesus is who the Bible is about. He is the most important figure in human history.

56. Jesus claimed to be God in flesh. He said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58). He was referencing Exodus 3:14 when Moses asked God what was his name and God answered, “I am that I am am.” Jesus is called the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3). And when he was called God by Thomas (John 20:28), Jesus did not deny it.


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Jesus Jesus is the Creator of all things (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17) Jesus is the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) Jesus is the King (Matt. 2:1-6; Luke 23:3) Jesus is the Light of the world (Rom. 9:5) Jesus is the Savior (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)


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Jesus57. It is Jesus who died for us (1 Thess. 5:10), and rose again in

the same body he died in (John 2:19-21; 1 Thess. 4:14). It is Jesus who reveals grace and truth (John 1:17; John 6:45), who reveals the Father (Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22), who cleanses us from our sins (1 John 1:9), is worshipped, (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6), gives eternal life (John 10:28; 5:40), and who alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).


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The Hypostatic Union58. The hypostatic Union is the theological term used to describe

the two natures of Jesus existing in one person. So, in the one person of Jesus there are two distinct natures: God and Man.

59. Because Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, he was made under the law. This was so he might fulfill the law of God perfectly. After all, only God could live his law perfectly and not sin.


GOD MANHe is worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33). He worshiped the Father (John 17).

He was called God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8) He was called man (Mark 15:39; John 19:5).

He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1) He was called Son of Man (John 9:35-37)

He is prayed to (Acts 7:59). He prayed to the Father (John 17).

He gives eternal life (John 10:28). He died (Rom. 5:8).

All the fullness of deity dwells in Him (Col. 2:9).

He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

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The Hypostatic Union"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (Gal. 4:4).

59. Because Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, he was made under the law. This was so he might fulfill the law of God perfectly. After all, only God could live his law perfectly and not sin. 1 Pet. 2:22 when referring to Jesus says, “…who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth.”


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Purpose of the incarnation60. The purpose of the Incarnation is multifaceted. Of course, its

primary purpose was to provide an atoning sacrifice, by which we might be saved from the righteous judgment of God.

61. Without the shed blood of Christ, there is no hope for anyone to be forgiven of his orher sins (Heb. 9:22). This is perhaps the greatest purpose of the incarnation. Butforgiveness of sins isn’t the only reason Jesus became a man. reasons.


Purpose of the incarnation

. . . explain the Father (John 1:18) . . . render the devil powerless (Heb. 2:14) . . . serve (Matt. 20:28) . . . preach the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43) . . . bring division (Luke 12:51) . . . do the will of the Father (John 6:38) . . . give the Father's words (John 17:8) . . . testify to the truth (John 18:37) . . . destroy Satan's power (Heb. 2:14) . . . fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17) . . . give life (John 10:10,28) . . . taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9) . . . proclaim freedom for believers (Luke 4:18).


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Jesus – as mediator"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Tim. 2:5).

62. A mediator is a go-between, someone who intervenes on behalf of two parties. A Jesus is our mediator by virtue of his being God in flesh and fulfilling the law perfectly. This means that our prayers to God can be heard through the mediation of Christ. Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant.

"And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance,” (Heb. 9:15).


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Jesus – as mediator63. In the New Covenant, Jesus has provided a new

arrangement between God and people in which the Law of God is written on our hearts instead of tablets of stone, (Jeremiah 31:31-33).

“Mr. Daniel Webster, can you comprehend how Christ could be both God, and man? Mr. Webster promptly replied, “No, sir, I cannot comprehend it. If I could comprehend Him, He would be no greater than me. I feel that I need a super-human Savior.”


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Jesus’ death64. The death of Jesus Christ is the single most important

event in the history of the entire universe. The reasonthe crucifixion is so important is because of who was crucified -- not because of the objects for whom the crucifixion was intended. The value of the Cross is found in the One who was crucified there, not for whom He died.

65. The death of Jesus is the death of the Man Who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). The death of Christ is the event wherein God allowed Himself to succumb to the sinfulness of man, that He might redeem man. The death of Christ is the event in which God became weak, so that we might become strong. The death of

Christ is the event in which God suffered, so that we will not. Because it is God who died on the Cross, His death is

of infinite value. Because His death is of infinite value, it is

sufficient to cleanse us all of our sins (1 John 1:7). Page 23 of manual, paragraphs 64-65

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Jesus’ death66. Furthermore, the death of Christ was a condemnation of the

idea that we can earn our place with God.Our righteous deeds are filthy rags before God (Isa. 64:6) and because we are affectedby sin in all that we are, we are unable to keep the Law perfectly. For this reason, righteousness does not come by the Law. If it did, then Jesus died needlessly: "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness

comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly," (Gal. 2:21). Since He did

need to die, then we cannot be made right

before God by what we do, and we must rely on

what God does. Page 23 of manual, paragraph 66

“When Jesus became sin for us, our sins were laid upon Him as He bore them in His body on the Cross (1 Pet. 2:24). When He died, those sins died with Him.”

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67. The death of Jesus on the Cross is what cleanses us from our sins. Our sins were imputed to Christ which means they were reckoned to his account. That is, they became His, and thus He became sin: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him," (Gal. 5:21). When Jesus became sin for us, our sins were laid upon Him as He bore them in His body on the Cross (1 Pet. 2:24). When He died, those sins died with Him. Since the Bible tells us that sins are cleansed by blood (Heb. 9:22), the shed blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sins: "but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin," (1 John 1:7).

What Did Jesus' Death on the Cross Accomplish?


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Therefore, the death of Jesus on the Cross removedour sin, made us right before God, saved us from thewrath of God, and guaranteed that we will forever be with the Lord.

I counted dollars while God counted crosses. I counted gains while He counted losses! I counted my worth by the things gained in store. But He sized me up by the scars that I bore. I coveted honors and sought for degrees;He wept as He counted the hours on my knees. And I never knew ’til one day at a grave, How vain are these things that we spend life to save!

What Did Jesus' Death on the Cross Accomplish?


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Jesus’ Resurrection68. The resurrection of Jesus is an essential

doctrine in Christianity. If Jesus is not raised from the dead, then we are dead in our sins. 1 Cor. 15:14 says, "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." Without the resurrection, we have no hope of being delivered from the jaws of eternal death. His resurrection was proof that his sacrifice was acceptable to God the Father.

69. Jesus rose from the dead, physically. We know this, because He prophesied He would rise physically. "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' 20The Jews therefore said, 'It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?' 21But He was speaking of the temple of His body," (John 2:19-21).


!

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Jesus’ Resurrection70. But, to make the point extra strong, let's

look at other verses that show His physical resurrection: "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me

and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have," (Luke 24:39).

"When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord," (John 20:19-20).


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Jesus’ Resurrection71. Jesus retained his crucifixion wounds. “He said to Thomas,

“Reach here your finger, and see my hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing,” (John 20:27). This is proof that He conquered death. Therefore, you can rest assured that you too will be raised from the dead. After all, Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, and you will follow Him, in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised, you will also be raised, and death will have no dominion over you.


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Jesus’ Resurrection72. Jesus rose in a glorified body. It was the same body he died in,

but it was glorified – just like the bodies we will have in the future resurrection.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…” (1 Cor. 15:42-44).


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Jesus is still a man73. Jesus rose from the dead in the same body in which He died,

but is Jesus a man, right now? The answer is yes, Jesus is a man, right now. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus stopped being a man. If anything, the New Testament speaks to the contrary: "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,"

(Col. 2:9). "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God

and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Tim. 2:5). 74. Since He is a man, He perpetually acts as our Mediator (1 Tim.

2:5) and High Priest (Heb. 6:20; 7:25) to the Father, eternally guaranteeing our presence with Him in a state of grace, forgiveness, and fellowship.


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Jesus is still a man

When that great Christian and scientist, Sir Michael Faraday, was dying, some journalists questioned him as to his speculations for a life after death. “Speculations!” said he, “I know nothing about speculations. I’m resting on certainties. “I know that my redeemer liveth,” and because He lives, I shall live also.”


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Jesus’ Three offices: Prophet

"I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him," (Deut. 18:18).

75. As a Prophet, Jesus brought the words of God to us. He not only carried out the Father's will, but He revealed the will and word of God to us, in His own flesh (John 1:14).


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Jesus’ Three offices: Prophet

76. In the Old Testament, prophets gave the word of God, and often performed miracles to validate their office. The same can be said of Jesus. He gave us the words of God, through Himself, and performed many miracles, by which His words were verified as being authoritative. As a prophet would reveal God, so too did Jesus reveal the Father (Matt. 11:27), because Jesus is the exact representation of Him (Heb. 1:3). Therefore, when we see Jesus, we are seeing the Father (John 14:9), not because Jesus is the Father, but because Jesus so perfectly represents Him.


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Jesus’ Three offices: Priest“Where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek," (Heb. 6:20).

77. In the Old Testament the priest mediated the sacrifices, whereby the people of Israel could be cleansed of their sins. Jesus is the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and he offered up Himself as the sacrifice. “

Jesus ...does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself," (Heb. 7:27).

"Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them," (Heb. 7:25).


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Jesus’ Three offices: Priest

78. We have a Priest who intercedes for us, forever. This means we always have an advocate before the Father, and will always be delivered from the righteous wrath of God. We will always dwell with God.


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Jesus’ Three offices: King "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey," (Zech. 9:9). "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him,” (Matthew 2:2).

79. A king rules over his people. Jesus, as King, has defeated the devil, who is our greatest enemy. He has also defeated death, and has delivered us from its dominion. Though death can still claim us, it cannot be victorious over us. Jesus has defeated death by His resurrection and is our King now. Remember, Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).


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Jesus’ Three offices: King80. His kingdom is presently the Christian Church over which He

rules. Later, at His return, the heavens will reveal His greatness, and all creation will be subjected to Him. He is the King, and He will claim His rightful and total rule over all things.

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. Jesus painted no pictures; yet, some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him. Jesus wrote no poetry; but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him. Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the hymns, symphonies, and oratories they composed in His praise. Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble Carpenter of Nazareth.


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The Holy Spirit81. The Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Trinity.

He is fully God. He is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, has a will, and can speak. He is alive. He is a Person, in the same way the Father and the Son are Persons. He is not a mere force, or inanimate presence.


His Names His Attributes Sins AgainstGod

Acts 5:3-4Eternal

Heb. 9:14BlasphemyMatt. 12:31

Lord2 Cor. 3:18

OmnipotentLuke 1:35

Resist (Unbelief)Acts 7:51

Spirit of God1 Cor. 3:16

Will1 Cor. 12:11

Lied toActs 5:3

Spirit of TruthJohn 15:26

LovesRom. 15:30

GrievedEph. 4:30

Eternal SpiritHeb. 9:14

SpeaksActs 8:29; 13:2

Quench1 Thess. 5:19

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The Holy Spirit, works of82. The Holy Spirit is not some idle presence of

God uninvolved in the creation, or mankind. The Holy Spirit is very active in the lives of believers. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, inform us, to convict us of our sin, and to strengthen us in our Christian walk.


Access to God – Eph. 2:18 Anoints for Service - Luke 4:18 Assures - Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6 Baptizes - John 1:32-34; 1 Cor.

12:13-14 Believers Born of - John 3:3-6 Cleanses - 2 Thess. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:2 Convicts of Sin - John 16:9,14 Creates - Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4

Empowers - 1 Thess. 1:5 Fills - Acts 2:4; 4:29-31; 5:18-20 Gives Gifts - 1 Cor. 12:8-11 Guides in Truth - John 16:13 Helps our Weakness - Rom. 8:26 Indwells Believers - Rom. 8:9-14;

Gal. 4:6 Inspires Prayer - Eph. 6:18; Jude

20

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The Holy Spirit, works of82. …continued


Intercedes - Rom. 8:26 Leads - Rom. 8:14 Molds Character - Gal. 5:22-23 Produces Fruit - Gal. 5:22-23 Empowers Believers - Luke 24:49 Raises from the Dead - Rom. 8:11 Regenerates - Titus 3:5 Sanctifies - Rom. 15:16

Seals - Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30 Strengthens - Eph. 3:16; Acts 1:8;

2:4 Teaches - John 14:26 Testifies of Jesus - John 15:26 Victory over flesh - Rom. 8:2-4;

Gal. 4:6

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Man – image of God83. Man is the only creature that is made

in the image of God. Adam had the breath of life breathed into him, whereas the animals did not (Gen. 2:7).

84. This means that man is like God in various ways. God can reason, as can we. God can love, hate, show kindness, be merciful, etc., and so can we.

85. The animals do not write poetry, contemplate the meaning of life, participate in political activities, develop orphanages, build hospitals, ponder the vastness of the universe, make moral choices, or attend schools.


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Man – image of God86. God is concerned with man. Man is the object of God's

creative and redemptive work. God loves us (John 3:16), provides for us (Matt. 5:43-47), and has provided redemption for us through His Son (John 3:16).

87. The image of God in man is the overall reflection of God's abilities and reason, emotion, morality, etc. In this, we reflect God; we are made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, this means that all people all over the world are also made in the image of God, and because they are, they are automatically worthy of respect and proper treatment, regardless of religion, color, sex, status, or age.


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Immortality of the soul"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord,” (2 Cor. 5:8).

When a person dies, does he or she cease to exist upon death, only to be resurrected at a later time, or does the soul continue after death, separate from the physical body?

88. The Scripture above tells us that when we die we go to be with the Lord. But, some say that we don’t go to be with him until after we are made alive again. Let’s take a look at a well-known story in the Bible that will clarify the issue.


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Immortality of the soul“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores…22The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire,” (Luke 16:19-20, 22-24).


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Immortality of the soul89. Jesus tells us in the story (not a parable since it has a named

person) about two people who both died and were conscious after death.

"But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake," (Phil. 1:23-24).

90. Of course, the implication here is that for Paul to leave his body (to die), is to go and be with Jesus. If the soul does not exist after death, then this would not make sense. So, it should be quite clear from Scripture that the soul continues after death.


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The Fall91. The Fall is that event in which Adam and Eve, the first

humans, freely chose to rebel against God, and thereby sinned. Because of their sin, Adam and Eve fell away from their original righteousness and communion with God.

92. The instigator of the Fall was Satan, in the form of the Serpent, who deceived Eve, and encouraged her to eat the

fruit that God had forbidden. In Gen. 2:16-17,

God said, "From any tree of the garden you may

eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” The serpent contradicted God's Word, and so deceived Eve:Page 35 of manual, paragraphs 91-92

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The Fall"Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’” 4 And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die!" (Gen. 3:1-4).


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The Fall93. Satan contradicted God's Word, and Eve believed

what Satan said. She then ate of the fruit and sinned. Adam followed in Eve's footsteps, freely choosing to rebel against God, and ate the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, from which God had commanded them not to eat.

94. One of the consequences of The Fall was that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. They were cast out of the presence of God, and were then destined to experience physical death. In addition, their natures were corrupted, and they became sinful in heart. In other words, sin then affected all of what they were in body, soul, mind, emotions, etc.

Page 35-36 of manual, paragraphs 93-94

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The Fall, continued

“What hath God wrought?” - First long-distance message by Morse telegraph. “Mr. Watson, come here, I want you.” - First intelligible words sent by telephone. “The Italian navigator has landed, and the natives are friendly.” - First message to the world that atomic energy was born. “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” - First words from Astronaut Neil Armstrong, as he stepped onto the moon’s surface. “Where art thou?” - First words spoken by God to Adam and Eve, after they had sinned (Genesis 3:9).

Page 36 of manual

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The Fall, man’s fallen natureWhen God first made Adam and Eve, they were pure and sinless. But, what happened to Adam and Eve when they sinned? How were they affected?

95. Because Adam and Eve rebelled against God, they became sinners. Their natures were affected by their sinfulness. They were subject to death, and they were cast out of the presence of the Lord.

96. Furthermore, as a result of their sin, we who are their offspring inherited their sinful natures. That is, we are born with fallen natures; the same fallen natures possessed by Adam and Eve. We call this, "Original Sin."


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The Fall, man’s fallen nature, 97. We are, by nature, worthy of damnation (Eph. 2:3), because we

are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). This does not mean that we are as sinful as we can be. It means that we are all touched by sin in all our being; body, soul, mind, emotions, etc.

98. Furthermore, we do not become sinners by sinning. We sin because it is our nature to sin - you don't have to teach a child to be selfish. there is nothing in us that merits or enables salvation. We are, therefore, born into a state of condemnation. "...and [we] were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest," (Eph. 2:3).


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The Fall, man’s fallen nature, 99. As a result of our sinful condition the Bible says that the

unbeliever is unable to understand God, seek God, or do any good thing. This is why we need the work of the Holy Spirit to convict sinners of their sins, and bring them to Christ. People cannot come to Christ on their own without the work of the Holy Spirit.


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The Fall, man’s fallen nature, God saved us not because of our ability or because of a good quality in us. He saved us because of his goodness and love.

"...both Jews and Greeks are all under sin as it is written, 'There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one,'" (Rom. 3:9-12). "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil," (John 3:19). "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised," (1 Cor. 2:14).


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The Fall, man’s fallen nature,

A flippant youth asked a preacher, “You say that unsaved people carry a weight of sin. I feel nothing. How heavy is sin? Is it ten pounds? Eighty pounds?” The preacher replied by asking the youth, “If you laid a four-hundred-pound weight on a corpse, would it feel the load?” The youth replied, “It would feel nothing, because it is dead.” The preacher concluded, “That spirit, too, is indeed dead which feels no load of sin, or is indifferent to its burden, and flippant about its presence.” The youth was silenced!


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The Law100. The Law is the set of commands that God has given that his

people are to follow. The Old Testament Law, which consisted of a total of 613 commandments, is broken down into three main categories:

The moral law is a reflection of God's character. The judicial law is that part of the Old Testament Law dealing with government, punishments, etc.The ceremonial law deals with the Old Testament sacrifices offered by the priests.


123

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The Law101. The moral law is based on God’s character and can

never be done away with.102. The judicial law dealt with Israel’s governmental and

legal system and is no longer in effect since we do not live under a theocratic governmental system.

103. The ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ when he went to the cross so we have no further need of the priestly ceremonies.


The moral law is a reflection of God's holy character. Jesus said in Matt. 12:34, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." God spoke the law out of his heart.

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The Law, what it does


The Law reveals our sinfulness, (Rom. 3:20).The Law is for those who are not under grace, (Rom.

3:19).The Law justifies no one, (Rom. 3:20).We are made righteous in God’s eyes by grace apart

from the Law of God, (Rom. 3:28).The Law brings judgment, (Rom. 4:15).The Law prepares us for the gospel, (Rom. 3:20; Gal.

3:24).

104. The Old Testament Law was given so that we might recognize that the moral standard of God is perfection and that we are not able to keep that Standard.

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The Law, what it does

Page 41 of manual

A leader in a congregation came to the preacher on one occasion and urged him to cease using the word “sin”. He said, “Call it something else, as 'inhibition,' or, 'error,' or 'a mistake,' or even 'a twist in our nature.'” “I understand what you mean,” the preacher remarked, and going to his desk brought out a vial of poison. You will see that the red label here reads, 'Poison.' Would you suggest that I change the label, and paste one on that says, 'Wintergreen?' The more harmless the name, the more dangerous the dose will be.”

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The Law, what is sin?


“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23).

105. Sin is the transgression, the breaking of the Law of God. “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness,” (1 John 3:4).

106. To sin is to offend the character of God. If God did not punish the sinner, he would be approving of the sin. But God is holy and cannot abide in sin or approve of it.

107. To sin is to rebel against God’s word, to offend his character, to challenge his goodness, to ignore his authority, to defy him, and to incur an infinite punishment.

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But we must ask a question: Why should even a small sin offend so great a God?

It is not the offense that as important as whom the offense is against.

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108. If someone were to slap a neighbor, the neighbor would be offended and perhaps angry. If the same person were to slap a king or a president, the person would face a more severe punishment. The offenseis greater because of who it is against. SinceGod is holy and infinite, to sin against him results in an infinite punishment.

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The Origin of Sin


109. Sin began with Satan who rebelled againstGod in the spiritual realm when he wantedto be like God (Isaiah 14:12-15). In Satan'srebellion, he deceived Eve and moved in the Garden of Eden to bring both Adam and Eve into a state of broken fellowship with God. Though Satan deceived Eve, and Eve sinned first, sin did not enter the world through Eve, but through Adam. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned," (Rom. 5:12). This is because Adam represented mankind, not Eve. Therefore, the origin of sin in the world is through the fall of Adam who represented mankind. "For as in Adam all die..." (1 Cor. 15:22).

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What is Damnation?

Pages 42 of manual, paragraph 110

110. Damnation is the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner for breaking his commandments. This damnation is eternal separation from God.

“But your sins have made a separation between you and your God,” (Isaiah 59:2).

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Damnation is eternal

Pages 43 of manual, paragraphs 111-112

111. Since God is eternal and offenses against him take on an eternal nature, the punishment is also eternal. But, of course, the eternal person of The Word who became flesh as Jesus paid an eternal debt and purchased redemption for those who put their trust in him.

112. There will be a Day of Judgment when all people will face God. Those who are not covered by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross will be cast out into hell where they will undergo eternal punishment. "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life," (Matt. 25:46).

Eternal - without end Eternal Damnation

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen,“ (1 Tim. 1:17). ". . . To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever," (Rev. 5:13).

"And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever," (Rev. 19:3)."And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever," (Rev. 20:10).

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Damnation is eternal

Page 43 of manual, paragraphs 112

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Salvation


113. A law without a punishment is not a law, it is a slogan. Breaking God’s laws results in a punishment. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, the sinner must die. This death is both physical (our bodies die) and spiritual (eternal damnation and separation from God).

114. The term, "salvation," is used in different ways throughout the Bible. It can mean to be saved from an adversary (Exodus 14:13), violence (2 Sam. 22:3), and troubles (Psalm 34:6), etc.

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Salvation - continued


115. However, in the New Testament, we see our salvation largely as the deliverance from the wrath of God through the forgiveness of our sins (Luke 1:77), which is found in Jesus alone (Acts 4:12).

116. To be saved is to be saved from the righteous judgment of God. It means to be saved from the damning work of condemnation that God will impose upon all who have not found forgiveness in Christ.

The book, "Peace Child," records how the Sawi people of Irian Jaya came to understand salvation through Jesus Christ. All demonstrations by missionaries of kindness expressed by the Sawi were regarded with suspicion, except for one act: if a father gave his own son to his enemy, his sacrificial deed showed that he could be trusted! Furthermore, everyone who touched that child was brought into a friendly relationship with the father. The Sawi were then taught that in a similar way, God’s beloved Son could bring them eternal peace.

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Salvation - continued


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The Gospel


“NOW I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you… 3 that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Cor. 15:1,3-4).

117. The word “Gospel” means “good news”. The good news is that Jesus was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4), never sinned (1 Pet. 2:22), bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

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Atonement


"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement," (Lev. 17:11).

118. Jesus sacrifice on the cross was atonement for our sins. That is, it made things right with God. Jesus is the One who atoned for our sins by shedding His blood.

119. Furthermore, the sacrifice of Christ is called a propitiation: "and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world," (1 John 2:2). The word, "propitiation," in the Greek, is, "hilasmos." It means, "to appease, and remove wrath through a sacrifice." Jesus, therefore, is the sacrifice that appeases God, and removes His wrath from the sinner.

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Justification


120. Justification is a legal act by God where he declares the sinner righteous in his sight. Justification is not that the sinner is righteousbecause of his own works; rather, God declares the sinner righteous. It is a foreign righteousness. It is the righteousness of Christ that is given to us (Phil. 3:9). This declaration of righteousness is based upon the work of Christ on the Cross. It is nothing that we earn; it is something we receive. Justification is a legal term, because it deals with God's Law.

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Justification


Rom. 3:24, "being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,"

Rom. 3:28, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

Rom. 5:1, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

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Sanctification

Pages 46-47 of manual, paragraph 121

121. Sanctification means, "to be set apart for holy use.” Essentially, sanctification deals with the moral condition of our heart. Sanctification is the process of removal of pride and selfishness from the innermost parts of our being. The more sanctified we are, the more we care for others, the more we sacrifice for others, and the more we are like Christ in our character.

Justification SanctificationInstantaneous declaration from

God Process through life

Legal standing before God Internal conditionEntirely God's work Man cooperates with God

Fully accomplished now Yet to be fully accomplished

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Sanctification, continued


122. Sanctification increases over time. The older we get, the more like Christ we are supposed to be. Throughout our entire lives, we work toward better and better holiness, but we will never achieve perfect sanctification, because we still war with the flesh, and with our sinfulness. When we die, the process of sanctification will cease, and we will be with the Lord. Nevertheless, the complete fulfillment of our sanctification occurs at our resurrection, when we are united with our glorified bodies: "When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory," (Col. 3:4).

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Grace

Page 48 of manual, paragraph 123-124

123. Grace is the undeserved kindness and favor of God. It is very important that we understand that grace is that which is not deserved; grace is getting what we do not deserve.

124. An Illustration: If I were to come over to your house and steal your bike, and you caught me, and called the police, and I went to jail, that is justice. Justice is getting what you deserve. If I were to come over to your house and steal your bike and you caught me, but you did not call the police, and you let me go, that is mercy. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. If I were to come over to your house and steal your bike and you caught me, and you not only did not call the police, but you forgave me, and you gave me the bike that is grace. Grace is getting what you do not deserve.

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Grace


125. The reason God is gracious to us has nothing to do with what is in us. Instead, it has everything to do with what is in God.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," (Rom. 5:8).

126. This is worth repeating… We receive grace because of God's goodness. It is not because we deserve it. The true grace of God is shown at the Cross of Christ which is our guarantee of God's eternal, loving commitment to us.

Justice = Getting what you deserveMercy = Not getting what you deserve

Grace = Getting what you do not deserve

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Regeneration


“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come," (2 Cor. 5:17).

127. Regeneration is a change in the believer brought by the work of the Holy Spirit. The term, "regeneration," only occurs twice in the New Testament (Matt. 19:28; Tit. 3:5).

128. Regeneration has another effect: a changed relationship with God. There is a communion and an indwelling of God in the person that was not there before. "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him,and make our abode with him,'" (John 14:23).The regenerated have God dwelling in them ina special, relational way. This was non-existent before regeneration.

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Regeneration, continued


129. When we believe in Christ, when we trust in the work of God, we have been regenerated. Because of this regeneration, we are able to resist sin, and turn from it to the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells us. The Holy Spirit, then, bears fruit in us. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law," (Gal. 5:22-23).

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Regeneration


In 1833, Charles Darwin went to the South Sea Islands. As he studied the cannibals who lived there,he concluded that no creatures anywhere were more

primitive, that they could not be helped, and that he had found a lower stratum of humanity that would

fit his theory of evolution. Thirty-four years later, he

returned to the same islands. He discovered churches, schools, and homes, occupied by some of those former cannibals. In fact, many of them wore clothes, and frequently gathered to sing hymns. The reason was soon learned: Missionary John G. Paton had been there, proclaiming the truths of salvation! Darwin was so moved by their transformation that he made a generous contribution to the London Missionary Society.

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Repentance


130. Biblically, repentance has a range of meanings. It can mean: to have regret, to change one's mind, and change one's behavior. In the New Testament, it means, "to turn." Therefore, repentance is turning from sin to God.

131. Obviously, repentance is an important Biblical topic. It is a call to dependence upon God and not ourselves. God wants us to repent. He wants us to turn from sin to righteousness. He wants us to be holy because He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Repentance is a natural part of salvation.

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Repentance


132. More information on repentance: It is granted by God to unbelievers: “with gentleness

correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,” (2 Tim. 2:25).

God’s kindness leads us to repentance: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4).

Repentance brings fruit: “should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance,” (Acts 26:20).

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Repentance


At nineteen, Al Johnson had robbed a bank and felt sure he would never be caught. Later, he married a Christian girl and eventually became a Christian. He stopped a lifelong habit of lying, and after much prayer, he confessed his crime. Under a Kansas statute of limitations, he was set free, although he chose to repay his share of the stolen funds to the bank. Today, Al Johnson is the manager of a service station, the father of three admiring children, and an outstanding Christian layman.

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The Church


133. The Church is the "body of believers.” Inclusion in the church is not by membership in a denomination. It is not received by a ceremony or by natural birth. The invisible church is the church made up of true believers. The visible church consists of those who say they are Christian but may or may not be truly saved. The invisible church is comprised of all true believers, regardless of denominational affiliation. The entire body of believers is the Church.

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Jesus is the foundation of the church


“…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it," (Matt. 16:18).

134. When we look at the Greek of Matthew 16:18 we see something important. "...you are Peter (petros) and upon this rock (petra) I will build my church..." Petros is masculine and the petra is feminine. Peter, the man, is referred to as Petros. But Jesus said that the rock he would build his church on was not the masculine "petros" but the feminine "petra“:

The truth of Peter’s statement that Jesus is the Christ

Matt. 16:16. Furthermore, petros is used to designate a small stone and petra is used to designate a large mass of rock. Jesus was not

saying that the church will be built upon Peter. It

would be built on Jesus being the Christ, the anointed one.

Petra

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The Pastor


“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ," (Eph. 4:11-12).

135. The Word "pastor," means, "shepherd, herdsmen, someone who takes care of others," etc. In this sense, the pastor is someone who takes care of the Christian “sheep” in the church context. This care is manifested in different ways: He teaches God's word. He corrects false teachings. He prays for the congregation. He counsels using the Scriptures. He administers communion and baptizes.

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The Elder


"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion," (Titus 1:5-6).

136. In the New Testament the term, "elder," means elder, an old man, a leader in the Church. It is also used of the elder of two persons (Luke 15:25), of a person advanced in age (Acts 2:17; Heb. 11:2), of the forefathers in Israel (Matt. 15:2; Mark 7:3), of members of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21; 26:47), and of those who managed public affairs in the various cities (Luke 7:3).

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The Elder


137. The office of elder is a position in the church that is a divinely appointed office as defined in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus). Elders are apparently appointed by the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). They should receive double honor in the church (1 Tim. 5:17). The pastor is an elder who preaches and/or teaches (1 Tim. 5:17). The pastor (elder) is to equip the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). Also, the elder…

Shepherds the flock (1 Peter 5:2). Exercises oversight upon the flock (1 Peter 5:2). Lives as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Anoints and pray for the sick (James 5:14). Has the tasks of teaching (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5,9). Has the task of acting as judges (Acts 15:2,22-29;16:4). Exhorts in sound doctrine and refutes error (Titus 1:9).

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Women are not to be Pastors and Elders


"But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression,“(1 Tim. 2:12-14).

138. When we look further at Paul's teachings, we see that the bishop/overseer is to be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2), who manages his household well, and has a good reputation (1 Tim. 3:5, 7). Deacons must be "men of dignity," (1 Tim. 3:8). Paul then speaks of women in verse 11, and their obligation to receive instruction. Then, in verse 12, Paul says, "Let deacons be husbands of one wife..."

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Women are not to be Pastors and Elders


139. In each case, the one who is an elder, deacon, bishop, or overseer is instructed to be male. He is the husband of one wife (Greek literally says, “man of one woman”), responsible, able to "exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict," (Titus 1:9). We see no command for the overseers to be women. Why are the men, rather than the women, singled out as the overseers? It is because of the created order of God (Gen. 1-2; 1 Tim. 2:12-14). This is not merely a social custom that fell away with ancient Israel. Women are not to be elders in the church.

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Baptism


140. Baptism is an outward representation of aninward reality. The word, "baptism," comes from the Greek, baptizo which means, "to immerse in water, to wash with water."

141. In the Old Testament, washing with water was practiced by the priest in preparation for his work (Exodus 40:12). On the Day of Atonement, the priests washed before and after an offering (Lev. 16:4, 24). The washing with water represented cleansing. In the New Testament, baptism begins with John the Baptist who urged being baptized for repentance (Mark 1:4). When Jesus was baptized, he was not baptized for repentance since he had nothing to repent of. Instead, he was baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15).

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John…it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness," (Matt. 3:13-15).

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Baptism


142. What is the righteousness Jesus fulfilled? Most probably, it was to fulfill the requirementsnecessary for a man to be a priest. Jesus was, after all, a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:8-10; 6:20). Priests offered sacrifice to God on behalf of the people. Jesus became a sacrifice for our sin (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Cor. 5:21) in his role as priest. To be consecrated as a priest, He had to be washed with water (Lev. 8:6; Exodus 29:4,

Matt. 3:16), He had to be anointed with oil (Lev. 8:12; Exodus 29:7; Matt.

3:16 – oil represents the Holy Spirit), He may have needed to be 30 years old (Num. 4:3).

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Baptism


143. In the Christian Church, baptism is the application of water to an individual as an identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It represents the reality of the inward washing of Christ's blood upon the soul. That is why it is used in different ways. It is said to represent… …the death of the person (Rom. 6:3-5) …the union of that person with Christ (Gal. 3:27) …the cleansing of that person's sins (Acts 22:16) …being united in one Church (1 Cor. 12:13) …the identification with the one "baptized into," as when

the Israelites were baptized into Moses (1 Cor. 10:2).

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Baptism


144. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but it is commanded as an ordinance to be observed. If it were necessary for salvation, then we would not be saved by faith, but by faith and a ceremony. Acts 10:44-48 also shows baptism is not necessary for salvation since it describes people filled with the Spirit before being baptized.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days,” (Acts 10:44-48).

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Communion


“And while they were eating, Jesus took somebread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave itto the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins," (Matt. 26:26-29).

145. Communion is the ceremony during which the Christian partakes of the bread and the wine, which represent the body and the blood of Christ. This ceremony is called, "The Lord's Supper," and was instituted by Jesus on the night of the Passover meal, which was an annual occurrence celebrating the "passing over" of the angel of death that claimed the lives of the firstborn of every house in Egypt (Exodus 12). Therefore, the Lord's Supper, or Communion, replaces the Passover meal with the "body and blood" of Jesus, (Mark 14:22-24).

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Communion, Examine Yourself


146. We see that Paul gives a qualification for partaking in Communion; the person must be able to examine himself. The context of self-examination is dealing with sin, confession, the knowledge of who Christ is, and what He has done.

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly," (1 Cor. 11:28-29).

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Communion, Examine Yourself


147. Participation in Communion is the rite of the Christian and it is a reminder for us of what Christhas done on our behalf. It is a manifestation of the eternal agreement between the Father and Son regarding the redemption of the Christians (Heb. 13:20). The Lord's Supper is, in a real sense, a manifestation of the promise of God, made before the foundation of the universe, to save sinners. Therefore, in taking Communion, we partake of the eternal promise of God regarding our redemption through the grace that is found only in Christ Jesus.

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Worship


148. Worship is the act of reverence, from a believer to God, involving different aspects: Adoration, Praise, Exaltation, Prayer, Bowing down,

Raising hands, Singing.149. In the Old Testament, the word, "worship," meant, to bow

down. Therefore, worship before God was often done while bowing down to the ground. There are instances of individual worship (Gen. 24:26), but the Old Testamentspeaks mostly of corporate worship.

"These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival," (Psalm 42:4).

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Worship


150. The New Testament tends to emphasize worshipon a personal level. The Old Testament rituals of sacrifice and methods of approaching God are done away with, since Christ in His sacrifice has fulfilled the Old Testament Law.

151. Furthermore, the Bible teaches there is only one God (Eph. 4:5), and He alone is worthy of worship. Jesus said,

“You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only,'" (Matt. 4:10).

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Worship


152. This makes the fact that Jesus receives worship all the more significant, (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6). Of course, Jesus can be worshipped because He is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8).

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Prayer


“Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors," (Matt. 6:9-12).

153. Prayer is a reverent petition to God in which a person praises God, confesses sins, asks for forgiveness, and intercedes for others.

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Prayer


154. Prayer is the practice of the presence of God that is properly offered by those who are justified before God through Jesus Christ. Prayer is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is

lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is the place of admitting your need and exercising

dependence on God. Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father

through the Son.

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Prayer


155. Prayer is to be given to God alone, for he alone isworthy of worship, and he alone is capable of hearing and answering our prayers.

156. Regarding Prayer… Our prayers are acceptable through Christ. “And whatever you ask in My

name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son," (John 14:13).

Our prayers influence God. “…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much,” (James 5:16).

Our prayers are hindered by doubt. "But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind,” (James 1:6).

Our prayers are hindered by selfishness. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures," (James 4:3).

Our prayers are hindered by wickedness. “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear," (Psalm 66:18).

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Prayer


157. Our prayers must be according to God's will (1 John 5:13). We can pray standing (Neh. 9:5), kneeling (Ezra 9:5), sitting (1 Chron. 17:16-27), bowing (Exodus 34:8), and with lifted hands (1 Tim. 2:8).

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you," (James 4:8).

158. Prayer is for the Christian. Prayer changes the one praying because in prayer you are in the presence of God. There is nothing to hide when, in quiet supplication, you are reaching into the deepest part of yourself, confessing your sins, admitting your needs, and depending on God.

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Prayer


159. We are to pray with faith (James 1:6), in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18), with a forgiving attitude (Matt. 6:12), according to God's will (1 John 5:14), in holiness (2 Tim. 2:8), with boldness (Heb. 4:16), with earnestness (James 5:17), etc. In short, we are to pray daily, reverently, humbly, with faith in God, trusting that he hears us, believing in our heart that he loves us dearly, and finally pray with an attitude of submission to his will.

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Prayer


Five men were entrapped in a deserted zinc mine in Salem, Kentucky, by falling rocks. They had nothing to eat. They were in utter darkness. One of the men could have saved himself had he not run back to warn the others. When the entombed men discovered they could not escape, they began to pray and sing. Their prayer and praise service lasted for fifty-three hours! Then they were rescued. Later, one of the men testified, “We lay there from Friday morning 'til Sunday morning. We prayed 'without ceasing'. When the rescuers reached us, we were still praying!” When the men were brought up out of the mine, on the caps of each one were scrawled these words: “If we are dead when you find us, we are all saved!”

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End Times


160. Eschatology is the study of end times and what happens before and after the return of Jesus. It comes from two Greek words “eschatos” meaning “end” and “logos” meaning “word”. There are many differences in views on the following topics and we need to be careful not to be spiritually prideful. Romans 14:5 tells us, “One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.” The point is that we are allowed to disagree in the non-essentials.

escatos“last”

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End Times – The Return of Christ


“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven,” (Acts 1:11).

161. Although there are differences of opinion as to when Christwill return, the Christian Church

acknowledges that He will. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth

willpass away, but My words shall not pass away. 36 'But of that day and hour no one knows,

not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but

the Father alone,'" (Matt. 24:35-36).

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End Times – The Return of Christ

Pages 62-63 of manual, paragraphs 161-163

162. However, we can know the signs of His coming. In the last days, many false christs and false prophets will arise and deceive many (Matt. 24:24). We have seen this with the rise of the cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc., and the increase in popularity of the false religions like Islam, Buddhism, the New Age, etc.

163. Jesus came the first time as a humble servant, hardly noticed except by a few. But, He shall return as a conquering King, and every eye will see Him. His return will bemagnificent, glorious, and even frightening to thosewho do not know Jesus.

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End Times – The Rapture


"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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 Thess. 4:16-18).

164. The Rapture is the teaching that shortly before, or at the return of Christ, the Christians who arealive will be transformed instantaneously into their glorified state, and will ascend into the air to meet Jesus. The word, "rapture," comes from the Latin, "rapio," which means, "to carry away,“ or, "to snatch."

165. The Scripture most often referred to for support of the Rapture is found in 1 Thess. 4:16-5:2 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52.

Is the Rapture Pre, Mid, or Post tribulation?

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166. There are three main views of when the rapture will occur. Pre-tribulation, Mid-tribulation, and Post-tribulation. The Tribulation period is supposed to be a seven year period before the return of Christ. This seven-year period includes the first 3 1/2 years as a time of peace, and the second 3 1/2 years as a time of great distress, death, wrath, and sorrow.

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167. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture view holds that at the beginning, or right before the beginning of the Tribulation, there will be a secret coming of Jesus and the Christians will be caught up into heaven where they meet Jesus, then experience the judgment seat of Christ regarding their works (2 Cor. 5:10 – not for salvation), and then participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7).

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168. The Mid-Tribulation Rapture view holds that the rapture occurs at the halfway point of the seven-year Tribulation when the Antichrist reveals himself. This view, like the Pre-tribulation view, teaches that the Christian Church does not experience the terrors of the last half of the Tribulation period.

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169. The Post-Tribulation Rapture view holds that the rapture occurs at the end of the tribulation period. Therefore, the Church will not escape the Tribulation period, but will go through it. It further teaches that that the wrath of God that is released upon the earth, and upon the ungodly during the last half of the Tribulation, will not fall upon the believers since God will providentially protect the believers from His divine wrath on the earth. In this view, the Rapture occurs at the time of the Second Coming of Christ.

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End Times – The Millennium


"And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time," (Rev. 20:1-3).

170. The Millennium is that period of time before the creation of the New Heavens and Earth. Like the tribulation, there are three main views: Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism.

Which millennial view is the right one? No one knows for sure. But let’s take a look at each position.

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171. The Premillennial view holds the thousand year reign of Christ is a literal 1000 years, and is yet future. It will follow the seven-year Tribulation period and the Rapture. When Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation period, he willdestroy the Antichrist, bind the devil, and begin the 1000-year period during which He will reign as King. During this millennial period, there will be great peace and harmony all over the world.

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172. The Amillennial view the Millennium is seen as a representative period of time, and is not a literal 1000-year period. Part of the justification for this position is made by noticing that the term "1000" is always used in a figurative context in the Bible. In Revelation 20 there is figurative language describing the devil as a dragon, being bound with a chain, and then thrown into a pit.

173. The Postmillennial view holds that the population of the earth, as a whole, will be converted to Christianity through the preaching of the Gospel. There will be great peace, prosperity, and harmony on Earth. After this, the Lord will return.

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The Devil and the Antichrist


“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth. You who have weakened the nations! 13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High,'" (Isaiah 14:12-14).

174. The devil was originally the greatest of the angels created by God (Ezekiel 28:12). But due to pride in his heart,he desired to be like God, fell into sin, and rebelled against God.

175. He, along with a host of angels, rebelled against God and became the demonic forces that wage war against the Lord and his people.

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The Devil and the Antichrist


176. There are different names by which the devil is known such as . . . Abaddon (Rev. 9:11) Accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8) Angel of the bottomless pit (Rev. 9:11) Apollyon (Rev. 9:11) Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24) Satan (Matt. 4:10)

177. But, the Devil will not be victorious. He will be judged and condemned. "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment," (2 Pet. 2:4).

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The Antichrist


178. The term, "antichrist," is found only in four verses in the New Testament: 1 John 2:18,22; 4:3; and 2 John 7. It is used in two different senses: the spirit of antichrist, and a person who is the antichrist.

179. There is the spirit of antichrist which is described as the attitude and movement of rebellion against God.

“and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is notfrom God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world," (1 John 4:3)

180. The spirit of antichrist is the spiritual movement of denying the true Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can see that this is very strong in the world, in the manifestation of false world religions, the cults, evolution, atheism, secularism, etc.

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The Antichrist


181. The Antichrist is an end-times figure who will stand in opposition to God and His people during the Tribulation period.

"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [the return of Christ] will not come unless the apostasy comes first,and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son ofdestruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God," (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

182. The Antichrist will be able to perform miracles and deceive people, "that is, the one whose coming is in accordance with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders," (2 Thess. 2:9).

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The Antichrist


183. Ultimately, the Antichrist will be destroyed, as is prophesied

in the Old Testament (Dan. 8:25), and in the New (2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:5).

“And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming," (2 Thess. 2:8).

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The Antichrist, continued


What does the number 666 mean?

184. The number 666 is called the number of the antichrist. It is the gamatria, or the mathematical equivalent of the letter values of the name of the Antichrist.

185. In Greek and Hebrew there are no numeric characters. There are only alpha characters. For example, the letters a, b, c, d, e, f, etc. are alpha characters. The numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, etc., are numeric characters. They are different. When the Greeks wanted to write a number, they used letters for numbers. The Greek letter "alpha" had the numeric equivalent of 1. The next letter "beta" has the numeric equivalent of 2, and so on.

186. When the name of the antichrist is revealed, his name, in Greek letters will total 666.

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The Antichrist

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The Final Judgment

Page 70 in manual

“And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire," (Rev. 20:1-15).

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The Final Judgment


187. The Final Judgment is the Great White Throne judgment, after the Millennium, where both the believers and unbelievers will be judged. The unbelievers are judged and condemned to eternal damnation. The believer, however, is not going to be judged for salvation since his judgment fell upon Christ and all Christians (all who've trusted in the true Christ), have eternally and permanently escaped the judgment of damnation.

188. The Christians are judged according to their works, and receive rewards or loss of rewards: "Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he hasdone," (Rev. 22:12).

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The Final Judgment, continued


189. For the Christian, however, our works have no effect on our salvation. We are saved by Christ’s work and not by our work. We are kept by Christ’s faithfulness, not by ours. We are secure in Christ, saved from the wrath of God. It is our works that will be judged.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Rom. 8:1).

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The Final Judgment


The story is told of pioneers who were making their way across one of the central states to a distant place that had been opened up for homesteading. They traveled in covered wagons drawn by oxen, and progress was necessarily slow. One day they were horrified to note a long line of smoke in the west,

stretching for miles across the prairie, and soon it was evident that the dried grass was burning fiercely and

coming toward them rapidly. They had crossed a river the day before, but it would be impossible to go back to that before the flames would be upon them. One man only seemed to have understanding as to what could be done. He gave the command to set fire to the grass behind them. When a space was burned over, the whole company moved back upon it. As the flames roared on toward them from the west, a little girl cried out in terror, "Are you sure we shall not all be burned up?" The leader replied, "My child, the flames cannot reach us here, for we are standing where the fire has been!" What a picture of the believer, who is safe in Christ! "On Him Almighty vengeance fell, which would have sunk a world to Hell. He bore it for a chosen race, and thus becomes our Hiding Place." The fires of God's judgment burned themselves out on Him, and all who are in Christ are safe forever, for they are now standing where the fire has been.

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New Heavens and New Earth

Page 72 of manual

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up, 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells," (2 Pet. 3:10-12).

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190. When sin entered the world through Adam, not only was humanity affected, but so also was creation itself. Death

entered the world, and the world began to

decay. Catastrophes are the result of sin affecting creation. God did not make the

world with sin in it, so the intrusion of sin in

God's creation is a violation of the created order.

191. Therefore, after the Final Judgment of God upon all the people and the angels, God will make a new heavens and a new earth. He will do this because the effects of sin must be removed from what God has created.

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Pages 72-73 of manual, paragraphs 192-193

192. Even as the world was baptized by the flood of Noah, it will be cleansed in the final fire of re-creation. All the forces of evil, and all the wickedness in man and in the angelic realm, will be done away with. All the foul works of mankind will be burned up. Peter tells us to look for the coming of the day of God, the day when the heavens are remade.

193. God, the Creator of the Universe, has the power to destroy it. Jesus said that “Heaven and earth will pass away…” (Matt. 24:35). John the apostle said that “the world is passing away…” (1 John 2:17).

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194. Therefore, after the Final Judgment of God upon all the people and the angels, God will make a new heavens and a new earth. He will do this because the effects of sin must be removed from what God has created.

195. Even as the world was baptized by the flood of Noah, it will be cleansed in the final fire of re-creation. All the forces of evil, and all the wickedness in man and in the angelic realm, will be done away with. All the foul works of mankind will be burned up. Peter tells us to look for the coming of the day of God, the day when the heavens are remade. To God Be The Glory

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To God be the glory through our

Lord Jesus Christ!

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