Standard Jet DBnb` Ugr@?~1y0̝cßFN{a7)(,`{6i߱nCS53y[/|*|w4mf_Љ$g'DeFx -bT4.0dv Y h/ h/ S  Y   Y Y  Y Y  Y  Y  Y  r Y s Y E Y a Y  Y 2Y  Y   Y  Y ConnectDatabaseDateCreateDateUpdate FlagsForeignNameIdLvLvExtraLvModule LvPropName OwnerParentIdRmtInfoLongRmtInfoShortTypenroYYIdParentIdName        OYS Y Y Y  Y 2ACMFInheritableObjectIdSID  AtYObjectId Y   SY  Y Y Y  Y   Y Y  Y AttributeExpressionFlagLvExtra Name1 Name2ObjectId Ordernzf edY"ObjectIdAttribute -Y   SY Y Y  Y   Y   Y  Y  Y  ccolumn grbiticolumnszColumnszObject$szReferencedColumn$szReferencedObjectszRelationship   YYYszObject$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipYv1b N  : k & W  C t/ @@X  @@OJmJLJkQkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmJL^Qk`kvkJMQk`kvkdL[QMmk`kvkhoQiYQk`kvkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmdfYMbdmQk`kvkOL  @~  @ @           d k f  紨|S@ |S@Topic NotesLՒ@DDD88888886 @Z|S@Z|S@MSysRelationshipsMDDDDDDDDDDB Z|S@Z|S@MSysQueriesM88888888886 Z|S@Z|S@MSysACEsM22222222220 Z|S@Z|S@MSysObjectsM88888888886 Z|S@Z|S@MSysDbL.........., Z|S@Z|S@RelationshipsM<<<<<<<<<<: Z|S@Z|S@DatabasesM44444444442 Z|S@Z|S@TablesM.........., jYNY Y d YID TitleCommentsYYIDPrimaryKeyHv1b|LVALY{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb400\sa60\qc\lang1033\kerning28\b\f0\fs60 CHRISTIAN \line BASIC TRAINING \par \pard\sb60\sa60\qc\kerning0\b0\fs24 by \line Charles T. Buntin \line mainto4@lld.net \line SDG Ministries \line 727 State Route 945 \line Mayfield, KY 42066 \line 1996\par \fs20\page\b\scaps\fs22 Trademark and Copyright Information\par \pard\sb60\sa60\b0\fs20 Copyright \'a9 1996 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. and the authors. All rights reserved. For free usage information, please read the BSF Website Copyright Statement for fair use statements.\fs24 \par Electronic Access to this Material\par \pard\sb60\sa60\qc\fs20 This Material is available for use on the internet via an agreement with the Biblical Studies Foundation, a non-Profit Foundation at:\line\fs24{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "www.bible.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 www.bible.org}}}\f0\fs24\par \pard\sb60\sa60\fs20 Biblical Studies copyrighted by individual authors and the Biblical studies Press are not shareware or public domain and may not be duplicated without permission.\par \pard\sb60\sa60\qc\b\fs24 BSF Website Copyright Statement\par \pard\sb60\sa60\b0\fs20 From our website at {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "www.bible.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 www.bible.org}}}\f0\fs20 , you may download the information and print it for yourself and others as long as you give it away and do not charge for it. In this case, free means free. It cannot be bundled with anything sold, nor can you charge for shipping, handling, or anything. It is provided for personal study or for use in preparation of sermons, Sunday school classes, or other non-commercial study. This release does not apply to other media than paper printed distribution. \par For FrLVALee distribution of more than 100 copies, you must obtain written permission and comply with reasonable guidelines of content control and include currently valid BSP copyright and organizational acknowledgments. \par For permission, inquire by E-Mail to \ldblquote head@bible.org\rdblquote or call 800/575-2425.\par \pard\sb60\sa60\qc\b\scaps0\fs32 Contents \par \pard\lang3082\b0\fs20\par Foreword\tab\par \i Regula Fidei\i0 (The Rule of Faith) What Distinguishes a Christian from a Pagan?\tab\par Chapter 2 \ldblquote Thy word is Truth\rdblquote The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of the Bible\tab\par Chapter 4 The Trinity\tab\par Chapter 5b The Work of Christ\tab\par Chapter 7 The Necessity of a Consistent Christian Life\tab\par Appendix 2 A Good Tool Chest\tab\par Appendix 4 Study Questions and Projects for Chapter Two\tab\par Appendix 6 Study Questions and Projects for Chapter Four\tab\par Appendix 8 The Empty God\tab\lang1033 F\lang3082 GOTOBUTTON _Toc411315532 61\par \cf2\lang1033\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\cf0\lang3082\kerning28\b\fs28 Dedication\par \pard\sb60\sa60\qc\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 to\line my wife, who put up with 20 years of military life,\line to\line Rev. Tom James and Shirley James,\line the Brothers on Guam at Country Church and Grace Chapel, and\line Bob Knight who discipled me in the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints\line to\line Dr. Jim McColl, Rev. Barry Horner, Dr. Gary Long,\line Dr. John Grove, Rev. Mike Garrigan, and Dr. Tom Branson\line who taught me the deep things of the gospel,\line to\line Rev. Jim McCay, now with the Lord, and\line to\line A. W. Pink, a giant unknown in his time,\line but mostly to the Glory of God \par \page\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\fs28 Foreword\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 The Lord Jesus Christ came into my life in 1973, while I was serving in the U.S. Air Force on the island of Guam. I was no stranger to religion--in fact, I had been raised in a churchgoing LVALfamily. However, the church in which I had been raised was a mainline Protestant church that taught \ldblquote liberal\rdblquote theology. By liberal theology, I mean the church and its spokesmen in my childhood denomination tended to deny some or all of the elements of Biblical faith. They thought there were errors in the Bible, they questioned the literal truth of some or all of the miracles of the Bible, and Jesus to them was not the Sovereign Lord which the Bible says He is. Their version of the Savior was something less than fully divine. The result of growing up in such a church was predictable, and was shared by the overwhelming majority of mainline Protestant children of my generation--by the time I was 16, I was a confirmed skeptic, and by the time I was 18, I was more-or-less a pagan. To me, religion was a joke, and churches were social clubs where people came to see who was there and what they were wearing. I was familiar with some Bible-believing Christians, but I considered them ignorant fanatics.\par I went to college for a couple of years, and had some association with students who were Bible-believers. For awhile, I even professed conversion, but \ldblquote the root of the matter\rdblquote was not yet in me--it was not real and it did not hold. I re-adopted a religion of sorts, a kind of deal with God for some Hell insurance (in case there was a hell), but it was all just playing church--my life did not change. Then came Guam. I did not want to go to Guam, but the Air Force sent me anyway. I could not take my young wife, then pregnant with our first child, because I did not have sufficient rank to qualify for government travel and housing for my family. So, it was as a single, alone, and unsaved man that I arrived on the island. \par Soon after arriving in Guam in January 1973, I attended a chapel service called \ldblquote Country Church.\rdblquote That name seemed safe enough, and I went expecting a good, down-home singing. What I got was something else. There was a large crowd oLVALf mostly young, mostly men there--like me, these were mostly lower-ranking personnel, so only a few of us had our wives with us on the island. There was an Air Force Staff Sergeant preaching like no one I\rquote d heard before, and saying things I\rquote d never heard before. I was captivated, convicted, and overcome with wonder. I was not really sure what was happening to me at the time, but God was opening my heart and mind to understand the gospel and believe in His Son for salvation. It was the beginning of an experience that would dominate the rest of my life, even to eternity. The preacher, that Air Force Staff Sergeant, his wife, and the dozens of young believers there on Guam took me under their wing and discipled me in \ldblquote the faith once delivered to the saints,\rdblquote (Jude 3 ). Though my Christian life took many turns, twists, ups, and downs over the years since that 15-month period on Guam, the Lord has delivered me from all snares, and He has guided my path. The foundation for steady growth and progression in my life as a believer, however, was the discipleship given to me by those wonderful people on Guam.\par Many years ago, as I was teaching Sunday School classes and Bible studies, I noticed that there were large doctrinal gaps in the understanding of many believers--sometimes even in believers who had walked with the Lord for years! I realized that the 20th century American churches were not thoroughly teaching new believers the basic doctrines of the faith. Now, there are many teaching ministries that do a good job of teaching--about finances, prophecy, life issues, marital relations, etc. These are all worthy areas for our study and attention--but how many of the believers studying through these ministries can discuss the basic issues of the Christian faith with any degree of authority? How many of the believers in your congregation can discuss the doctrine of the Trinity, for instance? How many members of your congregation can explain the vital doctrine of JustificationLVAL by Faith Alone, which Martin Luther called the doctrine upon which a church stands or falls? As I realized the need for believers to come to know the basics, I felt a burden from God to teach those doctrines, and I was obedient to that leading. This little book is the result of over ten years of studying and teaching the basics of the Christian Faith to believers from all types of backgrounds. \par To the skeptic, the cynic, the cultist, the existentialist, and any other nonbelieving \ldblquote ist\rdblquote that might be out there--you are welcome to read this book; I implore you to read this book--but it is not addressed to you. However, I pray that if you do read it, God may open your eyes to the Truth and bring you to Himself--but that is not my purpose in writing. This book is not meant to convince anyone; I seek to prove nothing to the unbeliever. However, God has often used broken reeds to fell mighty oaks, so read on. \par To the believer--this one\rquote s for YOU! This is a book written to build up the family of God, all truly purchased by and washed in the blood of Christ, that we may all arrive at the maturity and unity of the faith that God desires of us.\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\cf0\lang3082\kerning28\b\fs28 Preface\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 What is Truth? This is an age-old question, but in late 20th century Western civilization, it has become an accepted fact among most \ldblquote learned\rdblquote people that we can know \ldblquote truth\rdblquote (with a small \ldblquote t\rdblquote )--but that we cannot know \ldblquote Truth\rdblquote (with a big \ldblquote T\rdblquote ). We can identify pieces of data, events, conditions, etc., as being real and factual--but the big questions of the universe, ultimate Truth, are impossible to answer. In the mundane, important, tragic, comic, or happy events of everyday life, the sages of our age will allow us to perceive little bits of reality, without admitting the possibility or at least the knowaLVALbility of Reality. This has been somewhat changed in the past decade by the growing popularity of so-called New Age thinking, which takes in various forms of mysticism and superstition, and which is no \ldblquote newer\rdblquote than ancient Babylon or Egypt. But the mushy, all-inclusive concept of Truth prevalent among these groups of neo-pagans is no closer to the real thing than the secular version. \par Christianity--that is, real, Biblical, evangelical, orthodox, born-again Christianity--has the only answer to the quandary of modern men and women as they face an uncertain future with either no foundation, a false foundation, or a foundation of sand. The problem is that our churches and our professing believers (at least in America) have been so influenced by materialism, \ldblquote touchy-feely\rdblquote psychology, and existentialism that we are in danger of becoming a non-factor as the world plunges headlong into a great abyss. We organize politically, we write our legislators, we demonstrate, boycott, rally, and vote, but what are we accomplishing? Where is the revolutionary effect that the church had on the world of the first four centuries of the modern era? The early church revolutionized three continents without the benefits of modern communications or democratic rights, and in the face of great personal danger--where is that power today? Where is the radical, society-challenging and changing power that our spiritual forebears exercised in the Reformation, the Puritan Revival, and the Great Awakening? Has the Holy Spirit abandoned us? Or, have we abandoned His way? Oh, there are those who speak of real revival--we often hear it prayed for. There have been tiny moves of the Spirit in various places. And, there are voices popping up to urge us on to excellence. There is smoke--but where is the fire? Some polls have claimed that 60 million people in the U.S. claim to be born-again Christians. I wish it were so. If there were 60 million true believers in the U.S. consistently following ChriLVALst, abortion, the drug culture, rampant poverty in a land of richness, physical and sexual abuse, pornography, and many of our other evils would be ground into powder! \par Only the Holy Spirit of God can bring the revival of true Christianity that this evil age calls for. This is not a day for the weak, apathetic, or uncommitted. This is a day for God\rquote s people to arise and follow Him (John 10:27). \par There is no magic equation that will fix the 20th century American churches--there is no computer program that we can load, start, and then forget about it while it runs. What is required is what the first church did--and it has nothing to do with controversial gifts, extraordinary phenomena, or any of the organizational ideas of the first church. The four things the first church excelled in are listed in Acts 2:42 \ldblquote and they continued steadfastly in the apostles\rquote doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.\rdblquote The results? Thousands (eventually millions) were saved, and the church grew to worldwide proportions! Did extraordinary phenomena take place? Yes, the Spirit was pleased to grant such things. Were gifts in evidence? Yes, once again, the Holy Spirit was pleased to give gifts to the churches. These things, however, were by-products of revival--they followed the church\rquote s obedient, steadfast devotion to the basics. We in the 20th century American church are sadly lacking in these areas, especially in the areas of teaching and prayer--and without these two legs, the table falls, however strong the other two.\par We are woefully inadequate in the area of teaching the truths of the gospel to our people, in equipping them for ministry, for being salt and light in our world. \ldblquote But,\rdblquote someone says, \ldblquote there are so many wonderful teachers, so many books, video tapes, and other materials available.\rdblquote True, and that only increases our guilt--for we have done little with such riches. Simply put, we may know a loLVALt about end-times prophecy, we may be well-schooled in denominational positions on Baptism, the gifts of the Spirit, Eternal Security, etc., but are our members well-versed on the fundamentals of the faith? We may have a social outreach program of some sort to all different groups in our community, but what do we do with those we reach? How long does it take for a new believer in our congregation to become well-versed in the doctrines of Christianity? If our new believers do know essential doctrines, have they \ldblquote internalized\rdblquote them--do the teachings affect the way they live? \par The goal of this book is for local churches to awaken to their need to teach and live the basic doctrines of the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints, and to provide a supplemental textbook for that purpose. (Only the Bible can be the main text). This book is not written for scholars, but for students. It is not written to evangelize the lost, but to build up the saints. It is not written to convince the agnostic or the cynic, but to confirm the seeker and comfort and edify the believer. May God\rquote s Holy Spirit aid in that task. \i Soli Deo Gloria\i0 (To God Alone Be the Glory).\par \pard\f1\fs22\par \pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\cf0\lang3082\kerning28\b\i\f0\fs28 Regula Fidei\i0 (The Rule of Faith)\line What Distinguishes a Christian from a Pagan?\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\kerning0\fs24 Introductory Thoughts\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 What is a Christian? Is Christianity defined by ethnic heritage, a particular political allegiance, by living according to a set of rules, or attendance at particular rituals? Are you a Christian just because you call yourself one? Many people in the world identify themselves as Christians, or are identified by others as Christian, because of ethnicity, politics, lifestyle, or worship choice. Are these valid reasons for assigning the label \ldblquote Christian\rdblquote ? Still others claim the designation \ldblquote Christian\rdblquote baLVALsed on some existential experience with very indefinite boundaries or meaning. \ldblquote I saw a light, and a great peace came over me. After that, I knew I was a Christian.\rdblquote \par These accounts vary greatly, but they usually find their meaning in subjective feelings, and communicate nothing about repentance, faith in Christ, or subsequent dedication to holy living. Many of the people who have these feelings would be difficult, if not impossible, to identify as believers by any other measure than their own testimony of a mystic experience. Others have had an experience only slightly removed from the existential--these responded to an evangelical appeal of some kind. The appeal may have been person-to-person, part of an evangelistic crusade, or by way of a television ministry of some kind, but other than that initial experience, or perhaps some minimal activity, that is as far as it went. \par The two examples given have much in common The people in both categories know little about the Savior or the life of faith, they are not part of any corporate worship body, and they are not following Christ. To use a common evangelical clich\'e9, if they were charged with being Christian, there would be little evidence to convict them.\par Back to our original question, then--\rdblquote What is a Christian?\rdblquote The Bible has a definitive answer to this question, as it does with most others. According to the Scriptures, Christians are those who have come to realize their own sinfulness before God and their inability to save themselves, have turned to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance, and have begun following and worshipping Christ, usually in some kind of corporate community of believers. We must also expand the definition a bit to include that to be considered a Christian, a person\rquote s faith and life must conform to what the church has historically called the Regula Fidei, or The Rule of the Faith.\par \ldblquote Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and the brother of James,\rdblquote LVAL(Jude 1) wrote to the church at large with this purpose: \ldblquote Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.\rdblquote (Jude 3). Very early in the history of the church, God\rquote s servants had to write to defend the Regula Fidei. Paul was amazed to find the Galatian Christians, only a short time after the preaching of the gospel to them, had been turned aside into \ldblquote a different gospel.\rdblquote (\cf3\ul Gal_1:6\cf2\ulnone ) Paul also had to caution the Colossian believers against both philosophy and legalism (\cf3\ul Col_2:8-10\cf2\ulnone ; 16-23), and had similar cautions in most of his other writings. Very early church tradition tells us that John the apostle wrote his gospel to correct the heresy we now know as Gnosticism, and he warns against false teachers in his letters (\cf3\ul 1Jo_2:18-23\cf2\ulnone ; \cf3\ul 1Jo_4:1-6\cf2\ulnone ; 2 John 7-11), as does the apostle Peter (2 Pet 2). \par The apostles viewed the essence of Christianity to be the Person and Work of Christ made alive in the hearts of repentant sinners awakened by the Spirit of God through the preaching of the Word of God--but this was not viewed by them as merely a subjective existential experience. There was certainly the subjective, individual experience of faith in Christ, but there was also The Faith, a set of doctrines handed down as a sacred trust to be taught, believed, and defended. This set of doctrines is the core of Christianity; absolute, finite, authoritative for eternity, unchanging, and not subject to review by either the individual believer, the church, or society. \par Over the centuries, this list of doctrines became encrusted with the barnacles of Greek and Roman paganism and philosophy, Imperial Byzantine and Roman law, and with ecclesiastical dogma separate from the Scriptures--but the core remained intact. The WaldensiLVALans, St. Francis, Wycliffe, the Hussites, the Reformers, the Puritans, the preachers of the great awakening, and other great Christian saints over the centuries have periodically broken the barnacles off and emphasized the core, the heart of the faith. The time has come for this to be done again. We need to answer a question, and act on the answer: What constitutes true Christian doctrine?\par Like the age of the Apostles of our Lord, the Church today is overrun with apostles of a new \ldblquote Christianity\rdblquote that is not true Christianity at all. It is not a denomination--it is interdenominational. It is not a just a new doctrinal perspective. It is not about culture, or preference, or any such thing. This heresy is nothing less than a denial of historic Christianity, teaching a new faith in its place. This is a Collective heresy--not centrally organized at this point, but there are many common threads. Some parts of this heresy are at odds with one another, but they tend to cooperate, and they have one central underlying theme--a denial of orthodoxy. \par This new heresy is characterized by:\par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 Man-centeredness\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Worldliness--the concerns are all about health, wealth, self-esteem, and worldly well-being and possessions, or perhaps it is centered in some political identity of the left or the right.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Ignorance of, neglect of, or downright denial of, the historic Christian faith\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}An exaltation of the person and role of the \ldblquote believer,\rdblquote and a denigration and lessening of the person and work of the Redeemer. This exaltation of man and denigration of God is sometimes evidenced by distinctive doctrines which refer to people as \ldblquote little Gods,\rdblquote and which deny the historic teaching of the Trinity. It is also evidenced by a concentration on therapeutic concerns, a \ldblquote touchy-feely\rdblquoteLVAL faith, and a neglect of the doctrines of sin and redemption.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This modern heresy neglects the Scriptures, and twists the ones it does use, preferring to rely on modern-day \ldblquote prophesies\rdblquote by the leaders of the heresy, or by inserting secular psychology or left/right politics into the faith. \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This heresy will accept almost anyone or group as genuine if they exercise \ldblquote the gifts of the spirit\rdblquote under some veneer of Christianity or if they emphasize healing of the mind or body. (These last two items are not intended as criticisms of the charismatic movement, but only \ldblquote where the shoe fits.\rdblquote )\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}The teachers of this new heresy who are aptly described by Scripture:\par \cf3\ul{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Php_3:18-19\cf2\ulnone For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. \line\line\cf3\ul 1Ti_4:1-2\cf2\ulnone Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf3\ul 1Ti_3:1-5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf3\ul 1Ti_3:7\cf0\ulnone But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. . . . always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 In reality, the teachers of the new heresy,LVAL and their followers, are little more than another species of pagans. They have baptized what Paul calls the \ldblquote rudiments\rdblquote of the world--they are worshipping a false \ldblquote god\rdblquote of their own imaginations, and they are foreign to the reality, the knowledge, and the community of The Faith Once Delivered to the Saints.\par The problem is not just the existence, or even the growth and prosperity of the false teachers. The problem today is that many, if not most, professing Christians in mainline and evangelical churches are ignorant of even the most basic doctrines of the faith. Furthermore, as these church members have been educated and enculturated by the pagan way of thinking prevalent in society today, they are doubly weakened, and are easy prey for the heresies and cults that are growing swiftly. What is largely missing in American Christianity is a knowledge and appreciation of what doctrines distinguish Christianity from sheer paganism--what constitutes the absolute rule of the faith.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 What should we be teaching? \fs22\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 The doctrines of central importance have several things in common. First, they are rooted in the Scriptures. The Bible is our only acceptable source book for doctrine and practice. Church traditions, church history, and the work of God\rquote s servants in the past can help instruct us in the Scriptures, but all must be submitted to the Bible for judgment. \par The central core of the faith is non-denominational. Forms of church government, style of worship, differing views on the end times, and even divergent views on the gifts of the Spirit are important issues, but they are peripheral to the faith. We are not saved or lost by our views on these matters. The central core doctrines of the faith are largely those that have been recognized by Christians since apostolic times. Some might object that the principles of Justification by Faith and SalvationLVAL by Grace Plus Nothing are innovations of more recent times, but they were plainly taught by the apostles. Furthermore, throughout history, there were minority groups and individuals that maintained the witness of the Scriptures to these things. The Reformation of the church in the 16th century was a reawakening and renewal of apostolic teachings that had been neglected. \par The teachings of the \i regula fidei \i0 are accompanied in Scripture with strong warnings--whether it is the warning of John not to add to or take away from God\rquote s completed revelation (\cf3\ul Rev_22:18-19\cf2\ulnone ), the same apostle\rquote s warning against deviations in Christology (\cf3\ul 1Jo_4:2\cf2\ulnone ; 2 John 7-11), or Paul\rquote s anathema against Judaizers (\cf3\ul Gal_1:1-9\cf2\ulnone ), there are warning signs all along the way in the Bible to let us know that God is deadly serious about the heart of the Faith. \par The central teachings of the Rule of Faith are all concerned with God\rquote s redemption plan in some way--they involve the Cross of Christ.. \par Finally, the core doctrines of Bible Christianity are practical. These are not doctrines that you put up on a shelf to admire--they are doctrines that you can and must use in your everyday walk.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Overview of the Book\fs22\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 Briefly, the doctrines this book will examine are the following:\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent360\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 The Essential Christian Worldview--We all have a worldview, whether we realize it or not. This section asks and answers two questions--this set of questions and answers constitute the Christian Worldview. (a) What is Truth? and (b) Why are we alive? \par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}The Inspiration, Inerrancy (which means \ldblquote without error\rdblquote ), and Authority of the Scriptures--This is the most basic of doctrines for the believer. If we do not unLVALderstand that the Scriptures are our final authority, then we can never be certain about the other teachings of the faith.\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}The Nature of God--What kind of God do YOU worship? The modern \ldblquote god\rdblquote is too small, he has no definite doctrines, his plans and providence are subject to man\rquote s whims and desires, he is a cosmic wimp. The God of the Bible is The Absolute God, who is Sovereign, Holy, Just, Wrathful, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Immutable, Merciful, and Loving.\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}The Doctrine of the Trinity--the doctrine of the Trinity is the historic faith of Bible Christianity: no Trinity--no Christianity. No Trinity--No salvation!\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}The Person and Work of Christ--\rdblquote What think ye of Christ . . .Who do men say that I am?\rdblquote The answer to this question is the heart of hearts of the faith. Christ is Pre-existent, God Incarnate, Crucified, Risen, Coming Again.\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}Salvation: (a) By Grace, through faith, plus nothing. This is one of the major teachings that distinguishes Biblical Christianity from all other religions--Man cannot work his way to God, God must do it all. (b) Justification by Faith, plus nothing. The corollary to 6a--we contribute nothing to our salvation, and even our faith is a gift.\par {\pntext\f0 7.\tab}The necessity of a consistent Christian life (sanctification). \ldblquote My Sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me \'85\rdblquote (\cf3\ul Joh_10:27\cf2\ulnone )\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj The goal of the author is to be faithful to the Truth, and to be clear in telling the Truth. May God make it so.\line\par \pard\f1\fs22\par } # &vG  ]  L S 10 Ap8 The Empty God Y:.10 Ap7 Study Qs and Projects Ch5 @RF10 Ap6 Study Qs and Projects Ch4V @RF10 Ap5 Study Qs and Projects Ch3 @RF 10 Ap4 Study Qs and Projects Ch2 @RF 10 Ap3 Study Qs and Projects Ch1@RF 10 Ap2 A Good Tool Chest4"uYB6 10 Ap1 Holy War - Spiritual Warfare PrimerquYfZ 07 Necessity of a Consistent Christian LifevMYh\06 Saved by GracekCY4(05b Work of Christ]CY6*05a Person of ChristVzU9Y:.04 TrinityhH/Y&03 Nature of God 8Y2&02 "Thy Word if Truth" Inspiration, Inerrancy-Yl`01 Essential Christian Worldview What is True?!Ynb00 Buntin - Christian Basic TrainingYZNLVALY"{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 1:\line The Essential Christian Worldview\line What is Truth? Why are We Alive?\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\kerning0\fs24 Introductory Comments\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 You have a worldview. Many of you might deny that you have a worldview, but you have one. If you say, \ldblquote Hey, all I want to do is party, I don\rquote t have a worldview, and don\rquote t need one,\rdblquote then that is your worldview--the Bible describes that way of thinking as \ldblquote eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die.\rdblquote Philosophers would probably call such a view of life \ldblquote hedonistic nihilism,\rdblquote (now there\rquote s a couple of $50 words!)--which means \ldblquote have a good time and don\rquote t care about anything.\rdblquote Your worldview might have been shaped by religious belief and tradition, by occultism and superstition, by humanism and rationalism, by what you learned as a child from \ldblquote Sesame Street\rdblquote and \ldblquote Mister Rogers,\rdblquote or by what you hear and see now on \ldblquote Phil\rdblquote and \ldblquote Oprah,\rdblquote but you have a worldview. Your worldview may be clearly thought out or almost totally subconscious, it may be base or noble, it may be sensible or wacky--but you have a worldview. What is more, your worldview is very important to you. It governs the way you think and live; it guides your decisions about everything you do. \par If you are a professing Christian, you have an obligation to think out your worldview. You are pledged by your covenant with the God of the Bible to learn His ways and to follow Him (\cf2\ul Joh_10:27\cf1\ulnone ). If you are going to follow ChLVAL#rist, then you need to be aware of how God wants you to view the world, and you need to learn to live by His worldview.\par Historically, the Christian Worldview has been determined by the answers to two questions: What is Truth? Why are We alive? These are the two most basic questions that can be asked about human existence. Of course, for us to even ask these questions flies in the face of the common modern worldviews, which deny the existence of Truth, Purpose, and Direction in the universe. For us to say, \ldblquote these questions make sense,\rdblquote presupposes the Christian Worldview.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 What is Truth?\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 The accused stood before the Roman governor, who had the power of judge, jury, and executioner. This powerful ruler was accountable to no one on earth but Caesar himself, and his only thought was how to handle this thorny situation in such a way as to please Caesar and advance his own cause. Pontius Pilate was a typical Roman politician--skilled, devious, educated, and thoroughly cynical in his approach to life--he would have made a good 20th century American corporation man. Pilate, no doubt, was not in a fine mood. For Pilate, as for all Roman rulers of Judea before and after him, this time of the year was always a tense one, which is why he had left his normal residence in comfortable Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea and traveled to this miserable, grim city of Jerusalem--a place full of trouble and troublesome people. The Jews were gathering for one of their interminable religious festivals where they worshipped their strange oriental God, their uniquely solitary deity who was so jealous that He wouldn\rquote t even let them make an image of Himself. It was the Passover, the chief of their feasts, so Pilate was in Jerusalem, where he did not want to be, and he was awakened very early in the morning at the summons of the Jewish religious leaders, to handle the case of this prisoner, Jesus. PLVAL$ilate had already sent Him to Herod, trying to avoid making the decision, and that wily old fox had deftly sidestepped the issue and landed it back in Pilate\rquote s lap. So here they stood, an inscrutable Jewish prophet, and the Roman governor.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Joh_18:33-37\cf0\ulnone Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, \ldblquote Are you the king of the Jews?\rdblquote \ldblquote Is that your own idea,\rdblquote Jesus asked, \ldblquote or did others talk to you about me?\rdblquote \ldblquote Am I a Jew?\rdblquote Pilate replied. \ldblquote It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?\rdblquote Jesus said, \ldblquote My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.\rdblquote \ldblquote You are a king, then!\rdblquote said Pilate. Jesus answered, \ldblquote You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.\rdblquote \ldblquote What is truth?\rdblquote Pilate asked. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 We know the rest of the story. Pilate, who really had nothing against this solitary prophet, tried everything he could to worm out of the situation, but when faced with a political threat to himself, \ldblquote . . . If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_19:12\cf1\ulnone ), he turned him over to the executioners. Pilate\rquote s words to Jesus, however, ring in our ears, because they sound so current, so \ldblquote now.\rdblquote \ldblquote What is Truth?\rdblquote Pilate, the cynic, probably had no idea of the answer to his own question--he most likely wasn\rquote t sure there was such a thing as truth, and so it is with many, if not most of the world\rquote s people today. We live in a civilization that will admit theLVAL% existence of \ldblquote little truths,\rdblquote and technological facts. For example, we know that 2+2 = 4, that elements have certain chemical and physical properties, and that bodies in motion behave in a predictable way. However, our civilization officially denies the existence of ultimate Truth--the concept that Francis Schaeffer called \ldblquote true truth.\rdblquote For the Christian, however, Truth exists, and it is ultimate, rational, and real.\par Your first step in developing and using a Christian worldview is to realize \ldblquote Thy Word is Truth.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_17:17\cf1\ulnone ). What a gift you have as a believer! The rest of humanity gropes in the dark for answers about the most basic questions of life, and you have them all, bound up in one book--the Bible. You can know where mankind came from, how we got to be where we are today, and what the future holds for us. You can discover principles and laws that will tell you what is right and what is wrong. If you want to know Who God, is, what He is like, and what He wants from you, you can find that out in the Bible--the Bible can even guide your steps in getting to know Him personally. The history of God\rquote s dealing with mankind is founded in literal, historical events--they really happened, and they are recorded for us in the Bible. \par \b The first principle is:\b0 There IS such a thing as Truth, it is propositional, it is recorded in God\rquote s Word, it is to be the focal point of our lives, and it is personified in Jesus Christ. Contrary to the teachings and beliefs of human philosophers and occult religionists, Truth exists. Truth is propositional, that means it is something we can put into word, phrases, and sentences that make sense. Truth is recorded in God\rquote s Word (\cf2\ul Joh_17:17\cf1\ulnone ). We can find the answers to life\rquote s questions in the Book of Books. Truth is meant to be the focal point of one\rquote s life We are to know the Truth and to live it.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60LVAL&\qj\cf2\ul Deu_6:4-9\cf0\ulnone Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Truth is personified in Jesus Christ (\cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf1\ulnone ) Only hours before His encounter with Pilate, Jesus had said, \ldblquote I am the Truth.\rdblquote In Him, we see the Truth of God walking in a human body ( \cf2\ul Joh_1:14\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_1:18\cf1\ulnone ). If you want to know Truth face to face, know Christ.\par \b The second major principle\b0 of THY Word is Truth is that Biblical Truth is objective \ldblquote TRUE\rdblquote Truth. Unlike liberal, existential forms of the Christian faith, Biblical faith teaches that the events recorded in the Bible are reliable historical facts. \par If you look at the apostolic-type sermon, \cf2\ul Act_7:1\cf1\ulnone ff, \cf2\ul Act_13:16\cf1\ulnone ff, \cf2\ul Act_10:34\cf1\ulnone ff, you find that the preaching of the apostles was grounded in the historical truths of the Bible. This is consistent with the preaching of Moses and the prophets of the Old Testament--they were not mystics or philosophers, they preached and taught about God, who is, who acts, and who communicates through personal intervention in, and providential guidance of the history of human events. As the apostles recorded the gospel records, they were careful to stress the reality of what they were writing about the Life and Works of Jesus \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Luk_1:1-4\cf0\ulnone Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed dowLVAL'n to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. \par \cf2\ul Joh_20:30-31\cf0\ulnone Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. \par \cf2\ul Joh_21:24-25\cf0\ulnone This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Paul in teaching on the resurrection in particular, stressed the eyewitness accounts of it, and the importance of its factuality to the Christian faith.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Co_15:1-14\cf0\ulnone Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called aLVAL(n apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Why Are We Alive?\fs36\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 This is another basic question about the universe. Why are we here? What do the various non-Christian philosophies say about the purpose of human life? To begin with, most deny there is such a thing as a purpose. Purpose implies a conscious, personal, active, involved Creator, and Existentialism, Nihilism and Humanism deny that basic assumption. A far more dangerous philosophy that is becoming very popular is the New Age Movement, which says, among other things, that our purpose is to \ldblquote become one with the universe.\rdblquote \par Another common belief system, The Self Esteem movement, wants us to feel good about ourselves. This movement is represented by popular psychology and psychiatry (including, unfortunately, many \ldblquote Christian\rdblquote therapists). Self Esteem is also a foundational belief of various 12-step recovery groups, who have a religious taste to them by use of the concept of \ldblquote my higher power.\rdblquote As with any error, there is a grain of truth here--as creations of a Holy God, we are worthy of a certain dignity. But we are fallen; we are rebels. Without salvation through the blood atonement of Christ Jesus, we are not OK! If I help you with some sort of mental and emotional good feeling and heal your anguish about life, etc., and do nothinLVAL)g to bring you to the Cross for forgiveness, I have done nothing for you that will last!\par What does the Bible say about the Purpose of Human Life? It teaches that the human race is a special creation of a personal, loving, God, and our purpose as a race and as individuals is to glorify Him, to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus His Son, and to live with Him forever. \par The human race is a special creation of a personal, loving, God. Evolutionary \ldblquote science,\rdblquote on very fragmentary evidence, has concluded that our race oozed up from some \lquote primordial soup\rquote , crawled out onto the shore, eventually became apes, and then progressed to our current form. This is contrary to the teachings of Scripture (and disagrees with the hard scientific facts, too--see reading list at the end of this chapter). The first chapter of Genesis plainly teaches that God created everything \i ex nihilo\i0 (from nothing), that He simply spoke it into existence (God said, \ldblquote let there be \'85 and there was \'85\rdblquote ). In \cf2\ul Gen_1:26-28\cf1\ulnone Moses outlines God\rquote s creation of the race, then in \cf2\ul Gen_2:7-25\cf1\ulnone , he gives a detailed account. The race of Man was personally created by a personal God--for a purpose, for a reason. That reason is given in one of the most beautiful and profound statements in the Bible:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rev_4:11\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Thou Art Worthy, Oh, Lord, to receive Glory and honor, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created. (KJV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 We were created for His pleasure--simply because He wanted it that way. Well, if that is the reason we were created, what is our purpose? \par The verse just quoted tells us God is worthy of Glory, so as His creatures we should glorify Him. The truth is that all of the human race will bring glory to God, but not all in the same way. Philippians 2 says (speaking of Christ),\par \LVAL*pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Php_2:9-11\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV) \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 God has decreed that every knee will bow to His son, including those under the earth, which is a Biblical reference to Hell. We were created to glorify God, and every human being will. Some will do it as they rejoice in heaven over the salvation of Christ, and some will do it as they suffer the just eternal punishment for their sins.\par As believers, however, we have a special place in bringing Glory to God. We are to begin glorifying Him by our life as we live it now.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Co_6:19-20\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_10:31\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.\rdblquote\'85 \ldblquote So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The Bible has specific instructions in many places on how to run our lives. It tells us how to run our marriage, our business affairs, our employed lives, and how to conduct ourselves in society and in the church. Our purpose in life as believers is to learn to follow Christ in such a way as to bring Glory to God. A step beyond that concept, however, is the marvelous truth of the final goal of God\rquote s working in our lives. We are to be molded into the image of Christ. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_8:28-29\cf0\ulnone And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For thoseLVAL+ God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul 1Jo_3:1-2\cf0\ulnone How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 It is our destiny and reward as believers to be conformed to the likeness, the image, of Christ. We won\rquote t BE Him, as a pantheistic New Ager might say; we will never have His attributes of Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Immutability--but our actions and our countenance will be like Him.\par The final part of the purpose of our existence is to Live with God forever. Oh, what a joy, to live in the presence of God eternally, to have no sin or human troubles to worry us, and to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him!\par Now that we have said all this about a purpose for our lives, what are the practical implications of that purpose? How do we take this doctrine and apply it to our lives? This marvelous truth has important implications for all of life\rquote s decisions. We cannot live as if we are independent and free to do whatever we might decide to do. If we are Christians, we don\rquote t own ourselves. \par One passage quoted earlier (\cf2\ul 1Co_6:19-20\cf1\ulnone ), said that we are \ldblquote\'85 not your own; you were bought at a price.\rdblquote We are not, as an old song said, \ldblquote riding the trail alone.\rdblquote Paul reiterates this principle in \cf2\ul 1Co_7:23\cf1\ulnone , \ldblquote You were bought at a price, do not become slaves of men.\rdblquote All believers are priests (\cf2\ul 1Pe_2:5\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Pe_2:9\cf1\ulnone ), and are to serve God in every area of our lives. In our family, GodLVAL, is to rule ( \cf2\ul Eph_5:33-6\cf1\ulnone :4); our work habits are to be those He wants us to have ( \cf2\ul Eph_6:5-9\cf1\ulnone ). In our civic duties, we are to exhibit His rule in our conduct (\cf2\ul 1Pe_2:13-18\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Rom_13:1-8\cf1\ulnone ). Indeed, as Paul tells the Colossians, \ldblquote Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Col_3:23\cf1\ulnone ) \par When all of this is taken together, a balanced Christian life will emerge. We will not be either lazy or workaholics; we will have an ordered family with a loving atmosphere; we will serve God in every way. This is how life is to be lived--our life is not separated into our \ldblquote private, religious life\rdblquote and our \ldblquote secular\rdblquote life. The life of a Christian is to be one seamless tapestry, with all parts working together under the direction of the Holy Spirit, by the rule of God\rquote s word, following God\rquote s Son for the glory of the Triune God.\par But what about when things get rough--what are the implications of this teaching in times of trial? How can God \ldblquote get the glory\rdblquote when His children go through trials and tribulations? There is now a movement claiming to be Christian which says that God always desires for us to be happy, prosperous, and healthy in this world. This movement, called The Word of Faith Movement, or simply The Faith Teaching, unrealistically and cruelly makes all our problems the result of lack of faith on our part. It assumes that God can do nothing without our puny personal faith. As we will learn in chapter 3, God is sovereign, that is, He rules the universe, including determining the circumstances of our lives--(\cf2\ul Dan_4:34-35\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Job_42:1-6\cf1\ulnone ). So, if we are in a difficult circumstance, God has caused or allowed it to take place. Trials, therefore, are part of His purpose for our lives, and we are to glorify Him in our trials. \par There are severaVLVALfl elements to this whole concept that are beyond the scope of this book, but some things you can look at to begin to understand this principle are: (a) This world is not our natural home--we are strangers and pilgrims here (\cf2\ul Php_3:20\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Heb_11:13-16\cf1\ulnone ). (b) God\rquote s chastenings are an assurance of sonship (\cf2\ul Heb_12:5-13\cf1\ulnone ). (c) It is normal for the world system to hate believers; when attacked and under trial from the world, we are following in Christ\rquote s footsteps (\cf2\ul 1Pe_2:19-24\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_15:18-6\cf1\ulnone :4). (d) God can and does deliver His people from trials--but not always (\cf2\ul Heb_11:32-39\cf1\ulnone ). Therefore, our proper attitude in times of trial is to be that of the \ldblquote three Hebrew children.\rdblquote These youths, captured by a cruel conqueror and pressed into the service of the enemy king, were faced with a choice: worship heathen idols or be fired (with real fire) Their answer is a masterpiece of theology and practical faith.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Dan_3:16-18\cf0\ulnone Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, \ldblquote O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 God may deliver, or it may be His pleasure not to deliver--we still serve Him, whatever the case. Christian, your life has meaning and purpose--you are to glorify God in all things.\par See Appendix 3 for study questions and projects for Chapter 1.\par \pard\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALY.{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 2\line\ldblquote Thy word is Truth\rdblquote\line The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of the Bible\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 The tall, balding, Air Force major leaned back in his chair, took another drag from his smoke. \ldblquote OK. Sergeant Jones, let\rquote s go through this again; you have tried every step in the troubleshooting manual, we have test flown the aircraft, we have talked to the engineers, we\rquote ve even tried improvising, and we still don\rquote t know why this landing gear is not working.\rdblquote The sergeant and his assistants, standing in the windowless office around the desk of their commander, nodded in unison. Their branch chief (me, an Air Force captain at the time) watched intently from the side of the desk. The major pulled the large, grease-stained technical manual over to his side of the desk. He read through the initial setup sequences for testing the landing gear, then came to Step 1 of the troubleshooting guide. \ldblquote It says, \lquote check the X dimension on the main actuator, and adjust if necessary,\rquote \ldblquote The major read, then looked up and squinted at them through his glasses, \ldblquote You did that, correct?\rdblquote \par Sergeant Jones, who had lighted up with the permission of his commander, gestured with his half-smoked butt, shook his head, and said, \ldblquote Oh, no sir, that procedure is a real bucket of worms and never yields anything--nobody ever does that step. \ldblquote \par The major dropped his chin, shook his head, and turning to me, sneered slightly, turning up the right corner of his mouth. I\rquote d been working for him long enough to kLVAL/now that sneer of his meant, \ldblquote Captain, your sergeant is a Bozo, and you\rquote ve been had.\rdblquote \par I said, \ldblquote Jones, you told me you\rquote d done all the steps!\rdblquote (I\rquote d watched him do most of them, but had missed the first two or three because of a staff meeting). The sergeant hemmed and hawed, and would not look at me. Sighing, I took the manual, grabbed my hat and radio, and said, \ldblquote C\rquote mon, let\rquote s go fix this airplane.\rdblquote\par We did the prescribed first step, discovered the problem, and managed a temporary fix which got the airplane ready to fly back to its home station for permanent repairs. Later, the major and I were alone in his office; I was sitting on his couch drinking coffee. He was leaning back in his chair with his feet up on the desk, blowing rings of foul-smelling smoke into space. He chuckled and said, \ldblquote Charley, chalk it up to experience, but remember the old saying--\rquote when all else fails read the book.\rquote\rdblquote \par I took a long sip from my coffee, shook my head, looked up at him, and said, \ldblquote No, boss, Jones was reading the book--the idea is to follow the book.\rdblquote\par I spent many years as an aircraft maintenance technician, supervisor, and officer in the U.S. Air Force. One of the great lessons I learned was that the technical manuals we had, while not perfect, were usually a lot more reliable than our own guesses, and often held just the answer we needed for problems that seemed unsolvable. Several times in years after the above incident, I would use the method I learned from the major that day, questioning the technicians, dealing with a problem \ldblquote line by line\rdblquote with the book in my hand. In 90% of the cases, we found the problem before the interview was over. Reading and following the book works.\par What is true about fallible but fairly reliable technical manuals is infinitely more true when we consider the infallible and inerrant Book of Books, tLVAL0he Bible. We must live our life, define our faith, and order our worship and praise by what is written in the Scriptures, the 66 commonly accepted books we call the Holy Bible. We saw in the last chapter that \ldblquote Thy word is Truth.\rdblquote In this depraved and rootless world, we as believers have a sure guide to life, we have an anchor that grips the Rock, and we have a source book of pure Truth to base everything on. The second major principle of the rule of faith, then is that the Bible is Inspired, Inerrant, Infallible, and True, and that it is a sure guide to follow for our faith and our lives.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Inspiration\fs36\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\ul\b0\fs20 1Ti_3:16\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote . . . All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . . .\rdblquote (KJV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Inspiration is a much used and abused concept. We hear a pretty song, see a beautiful painting, witness a great theatrical performance, or hear a stirring speech, and we say \ldblquote Wow! That was inspired!\rdblquote An athlete goes beyond his or her normal abilities to win a contest, and the sportscaster says, \ldblquote We are witnessing an inspired performance here tonight!\rdblquote Sometimes, even base and ugly things are called inspired, like some of the deviant art works and pornographic literature that passes as artistic in our decadent age. \par In reality, the word \ldblquote inspired\rdblquote originally had a very special meaning which couldn\rquote t possibly apply to any of the things above--this original meaning can only apply to a direct and infallible revelation of God\rquote s word. The word translated from the original Greek as \ldblquote inspired\rdblquote in the older English translations of the Bible is \i theopneustos\i0 , a word which literally means \ldblquote God-breathed.\rdblquote The concept is that God \ldblquote breathed\rdblquote the words of Scripture into the minds of those who wrote them, anLVAL1d they wrote as they were thus \ldblquote inspired.\rdblquote The following two passages from the New International Version translation are the classic Biblical texts for understanding this process of inspiration.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Ti_3:16-17\cf0\ulnone All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul 2Pe_1:19-21\cf0\ulnone And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet\rquote s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 We might ask (and some theologians do) \ldblquote How much of the Bible is inspired?\rdblquote The text in \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:16\cf1\ulnone answers the question directly: \ldblquote All Scripture . . .\rdblquote \ldblquote But,\rdblquote you say, \ldblquote how do we know what is Scripture and what is not?\rdblquote Or, what is part of the \ldblquote canon\rdblquote (rule) of Scripture? A full answer to that question is beyond the scope of this book, but it is a very good question, because many opponents of the faith, including liberals, cynics, and cultists, challenge Christians on just that count. Usually, the fiction is put forth that the early church theologians and the emperors met together, decided what books they wanted in the Bible, edited them to suit their tastes, and forced them upon the people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. \par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Old Testament Canon \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 The early church basically received the Old TestamentLVAL2 intact from the Jewish nation, though the arrangement and names of the books are somewhat different. The part of the Bible known as the apocrypha, which is attached to the Old Testament in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles, was never accepted by the Jews, and was separated from the Scripture by the most of the early church. It was never officially considered Scripture by anyone until the Roman Catholic church mandated its full acceptance in the Council of Trent in 1546. With a few exceptions, Protestants and Free Churches have never accepted the apocrypha as Scripture, though some parts of it have historical value.\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The New Testament Canon \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 From the earliest days of the church, there were false letters and books circulated in the names of apostles (\cf2\ul 2Th_2:1-2\cf1\ulnone ), so there was a process of sifting the churches went through to determine which books were authentic and which were not. There were only a few of the New Testament books which were ever seriously questioned, and there were only a few non-Biblical books seriously considered. Gradually, the church identified which books were acceptable by a stringent set of criteria, including content, apostolic authorship, and acceptance by the church as a whole. All the councils did was rubber-stamp what the laity had already recognized by the witness of the Spirit. \par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Degree of Inspiration \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 There is a subtle heresy around today which says \ldblquote the words themselves are not inspired, just the concepts.\rdblquote That is about as ridiculous as you telling the Internal Revenue Service, \ldblquote Most of the numbers on my tax form are not reliable, but the bottom line is accurate!\rdblquote Concepts, of course, are made up of words--if the words are not inspired, the concepts are not either. The truth is, that the BLVAL3ible is full of references to the inspiration of the words themselves. \ldblquote . . . More than 3800 times in the Old Testament we have such expressions as \lquote thus saith the LORD,\rquote \lquote the word of the LORD came unto me,\rquote \lquote God said.\rquote . . . (Thomas A. Thomas). \par The following Scripture references should help illustrate this.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf0 And God spoke all these words. \cf2\ul Exo_20:1\cf0\ulnone \par \cf2\ul 1Co_2:13\cf0\ulnone This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Mat_5:18\cf0\ulnone I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Joh_6:63\cf0\ulnone The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Joh_17:8\cf0\ulnone For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Inerrancy: \line There are no Errors in the Bible\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 As with other issues concerning the Bible, there are those claiming to be part of the body of Christ who try to say there are errors in the Bible, but somehow maintain its authority. They do this because they are uncomfortable with some Bible teachings and want to pick and choose what to believe--kind of like \ldblquote Buffet Christianity.\rdblquote However, the faith of the Church has always been that There were NO errors in the original manuscripts of the Bible, and we possess ample manuscript evidence that we have received a faithful transmission of those original manuscripts, which has been translated into our English (and other modern languages) translatLVAL4ions. There are a handful of manuscript problems--there are a few places where there is disagreement as to what should be written. However, these places are very few, they involve none of the basic (or even secondary) doctrines of the faith, and usually the various different readings mean the same thing anyway. There are, as Peter said \ldblquote Many things hard to understand\rdblquote in the Scriptures, but that is not a defect in the Bible--that is a defect in our understanding.\par Sometimes, people within the professing church try to challenge the authority or truth of part of the Bible, without taking away from other parts. However, the Bible must be taken altogether. Hebrews chapter 1 sets forth the unity of the Scriptures, and establishes the distinction between the giving of the Old and New Testaments:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Heb_1:1-2\cf0\ulnone In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Our Lord testified to the truth of the Old Testament, including many of the parts people don\rquote t want to accept. In \cf2\ul Mat_12:39-42\cf1\ulnone , he authenticated the story of Jonah; He stated that Moses wrote the books of Moses in \cf2\ul Mar_7:10\cf1\ulnone (See also \cf2\ul Joh_5:45-47\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_7:19\cf1\ulnone ); and in \cf2\ul Mat_19:4-5\cf1\ulnone he authenticated the creation account, that the human race started from one pair of fully developed humans specially created by God. \par The book of Hebrews again helps us understand the authority of (and how God revealed and confirmed) the New Testament:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Heb_2:1-4\cf0\ulnone We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation andLVAL5 disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Our Lord pre-authenticated the New Testament, by explaining to the apostles beforehand how they would be able to remember perfectly all He had said and done, as well as receive new teachings:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Joh_14:26\cf0\ulnone But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Joh_16:12-13\cf0\ulnone I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Finally, the apostles themselves made numerous declarations as to the truth of the New Testament, and how it came to be. Peter wrote:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 2Pe_1:15-19\cf0\ulnone And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, \ldblquote This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises LVAL6in your hearts. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Paul testified about the revelations he had received:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Gal_1:11-12\cf0\ulnone I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The aged apostle John\rquote s stenographer wrote:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Joh_21:24-25\cf0\ulnone This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 A more recent attack on the truth of the Scriptures is very sneaky, but no more valid than other attacks. It is the problem of \ldblquote cultural relevance.\rdblquote The argument goes that culture has changed, times have changed, so many of the rules in the Bible have to be changed. While it is true that our technology has come a long way, the Bible does not address technology. It does not tell us we have to use horses instead of cars; it does not tell us we can\rquote t use airplanes--it makes no statements about technology at all. \par Most of human society is really the same as it was back then. Money is still money, work is still work, people are still people, and sin is still sin. The truth is that the Bible\rquote s rules having to do with the roles of women in the church, morality (to include sex outside of marriage and homosexuality), and sin were not in line with the common culture of the old world either. Israel\rquote s strict moral code was as different from the nations around it as the moral code believers are expected to follow makes us different today. The early church was asked to live New Testament standards of conduct in the midst of aLVAL7 society just as wild, free, and sinful as the one we live in. The real issue of cultural relevance is that sin is still sin and righteousness is still righteousness.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Authority of the Bible\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\ul\b0\fs20 1Ti_3:16-17\cf0\ulnone All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 It does us no good to have a Bible that is inspired and inerrant if we do not recognize and use it authoritatively. I remember as a young Christian when I bought my first big study Bible--it was expensive, it was big, and I was fairly well lost trying to use its various helps. I brought it to a Bible study with me, and the pastor of our group, a crusty but loving old ex-biker rebel, spied me lugging it in and said, \ldblquote Big caliber weapon there, troop, do you know how to use it?\rdblquote We must learn to use the Bible, and we must use it, not just as an intellectual exercise, but in helping us learn to follow Christ daily. The ways of using the Bible given us by our text in Timothy are teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.\par \b Teaching\b0 (Doctrine)--All doctrine must be \ldblquote . . . according to the Scriptures\rdblquote (\cf2\ul 1Co_15:1-4\cf1\ulnone ). This doesn\rquote t mean that teachers cannot write and comment on Scripture (as this book does!), but it does mean that all teaching in the church must stand to be judged in the court of the Bible itself--The Bible is the final authority. Paul stresses in many places, such as \cf2\ul 1Ti_1:13\cf1\ulnone and 2:2 that we must \ldblquote . . . teach no other doctrine\rdblquote ; in Galatians, he pronounces judgment on all who would deviate from scriptural teaching on vital doctrines such as justification by faith and salvation by grace. (\cf2\ul Gal_1:6-9\cf1\ulnone )\par \b Rebuke\b0 -hLVALx-the word in the Greek means to convict someone of sin. If a brother or sister is heading the wrong way, we are to rebuke them, in the hope of restoring them (\cf2\ul Mat_18:15-17\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Jas_5:19-20\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jas_5:1Co_5:1-11\cf1\ulnone ). This discipline must be meted out in accordance with, and by the judgment of the Bible.\par \b Correction\b0 --the word means to restore to an upright state. After the rebuke of one who is going the wrong way, the Bible can then be used to apply the oil of mercy to the wounded one, and to keep them from repeating their mistake.\par \b Training\b0 (Instruction in righteousness--KJV) Proper Christian teaching from the Bible should have the goal of the students successfully living as followers of Christ (\cf2\ul Joh_10:27\cf1\ulnone ). Doctrine, even deep, thought-provoking doctrines such as those about the nature of God or the return of Christ, should always be applied practically. Bible study that is a mere intellectual exercise is vain and useless.\par The results of the proper use of the Bible, \ldblquote . . .so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work . . .\rdblquote are what all Christians need in their lives. If you want to be Holy and be a faithful follower of our Lord, read and study the Bible, believe what it says without question, and accept its authority in your life. There is a popular saying, which even became a song, \ldblquote God says it, I believe it, and that settles it.\rdblquote That is not true. The truth is--If God says it, that settles it, whether anyone believes it or not.\par See Appendix 4 for study questions and projects for Chapter 2.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALY9{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 3\line The Nature of God\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\kerning0\fs24 The Absolute God \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 In writing this chapter, I stand on the shoulders of giants indeed. I gratefully acknowledge the tremendous help and influence that the writings of A. W. Pink, J. I. Packer, and Stephen Charnock have been over the years in helping me come to know and understand the Absolute God.\par The deacon shifted uneasily in his seat--this interview was not going well at all. He eyed the gentle, but (as far as the deacon was concerned) obstinate middle-aged man seated across from him. He\rquote d been all for Reverend Dodd coming here as pastor two years ago, and the church had nearly doubled in size since his arrival, but he could not stand the preacher\rquote s teachings about the nature of God. Bro. Dodd\rquote s version of God was even a bit scary to Deacon Smith! \ldblquote Now look here, Reverend, I just can\rquote t believe what you are saying! You are telling me that God\rquote s plans cannot be thwarted, and that He controls all of the events of human history for His own purposes--is that fair? I\rquote ve always thought of God as a gentleman, the kind of fellow that presents His case to you, and lets you work things out. He lets human beings work out the world their own way, except when He decides to intervene in some special case.\rdblquote\par The preacher removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and sighed deeply. \ldblquote Where do you find that in the Bible, Smitty? God never claims to be fair--only just. Fairness is a human standard that changes as often as our perceptions change--God never changes, and His decrees are LVAL:never altered. God is not, and cannot be, judged by any standard manufactured by men!\rdblquote The preacher opened his Bible and read several verses out loud that spoke of God\rquote s ruling the affairs of nations, and of His plan for redemption through the sacrifice of the Cross. \ldblquote Smitty, was it fair for God to send His Son to die for us? Did God ever promise anywhere to take our thoughts, whims, and petty human pride into account in His eternal councils? No! Smitty, God is either absolute, or He is not God!\rdblquote\par The deacon closed his own Bible nervously. \ldblquote Reverend, I\rquote ve got to go. I, uh, have a business appointment across town.\rdblquote Without any hesitation, before the pastor could suggest they pray, Deacon Smith got up to leave. At the door, he hesitated, turned, and said, \ldblquote I\rquote ll say this--you and I don\rquote t worship the same God.\rdblquote Pastor Dodd never saw Deacon Smith in church again; Smith would not return his calls. He heard some time later that the Smiths had moved their membership to a liberal Protestant church across town.\par The story above is true, though the characters are composites. Some of the circumstances, and of course the names, have been changed, but that interview really happened to a preacher in the southern United States in the late 1970s. A prominent layman in an evangelical Baptist church, who had been in the church for many years, had a concept of God which was far removed from the Bible\rquote s picture of Him. This man thought of God as a kind of cosmic grandfather, a good Joe, a fair businessman who minded his own affairs unless some extraordinary circumstance came along. Why, \ldblquote Smitty\rquote s\rdblquote God would have felt right at home at the businessman\rquote s luncheon club and on the links at Smitty\rquote s country club. In short, Smitty\rquote s God was a lot like Smitty!\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Psa_50:16-23\cf0\ulnone But to the wicked, God says: \ldblquote What rLVAL;ight have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother\rquote s son. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. \ldblquote Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.\rdblquote (NIV) (Emphasis Added)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 What kind of God do you worship? Are you like \ldblquote Smitty\rdblquote in our story? Are you like Israel in the passage in Psalms--do you think God is like you? Do you think of God as an errand boy, a cosmic, doddering doting old Grandpa, a gentleman who wouldn\rquote t hurt a flea. Does your God dismiss sin? Is your God at the mercy of Man or Nature? Is your God too small? Is he \ldblquote Itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy?\rdblquote \par Or do you worship the God of the Bible? Is your God the God of Joseph, Who turns the evil intent of wicked men to His own use? (\cf2\ul Gen_50:20\cf1\ulnone ) Do you worship the God of Job, Whose greatness caused that patriarch to abhor himself and be silent? (\cf2\ul Job_42:1-6\cf1\ulnone ) Do you fall down in worship of the Holy, Holy, Holy, God of Isaiah? (\cf2\ul Isa_6:1-5\cf1\ulnone ) Do you realize that your life is ruled by the Sovereign Ruler and Omniscient God of Daniel? (\cf2\ul Dan_2:20-23\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_2:27-28\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_4:34-35\cf1\ulnone ) Do you trust in the God of the Psalms, who does as He pleases? (\cf2\ul Psa_115:3\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_135:6\cf1\ulnone ) Do you pray to the God of Abraham, who calls those things that are not as though they were? (\cf2\ul Rom_4:17\cf1\ulnoneLVAL< ) Have you met the God of Paul, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords? (\cf2\ul 1Ti_6:14-16\cf1\ulnone ).\par In this chapter, we look briefly at seven of the many attributes of God. They are certainly not His only attributes, but they are the ones this decadent age disregards the most. Not only are these attributes of God ignored in this era, they are hated and despised by many because of the vaunted independence and self-worship of modern man. The attributes of Sovereignty, Holiness, Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Immutability, Wrath, and Love, set God apart from the false Gods of pagans, and from the false Gods of \ldblquote Christians\rdblquote who as A.W. Pink has said, make up their own God out of their imaginations. \par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #1--God is Sovereign\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 God is Sovereign, that is, He is THE BOSS, period. God is subject to no one--no one can tell God what to do or judge His actions. (\cf2\ul Rom_9:1-25\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_115:3\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_135:6\cf1\ulnone ) The concept of a sovereign, that is, a ruler with absolute authority who answers to no one, is unfamiliar to most Americans. We may hear of a dictator or \ldblquote strongman\rdblquote who has sovereign-like powers, but that is a far cry from the classic definition of a sovereign. In history, a sovereign was a ruler who had absolute authority and who had the right to that authority, usually by heredity or conquest, but even the true sovereigns of history were only a pale reflection of the Sovereign Lord God. \par A knife, a bullet, poison, a fever, or at last, time, unseated every sovereign that ever lived--except the eternal Sovereign who lives forever. Omnipotence, which we look at a few pages later, talks about God\rquote s Power and Ability--Sovereignty expresses His authority by right. If we study in detail passages such as Isaiah 40 and Job 38-42, we find that God claims the right to rule based on His creatorship,LVAL= His eternality, and His solitariness--there is no one like Him. \par God defines what is right. If we do not like an action by God, or if we think God is not \ldblquote fair,\rdblquote that is irrelevant--whatever God says is right, is right--\rdblquote Let God be true and every man a liar . . .\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Rom_3:4\cf1\ulnone ). Whatever God does, is, by definition, right. We do not have any basis upon which to challenge any action of His, because His is the only viewpoint that counts (\cf2\ul Rom_9:11-21\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_4:34-35\cf1\ulnone ). \par God\rquote s rulership is universal. It is not confined by time or place. God sovereignly rules the affairs of nations. He is not waiting to see what the latest political developments are going to be--he is arranging the circumstances of the universe to fit His purposes. He does not cause the sinful actions of men and nations in this, nor does He make people act like robots. Just how He rules is mysterious, but we know that He does it by intervention in history (\cf2\ul Act_17:26-27\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_46:9-11\cf1\ulnone ).\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Psa_115:3\cf0\ulnone Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_135:6\cf0\ulnone The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #2--God is Holy\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 Holy is a Bible term that means \ldblquote set apart.\rdblquote God is separate from all other things, and is 100% pure in everything. He is set apart because of who He is. His very nature and attributes set Him apart as unique from all else, and Holiness is, in a sense, His central attribute. Like the hub of a giant wheel, His Holiness defines the infinite degree of His other perfections. Is God sovereign? Yes, and He is perfectly so, infinitely so--He is set apart in the perfection of His sovereignty. Is God loving? Yes,LVAL> and His love is perfect and completely surpasses any other love by any other creature. Is God omnipotent and omniscient? Yes, and His power and knowledge are infinite, again, setting Him apart from all His creatures. \cf2\ul Rev_15:4\cf1\ulnone says of God \ldblquote . . . You alone are Holy.\rdblquote Moses, in his song says \ldblquote . . . Who among the \lquote gods\rquote is like you, O LORD. . . majestic in Holiness.\rdblquote Eternity will be a joyous celebration of the Holy God. We get a glimpse of the scene in heaven by the visions of Isaiah and the aged apostle John, as well as those of the book of Psalms:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rev_4:8\cf0\ulnone Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: \ldblquote Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Isa_6:1-3\cf0\ulnone In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: \ldblquote Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_99:9\cf0\ulnone Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_33:21\cf0\ulnone In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_77:13\cf0\ulnone Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_89:18\cf0\ulnone Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_105:3\cf0\ulnone Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Psa_145:21\cf0\ulnone My mouth will speak in praise of thLVAL?e LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #3--God is Omnipotent\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 God is all-powerful. The wags and lovers of arguments have much fun with this one, asking ridiculous questions like \ldblquote If God is Omnipotent, can he make a mountain so big that He can\rquote t lift it? If He can, then He isn\rquote t all powerful, because He can\rquote t lift it, and if He can\rquote t, then He isn\rquote t all-powerful because He can\rquote t make the mountain so big He can\rquote t lift it.\rdblquote Of course, the answer is that the all-powerful God is infinite, and there is no limit to His infinity! The armchair \ldblquote philosopher\rquote s\rdblquote question tries to impose on God a set of circumstances based on human logic and reason, like the false human standard of \ldblquote fairness.\rdblquote The fact is, whatever God wants to accomplish, He can accomplish! There is no limit to His might! Divine Sovereignty expresses God\rquote s RIGHT to do whatever He pleases, Omnipotence expresses His ABILITY.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Isa_43:13\cf0\ulnone Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Job_42:2\cf0\ulnone I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #4--God is Omniscient\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 God knows everything. Again, our little minds have difficulty even fathoming the breadth and depth of that statement. God knows things that we cannot even conceive--He knows our thoughts, our sins, our innermost desires (\cf2\ul Heb_4:13\cf1\ulnone ), and He knows our destiny. God is, says the Psalmist, of \ldblquote infinite understanding\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Psa_147:4-5\cf1\ulnone ) Nothing can be hidden from Him (\cf2\ul Job_34:21-23\cf1\ulLVAL@none ).\par God also has foreknowledge, which is a concept with two aspects, prescience and preaquaintanceship. Prescience refers to God\rquote s knowledge of events, situations, and persons in general, before they happen or come into being.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Isa_42:9\cf0\ulnone See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Dan_2:19-23\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_2:27-28\cf0\ulnone During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: \ldblquote Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.\rdblquote\par Daniel replied, \ldblquote No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Preacquaintanceship refers to God\rquote s personal foreknowledge of His People. He knows them in an intimate, personal sense--He does not just know about them He knows them.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Jer_1:5\cf0\ulnone Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Rom_8:29\cf0\ulnone For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Rom_11:2-5\cf0\ulnone God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. LVALADon\rquote t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah-- how he appealed to God against Israel: \ldblquote Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me\rdblquote ? And what was God\rquote s answer to him? \ldblquote I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.\rdblquote So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul 1Pe_1:1-2\cf0\ulnone Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God\rquote s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #5--God is Immutable\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 It is a constant with life--things change, people change. A man leaves the woman who has been his companion for many years--\rdblquote people change,\rdblquote he says. An executive who has worked faithfully for a company for 20 years is let go for no apparent reason, \ldblquote times have changed,\rdblquote says the person who fires her. Fashion changes, music changes, politics change--everything and everyone changes, except God. God does not change. He may differentiate His manifestations to men; He may reveal mysteries previously concealed (\cf2\ul Eph_3:7-11\cf1\ulnone ); He may even speak anthropomorphically (that $100-dollar word means, \ldblquote as if He were human,\rdblquote when He speaks anthropomorphically, God uses human terms in order to be understood), but God does not change in His essence--He is eternally the same. \par This also applies to the Son of God, the God-man Christ Jesus, and to the Spirit as well. But what about Christ becoming a man (see chapter 5)? Is this not a change? Not in tLVALBhe way that God defines a change (and His definition is the only one that counts). He did not change in His essence, only in the way He manifested Himself to mankind--He was the \ldblquote lamb slain from the foundation of the world,\rdblquote Job called God \ldblquote my Redeemer,\rdblquote many years before His incarnation (coming in the flesh).\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Mal_3:6\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Jas_1:17\cf0\ulnone Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Heb_1:10-12\cf0\ulnone He also says, \ldblquote In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Heb_13:8\cf0\ulnone Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Deu_33:27\cf0\ulnone The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, `Destroy him!\rquote (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #6--God is Wrathful\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 This is a solemn topic for discussion, but one which we cannot avoid. The idea of an all-powerful Being Who gets mad is scary. We know that we are fallible; we know that we do things that are contrary to righteousness. The notion that we may have to answer for those faults, and worse, for specific sins, to a God Who possesses wrath is the stuff of which nightmares are made. On this topic, the author can think of no better commentary on the Wrath of God than that written by A. W. Pink:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf0\ldblquote . .LVALC . that the wrath of God is a Divine perfection is plainly demonstrated by what we read in \cf2\ul Psa_95:11\cf0\ulnone \lquote unto whom I swear in My wrath.\rquote There are two occasions of God\rquote s \lquote swearing\rquote : in making promises (\cf2\ul Gen_22:16\cf0\ulnone ); and in pronouncing judgments (\cf2\ul Deu_1:34\cf0\ulnone ff.) In the former, He swears in mercy to His children; in the latter, He swears to deprive a wicked generation of its murmuring and unbelief. An oath is for solemn confirmation (\cf2\ul Heb_6:16\cf0\ulnone ). In \cf2\ul Gen_22:16\cf0\ulnone , God says, \lquote By myself have I sworn. . . .\rquote In \cf2\ul Psa_89:35\cf0\ulnone , He declares, \lquote Once have I sworn by my holiness.\rquote While in \cf2\ul Psa_95:11\cf0\ulnone , He affirms \lquote I swear in my wrath.\rdblquote Thus the great Jehovah Himself appeals to His \lquote wrath\rquote as a perfection equal to His \lquote holiness\rquote ; He swears by the one as much as by the other! Again, as in Christ \lquote dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily\rquote (\cf2\ul Col_2:9\cf0\ulnone ), and as all the Divine perfections are illustriously displayed by Him (\cf2\ul Joh_1:18\cf0\ulnone ), therefore do we read of \lquote the wrath of the Lamb.\rquote (\cf2\ul Rev_6:19\cf0\ulnone ).\rdblquote (\i The Attributes of God\i0 )\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The people who populate Modern Western civilization hate the concept of a God who possesses wrath. All people want to know about God (if, indeed they want to know anything at all) is about His love. Men create in their minds the concept of a God who is all love and nothing else--they make an idol in their heads. The Bible, however, is absolute about the fact that God is a God of wrath. As we will see in chapters 4 and 6, God\rquote s wrath is the reason for the necessity of the Gospel (\cf2\ul Rom_1:16-18\cf1\ulnone )--atonement and salvation by grace are required because of God\rquote s righteous wrath against sin. For the believer, delivLVALDerance from wrath is our great hope (\cf2\ul 1Th_1:10\cf1\ulnone ), and God\rquote s wrath is turned aside (propitiated) for believers by the Blood of Christ (\cf2\ul Rom_3:25-26\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_5:8-9\cf1\ulnone ). God\rquote s wrath against sin and sinners is so great that He sent His Son to die in the place of those who were to be redeemed--no lesser sacrifice would do. If we deny wrath, we essentially deny the gospel.\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Attribute #7--God is Love\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 Having just written that God is a God of wrath, we turn to the other side of the coin, and speak of His love. For many, it is contradictory to speak of God being wrathful and yet being a God of love, but the Bible is full of both concepts about Him. Again, A.W. Pink:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf0 There are many today who talk about the love of God, who are total strangers to the God of love. The Divine love is commonly regarded as a species of amiable weakness, a sort of good-natured indulgence; it is reduced to a mere sickly sentiment, patterned after human emotion. Now the truth is that on this, as on everything else, our thoughts need to be formed and regulated by what is revealed thereon in Holy Scripture. (\i The Attributes of God\i0 )\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The love of God is really more than just an attribute; it is part of His essence. In a general sense, God loves everyone (and everything) He has created. In \cf2\ul Joh_3:16\cf1\ulnone \ldblquote for God so loved the world,\rdblquote the word for \ldblquote world\rdblquote is the Greek word, \i kosmos,\i0 which in a general sense, refers to the whole universe. For instance, God sends His rain upon the just and the unjust (\cf2\ul Mat_5:45\cf1\ulnone ). Some measure of caring and protection extends to the race, except where God chooses not to mollify and restrain the natural effects of our sin and rebellion. But there is a distinction between His universal care LVALEfor all creation and His special love for His People.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Ti_4:10\cf0\ulnone (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God\rquote s purpose in election might stand, not by works but by him who calls--she was told, \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_9:11-13\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote The older will serve the younger.\rdblquote Just as it is written: \ldblquote Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 We do not deserve the love of God--it is unmerited and \ldblquote uninfluenced\rdblquote (Pink)--we cannot earn it. God exercises the expression of His love according to His sovereign will, not according to our actions, for as members of a rebel race, we really deserve nothing.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Deu_7:7-8\cf0\ulnone The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul 1Jo_4:19\cf0\ulnone We love because he first loved us. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The love of God is Eternal, like His immutability, it never wavers, changes, or dies. The supreme act of God\rquote s great love was in sending His own Son to die in the place of condemned sinners. We cannot imagine the horror of Christ, the Son of God and God the Son, as He faced the cross--not the physical sufferings so much as the fact that He, the perfect, Holy, unblemished Son of God, would take the guilt of our sins upon His own shoulders and face the wrath of His own Father. Such loLVALFve is unspeakable (see Chapter 5). Given this great sacrifice, this great love, this great condescension, nothing can separate a redeemed person from the love of God.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Jer_31:3\cf0\ulnone The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: \ldblquote I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Eph_1:4-5\cf0\ulnone For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 This is the doctrine of God\rquote s Love--but there is more to it. I am not, by nature, an emotional man, but there is something about the love of God that raises passions from deep within my soul that defy description. I cannot conceive of One so loving that He would leave the glories of heaven, walk in my shoes for 30 years, and then die for me. I cannot imagine a Being so merciful that He would as the song says, \ldblquote look beyond my fault and see my need.\rdblquote The love of God is not some sickly sentimental thing that is like the cotton-candy love humans express to one another--it is not here today and gone tomorrow. If you grasp the scope and power of God\rquote s Love, and know the eternal significance of His grace and mercy through the Cross (see Chapters 5 and 6), there is no force on earth, no tragedy of human life, and no sin in your own past that can take away the sweetness of His love or the joy of His fellowship. The love of God is a treasure beyond price for those who know Him. Many years ago, as a young believer, I wrote a lyric which describes the eternal, powerful Love of God;\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\cf0 Before the world was made, Jesus loved me.\line Before creation\rquote s day, He cared.\line He knew my sin, He knew it all, \line He knew that I would reject His call,\line But He loved me, He saved me, He cared.\parLVALG When I was lost in Sin, Jesus loved me.\line When I profaned His name, He cared.\line He bore my sin, He took my blame,\line Wicked men brought him to shame (including me),\line He loved me, He saved me, He cared.\par When I refused to hear, Jesus loved me.\line When I closed my ear, He cared.\line He gently broke my wicked will,\line His Spirit strove with me until\line He found me He saved me, He cared.\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 These sentiments still pale beside the burning, passionate Light of His Presence--when the world has dealt us a blow, when all seems dark and we can see no light, it is then that the Lord Himself will impress on our minds and hearts the depth of His love. It is when we feel the utter joy of knowing that we are a soul set free by His sacrifice, and that nothing can keep us from His love that we can understand the utter awesome power of the words of Paul.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_8:35-39\cf0\ulnone Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: \ldblquote For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.\rdblquote No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Summary\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 This is the Absolute God of the Bible--He does as He pleases, he accomplishes what He sets out to do, no plan of His is thwarted by the whims and decisions of mankind. He is wrathful against our rebellion, yet loving beyond our imagination. In one of the most concise and profound statements ever written on the subject of The Absolute God, A W.zLVAL Pink said:\par \ldblquote The \lquote god\rquote of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun. The \lquote god\rquote who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences, is the figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality. The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form \lquote gods\rquote out of wood and stone, while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a \lquote god\rquote out of their own carnal mind. In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God, and no God at all. a \lquote god\rquote whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity, and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits naught but contempt.\rdblquote (\i Attributes of God\i0 ) \par See Appendix 5 for study questions and projects for Chapter 3.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVAL/YI{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 4\line The Trinity\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 I was not looking forward to the next 45 days. As happens to military families everywhere, I was going away on Uncle Sam\rquote s business for about six weeks, and with a young wife and three small children at home, that was no fun. There was one thing about this trip, however, that made it bearable--I was going to have a Christian roommate. I was looking forward to the opportunity to fellowship and study with another believer, and I was definitely not going to miss having to put up with the drunken carousing of former roomies. \par After performing our duties and getting settled in the first day, my roommate, Bill, and I began our first nightly devotional study. About five minutes into the study, an amazing thing became apparent to me--Bill had been taught a false doctrine of the Trinity in his church. I was appalled--he went to a large, powerful, Baptist church that was renowned for Biblical preaching, missionary work, and evangelism. I knew that he attended Bible studies through the week as well as the normal Sunday morning and Sunday night preaching services and Sunday school. He had been converted in this church three years earlier--how could he not know the orthodox teaching on the Trinity? \par Over the next few days, I showed him what the Bible taught about the nature of the Triune God, and he came to see the truth. I also found out how he had come to the odd view he\rquote d had previously. In three years of intense fellowship and study in a large, conservative, dynamic Baptist church, he had never once heard the Trinity mentioned. His understaLVALJnding had come from erroneous answers his Sunday School teacher had given him when Bill brought the topic up in private conversation. In our 45 days together, we shared many things, and I found out that the \ldblquote renowned\rdblquote church really only stressed \cf2\ul Joh_3:16\cf1\ulnone , tithing, behaving, and the second coming of Christ--important doctrines to be sure, but far from the whole truth. \par Throughout the history of the church, the enemies of God have attacked the Biblical teaching concerning His Nature, particularly the Deity of the Son of God. The doctrine we touch upon in this chapter is one of the most attacked (and best and most consistently defended) of all the major teachings of the Faith: God is Triune, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Spirit (three persons or personalities that are personally distinct)--yet there is only one God. This has been called the doctrine of the TRINITY since the days of the early church, but the early church wars and the philosophical debates surrounding that doctrine, have obscured the fact that the doctrine of the Trinity is solidly supported by Holy Scripture, and is directly drawn from the Scriptures. \par The simple statement we have made, stripped of the technically philosophical terms, expresses what the Bible everywhere teaches about the subject. I Frankly don\rquote t understand it for one second. However, I recognize fully that the Bible teaches these truths, so I believe them and teach them whether I understand them or not. Therefore, the key presupposition we must have as we approach the doctrine of the Trinity is this: BELIEVE WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES, AND DON\rquote T TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT. Think of it--this doctrine speaks of the very essential nature of God, how can we expect to understand it? \par Indeed, nearly every cult that has departed from the evangelical Christian faith has either begun from someone trying to explain the Trinity or a perversion of that doctrine has been close to the center of the movement. Beginning LVALKwith the Gnostics, who were around when the apostles were on earth, all the way through to the cults that have sprung up from the Jesus people of the 60\rquote s and the tele-evangelists of today, denial of, or perversion of the doctrine of the Trinity has been the common factor in nearly all of them. \par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 Today, the Jehovah\rquote s Witnesses, and The Way deny the Godhood of Jesus and the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit. \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}The Mormons and the Armstrong cults (the Worldwide Church of God and its offshoots) believe in a refined form of polytheism (belief in more than one God). \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Many Pentecostal groups believe in a perversion of the Trinity which has God \ldblquote pretending\rdblquote to be different persons at different times, called \ldblquote oneness,\rdblquote or \ldblquote Jesus only.\rdblquote (Historically this is called modalism, identical to the ancient 1500-year-old cult of Sabellianism). \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}The view of the entire orthodox church, including evangelicals, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics, has always been that denial of the doctrine of the Trinity constitutes departure from \ldblquote the faith once delivered to the saints.\rdblquote (Jude 3) \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj In discussing this important doctrine, I will try to avoid a dependence on technical theological language, but will instead concentrate on the simple statements of the Bible. Because of the vast importance of this doctrine, and the need to cover all the bases, I\rquote ll give you a lot of verses to look up on your own.\par The doctrine of the Trinity has these elements: (1) The is only One True God (monotheism); (2) There is a plurality of persons within God, and this plurality is not imaginary, pretended, or temporary; (3) The Father is God (4) The Son is God (5) The Holy Spirit is God. Being somewhat of an amateur mathematician, I have leaLVALLrned to express this as a mathematical formula that has no real meaning in human math: 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 (3). That is, the sum of the three is still only one, yet there is a \ldblquote threeness\rdblquote that the Bible expresses clearly without ever attempting to explain. \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Monotheism: \line There is Only One True God \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 Many of the enemies of Christianity, including Muslims, Jews, and cults such as the Jehovah\rquote s Witnesses, have charged that the Trinity constitutes paganism, polytheism, the worship of more than one \ldblquote god.\rdblquote However, the foundation of the doctrine of God\rquote s tri-unity is that there is only One God. It is emphatically taught in both the Old and New Testaments. The statement of faith of Israel was (and is) \ldblquote hear oh, Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Deu_6:4\cf1\ulnone ). When asked, Jesus said more than once that this was the most important of all the commandments (\cf2\ul Mar_12:28-34\cf1\ulnone ). \par The absoluteness of this monism of God is stated again and again in the Old Testament: \ldblquote . . . there is no god with me\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Deu_32:39\cf1\ulnone ); \ldblquote . . . I am the LORD, and there is none else\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Isa_45:18\cf1\ulnone ) \ldblquote . . . before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Isa_43:10\cf1\ulnone ). Similarly, the New Testament expresses the oneness of God: \ldblquote There is one God and one mediator between God and man (\cf2\ul 1Ti_2:5\cf1\ulnone ); \ldblquote . . . and this is eternal life, that they might know thee, the only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent . . .\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_17:3\cf1\ulnone ). \par In the Old Testament, God proclaimed Himself under many names, each expressing different attributes of Him, but the characteristic name He used with His covenant people was YHWH (or JHVH, depending on how yoLVALMu express the Hebrew letters in English), a word with no vowels. This has been transliterated into English as either Jehovah or Yahweh. The reliable English Bible translations universally translate it in English as either LORD or GOD, using all capital letters to indicate that it is the NAME. Jehovah defined His Name to Moses in \cf2\ul Exo_3:14\cf1\ulnone : \ldblquote . . . I AM THAT I AM: and He said: Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me to you.\rdblquote \ldblquote I AM THAT I AM\rdblquote . . . Jehovah owes His existence to no one or nothing--He is the self-existent One, The Only True God.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Plurality: \line Within the One True God Exists a Plurality of Persons \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 In light of the strong declarations the Bible makes on monotheism, this is a perplexing assertion. However, the Bible is just as plain on this point. There is most definitely only One God, however, there is also a plurality, a \ldblquote threeness\rdblquote about God that the Bible expresses, which we cannot define in human terms in light of His one-ness. First, there are plural terms and names applied to God. The most prevalent in the Bible is the Hebrew \i Elohim\i0 . The Cults have invented all sorts of spurious reasons why the Bible might use such a plural term to describe the One God, but a few words from that old saint John Gill should put them to rest:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf0\ldblquote Now Moses might have made use of other names of God, in his account of the creation; as his name Jehovah, by which he made himself known to him, and to the people of Israel; or Eloah, the singular of Elohim, which is used by him (\cf2\ul Deu_32:15-16\cf0\ulnone ) and in the book of Job so frequently; so that it was not want of singular names of God, nor the barrenness of the Hebrew language which obliged him to use a plural word; it was no doubt of choice, and with design . . .\rdblquote (\i Body of DivLVALNinity\i0 , vol. 1, pp. 187-88). \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Other plural terms used for God in the Old Testament include \i panim\i0 (equivalent to the Greek \i prosopa\i0 , for \ldblquote faces,\rdblquote \ldblquote persons,\rdblquote or \ldblquote presence,\rdblquote ) which is found in \cf2\ul Exo_33:14-15\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Psa_27:8-9\cf1\ulnone , and \cf2\ul Deu_4:37\cf1\ulnone ; the literal Hebrew for Maker in \cf2\ul Job_35:10\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Psa_149:2\cf1\ulnone , and \cf2\ul Isa_54:5\cf1\ulnone , is the plural, Makers; for creator in \cf2\ul Ecc_12:1\cf1\ulnone , the literal Hebrew is Creators. God also is described with plural pronouns, as in \ldblquote . . . Let us make man in our image.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Gen_1:25\cf1\ulnone ), see also \cf2\ul Gen_11:6-8\cf1\ulnone and \cf2\ul Isa_6:8\cf1\ulnone . Finally, in \cf2\ul Isa_48:16-17\cf1\ulnone is a statement that, read in the light of the New Testament, is as plain a statement of the Trinity as anywhere in the Bible, as the Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah) the Spirit, and the Redeemer are mentioned in the same context as separate persons. \par Of course, there are many Scriptures in the New Testament which speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the same context, and with an obvious view to distinction between them. In John chapters 14-16, there are repeated references to this distinction. The most striking is the Baptism of Jesus in \cf2\ul Mat_3:16-17\cf1\ulnone , where we hear the Father\rquote s voice, see the Spirit descend in the form of a dove, and see also the Son standing there in the water.\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Father is God\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 This should go without saying, but for those modalists who reject the permanence of the first person of the Trinity, we say (a) Jesus is repeatedly called the Son of God, therefore God is a Father, and the Father is God. (b) There is no Scripture that even hints that the Father ever ceases to be a separLVALOate person. (c) There are many Scriptures which establish that there is a distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The problem here, as pointed out decisively by Gregory A. Boyd in his book, \i Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity\i0 , is that when people approach Scripture with a preconceived idea (such as the false doctrine that there is no distinction between Father and Son), they find things in the Bible which are not there! \par Another difficulty (prominent among Arian-type cults--those who deny that Jesus is God) is that many people misunderstand the relationship of the Father to Jesus Christ. The reason for the confusion among some is that they concentrate on statements made by and about Jesus during His period of humiliation on earth. The eternal relationship between Father and Son is one between equals (\cf2\ul Joh_17:1-5\cf1\ulnone , see how He talks to the Father, and \cf2\ul Heb_1:1-14\cf1\ulnone , where the Father orders the angels to worship Him. Such statements as \ldblquote . . . my Father is greater than I.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_14:28\cf1\ulnone ) must be understood in the light of Jesus\rquote purpose in His earthly ministry. In Hebrews, after beginning by expounding on the exalted and absolute divinity of the Son (1:1-14) the apostle states, \ldblquote but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower (or, for a little while lower) than the angels for the suffering of death . . .\rdblquote (see also \cf2\ul Php_2:5-11\cf1\ulnone ). Jesus came to earth to accomplish eternal redemption. His essential Godhood was veiled, hidden, in flesh. But, as our next point states:\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Jesus Christ is God\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 He is not just the Son of God, but He is God the Son. This is the foundation doctrine of Christianity--Jesus Himself said \ldblquote . . . If you believe not that I AM he, you shall die in your sins.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_8:24\cf1\ulnone ) (Note: the word \ldblquote he\rdblquoteLVALP is not in the original.) This is not just a speculative, philosophical teaching--unless God redeems us Himself, we cannot be redeemed (see \cf2\ul Psa_49:7\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_49:15\cf1\ulnone )! First, we know He is God because He is called God. (\cf2\ul Joh_1:1\cf1\ulnone ) Indeed, in \cf2\ul Joh_20:28\cf1\ulnone , where Thomas calls Jesus \ldblquote My Lord and my God , . . .\rdblquote the literal Greek rendering is \ldblquote . . .the Lord of me, and the God of me.\rdblquote \cf2\ul Heb_1:4-14\cf1\ulnone is a most remarkable Scripture passage, as Old Testament prophets are quoted to show (1) God calls Christ His Son, (b) He tells angels to worship Christ, an honor belonging to Jehovah alone (\cf2\ul Isa_42:8\cf1\ulnone ), (c) He calls the Son, God. He declares that the kingdom of Christ is eternal. \par The next reason we know that the Son is eternal God Himself, is that He is worshipped. \cf2\ul Isa_42:8\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Exo_20:3\cf1\ulnone , and many other Old Testament passages forbid the worship of anyone but Jehovah God Himself--yet we see in many passage that Christ is worshipped (examples--\cf2\ul Php_2:9-10\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Act_7:59-60\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Rev_5:6-14\cf1\ulnone , which is worship in heaven itself. \par Another reason we know He is God is that the works of God are ascribed to Him. Creation (\cf2\ul Joh_1:3\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Heb_1:2\cf1\ulnone ) Preservation of the universe (\cf2\ul Col_1:17\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Heb_1:2-3\cf1\ulnone ), the sending of the Spirit of God (\cf2\ul Joh_16:7\cf1\ulnone ) the forgiveness of sins (\cf2\ul Act_5:30-31\cf1\ulnone ) and the giving of eternal life (\cf2\ul Joh_17:2-3\cf1\ulnone ) are just a few examples of the divine works He did. \par He demonstrated His power over nature, over disease, demon powers, even over death, and on two occasions, he let the veil of His humanity up a bit. On the mount of Transfiguration, He allowed the disciples with Him to see His Glorious being as it really was, and when the soldiers cLVALQame to get Him in the Garden, He knocked them to the ground by saying . . . \ldblquote I AM.\rdblquote (The word he, which follows \ldblquote I AM\rdblquote in most translations is not in the original) (\cf2\ul Joh_18:4-6\cf1\ulnone ). Truly He did the works of God. \par Yet another reason we know that The Son is God is He possesses divine attributes. The Bible says He has Self existence (\cf2\ul Joh_5:26\cf1\ulnone ), Eternity (\cf2\ul Joh_1:2\cf1\ulnone ), Omniscience (\cf2\ul Joh_1:48\cf1\ulnone ), Omnipresence (\cf2\ul Mat_18:20--\cf1\ulnone note that He was on earth, and in the flesh, and used the present tense, showing that He had this attribute even in His earthly ministry), Immutability (\cf2\ul Heb_13:8\cf1\ulnone ), Sovereignty (\cf2\ul Mat_11:27\cf1\ulnone ), and Omnipotence (\cf2\ul Mat_28:18-20\cf1\ulnone ). There is a strong statement of the absolute Deity of Messiah in \cf2\ul Jer_23:5-6\cf1\ulnone : \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf0\ldblquote . . . Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the Earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.\rdblquote \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Here we have Jehovah God clearly speaking, and just as plainly speaking of Messiah, and the Name He gives Messiah is Jehovah-Tsidkenu-- the sovereign Jehovah calls the Messiah Jehovah! \par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Holy Spirit is God\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 (Many of the notes for this part of the lesson come from the excellent book \i The Holy Spirit\i0 by A.W. Pink.)\par Included in this statement is the assumption that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force, influence, etc. Many cults and sects deny His personality. He is turned into some kind of \ldblquote divine electricity,\rdblquote a sort of impersonal fLVALRorce for God and good in the world. This, of course, goes along with their denial of the Trinity. However, when we look at the Bible, we find that He has personal qualities ascribed to Him by Scripture--such as understanding and knowledge (\cf2\ul 1Co_2:10-11\cf1\ulnone ), will (\cf2\ul 1Co_12:11\cf1\ulnone ), love (\cf2\ul Rom_15:30\cf1\ulnone ), and grief (\cf2\ul Eph_4:30\cf1\ulnone ). Furthermore, He can be lied to (\cf2\ul Act_5:3\cf1\ulnone ); He can be tempted, put to the test (\cf2\ul Act_5:9\cf1\ulnone ). We also see personal actions ascribed to Him by Scripture: He speaks (\cf2\ul 1Ti_4:1\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_2:7\cf1\ulnone ); He teaches (\cf2\ul Luk_12:12\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_14:26\cf1\ulnone ); He commands (\cf2\ul Act_13:2\cf1\ulnone ); and, He intercedes (\cf2\ul Rom_8:26\cf1\ulnone ). \par The Bible applies personal characterizations to Him--He is called Comforter (\cf2\ul Joh_14:16\cf1\ulnone ), Witness (\cf2\ul Heb_10:15\cf1\ulnone , \cf2\ul Rom_8:16\cf1\ulnone ), Justifier and Sanctifier (\cf2\ul 1Co_6:11\cf1\ulnone ). \par Finally, in many places in Scripture, personal pronouns are used of Him (\cf2\ul Joh_14:26\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_16:7\cf1\ulnone ). Not only is the Holy Spirit a person, but the Holy Spirit is God, just as the Father is God, and the Son is God, in some way One True God, but also in a way unfathomable to our human minds, a separate person within the Trinity. \par In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is called God (\cf2\ul Act_5:3-5\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_3:16--\cf1\ulnone Compare with \cf2\ul 2Co_6:16\cf1\ulnone ). The Holy Spirit is also called Jehovah--It was Jehovah who spoke by the prophets (\cf2\ul Luk_1:68-70\cf1\ulnone ) yet Peter says it was the Holy Spirit (\cf2\ul 2Pe_1:20\cf1\ulnone , also compare \cf2\ul 2Sa_23:2-3\cf1\ulnone with \cf2\ul Act_1:16\cf1\ulnone ). It was Jehovah that Israel rebelled against in the wilderness (\cf2\ul Psa_78:4\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_78:17-18\cf1\ulnone ), but Isaiah says it was the Holy Spirit (\cf2\ul Isa_63:10LVALS\cf1\ulnone ). In \cf2\ul Deu_32:12\cf1\ulnone , Jehovah led Israel, but in \cf2\ul Isa_63:14\cf1\ulnone , It says the Holy Spirit led them. Jehovah commissioned Isaiah the prophet (\cf2\ul Isa_6:6-8\cf1\ulnone ), but Paul says (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) that it was the Holy Spirit who commissioned the prophet (\cf2\ul Act_28:25-26\cf1\ulnone ). \par Throughout the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit demonstrates the attributes of God in His actions, major and minor holiness (\cf2\ul Rom_1:4\cf1\ulnone ; cf. \cf2\ul Exo_15:11\cf1\ulnone ), Eternality (\cf2\ul Heb_9:14\cf1\ulnone ), Omnipresence (\cf2\ul Psa_139:7\cf1\ulnone ), Omniscience (\cf2\ul 1Co_2:10-11\cf1\ulnone ) Omnipotence ( \cf2\ul Luk_1:35\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mic_3:8\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_40:28\cf1\ulnone ), and Sovereignty (\cf2\ul Mat_4:1--\cf1\ulnone He led Jesus!) (\cf2\ul Joh_3:8\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_12:11\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_13:2-4\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_20:28\cf1\ulnone ). Finally, the Holy Spirit does the works of God.: He performed the works of Creation (\cf2\ul Job_26:13\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Job_33:4\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Gen_1:2\cf1\ulnone ), Providence (\cf2\ul Isa_40:13-15\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_16:6-7\cf1\ulnone ), Inspiration ( \cf2\ul 2Pe_1:20-21\cf1\ulnone ), Anointing the Savior (\cf2\ul Isa_61:1\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_3:34\cf1\ulnone ), and Raising the Savior ( \cf2\ul Rom_8:11\cf1\ulnone ).\par The doctrine of the Trinity reveals to us a God that is vastly different from the \ldblquote gods\rdblquote of the pagans, but also very different from the traditional God of modern day Judaism, Islam, and of the Arian and Sabellian cults that flourish today. (The historic term for antitrinitarian monotheism is \ldblquote Monarchian.\rdblquote Whatever else the similarities between them and Christianity, at least two things are is missing from Monarchian religions--relationship and redemption.\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent360\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li720\sb6LVALT0\sa60\b Relationship\b0 --The austere, alone, \ldblquote god\rdblquote that these groups worship is really incapable of relationship. He has no peer to relate to, and there is no way he can relate to mankind except as judge, benefactor, or object of worship. The Triune God, on the other hand, has experienced fellowship within Himself eternally--relationship comes naturally to Him. Through the God-man, Christ Jesus, mankind actually enters in to fellowship and relationship with the Almighty God. The Father is our Father; Christ is our adopted Brother, and the Spirit is our Comforter. We are loved, we walk in fellowship with God, who is the expert in true fellowship.\par \b{\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Redemption\b0 --The Monarchian religions have no way to accomplish bona fide (real) redemption. Their god forgives or offers mercy arbitrarily, he bypasses judgment simply because he wants to, or because he has agreed to, based on a certain set of conditions. Sin is really not dealt with in this way--there is no payment for it, their god just disregards it. There is no justice in this type of system. In Biblical Christianity, however, every sin is paid for (see Chapter 6 ), because an infinite Being, the God-man, died as a substitute for sinners. All those who become His by faith partake in His price of redemption. Those who do not become His pay their own penalty--eternally. The mystery of the Cross (see Chapter 5) is that God (The Father) poured out His wrath on God (The Son), yet there is only one God. It is a paradox to our minds, but it is the only way redemption could be carried out with justice. Every wrong that has ever been done by anyone against God or people is avenged, justice is settled, and the accounts of the universe are balanced. No Trinity--no redemption.\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj Christian, we worship a Triune God. We cannot understand it; we marvel at it; there is no explanation for it--but it is the Truth. Anything less is not Christianity. \par See Appendix 6 for study questions and prodLVALtjects for Chapter 4.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVAL9YV{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 5a\line The Person of Christ\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20 There are only a few things that make the Christian faith truly distinct from the world\rquote s religions. The three most prominent differences are the nature of the Absolute Triune God, the Person and Work of the founder of the faith and the way of salvation. We\rquote ve already looked at the nature of God; in Chapters 6 and 7, we will outline the drastic difference between the Faith and the world\rquote s religions as to the doctrine of what Christians call salvation, but here we will talk about the Founder. The founders of the world\rquote s religions made various claims. \ldblquote I have found the way,\rdblquote says one, \ldblquote I have seen the way, says another.\rdblquote Perhaps the message was, \ldblquote God has shown me the way,\rdblquote or \ldblquote I can tell you the way.\rdblquote \par In Christ, however, we have One who says, \ldblquote I Am the way.\rdblquote In fact, Christ made the most remarkable statement any man could make--coming from a mere man, it would be a boast of fantastic proportions. He made a claim which makes Him the most narrow-minded Person who ever breathed. He said , \ldblquote I Am the Way the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.\rdblquote It was statements like this one and many others which led C. S. Lewis to propose the \ldblquote trilemma\rdblquote about Jesus Christ. He said that for those who want to say Jesus is not who He claims to be, but is still a good teacher, etc., statements like \cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf1\ulnone pose an insurmountable problem. Because of what He said, He was either a liar, a lunatic, orLVALW Lord of Glory. The greatest heresies of the history of the church were about the Person of Christ, and the greatest heresies of today are no different. In fact, they are not really new heresies, just old lies in a new outfit.\par We looked at the Godhood of Christ in the last chapter, so in this one, we will look at the other aspects of His Person as our Lord and Redeemer.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Part 1: \line The Pre-Existent Christ\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 The One theologians call \ldblquote the divine Logos (Word),\rdblquote the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, our Savior Jesus Christ, did not come into existence when He was born of the virgin Mary. That was His Incarnation (coming in flesh). He was, as the prophet Micah said, \ldblquote . . .The One to be ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting . . .\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Mic_5:2\cf1\ulnone , NKJV) He was pre-existent.\par Christ\rquote s pre-existence is obvious from His Godhood. As God, He is Eternal and Immutable (\cf2\ul Isa_9:6-7\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_1:8\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_13:8\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_1:12\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_102:27\cf1\ulnone ), so He always existed. There was never a time when He was not. \ldblquote . . .In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. \ldblquote (\cf2\ul Joh_1:1\cf1\ulnone ) Christ\rquote s pre-existence is amply testified by Scripture-- \cf2\ul Joh_8:58\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_17:5\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_17:24\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Col_1:17\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_7:3\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_22:13\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Php_2:5-11--\cf1\ulnone the Bible continually emphasizes it. We also see Him in the Old Testament, as His pre-existence is demonstrated by theophany, or Christophany . These two words, one applying to God generally speaking, and the other to the Son in particular, refer to a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament. \par Since it LVALXis a Bible teaching that no one has seen, or can see the Father Himself, (Ex 33; \cf2\ul Joh_1:18\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Ti_1:17\cf1\ulnone ), most evangelical teachers ascribe all visible appearances of God in human or angelic form to the Son manifesting Himself prior to His incarnation. \cf2\ul Jdg_13:15-22\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Zec_3:1-5\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_3:16\cf1\ulnone ; and \cf2\ul Gen_18:1-33\cf1\ulnone , are among many passages that Bible scholars believe are Christophanies. How do we tell from the Scriptures if a particular angelic manifestation is merely an angel, or if it is an appearance of the pre-existent Son? The following passage is a classic one that illustrates this.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Jos_5:13-15\cf0\ulnone Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, \ldblquote Are you for us or for our enemies?\rdblquote \ldblquote Neither,\rdblquote he replied, \ldblquote but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.\rdblquote Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, \ldblquote What message does my Lord have for his servant?\rdblquote The commander of the LORD\rquote s army replied, \ldblquote Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.\rdblquote And Joshua did so. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The underlined portion of the verse is the key to understanding this passage as an appearance of Christ before the Incarnation. The Commander of the LORD\rquote s army uses the same words that Jehovah uses when Moses came before the burning bush. That, and the Person\rquote s acceptance of worship, which is reserved for God alone, (\cf2\ul Exo_20:1-3\cf1\ulnone ) prove this to be a Christophany. There are many Christophanies in the Old Testament. Christ has always been--our Savior did not come into existence on the day of His birth--He came into flesh on that day.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa6LVALY0\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Part 2: \line God Incarnate--The Man Christ Jesus\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 The Incarnation (Christ the Son of God coming into flesh) and the Virgin Birth (the way He came into flesh) are doctrines which cannot be understood logically or scientifically. They involve God acting outside the realm of natural law and intervening in human history in the most direct and personal way possible, by becoming part of it. The Incarnation and the Virgin Birth were part of the ancient promise given to the race about the release from the bondage of the race to Satan (who was the serpent depicted in \cf2\ul Gen_3:14-15\cf1\ulnone ). The promise was reiterated to Abraham that from his seed \ldblquote all the families of the earth,\rdblquote would be blessed (\cf2\ul Gen_12:3\cf1\ulnone ). Job revealed his faith that \ldblquote . . . I know my Redeemer liveth, and in the latter days shall stand upon the earth.\rdblquote The Purpose of His coming was the redemption of His people--all those who would ever believe in Him.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Heb_2:14-18\cf0\ulnone Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham\rquote s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Gal_4:4-5\cf0\ulnone But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a wLVALZoman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Rom_8:3-4\cf0\ulnone For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The Fulfillment of the promises and prophecies came when the angel Gabriel announced His coming birth to the Virgin Mary. The doctrine of the Virgin Birth has been attacked by critics inside and outside the church. Sometimes the critics try to slyly suggest that the words translated \ldblquote virgin\rdblquote in the Bible can mean something other than \ldblquote virgin.\rdblquote However, the words of Mary herself \ldblquote I know not a man,\rdblquote (KJV) or in 20th century common language, \ldblquote I have never had sexual relations with a man,\rdblquote make plain that she was a virgin, and that the Incarnation and birth of the Savior was a miracle of God.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Luk_1:34-35\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote How will this be,\rdblquote Mary asked the angel, \ldblquote since I am a virgin?\rdblquote [Literally, \ldblquote since I know not a man\rdblquote ] The angel answered, \ldblquote The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Paul and the apostle John both had profound comments on the mystery of the incarnation itself:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Ti_3:16\cf0\ulnone Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (NIVLVAL[)\par \cf2\ul Joh_1:14-18\cf0\ulnone The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, \ldblquote This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.\rquote\rdblquote From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father\rquote s side, has made him known. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 And, it is very mysterious--how could the Holy, Immutable, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God become a man? The answer to the question \ldblquote How?\rdblquote is not given except in the equally mysterious words of Gabriel to Mary, quoted above--but it is true. Our inability to understand the Incarnation does not change the fact of it, any more than our inability to fully fathom all the forces of life and the universe changes them. Finally, the doctrine of the Incarnation was protected by some of the strongest warnings found in the New Testament--a person may be mistaken about a lot of things and still be a Christian, but a mistake in this area exposes false profession--if you do not believe that Jesus Christ is God in Flesh, you cannot be a Christian.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul 1Jo_4:2-3\cf0\ulnone This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (NIV)\par 2 John 7-11 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the Antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose LVAL\what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. (NIV)\par Jude 3-4 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The humanity of Christ, the incarnate God-man, was Real Humanity--He was not a phantom; He was not a new type of being. He was \ldblquote very God of very God,\rdblquote as the old statements of faith say, but He was fully and completely man as well. He went through the common experiences of manhood, He suffered the common discomforts, pains, and griefs of manhood, He suffered temptation, and He died a common criminal\rquote s death. He was in every way a man. (For examples, see \cf2\ul Mat_1:1\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_12:23\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_15:22\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_21:9\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_26:37\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mar_10:48\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mar_12:35\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_2:40\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_4:2\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_8:23\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_9:58\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_4:6\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_7:42\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_5:5\cf1\ulnone .)\par Some people think that the humanity of Christ necessitated that He have a sin nature and be innately sinful Himself. However, this is not the case at all. A sin nature is our inheritance if we are children of Adam, but it was not part of man\rquote s original makeLVALup--God did not create the sin nature. Our sinfulness was a reaction, it was a result of the sin our representative headman, the first man, Adam. We are born sinful because Adam became sinful. Christ was the \ldblquote second Adam,\rdblquote (\cf2\ul 1Co_15:45-49\cf1\ulnone ), not a son of Adam. Because of the Virgin Birth, He was \ldblquote the seed of the woman,\rdblquote (See \cf2\ul Gen_3:14-15\cf1\ulnone ), and had no human father. As He had no human father, the sin of Adam and Adam\rquote s sin nature was not passed on to Him. He lived a Sinless life in every way. In the formulation of the old puritans, \ldblquote He had no sin, knew no sin, and did no sin.\rdblquote Yet, as the next chapter tells us in detail, the beauty and mystery of The Faith is that this perfect God-man became sin and suffered its penalty for us.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Heb_4:14-15\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 See Appendix 8 for A Biblical and Theological Answer to the False Doctrine of Kenosis.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALCY^{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 5b\line The Work of Christ\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\kerning0\fs24 Part 1: \line The Christ of the Cross\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\ul\b0\fs20 Gal_6:14\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 In the above passage in Galatians, Paul was opposing false teachers who had perverted the gospel by leaving out the essential message of the Cross and substituting a return to the Jewish ceremonial laws. They gloried in the flesh, in man\rquote s religion, and not in the faith of the Scriptures, not in the Cross of Christ. Paul says they did it out of love for the world and out of the fear of men. \par So today, the false teachers of the new heresies have ignored, denied, diverted and perverted the message of the Cross, and have done so for the same reasons. A crucified Savior, dying for the real sins of real people is not popular. He makes us face our sin, and admit to its ugliness. He brings us face-to-face with our spiritual inability, and with the depth of the darkness of our souls. He requires of us to take up our own cross, to deny our selfish desires and live for Him as He died for us. This is not the gospel of ease and enjoyment that people seek to soothe their bruised egos. For believers today, we must glory in the Cross--in the true, biblical act, fact, doctrine, and way of life that emanates from the Cross, and we must live with reference to the world in the way that Paul describes here--the world is crucified to us, and we to the world. We LVAL_must ask a series of provocative, searching questions about our faith:\par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 What is the essential Act, Fact, Message, Meaning and Power of the Christian faith?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What is far more important than therapy, miracles, health, wealth, good self-esteem, or correct politics?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What event is the one fulcrum, the single pivot point of the history of the universe?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What event was the most important battle ever fought and won in the entire history of time?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What deed far surpasses all the deeds ever done, even creation itself?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What glorious act demonstrates the wrath, justice, sovereignty, truth, love, mercy, and power of God all at once?\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}What supreme, mysterious, glorious, awesome, Act of God is the only reason His people stand today, whole, saved, and testifying of God\rquote s greatness?\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj This act, fact, message, meaning and power of our faith is this (and we must personalize these statements to give them the full impact of their Biblical basis):\par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 The Almighty Creator, Jehovah God Himself, God the Son, became flesh for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This God-Man lived a perfect life for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This Perfect Lamb of God demonstrated His own power over nature, sin, Satan, disease, and death for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This Ruler of the Universe Incarnate was arrested, beaten, tortured, convicted in a kangaroo court, and hung on a cross for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This Sinless Substitute took my sin upon Himself, suffered the equivalent of eternal Hell, and laid down His own life for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This Fountain of Life arose from the dead for me.\par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}This is the message of the Work of our LVAL`Saviour on the Cross--THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IS THE CROSS OF CHRIST.\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Human Sinfulness\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 Our text in Galatians says, \ldblquote God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ.\rdblquote Before we can plunge into the beauty of the divine sacrifice for us, we have to ask--\rdblquote Why?\rdblquote What made the Cross necessary? The answer is, \ldblquote our sins made it necessary.\rdblquote In this feel-good age of \ldblquote psycho-babble\rdblquote with its avoidance of blame, guilt, and personal responsibility, when the usual response to any investigation is the limp \ldblquote Mistakes were made,\rdblquote Sin is not a popular concept. In fact, even in many church circles, the Sinfulness of mankind is one of the great neglected truths. We need \ldblquote healing,\rdblquote we need \ldblquote counseling,\rdblquote we need all kinds of therapeutic remedies, but far too many preachers and teachers avoid the first thing we need to do--face up to the fact of our sinfulness. The Bible is plain about the universal nature of sin\rquote s effect on the human race, as per these examples:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Rom_3:10-11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:23\cf0\ulnone there is none righteous, no, not one . . .there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. . . . All have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God. (KJV)\par \cf1\ul Rom_3:19\cf0\ulnone Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (KJV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 And, it was this sinfulness that made the Cross necessary. Our first parents were created holy and sinless, but with an ability to choose. In the Garden of Eden, our first parents chose to rebel against God\rquote s rules. The Bible teaches that Adam, as the representative head of that LVALafirst family, passed two things on to us, his children. \par \pard{\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf2\pnindent360{\pntxtb\'B7}}\fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 First, we have an inherited sin nature. We begin sinning as soon as we are born (\cf1\ul Psa_58:3\cf2\ulnone )--any parent can tell you that you do not have to teach a child to sin, they come by it naturally. \par {\pntext\f2\'B7\tab}Secondly, we inherit guilt from the sin of our representative head, Adam (\cf1\ul Rom_5:12\cf2\ulnone ). This alone condemns us, and we add to that guilt by our own actions as soon as we enter the world. What is more, our sin nature renders us powerless to change our own situation! Because of our innate depravity, we are spiritually blind (\cf1\ul 2Co_4:3-4\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Co_2:14\cf2\ulnone ); we are spiritually dead (\cf1\ul Eph_2:1-5\cf2\ulnone ); we cannot come to God on His terms, (John. 6:44, 65), and we will not come--in our human nature, we want no part of God and his ways (John. 5:40). \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj The bottom line--because of our sin, WE ARE HOPELESSLY LOST WITHOUT CHRIST! By the standards of God\rquote s law, only the righteous will see heaven, and we are not righteous, for God\rquote s definition of righteous is perfection! What a helpless and hopeless state we are in without the Cross!\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Nature of the Cross\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 The nature of the Cross is that Christ died as a Substitute, a Satisfaction, and a Propitiation--He turns God\rquote s wrath away from those who deserve to be consumed by that wrath. The Christ of the Cross is our Substitute. The theological term for this is Substitutionary Atonement, and it is one of the most important aspects of the doctrine of the Cross. Christ actually died in the place of sinners--He specifically took the punishment that should have been theirs (\cf1\ul 2Co_5:21\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Isa_53:5\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Pe_3:18\cf2\ulnone ). \par How can LVALbthis be possible, for the death of One to accomplish this? It is possible because He is infinite--He is God, and His blood sacrifice is of infinite worth. His hours of agony began in the garden the night before the crucifixion, and culminated in His death on the cross, when God the Father turned His back on God the Son as the Son bore our sins. His sacrifice for us as our substitute was the equivalent of all who would ever believe in Him (or who ever had believed in His promised coming ) suffering eternal punishment. He endured all that in our place. The Christ of the Cross is our Satisfaction (of the Law\rquote s demands). The law of God demands perfect obedience to the law--Christ is the only One who ever lived who fulfilled that demand. The law demands just punishment for those who sin--He fulfilled that demand as well. The law has been upheld--it is satisfied. \par Unlike the \ldblquote gods\rdblquote of the world\rquote s religions, who either disregard sin or forgive it capriciously, the God of the Bible can state that all the demands of His law have been met. (\cf1\ul Gal_3:13\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:31\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Col_2:13-14\cf2\ulnone ,). The Christ of the Cross is our Propitiation. This $50 theological term is a very important word. It means that Christ turns away God\rquote s righteous wrath against our sin and rebellion. (\cf1\ul Rom_1:17\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:25-6\cf2\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_5:6-9\cf2\ulnone ). Christ has done it all by His sacrifice on our behalf--as the old hymn writers have said:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\cf0 What can wash away my sin?--Nothing but the blood of Jesus!\line What can make me whole again?--Nothing but the blood of Jesus!\par There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel\rquote s veins, \line and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains!\par And, can it be that I should gain, an interest in the Savior\rquote s blood? \line Died He for me who caused His pain, for me, who Him to death pursued? \liLVALcne Amazing love! How can it be, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Yes, believers, as the text in Galatians 6 says, we Glory in the Cross!!! BUT THAT IS ONLY HALF OF OUR TEXT!\par The other half of our text says \ldblquote . . . BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME AND I UNTO THE WORLD.\rdblquote For the apostle Paul, and for any consistent believer, the Cross of Christ is the thing that rules the life. Our feelings about the world, our relationship with it, our walk in it, and our increasing detachment from its rule are all determined by the Cross. As far as Paul was concerned, the world was dead--the praise, advancements, approval of the world were not important . For the Apostle, as for every believer, the world was not his real home--but unlike many of us, he knew it, and he lived like it. Paul proved his allegiance to the rule of the cross. He had made choices in his life; he had chosen the Gospel\rquote s Truth over family background, tradition, and riches.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Php_3:3-10\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he have whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But, what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fLVALdellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;\rdblquote \par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 As John Brown of Edinburgh said, it is that \ldblquote . . . we view the world system as crucified, cursed, useless, of no influence, of no matter, of no importance to us at all. The world is not to be desired, listened to, followed, or worshipped.\rdblquote\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul 1Jo_2:15-17\cf0\ulnone Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 The second half of the text at the head of this chapter said, \ldblquote . . . And I to the world.\rdblquote What does it mean to be crucified to the world? Does it mean to hide in a desert, to leave humanity behind, or to become a recluse of some type? No, it is a matter of your state of mind and way of life as you live in human society. Again, as John Brown of Edinburgh says, \ldblquote . . .if I am following the way of the Cross, and preaching the Cross, and if the Cross of Christ and the ways of the Lord are first in my life, then I am crucified to the world. It is that they view me as accursed, dead, useless, of no influence, of no importance, etc.\rdblquote It may be that not all the world will view us this way, but as they come into full awareness of what makes us tick, they will either come under the awe of the Cross and be attracted to Christ, or they will account us to be fools. \par Men who preach the Cross with words, and in the way they live their daily lives will not be loved by many of the people of this world or this world\rquote s system. Women who order their home, their own priorities, their associations, and who raise their young ones in accordance with the tLVALeeachings of the Scripture will not win the praise of their worldly neighbors. Young people who live for Christ, who speak of Christ, who listen to what the Bible has to say about Truth, and who reject the worldly philosophy taught in the public schools and colleges will be thought odd, and will be rejected by the worldly arbiters of taste and \ldblquote coolness.\rdblquote A preacher who preaches what the Bible has to say, and who cares not for the opinion of the masses, or of civil or religious authorities, will not be hailed and toasted by the princes of this earth. A Church that is valiant for Truth and fervent in its preaching of the Gospel and ministry to the lost will not be popular with the enemies of the Cross, even if those enemies claim to be friends. People of God, Christ calls us to live for Him, if necessary to die for Him, and to follow Him in every way.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Part 2: \line The Resurrected Christ\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 The prophets and founders of the world\rquote s religions are dead--often, their tombs are shrines. The great but twisted minds that conceived the great humanistic philosophies that have dominated the 20th century are also dead. Most of the scientists and inventors who laid the foundations for our miracles of 20th century technology are dead. Death is the way of the human race, as the Bible says, \ldblquote It is appointed unto men once to die . . .\rdblquote All must leave this life, never to return--all, that is, except One. The joyous victory shout of the Christian church is, \ldblquote Christ is risen!\rdblquote The equally joyous answer to that shout of victory, \ldblquote He is risen indeed!\rdblquote So have believers greeted each other on Resurrection Sunday for nearly 2, 000 years, and so we shall greet one another until He returns! \par The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the other side of His death on the Cross--as Paul said in \cf1\ul Rom_4:25\cf2\ulnone , \ldblquote He LVALfwas delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.\rdblquote Jesus Christ was crucified in our place--He bore our penalty, took our sins upon Himself, and laid down His life for us. In the resurrection, however, is the proof of God\rquote s acceptance of His Son\rquote s sacrifice. \ldblquote . . . and who through the Spirit of Holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.\rdblquote (\cf1\ul Rom_1:4\cf2\ulnone ) As Paul makes plain in his beautiful and powerful defense of the doctrine of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians, \ldblquote . . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. \ldblquote (\cf1\ul 1Co_15:17\cf2\ulnone ) Without the resurrected Savior, Christianity is useless and foolish. \par Have pity on those liberal theologians who either do not believe in a literal resurrection, or who use existential philosophy to say it is not important whether or not the resurrection was literal--it is a pointless exercise to have a \ldblquote Christianity\rdblquote without a risen Christ.\par The Bible teaches that His resurrection was a literal bodily resurrection. He was not a phantom; His resurrection was not \ldblquote spiritual\rdblquote only; His resurrection is not an allegory in celebration of life, or any other such nonsense. He literally rose from the grave in a body that was real and physical. You could touch Him, He was recognizable to those who had known Him before the crucifixion and He still bore the scars of His torment \cf1\ul Luk_24:36-42\cf2\ulnone tells how He appeared to two of His followers; indeed, each of the Gospels has several factual incidents about His resurrection and His appearances afterward. The resurrection is mentioned and stressed throughout the New Testament, but as we quoted above, the most important passage in understanding its meaning for us is in 1 Corinthians 15--the whole chapter. The heart of the chapter, however are LVALgversus 12-25:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul 1Co_15:12-25\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.(NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Christian, you \ldblquote serve a risen Savior,\rdblquote as one favorite hymn says, and as another song exalts, \ldblquote Because He lives,\rdblquote you can live your life with confidence that His sacrifice on your behalf has been accepted, and He is always there to help you in time of need. Yes, \ldblquote Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Part 3: \line The Returning Christ\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 The night was late as the seminary library closed. A stocky young man about 27 LVALhyears old gathered up his notes and books, stuffed them in an old beat-up case, and trudged out the door. The young man, let\rquote s call him Mike, was in his third year of seminary, and was completely confused for the first time in his Christian life. A required course, \ldblquote Eschatology\rdblquote (the study of last things, or the end times) was beating him to death. As he studied the conflicting opinions of great Bible scholars, he was completely amazed how these men who agreed on so many other things could be so different on this topic. As he slowly walked down the hallway, he spied Old John. Old John was the janitor in this building, a distinguished-looking old black man with a reputation as a very strong believer. John had rigged up a stool on his cleaning cart, and when it came time for a break, he would just park the cart wherever he was, sit in the stool, break out his coffee thermos and Bible, and read. Mike liked to talk to John, as did many of the students. With his many years of walking with the Lord, he was a great counselor about the practical problems of life. As Mike and he greeted one another, the young man saw that John was reading the book of Revelation--currently the great headache of Mike\rquote s life. \ldblquote John, I see you are reading Revelation. That book is driving me crazy! All the great Bible teachers teach so many different things on it, and it just isn\rquote t clear to me at all. John, tell me, what in the world do you think the book is talking about.\rdblquote Old John turned to the back of the book, read the last chapter aloud, then looked up and grinned at the young student. \ldblquote Young preacher, the meaning of the Book of Revelation is that Jesus Wins!\rdblquote \par No topic is more confusing to a believer than the End Times. My friend, \ldblquote Mike,\rdblquote in the story above, was not alone in his confusion. In this century, possibly more ink has been spilled about the meaning of the Book of Revelation and the theology of the end times thanLVALi on any other topic of the Faith. Many great Bible teachers who agree on just about everything else disagree greatly on this doctrine--many teachers speak about the end times as if there was no doubt as to the exact scenario, but their scenarios do not agree in the least. This book will not address the controversies; we will not even define the controversies, for there are plenty of books that do that. What we will do is to define the basic orthodox requirements for a beautiful and vital doctrine that gets lost in the arguments over particulars. We will define the absolute minimums of the orthodox doctrine, but no more.\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Christ is Returning\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 The second coming of Christ is a cornerstone of Biblical doctrine. It is not possible to be considered orthodox and evangelical unless you believe Jesus is coming back. Our Lord promised it, the apostles confirmed it, and the entire book of Revelation celebrates it. Below are just a few examples of the verses that establish this fact.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Joh_14:1-3\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father\rquote s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Mat_26:64\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Yes, it is as you say,\rdblquote Jesus replied. \ldblquote But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Luk_21:27\cf0\ulnone At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 The return of Christ will be visible. He will not come in secret; He will not come \ldblquote mystiLVALjcally,\rdblquote or only to those with eyes to see Him. All humanity will witness His coming, and those who do not belong to Him will be terrified.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Act_1:11\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Men of Galilee,\rdblquote they said, \ldblquote why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Mat_24:29-30\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Immediately after the distress of those days \ldblquote `the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.\rquote \ldblquote At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 The Second Coming of Christ will be Bodily. He will not come \ldblquote spiritually,\rdblquote He will return in His Body. He has a body now, a glorious body, witnessed by the apostle John (\cf1\ul Rev_1:12-16\cf2\ulnone ), and when He comes in clouds of glory, it will be in that glorious body.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Php_3:21\cf0\ulnone who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Zec_14:3\cf0\ulnone Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 He will come in Power and Glory--unlike His first coming, His true nature will not be concealed. He will come at the head of a heavenly army, as the conquering Sovereign that He is.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Tit_2:13\cf0\ulnone while we w LVAL ait for the blessed hope-- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Mat_24:30\cf0\ulnone They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 See Appendix 7 for study questions and projects for Chapter 5.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALCYl{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 6\line Saved by Grace\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\kerning0\fs24 Justified by Faith\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 In all the vastness of our world, in all of the diversity of religious beliefs, there are only two essential types of belief, works and Grace. There seem to be many differences between the world\rquote s religions, but they are all essentially the same--they all center around human works. All involve human beings accomplishing a task or set of tasks to achieve a goal and receive a reward. The tasks may be different, the goal may have differing names, and the reward may be called many things (Heaven Paradise, Nirvana), but the principle underlying all of them is the same--\i Quid Pro Quo\i0 , which is Latin for \ldblquote this for that.\rdblquote In the world\rquote s religions, salvation (righteousness, oneness with the Infinite, perfect nothingness, or whatever is the term in a particular religion) is earned by what one does. Unfortunately, within this group of religions based on human effort are many species of religion that go by the name of Christianity. \par True Bible Christianity, however, \ldblquote the faith once delivered to the saints,\rdblquote is totally distinct from the world\rquote s religions in this area as in so many others. The thing that makes Christianity far different from all other religions is the concept of Grace. To help us understand the difference, we need to look at the at the two basic paradigms for all religions. (A Paradigm is a model, an outline, a form that something takes, that we can diagram to help us understand it.)\par \pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Paradigm #1:LVALm Works\par \pard\sb60\sa60\lang1033\b0\fs20 (Followed by most religions, including much of \ldblquote Christianity.\rdblquote )\par \trowd\trgaph108\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4680\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx9360\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 World Religions\cell\ldblquote Christian\rdblquote Version\cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4680\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx9360\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 We work our way to God, salvation, Nirvana, Paradise.\cell In salvation, we are returned to where Adam was before the Fall.\cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4680\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx9360\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 God (or whatever represents deity) judges our progress as we go along.\cell Even after \ldblquote salvation,\rdblquote we still have God as our Judge\cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4680\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx9360\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 Attainment of Godhood, salvation, Paradise, Nirvana depLVALnends upon what we do. \cell Our will and our efforts determine whether or not we go to heaven. \cell\row\pard\keepn\s3\li360\sb240\sa60\lang3082\b\fs24 Paradigm #2: Salvation by Grace\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent360\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 Salvation is 100 percent a work of God--we are unable, because of our bondage to sin and rebellion, to do anything meriting God\rquote s favor.\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}God reaches down to save people--He conceived the plan, He sent His Son to accomplish the plan--He does 100% of the work.\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}When we experience what the Bible calls the New Birth (\cf2\ul Joh_3:3-8\cf1\ulnone ), we are then SAVED, we pass from death to life (\cf2\ul Eph_2:1-6\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_5:24\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_6:40\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_6:47\cf1\ulnone ).\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}As a part of the gift of Salvation, we become adopted children of God (\cf2\ul Gal_3:26-4\cf1\ulnone :7).\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}When we sin, God deals with us as a Father to a child (\cf2\ul Heb_12:4-8\cf1\ulnone ).\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}God\rquote s Grace and actions are the determining factors in our salvation, even to include His working in our lives to develop a lifestyle consistent with salvation. (\cf2\ul Eph_2:8-10\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Php_2:12-13\cf1\ulnone )\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj The Grace of God is so simple, yet so profound that it is beyond the greatest minds to fully understand. It stands in opposition to the ideas that most of us have about earning our way in the world, about people getting what they deserve, about \ldblquote fairness,\rdblquote and about the independence of human beings. The best simple definition this writer has ever heard for Grace is God\rquote s Riches At Christ\rquote s Expense. \par The meaning of Grace behind that simple explanation is one of the most hated teachings in the world because it so totally undermines and removes all traces of human pride. TheLVALo Doctrine of Grace teaches that we are totally unable to save ourselves, to help in our salvation, to do anything to merit all or any part of our salvation, or to keep our salvation. We are saved totally as an act of God\rquote s will, and we do not deserve it in any way. Indeed, those that are saved are equally (if not more) deserving of Hell as those who actually go there! This is the most important first principle in understanding Grace--no one in the entire human race deserves any consideration from God, we are all rebels and sinners, and we all deserve Hell. Except for His own redemption plan, God could rightfully have sent the entire human race to eternal punishment long ago! The description Paul gives of believers before salvation fits the entire human race if they are without Christ:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Eph_2:1-3\cf0\ulnone As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 In spite of our fitness for wrath, however, God has exercised His Grace toward us in Christ.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Eph_2:4-10\cf0\ulnone But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we areLVALp God\rquote s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 What is the meaning of Grace? We were dead spiritually; we were fit for nothing but wrath; we were rebels and in bondage to sin and Satan. In the midst of that condition, God saved us. We exercised faith, which is itself a gift of God (\cf2\ul Joh_6:44-47\cf1\ulnone ), and God blessed us with the greatest possible gift--eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! (\cf2\ul Joh_5:24\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_6:37-40\cf1\ulnone ). What is more, we can add nothing to Grace. Before we were saved, we had nothing to contribute to the process ( \cf2\ul Rom_3:10-11\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_2:14\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Job_14:4\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_13:23\cf1\ulnone ), and During the New Birth experience, we add nothing to it. The Bible makes plain that the mysterious supernatural experience called the New Birth is an act of God.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Joh_3:3-8\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote In reply Jesus declared, \ldblquote I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.\rdblquote \ldblquote How can a man be born when he is old?\rdblquote Nicodemus asked. \ldblquote Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother\rquote s womb to be born!\rdblquote Jesus answered, \ldblquote I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.\rquote The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \cf2\ul 2Co_4:6-7\cf0\ulnone For God, who said, \ldblquote Let light shine out of darkness,\rdblquote made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of ChristLVALq. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 You might ask, \ldblquote If this is all a work of God, where do I fit in the process?\rdblquote The answer is you must believe, you must exercise faith in Christ for salvation. (\cf2\ul Rom_10:9-13\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_16:30-31\cf1\ulnone ). This exercise is not a work, however, because is involves no ability on our part and no effort on our part. That is the hard thing to understand about faith--it is not an action, it is a surrender, a throwing up of the hands and saying, \ldblquote I can do nothing in myself.\rdblquote\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Justification by Faith\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\b0\fs20 What does the term \ldblquote Justified\rdblquote mean? The Bible meaning of the word is to be totally blameless and totally guiltless--to be able to stand before God clean and pure in every way. A play on the word helps us to understand its meaning. If I am Justified, it is Just-as-if-I\rquote d never sinned, and Just-as-if-I\rquote d always been holy and done the right things. Remember our helpless position before God--as \ldblquote children of Wrath,\rdblquote we are unable to satisfy God--all His lovely and perfect Law can do is condemn us:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_3:19-20\cf0\ulnone Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 Our Father, however, has devised a plan and made a way for us to stand righteous before Him. He has sent His own Son as a Sacrifice on our behalf, (Chapter 5) and those who believe in Him shall have everlasting life, and shall be seen as righteous in God\rquote s sight.\paLVALrr \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_3:21-24\cf0\ulnone But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)\par \cf2\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 This righteousness we receive is imputed righteousness--that is a theological term which means it is put to our account, just like a deposit put in our bank account by someone else. God legally declares us to be righteous, and puts that on our record in Heaven.\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\ul Rom_4:1-5\cf0\ulnone What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-- but not before God. What does the Scripture say? \ldblquote Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.\rdblquote Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: \ldblquote Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 The illustration below shows a ledger, an account book. In order for you to understand the principle, do the following things:\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent360\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li720\sb60\sa60 Write your name by the words \ldblquote AccoLVALsunt Holder.\rdblquote\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Using a black or blue pen, under the column labeled \ldblquote Sins on Account,\rdblquote write some of your known sins--don\rquote t be bashful, put several in. Then imagine how many pages the real account is!\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}You can\rquote t put anything in the column that says \ldblquote Good Works Done,\rdblquote because you have none (\cf2\ul Isa_64:6\cf1\ulnone ).\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}Now take a different pen--a bright RED one, and across the \ldblquote Sins on Account\rdblquote column, write in large letters, \ldblquote Paid for by Christ\rquote s Blood!\rdblquote\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}Under the \ldblquote Good Works Done\rdblquote column, write again in RED, \ldblquote Supplied by the Righteousness of Christ.\rdblquote\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24\par ETERNAL ACCOUNT\line Account Holder:\line\par \trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60\lang1033\b0\fs20 GOOD WORKS DONE\cell SINS ON ACCOUNT \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 1 \cell 1 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\LVALtclbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 2 \cell 2 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 3\cell 3 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 4\cell 4 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 5 \cell 5 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 6\cell 6 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrrLVALu\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 7\cell 7 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 8 \cell 8 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 9\cell 9 \cell\row\trowd\trgaph108\trleft2250\trbrdrl\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrt\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrr\brdrs\brdrw15 \trbrdrb\brdrs\brdrw15 \trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx4596\clbrdrl\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrt\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrr\brdrw15\brdrs\clbrdrb\brdrw15\brdrs \cellx7200\pard\intbl\sb60\sa60 10\cell 10 \cell\row\pard\sb60\sa60\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1 This is Justification, to stand before God with all accounts paid, and clothed in the righteousness of His only Son, Jesus Christ. To be able know that you have \ldblquote peace with God\rdblquote --there is no more war between you and the Almighty. (\cf2\ul Rom_5:1\cf1\ulnone ). Taken together, the concepts of Grace and Justification by Faith show the uniqueness of the Christian doctrine of Salvation. It is like the exclamation of Jonah--\rdblquote Salvation is of the LORD!\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Jon_2:9\cf1\ulnone , KJV). The message of Grace is God Saves Sinners. It is His Plan, it was His Son who died and rose again, it is His Spirit who enlivens the preaching and witness of believer LVAL s to awaken sinners to their need of salvation and lead them to faith in Christ. \par Three of the watchwords of the revival of Biblical preaching known as the Reformation were: \i Sola Fide\i0 (Faith alone), \i Sola Gratia\i0 (Grace alone), and \i Sola Christi \i0 (Christ alone). These Latin terms describe God\rquote s salvation plan in a nutshell--He has done it all, and we can claim no credit for ourselves. The result of this wonderful outpouring of His love is our salvation, and that results further in the fourth watchword: \i Soli Deo Gloria \i0 (The Glory to God alone). \par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALMYw{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Chapter 7\line The Necessity of a Consistent Christian Life\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\lang1033\kerning0\b0\fs20\ldblquote My Sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me . . .\rdblquote \cf1\ul Joh_10:27\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 As the old saw says, \ldblquote If I\rquote ve heard it once, I\rquote ve heard it a thousand times.\rdblquote What is it I\rquote ve heard? It is the story that the churches are full of hypocrites, that professed believers don\rquote t live at all like their Lord, and that the prostitutes, thieves and drug dealers down on skid row behave better. There are several responses to this old charge. \par First, it is often just an excuse to avoid going to church and coming face to face with one\rquote s own sin. Sometimes, the behavior referred to is how people in the church used to behave before they were saved--in that case, the old saw is just a confirmation of the power of the gospel. Often, the churches referred to, and the people doing the bad behavior, are not really biblical churches; they have long ago left the teachings of the Bible, and they are just religious social clubs. \par However, while the cases above are often true, it is also sadly true, and far too often, that professing believers in Bible-teaching, evangelical churches live a life that makes their faith seem a lie. The fact that God saves us totally as an act of Grace on His part is not a license to live as we please. We stand before Him justified, free, and blameless because of faith in the sacrifice of Christ, but we also are now a part of His family, we are members of His royal priesthood (\cf1\ul 1Pe_2:9\cf2\ulnone ). Believers in Christ are suppoLVALxsed to act like it.\par It is difficult to write on this subject for several reasons. First, the writer knows his own failings, and how many times he has fallen short of God\rquote s will in his life--that is a daily problem. Second, we don\rquote t need any more lists of laws coming from outside the Bible to imprison believers and put them on spiritually depressing and false guilt trips. Far too often, people teaching, preaching, or writing on the subject of practical behavior fall into cultural patterns, prohibiting activities that the Bible leaves in the area of personal judgment, and creating a totally false standard. Legalism, the adding of human requirements to the gospel, is a Grace-killing and soul-chilling thing. However, it is even more prevalent today for there to be falsehoods in the other direction. Many today teach standards of behavior that are far below those the Bible exhorts us to strive for--what the Bible calls \ldblquote sin,\rdblquote some modern teachers excuse, ignore, or even celebrate as good. \par The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, we need to understand the principle of Following Christ In Our Lives. Second, we need to understand the Basic Specific Guidelines for Behavior found in the Bible. \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Following Christ In Our Lives\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 For 40 days after His resurrection, our Lord carried out a vigorous ministry among His disciples. He appeared to as many as 500 of them at one time. In the last three verses of Matthew\rquote s gospel, we read the challenge He gave to His inner circle, the eleven. This challenge is commonly called \ldblquote The Great Commission:\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Mat_28:18-20\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote Then Jesus came to them and said, \ldblquote All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaLVALyching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.\rdblquote\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Look at the phrases in the verses above: \ldblquote Make disciples\rdblquote and \ldblquote teaching them to obey\rdblquote Do these phrases match the activities of the American church? Does our evangelism and our teaching of new believers reach below the surface and do these two things? Our evangelical churches grow numerically; people profess salvation. These people begin to live a type of \ldblquote born-again\rdblquote lifestyle (at least on the surface)--they listen to Christian music, read Christian self-help books, and regularly attend church. But, as we noted in the beginning of this book--where is the dramatic effect on society that the early church wielded? What have we wrought by our efforts at evangelism? According to our Founder, the goal of our evangelism is not to create church members, convince people who profess a little Christianity, or encourage them to adopt a surface lifestyle change. Our goal as a church, and as individual congregations and believers, is to make disciples who are learning to follow Christ.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Basic Discipleship\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 What does it mean to be a disciple, to follow Christ? As with so many other things, we need to say just a bit about what it does not mean. As already mentioned, it certainly does not mean to make a few religious gestures and change your outward style of living a bit. It also does not necessarily mean to make a lot of religious gestures and change your outward style of living radically, though that might be a part of the process depending on your former life style. It does not mean to wear black clothing and a somber facial expression, and to walk around in your life as the morals proctor for all you see. Following Christ begins with an inward change of heart, repentance, and faith, the LVALztotal experience we call the New Birth--it continues to grow into discipleship from the inside out. This inside-out transformation does not occur by some sort of cosmic \ldblquote auto pilot\rdblquote --it doesn\rquote t just happen. \par Discipleship begins with being \ldblquote added to the church\rdblquote ( \cf1\ul Act_2:47\cf2\ulnone ), and becoming involved in the \ldblquote four legs\rdblquote of the church mentioned earlier, teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. A person who wants to be discipled apart from a visible, functioning congregation of believers in Christ wants the impossible. Discipleship occurs in the local Church. This means a new believer needs to seek a congregation that accepts and follows the\i Regula Fidei\i0 (see introduction), and that is active in teaching new believers. A new believer should not choose a church based on worship style, though active, vigorous worship is important. A new believer should not choose a church based solely on a friendly atmosphere, nor one where the people are of the same socioeconomic class and ethnic group. The first thing a new believer should look for in a church is one that is faithful to the basic orthodox teachings of the Bible, and one that has a solid teaching ministry. Once a member of a congregation of believers, the new Christian should seek to become active in attendance in as many of the worship and teaching meetings of the church as possible. Certainly Sunday School, preaching, and prayer services are a must. If there are home Bible studies available, the young disciple should seek one out that ministers to their need for teaching and fellowship. If there is a discipleship program in the local congregation, the new convert should become a part of it. \par The attitude a believer should have in discipleship is very important. We need to keep constantly in our mind that we are undergoing a process of transformation that involves two sides--one we see and feel, and the more important one, the ministry that God iLVAL{s doing within us in secret. \ldblquote Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,\rdblquote (\cf1\ul Php_2:12\cf2\ulnone ). This shows the side we see and feel--and it looks like we are doing a lot of original work. The rest of the sentence, however, is in verse 13, \ldblquote . . .for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.\rdblquote The important action is what we don\rquote t see--it is the omnipotent, sovereign God working in our lives to accomplish His will.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 Basic Specific Guidelines for Behavior\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 Whenever we deal with this issue in the church, we will find ourselves fighting the \ldblquote don\rquote t judge me\rdblquote syndrome. People attempt to ignore and dodge the plain meaning of Bible texts, and their life applications by an \i ad hominem\i0 (against the man, or personal attack) argument against the person pointing out the problem. Let\rquote s not kid ourselves, if we are in a situation of habitual rebellion and sin, and are a professing Christian, \ldblquote shooting the messenger\rdblquote doesn\rquote t solve the problem. People who use the \ldblquote don\rquote t judge me\rdblquote argument misuse several Scriptures, such as \cf1\ul Mat_7:1-5\cf2\ulnone , which tell us how to judge properly with the right attitude, and try to say that judgment is never proper in any case-\rdblquote it is all between me and God.\rdblquote This is purely an attempt to hide behind a supposed technicality. We are not to judge in the sense of self-righteous condemnation, but as individual believers, we have an obligation to confront open sin, prayerfully, lovingly, humbly. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Gal_6:1\cf0\ulnone Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watLVAL|ch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Jas_5:19-20\cf0\ulnone My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Corporately, the truth is that the local church MUST judge its own people when they are caught up in a real sin problem, or it is dishonoring both our Lord and other congregations. In 1 Corinthians 5 and 6, Paul severely chastens the church in Corinth because they were not taking care of business by judging an openly rebellious believer, and they were committing disputes between members to the secular courts. The real perspective is that we are to do as Jesus told us in \cf1\ul Joh_7:24\cf2\ulnone , and \ldblquote judge righteous judgment.\rdblquote Professing Christians are not independent actors--we have an obligation both to our Lord and to other believers, our local congregation, and the church in general to live as Christ would have us to live.\par Once we are past the \ldblquote don\rquote t judge\rdblquote syndrome, we have to realize that there are many instructions in the Bible for how Christians are to behave. Our lives are not to be centered on what we don\rquote t do--BUT there are lifestyle rules, things a Christian should Do and should NOT do. Rather than give a laundry list, we will talk about general categories of Scripture teaching in this area, along with a few hot specifics.\par A believer\rquote s personal values are not for him or her to decide--the Bible tells us what they should be. The Christian Worldview from Chapter 1 of this book is a good place to start--if we know why we are here and what Truth is, we are already on the right track to an obedient life. We need to combine this with a recognition of the continuing influence of sin in our lives and the necessity to combat sin in our lives with God\rquote s help. \par Believers in Christ LVAL}should have a Respect for Human Life, because God is the author of each life, and He tells us not to commit murder. This places Bible-believing Christians in direct opposition to the pro-death agenda (abortion and euthanasia) so dominant in our society today. Christians should have a Respect for Government. This applies to God\rquote s providence in our individual lives and the secular government He has established to govern society. We should have a Respect for the dignity of humanity in general and of individual people over and above the plant and animal kingdom, as well as above personal needs, desires, and material possessions. God created people to live with Him eternally--we are created in God\rquote s image. People are more important that animals, and the movement to equalize animal rights with human rights is sheer paganism. This doesn\rquote t condone needless cruelty, but it recognizes the Bible teaching that we have dominion over the animal kingdom, and they are ours to use for our benefit. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul Gen_1:26-28\cf0\ulnone Then God said, \ldblquote Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.\rdblquote So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, \ldblquote Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.\rdblquote (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Christians should exercise Personal responsibility--we should always live our life with the willingness and effort to work to support ourselves by honest means. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul 2Th_3:6\cf0\ulnone In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother wLVAL~ho is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. (NIV)\par \cf1\ul 2Th_3:10-12\cf0\ulnone For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: \ldblquote If a man will not work, he shall not eat.\rdblquote We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 The hottest issue today for believers is probably Submission to God\rquote s rules regarding sexuality--specifically, that legitimate sexual activity is restricted to relations between a man and a woman who are married to one another. This recognizes that the Bible teaches that same-sex relations, adultery, premarital sex, incest, and bestiality are wrong behaviors, and are not to be accepted by Christian believers in their own lives. Not only are we not to live that way ourselves, we may not, as a body, tolerate that kind of behavior in a congregation, nor can we as a congregation or as individuals approve of it in the lives of others--we must express ourselves in love, but we cannot affirm and approve lifestyles that are contrary to God\rquote s laws. \par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\ul 1Co_6:9-11\cf0\ulnone Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)\par \cf1\ul 1Co_6:18-20\cf0\ulnone Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? YoLVALu are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)\par \cf1\ul Rom_1:25-27\cf0\ulnone They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 To guide us in our behavior, we have the portions of the Old Testament Law and writings repeated or re-emphasized in the New Testament, or which are consistent with the New Covenant. For example, we find 9 of the 10 commandments repeated in the New Testament--the exception being the Sabbath. We find in the Old Testament Law specific prohibitions against sexual immorality and perversion which are repeated and augmented in the writings of Paul. We find in the Old Testament specific prohibitions against idolatry and pagan religious practices, and we find a wealth of practical advice and warnings from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Finally, we have the many examples from the Historical narratives of how people struggled with sin and found hope and help in God. Paul tells us that these things \ldblquote occurred as examples.\rdblquote (\cf1\ul 1Co_10:6\cf2\ulnone ) to help us in our daily lives. In the New Testament, we have many commands (I have read that there are over 1300 commands in the New Testament, but I\rquote ve never counted to see). In general, however, these commands tell us how we are to live in the Church, how we are to live in the Family, and how we are to live in Society. Our Savior calls upon us to follow Him in our lives--let us do so.\par \pard\lang3082\kerning28\f1\fs22\par } LVALuY{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang3082\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 Appendix 1\line The Holy War--A Spiritual Warfare Primer\par \pard\li720\ri720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf1\lang1033\kerning0\ul\b0\fs20 Eph_6:10-13\cf0\ulnone Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil\rquote s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (NIV)\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2 Whether you are a new believer or an experienced saint, you may not realize something very important--you are a soldier in an ongoing war. This is not the philosophical \ldblquote struggle between good and evil,\rdblquote but is part of an ancient rebellion between the forces of Satan and the Almighty God. This is not a battle between equals--there is no comparison between the power and knowledge of the Almighty and the relatively weak opposition that is doomed to fail. In a sense, there is no real struggle, for the battle is progressing according to God\rquote s plan, and God wins in the end.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb180\sa60\cf0\lang3082\b\fs24 The Forces Involved\par \pard\fi720\sb60\sa60\qj\cf2\lang1033\b0\fs20 There is an unseen world--there are spiritual forces that we cannot see, but they affect our world and wage constant battle in and around human society. On the one side are Satan a