BARNABAS

FELLOWSHIP

Biblical Encouragement in the name of Jesus Christ

 

P.O. BOX 158

VICTOR, NY 14564

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC

DOCTRINES

 

 

Rev. Gene Mullen                                                        8/08        

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC DOCTRINES.

 

Sometimes people base their beliefs on feelings, experiences or their own thoughts and not on the Word of God.  Often, we hear people say it is not necessary to study such things as theology, doctrines or creeds.  Some think it is more important to do good than to know what good really is.  Consider the meaning of the following three words:

 

THEOLOGY-“Theo” is the Greek word for God and “logy” is the word for concept.  Therefore, theology is a person’s concept of God.  Everyone has a concept of God, but is it the biblical one? We will never know everything about God but we can learn what the Bible says about Him.

 

DOCTRINE This is a Greek word for teaching.  Whatever a person teaches is their doctrine. 

 

CREED This is a Latin word for belief.  This is just another way of saying this is what I believe.

 

Theology, doctrines and creeds are the foundation of the Christian faith. 

They put into words what God has revealed about who He is and how we can have a relationship with Him.  Let us approach such a study reverently, humbly and seeking His guidance.

 

Let it be noted that this study emphasizes basic doctrines that are the essential truths of biblical faith and does not include denominational distinctions.  We realize this study is a foundation, not everything there is to know.  It is our desire that this will lead you into a deeper study of the Bible.

 

We begin the first of six lessons with….

 

LESSON ONE

THE DOCTRINE OF REVELATION

How God speaks to us

 

Some people say that all they need to know about God is known through nature. Yes, it is true that…

 

 

 

1. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH NATURE

-  Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”

God has revealed Himself to us through nature so that we are without excuse. But nature is not sufficient to reveal the person of God or His will which is necessary for our salvation.  Romans 1:19,20  “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

 

Everyone is born with a remnant of the image of God even though it is corrupted by their sin nature . Everyone is born with a deep down desire to seek God which is why people everywhere worship all kinds of objects. Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

 

But ONLY the Bible is the revelation of God that is reliable and all we need for life and godliness II Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”

 

 

Let us look at how…………

 

II. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH THE BIBLE

 

The Bible is....

 

…SUPERNATURAL God is supernatural. The Bible reveals the supernatural acts of God. We have no need to rationalize or explain the miracles naturally. Job 11:7-9 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?  Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?  They are higher than the heavens—what can you do?  They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?  Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.”

 

…INSPIRED Literally, “God-breathed” (II Timothy 3:16). Not dictated. God used the human writers with their own writing style in the context of their own culture and settings and guarded their words.

II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

 

 

…INFALLIBLE Truth in all of its parts.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

 

…INERRANT This is the key word. It means without error in any part. Wherever the Bible differs with man’s knowledge, man is always wrong. The Bible is not made up of legends, inaccurate stories and exaggerated accounts as some claim.

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall,  but the word of our God stands forever”

 

…COMPLETE There will be no more divine revelation until the second coming. Though the Holy Spirit guides and directs us through circumstances and godly advice, such guidance is not divine revelation and not on the same level as Scripture. No one is to add or subtract from the Bible.  Revelation 22:18,19  “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.  And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

 

…FINAL AUTHORITY FOR FAITH AND PRACTISE The Bible and only the Bible is the final authority for spiritual life and church government.

 

…PROPOSITIONAL Bible truths can be stated in clear and understandable words. Example: “Obedience is the pathway to blessings.” The Bible is not mystical, that is, experienced and not able to be explained. The Bible is also not relative, that is, meaning one thing to one person and another thing to another person.

II Peter 1:19-21 “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.”   See also I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:19,20.

 

Another thing we need to know is that….

 

III. GOD’S REVELATION IN THE BIBLE IS PROGRESSIVE

God’s revelation comes in three stages: Prediction, Fulfillment and Explanation.

God predicts what He is going to do (Exodus 3:7-10).

God fulfills His predictions (Exodus 14:29-31).

God explains why He did what He did (Joshua 24:6-14)

 

Though all of the Old Testament is accurate and historical, it is in a sense a prediction of the coming of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King. The Gospels are the fulfillment of the Old Testament predictions

Mt. 1:22 “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:”

 

 

The Book of Acts and the Letters of the Apostles are the ONLY explanation of the person and work of Christ. The Apostles had the privilege and the responsibility of interpreting and explaining who Christ is, what He accomplished and what our relationship should be with Him. Therefore, we build our doctrines on the letters because they are systematic and the final stage of revelation. Paul said if anyone teaches you a different gospel even if it is Paul, himself, let him be accursed.  Gal. 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

 

 

The first coming of Christ has been predicted, fulfilled and explained.

The second coming of Christ is unfulfilled prediction which we understand in part and will know in full when He returns.

 

Hebrews 1:1 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,”

Many times = From creation, through the Old and New Testament.

Various ways = visions, dreams, theophanies, direct speech,

angels, writings, etc.

Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,....”  has spoken = past tense, completed action.

Heb. 1:1,2 “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”

 

IV. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS WORD WHICH IS:

 

LASTING FOREVER Isaiah 40:8; I Peter 1:25

FOOD FOR THE SOUL Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:16; I Peter 2:2

A LIGHT IN THE DARK Psalm 19:8; Psalm 119:105

A WEAPON Ephesians 6:17

A PROBING INSTRUMENT Hebrews 4;12

LOVED BY THE SAINTS Psalm 119:47, 72, 97 & 140

THE KEY TO SUCCESS Joshua 1:8

 

Let us now turn to lesson two which is….

 

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

We begin by looking at the verses defining who God  is.

 

I. GOD IS....

 

…HOLY He is completely separate from the evil of this world. Lev. 19:2 Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

See also Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 57:15

 

…LOVE He is sacrificially committed to our good and His glory.

Love is actions not feelings. Example: the Cross  I John 4:16

“………..God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”  See also John 3:16

 

…JUST He is righteous in all of His judgments and actions. Deut. 32:4

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God

who does no wrong, upright and just is he”. See also Hebrews 1:9

 

…TRUTH/FAITHFUL His principles never change and are the ultimate reality. Deut. 32:4 “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong,  upright and just is he” .  See also I Samuel 15:29; I Kings 8:56; Psalm 86:15, 96:13; Titus 1:2

 

…MERCIFUL He does not deal with us as harshly as we deserve.

James 5:11 “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”  See also  Timothy 1:13,16; I Peter 2:10

 

…GRACIOUS He gives us what we don’t deserve. II Chron. 30:9 “If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him”  See also Exodus 34:6;  Ephesians 2:8,9

 

…A SPIRIT He is Invisible. John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”  See also Deuteronomy 4:15,16; Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:25,26

 

…ETERNAL He has no beginning and no end. Deut. 33:27 “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. “  See also Exodus 3:14; I Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 1:9,11

 

…SOVEREIGN He is in control of everything, good or bad. Rev. 4:11

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all

things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” See also Psalm 135:6; Isaiah

45:7, 46:10,11; Daniel 4:35; Romans 9:15,18; Ephesians 1:1

 

 

…IMMUTABLE He never changes.  James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  See also Numbers 23::19; Psalm 33:11, 102:27; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:17

 

…SELF-SUFFICIENT  He is  not dependent on anyone or anything.

Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”  See also Psalm 50:12

 

…PERFECT He never has and never will sin, make mistakes or do anything wrong.  Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul”.

 

…OMNIPRESENT He is present everywhere at once. Jer. 23:24 Can anyone hide in secret places  so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”declares the LORD.  See also Psalm 139:7-11

 

…OMNIPOTENT He is all powerful. Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”  Job 42:2; Jeremiah 32:17,18

 

…OMNISCIENT He is all knowing.  Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”  See also Psalm 139:1-4

 

These characteristics or attributes of God can be grouped into two classifications.  This helps us to understand……………

 

II. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

 

The first group is…

COMMUNICABLE which are like our attributes but God’s are perfect, compared to ours which are stained by sin.  The first six listed above are examples of communicable attributes.  We too, in a limited way, can be holy, loving, just, faithful, merciful and gracious.

 

The second group is…

INCOMMUNICABLE which are not like ours in any way, because we can not be like God who is a Spirit, always existed, sovereign over the universe, never changes, self-sufficient, perfect, present everywhere at once, has unlimited power and knows everything.

 

The point of the attributes is that we should worship God by acknowledging ALL of His attributes not just those that are most common.  Our prayers should be God-centered not just people-centered.  The Psalms are a good example of doing that.

 

One of the concepts of God which is the hardest to comprehend is…..

 

III. THE TRINITY

God is one Deut.6:4  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

God is three persons, coeternal, coequal and the same in essence but distinct.

God the Father, the Great Creator, Upholder and Purpose of all things.

God the Son, the One and Only Redeemer of mankind.

God the Holy Spirit, the Great Enlightener and Sanctifier.

Though they generally have different roles by emphasis, all Three participate in everything to some degree.

This truth is impossible for us to fully understand in our limited, earthly state.

This must be accepted by faith in God’s Word.

“Where reason cannot wade, there faith may swim” Herbert Lockyer

The Old Testament prepares the way for the Trinity by its many references by God to Himself in the plural: “Let us make man in our image” Genesis 1:26;  See also Genesis 3:22, 11:7.

Consider also the manifestations of God in various forms called  Theophanies in the Old Testament: See Genesis 16:2-13, 22:11-16, 31:11-13,

48:15,16; Exodus 3:2,4,5; Judges 13:6,21, Jeremi9ah 23:6; Malachi 3:1.

The Trinity is specifically referred to in the New Testament:  Matthew 28:19 “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”. See also Matthew 3:13-16, 14:16-26; II Corinthians 13:14.

 

Let us also consider the….

 

IV. FALSE VIEWS OF GOD

PANTHEISM “All is God”, worship of creation not the Creator, New Age religion. God is greater than His creation.

DUALISM “Two gods” Making Satan equal in power to the One True God. Satan is a created being with only as much power as God allows him. 

DEISM “clock theory” God created the universe and set it in motion as one would wind up a clock. And then God distanced Himself from it and is no longer active in people’s lives. This led to the God is dead theology.

RATIONALISM Reliance on human reason which denies a supernatural revelation of God. 

MYSTICISM Indescribable God that makes personal experience more important than the Bible.

WE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON TRUTH NOT FALSEHOOD!!

 

Now we begin lesson three….

 

THE DOCTRINE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

 

 

HIS TWO NATURES:

 

HIS HUMAN NATURE  He is like us except He had no sin. Galatians 4:4

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

See also John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:15

HIS DIVINE NATURE  He is truly God in all aspects- no beginning, and no end. John 1:1, 2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.” See also John 20:28; Mark 2:1-12, 28; Philippians 2:9-11; James 2:

There is no mixture between the two natures. Jesus suffered all of the limitations and pains of humanity even His agonizing death on the cross. Some of His sayings refer to His humanity -John 14:28- and some refer to His deity -John 10:30)

 

HIS MAJOR MILESTONES:

BIRTH- Matthew 1:23 ““The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”  See also Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:3,4; I Corinthians 15:45-49

BAPTISM This was His identification with us so that we could identify with Him through our baptism – Matthew 3:13-17 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.    As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.   “

TEMPTATION This was the beginning of Satan’s defeat.  -  Matthew 4:1 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil”

TRANSFIGURATION A taste of heavenly glory to encourage His disciples. Matthew 17:1, 2 “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.   There he was transfigured

before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the

light.” 

 

 

CRUCIFIXION - Christ’s death on the cross as a substitute payment for the sins of all who repent and call on Him is the centerpiece of the Bible. He predicted His death.  He died by His own volition - His life was given not taken. - I Corinthians 15:3 “For what I received I passed on to you as of  first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”  See also Matthew 9:15, 16:21, 17:22,23, 20:18,19, 21:33-39 Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:19; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:20 

RESURRECTION -  Matthew 28:5, 6 “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”  See also I Corinthians 15:1-58  Colossians 1:18

ASCENSION -  Acts 1:9  “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”  See also Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9; Romans 8:34, 14:9,10; Ephesians 4:7,8

 

BIBLICAL TITLES OF JESUS:

Christ/Messiah                                          Lord

Son of Man                                                Savior

Son of God                                                Son of David

Great High Priest                                      Alpha and Omega

Master                                                        Rabbi/Teacher

Righteousness                                          Prophet

Rose of Sharon                                         Lily of the Valley

Advocate                                                   Lion of Judah

Lamb of God                                             Second Adam

 

HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY:

He set aside His heavenly privileges and took upon Himself the limitations of humanity except without our sinful nature.

 

HE COMMUNICATED THROUGH..............

MIRACLES - Demonstrated His power over creation

DISCOURSES - His teachings of the Kingdom of God

PARABLES - The illustrations of His teachings

HE FULFILLED THE OLD TESTAMENT OFFICES OF:

Priest, Prophet and King.

HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY WAS…….

 three years based on the four Passovers in the gospel of John

1st. Year Inauguration

2nd. Year Popularity

3rd. Year Opposition

 

We know that Jesus is still ministering to us because the Bible speaks of….

 

HIS PRESENT MINISTRY IN HEAVEN:

All of the self-imposed limitations of His humanity ceased after His ascension. Acts 1:9 “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”  See also Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:3

His heavenly glory was restored.  John 17:5 “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began”  see also   John 10:31,32; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:12-14

He has prepared a place for us.  John 14:2 “In my Father’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.”

He sends the Holy Spirit to build His church.  John  16:7 “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”  Matthew 16:18;  Acts 14:4, 2:1-4

He intercedes for His church.  Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”  See also

Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14, 6:20, 9:24

 

The Bible also speaks of….

 

HIS FUTURE MINISTRY WHEN HE RETURNS: II Thess. 1:7 “and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

 

The fourth doctrine in our study is the….

 

DOCTRINE OF HOLY SPIRIT

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON NOT AN “IT” NOR JUST A “POWER”.  Note the references to Him by using personal pronouns: “He”, ‘Me” and “I”. John 15:26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” See also

John 16:13,14; Acts 13:2

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY, TRULY GOD, THE SAME IN SUBSTANCE, EQUAL IN POWER AND GLORY Matthew 28:19 “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,”  See also   Genesis 1:2; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 13:14

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT EXALTS CHRIST NOT HIMSELF  John 16:13, 14

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.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

 

 

HE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED SCRIPTURE AS IT WAS WRITTEN AND ILLUMINATES IT AS WE READ IT.  II Peter 1:21  “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.”  See also John 16:13; I Corinthians 2:10, 13; II Timothy 3:16

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE EVANGELIST OF THE TRINITY  BRINGING PEOPLE TO SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST AND HELPING THEM TO GROW.  John 1:13 “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

 

HE REGENERATES (GIVES NEW BIRTH) TO THEM  John 3:5, 6  “Jesus answered, “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.”

 

HE CONVICTS THEM OF THEIR SIN  John 16:8 “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:”

 

HE DRAWS THEM TO CHRIST John 16:13 “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.”  See also  John 15:26, 16:7-14

 

HE BAPTIZES THEM WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT

SALVATION  Acts 2:38  “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  See also Matthew 3:11

 

HE INDWELLS BELIEVERS GIVING THEM GUIDANCE.  I Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

See also Romans 8:9-17; II Corinthians 3:3-18

 

HE CONTINUES TO WORK IN BELIEVERS TO WILL AND DO

ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE  Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”.

 

HE GIVES GIFTS TO BELIEVERS SO THEY CAN SERVE THE LORD I Corinthians 12:4, 11 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”

 

 

The next doctrine is really three - all related.  We begin with….

 

THE DOCTRINE OF SIN

DEFINITION OF SIN:

“Sin is the want of conformity (failure to conform) unto or the transgression (breaking) of the law of God” (Westminster Confession)                 

 I John 3:4  “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” See also Romans 5:13;

 

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO GOD WHO CREATED US FOR HIS GLORY.  Isaiah  43:7 “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”  See also Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:20

 

WE ARE SINNERS IN GOD’S EYES FOR TWO REASONS:

1- We sinned with Adam when he fell from grace in the Garden of Eden.  Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—“  As a result, we have inherited a sinful nature and are born in sin. Psalm 58:3 “Even from birth the wicked go astray;  from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.”  See also  Jeremiah 17:9;

2- We are sinners by our own actions.  Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”  See also Romans 3:10-18; James 4:17; I John 3:4

 

AS UNREPENTANT SINNERS WE DESERVE GOD’S ETERNAL WRATH.  John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him”  Se also   Matthew 25:41; John 3:36, Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27

 

The good news is that Christ took the punishment of all who repent and trust in Him so that we can live forever with Him.  This is called the….

 

DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

SALVATION IS REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE IN THREE WAYS:

1- PAST - Salvation from the punishment of sin, the new birth. This study is emphasizing what it means to be saved from the punishment of sin.

2-PRESENT - Salvation from the power of sin as the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome sinful habits. This is covered in the doctrine of

sanctification.

3-FUTURE - Ultimate salvation which occurs when we enter into the presence of the Lord in eternity. This is covered in the doctrine of Heaven and Hell.

 

SALVATION (NEW BIRTH) HAS THREE BENEFITS:

1-Forgiveness of sins, past, present and future.

2-God attributes to us the righteousness of Christ.

3-The gift of eternal life with the Lord in Heaven.

 

SALVATION (NEW BIRTH) REQUIRES FOUR STEPS:

1-Acknowledging God as the Creator of all there is and perfect in holiness and righteousness. Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,  and by your will they were created and have their being.”  See also Genesis 1:11

2-Realizing we are sinners who have violated God’s high and holy law. Romans 3:10 “As it is written:  “There is no one righteous, not even one;  there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.”

3-Repenting of our sin and seeking forgiveness through faith in Christ’s substitutionary and sufficient sacrifice on the cross.  Luke 13:3

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

4-Praying for the Holy Spirit to help us follow the Lord Jesus in obedience. 

 

Salvation is the beginning of a life becoming more and more like Christ.  This is called the….

 

THE DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION

(Spiritual growth of believers)

DEFINITION:

“The gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, and renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works.” (L. Berkhof)

 

TWO ASPECTS OF SANCTIFICATION:

POSITONAL SANCTIFICATION is our standing before God as believers. We are declared perfect (justified) in our position before God and will not be judged for our sins, past, present or future.

Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”

 

PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION is the fruit of our salvation and positional sanctification as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. This involves overcoming the sin in our lives. Though we will never be perfect, we are to make progress in our spiritual growth.

II Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. “

 

THE NATURE OF PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION:

1-It is continuous. Salvation is a one-time event, practical sanctification is an on-going process. Believers are dead to the legal claim of sin but not to its control  Romans 6:1,2  “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  See also  Romans 6:7,11; Galatians 5:25; Titus 3:5

2-It is a cooperative effort. The Holy Spirit gives the believers the muscles, but they must exercise them. Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  See also Romans 12:9,16,17

3-It has a negative effect - the mortification of sin.  Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” See also  Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24

4-It has a positive effect - being enabled to do good works. Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  See also Colossians 3:1,2; Romans 6:4,5

5-It affects the whole person - thoughts, feelings and actions.

II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”   See also Romans 12:1; I Corinthians 6:20

 

THE PROCESS OF PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION:

1-Scripture is the means.   John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth”

See also Ephesians 5:26

2-The Holy Spirit is the power.  I Peter 1:2 “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” 

3-Christlikeness is the goal. Romans 8:29 “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.”

4-The process brings change (put off-put on). Ephesians 4:22-24 “

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

5-The process produces fruit for Christ. John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. “  See also Matthew 7:20

 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN FOR BELIEVERS IS TWO-FOLD:

1-Loss of fellowship with the Lord and other believers. I John 1:3,4 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete”

2-Loss of spiritual blessings from the Lord. Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified”

SIN IS A REALITY FOR BELIEVERS THAT MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONQUERED.

 

The sixth and last doctrine is….

 

THE DOCTRINE OF HEAVEN AND HELL

 

SUMMARY: Both the just (believers) and the unjust (unbelievers) will be resurrected bodily. The just to everlasting blessedness in heaven and the unjust to everlasting punishment in Hell.  John 5:28, 29 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice  and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”  See also Daniel 12:2,13

 

RESURRECTION OF BELIEVERS:

1-Immediate entrance into the presence of the Lord - “paradise”.

Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

See also II Corinthians 5:6-8

2- Paradise is the dwelling place of the Lord where believers are until they receive their resurrected bodies.

 

RESURRECTION OF UNBELIEVERS:

There is no biblical description of the kind of bodies they will have.

It is clear they will suffer for eternity in hell.

 

GOD’S JUDGMENTS OF THE DEAD:

1-Believers will be judged not for their sins but for their works after salvation. II Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”  See also  I Corinthians 3:10-15

2-Believers will judge angels. I Corinthians 6:2, 3 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?  Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!”

3-Unbelievers and Satan will be judged at the Great White Throne.

This is the last of all judgments. Revelations 20:11, 12 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books”

 

HEAVEN

I Peter 1:4 “and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,”

 Matthew 5:3,8,12,20; John 14:1-5; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 10:34,11:10; Revelation 21:1-10

Heaven is a place prepared for all who have repented of their sin and trusted in Christ as their Savior.  – John 14:2 “In my Father’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.”

Heaven is where Christ dwells. Hebrews 9:24 “For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. “

Heaven is where the angels dwell - Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven”

Heaven is a place where there is no sin, sorrow, pain or death. Revelation 7: 16, 17 “Never again will they hunger;  never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat upon them,  nor any scorching heat.”  See also Revelation 20:14, 22:2; I Corinthians 15:26;

Heaven is a place of unspeakable glory, radiance and splendor.

Revelation 21:23, 27 “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

 

CROWNS - THE REWARDS FOR BELIEVERS

(spells girl with two “r”s)

G - GLORY for true shepherding - I Peter 5:4

I - INCORRUPTIBLE for victorious living - I Corinthians 9:25

R - REJOICING for soul winning - I Thessalonians 2:19,20

R- RIGHTEOUSNESS for living in the light of the blessed hope -

II Timothy 4:8

L - LIFE for of loyalty unto death - Revelation 2:10; James 1:12

 

HELL is the place of eternal punishment of those outside of Christ including the Devil and his angels.. The continuity of hell is the same for heaven, it never ends. And once there, there is no deliverance or relief. There are three words in the original bible documents that are translated as hell:

SHEOL – Ol d Testament word for hell - Psalm  9:17 "The wicked return to the grave,  all the nations that forget God.”  See also Psalm 55:15, 116:3; Proverbs 7:27; Isaiah 28:15-28. Also used as the grave for both the righteous and the unrighteous. See Genesis 37:35; I Kings 2:6,9; Psalm 5

HADES - New Testament word translated as hell. Also used for the place of punishment and the grave for both the righteous and the unrighteous. The context determines the meaning. I Corinthians 15:55

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””  Luke 16:23-25; Revelation

1:18,6:8,20:13-15

GEHENNA - Also a New Testament word translated as hell. James 3:6

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole”

See also Matthew 5:22; Mark 9:43-48

 

Other biblical descriptions of hell are listed below:

 

(guilty of an) ETERNAL SIN -  Mark 3:29

thrown outside into the ) DARKNESS - Matthew 8:12

 

(resurrection of) CONDEMNED - John 5:29

 

EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION - II Thessalonians 1:9

 

SECOND DEATH - Revelation 2:11

 

 FIERY LAKE OF FIRE  OF BURNING SULPHUR – Rev. 21:8

 

BLACKEST DARKNESS - Jude 13

 

WRATH OF GOD - John 3:36; Romans 1:18

 

This ends the study of Basic Bible Doctrines.   We pray this will be the beginning of a deeper study of the truths of God’s Word so that you will not only grow closer to the Lord but also be more effective in the defense of the faith.