Time for a little background on me. I was taken to church when young and continued to attend as an adult. I became involved in Sunday School and eventually began teaching. I believed I was a Christian, after all I had asked Jesus into my heart and have even been baptized 3 different times. First time was as an infant, second time I was sprinkled of my own volition and last time I was coerced into being dunked because the people talking to me didn't believe sprinkling was the 'right' way and didn't count.
In church we had a several people who were what I thought 'enlightened' Christians. They seemed to be super spiritual and knew a lot about the Bible. However, some of the things they taught gave me that uneasy feeling. I was not really into spirituality nor the Bible so I thought they must be right even though I questioned what they taught. Their teachings often left me feeling guilty and not as good as they seemed to be. I had that 'somethings not right here' feeling but could not put my finger on what wasn't right. Since I was not 'spiritual' I assumed my feelings of 'something's not right' must be wrong.
Then at age 34 (I'm now 61) God turned my life inside out. I was not looking for Him nor did I pray and ask Him into my life nor to do anything. I did not consider myself 'smart', was a terrible student in school, and hated to read. I had not read anything I didn't have to read for 13 years. I then had a compulsion to study the Bible and read it everything about it I could get my hands on. This compulsion took me to intense study from 6 to 8 hours a day, every day, for the next 6 years. I spent mega bucks on Bible study tools and commentaries along with dozens of different versions of the Bible. All of this money was worth every penny for I discovered my feeling of 'something's not right' was, indeed, right.
First thing I did after God intervened in my life was read completely through the Bible. I started with the New Testament and I was pissed!! It didn't take long for me to discover I had been lied to. A simple story everyone has heard about and sees every Christmas set me on fire to uncover how many other lies I had been taught.
I found the Wise Men of the Nativity story I had heard and Nativity scenes I had seen all my life were NOT THERE! They were NOT at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, in fact, they did not arrive until Jesus was at least 2 years old (classified as a child and not an infant) living in a house in Nazareth. I also discovered the number of wise men was not specified as being 3. There were three gifts mentioned which the wise men brought but the number of men could have been 2, 20, or 153. The scripture simply does not specify the number of men. I HAD BEEN LIED TO.
One may think this is insignificant and pastors, teachers, and others did not deceptively and intentionally lie to me, but lie they did. This lie I had been told all my life made me wonder, "How many other times have I been lied to?" This lie fueled the fire to discover the truth of the Scriptures.
What I present in this blog is my discovery of truths of about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and doctrines of the Bible.
The most important truth I have discovered is that the Truth will set you free.
Thank you for visiting and may God bless you with TRUTH.
Leanna Steward
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Bible Study - Prerequisites of Bible Study
PREREQUISITES OF BIBLE STUDY
I. Authority of the Bible
A. Basic facts
1. Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic (derivative of Hebrew found in Ezra and Daniel, also language spoken by Christ). The New Testament was written in Greek.
2. Written by 40 writers over a period of 1,500 years.
3. Contains 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New.
(Catholic Bible has 7 extra Books called the Apocrypha, however, these were not added to the Canon until the Council of Trent in 1540 A.D. These books contain historical inaccuracies and questionable doctrine not found anywhere else in Scripture)
4. Bible claims inspiration and claims to be the Word of God and the complete truth to man.
5. Accurate record of history.
6. Contains fulfilled prophecy.
7. Predicts the future of the world.
8. Bible says you can't add or take away (Rev. 22:18,19) or you will destroy its unity and finality.
B. Reliability
1. Historical reliability of any document are based on three things:
a. The number of available manuscripts. Before the printing press the
Bible has the most (13,000) manuscripts of any document. The next
document numbered only 200 and they were all copied from one copy.
b. Time interval between original and 1st copy. The Bible has manuscripts
within 100 years of the original and other documents the average is 1,000
c. Internal evidence. Were there eye witnesses to the events taking place.
2. External evidence of reliability
a. History. The Bible is the most accurate historical record there is.
b. Archeology. There is yet to be any discoveries that contradict the
Bible.
C. Revelation - The communication of God's truth to man. Heb. 1:1
1. Is the truth. Jn. 17:17; 16:13; 8:32
2. Is complete and final. Heb. 1:1,2; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18,19
(All cults have extra-Biblical and continuing revelation)
D. Results - Does it accomplish anything?
1. Experience of salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 1:23
2. Exercises the senses to discern between right and wrong. Heb. 4:12; 5:13,14 Right and wrong are not based on feelings, culture or education but on the Word of God.
3. Effectiveness in prayer. John 15:7
4. Enablement for victorious Christian living through the power of the Holy Spirit. I Pet. 2:2; Jn. 15:3; Ps. 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:1
E. Testimony of Jesus - Lk. 24:44; Mt. 23:35; Jn. 10:35; Mt. 5:18
(jot or yod is the smallest Hebrew letter, looks like an apostrophe.
The tittle is a mark on a letter to distinguish it from another letter.)
II. Inspiration of Scripture
If we don't believe the Bible and what it claims about itself then we have no reason to believe anything it says. Either it is ali inspired (jot and tittle in the original) or it is false and we have no hope.
A. Definition
1. Inspiration is not the same as revelation. Revelation is truth or facts
that God has made known to man. Inspiration refers to the written record
of those facts. Since the Scripture is complete neither of these are taking
place today.
2. The Scripture is inspired and not the writers (II Tim. 3:16) and it is the guarantee that what was written was without error and has power in and of itself. Rom. 1:16
3. The word inspiration is actually "God breathed". He "breathed" the very thoughts,
words and form of the words into the writers.
B. Nature of inspiration
1. Inspiration is not the result of human research or the products of the
writers own thoughts. II Pet. 1:20,21 compare I Cor. 2:13
2. The writers did not always understand what they were writing. I Pet. 1:10; Dan. 12:8,9
3. The "breathing" of God's word in man by the Holy Spirit so that they were speaking or writing the very word of God. II Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:9; Ezek. 2:2 Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; Amos 7:14-16; I Cot. 2:13
C. Christ's testimony
1. Old Testament - Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:39; Nk. 7:10-13; Ht. 5:18; 24:35
2. New Testament - Jn. 15:27; 14:26: 16:12,13; Lk. 10:16; Jn. 17:20
D. Others testimony
1. Paul quotes from both Deut. and Luke and calls them both Scripture. I Tim. 5:17 2. Peter speaks of the writing of Paul as Scripture. II Pet. 3:15
E. Results of Inspiration
1. It has no errors because of God superimposing His thoughts on the writers.
2. Infalible or not capable of leading into error rightly understood. They
are incapable of teaching deception and therefore has final authority.
(It was not until the 1700's that people began question%ng the inspiration of Scripture and now there are probably many who don't believe in the inerrancy an~ infallibilityfin the ministry.)
III. Other prerequisites of Bible Study
A. Regeneration. A person must be a believer in order to understand Scripture. John 3:3; I Cor. 2:10-14 For an unbeliever to try to understand spiritual things is like a deaf man trying to judge the quality of music. He can't.
Also one must be willing to study. II Tim. 2:15; Jude 3
IV. Tools for Bible Study
A. Bibles - Since there are many translations of the Bible in English it is
important to try to find the translations that are close to the original in
meaning.
1. Some of the more popular ones are:
King James and the New King James; New American Standard; Tyndale; Revised Standard; Thompson Chain Reference
2. It would probably be good for Bible Study to stay away from the paraphrased Bibles.
3. There are also topical Bibles which lists all verses under one topic as the Nave's Topical or Bibles in chronological order as the Narrated Bible.
Dictionaries
1. Much like a regular dictionary except a Bible dictionary has more explanation on the entries.
2. List: Ungers, New International, New Bible, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Wycliff, Zondervan. Vine's Expository is a good Greek (in English) dictionary.
Concordance
1. Takes every word in the Bible and lists it in alphabetical order in the phrase it is found in. It also gives the Hebrew and Greek words and meanings.
2. List: Strong's, New American Standard, Young's Analytical, Crudens.
Commentaries
1. Good tool for additional information such as cultural or historical background and cross-references. Keep in mind when using commentaries that you are simply reading another persons interpretation of Scripture. It is good when using commentaries to compare several and use your o~m judgment as to which bast fits with the text.
2. List: New Bible CoI~mentary, Layman's, Matthew Henry, Tyndale, Wycliff
and volumes of individual book commentaries.
V. Methods of Bible Study
A. Word Study - taking a word or phrase and following it through the book or Bible to gain understanding of how it is used.
1. Example: Take an important word and use a concordance to look up Scripture where that word is used and pick the verses which appear to be most useful for your study and compare. You may want to stay with one particular x~iter to see how he uses it or go throughout the x~ole Bible. You can also use this to come up with a systematic doctrine study.
2. Contextual - Using the surrounding verses and paragraphs in order to get the exact meaning. Be careful of taking verses out of their context and giving them a meaning other than what the writer meant. Remember no verse stands alone but Scripture interprets Scripture and there is only one interpretation. 1. Points of contextual interpretation.
a. The immediately preceding and following verses, better yet, paragraphs.
b. The entire book or letter in order to get the general theme.
c. Context of the entire Bible and what it has to say on the subject.
d. Historical Context will have a bearing on your interpretation. Many of the promises of the Bible simply were not meant for us because of the historical situation. Questions of where, when, why, to whom and by whom are always important to ask.
e. Cultural context means we have to find out what the culture of the day has to do with sacrificed to idols, the dress and customs of the time.
Application - applying what we have learned to our life and growing from it.
1. All this study is useless to us if we are studying only for knowledge or for any other reason than our spiritual growth or to help others grow. It should all lead to a further knowledge of and understanding of Jesus Christ. For Jesus says in John 17 that eternal life is knowing God and His Son, not in how many Scripture verses we know or anything else. hay God use your Bible study to accomplish the only thing He wants to accomplish and that is transforming us into being more like His Son. II Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2
I. Authority of the Bible
A. Basic facts
1. Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic (derivative of Hebrew found in Ezra and Daniel, also language spoken by Christ). The New Testament was written in Greek.
2. Written by 40 writers over a period of 1,500 years.
3. Contains 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New.
(Catholic Bible has 7 extra Books called the Apocrypha, however, these were not added to the Canon until the Council of Trent in 1540 A.D. These books contain historical inaccuracies and questionable doctrine not found anywhere else in Scripture)
4. Bible claims inspiration and claims to be the Word of God and the complete truth to man.
5. Accurate record of history.
6. Contains fulfilled prophecy.
7. Predicts the future of the world.
8. Bible says you can't add or take away (Rev. 22:18,19) or you will destroy its unity and finality.
B. Reliability
1. Historical reliability of any document are based on three things:
a. The number of available manuscripts. Before the printing press the
Bible has the most (13,000) manuscripts of any document. The next
document numbered only 200 and they were all copied from one copy.
b. Time interval between original and 1st copy. The Bible has manuscripts
within 100 years of the original and other documents the average is 1,000
c. Internal evidence. Were there eye witnesses to the events taking place.
2. External evidence of reliability
a. History. The Bible is the most accurate historical record there is.
b. Archeology. There is yet to be any discoveries that contradict the
Bible.
C. Revelation - The communication of God's truth to man. Heb. 1:1
1. Is the truth. Jn. 17:17; 16:13; 8:32
2. Is complete and final. Heb. 1:1,2; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18,19
(All cults have extra-Biblical and continuing revelation)
D. Results - Does it accomplish anything?
1. Experience of salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 1:23
2. Exercises the senses to discern between right and wrong. Heb. 4:12; 5:13,14 Right and wrong are not based on feelings, culture or education but on the Word of God.
3. Effectiveness in prayer. John 15:7
4. Enablement for victorious Christian living through the power of the Holy Spirit. I Pet. 2:2; Jn. 15:3; Ps. 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:1
E. Testimony of Jesus - Lk. 24:44; Mt. 23:35; Jn. 10:35; Mt. 5:18
(jot or yod is the smallest Hebrew letter, looks like an apostrophe.
The tittle is a mark on a letter to distinguish it from another letter.)
II. Inspiration of Scripture
If we don't believe the Bible and what it claims about itself then we have no reason to believe anything it says. Either it is ali inspired (jot and tittle in the original) or it is false and we have no hope.
A. Definition
1. Inspiration is not the same as revelation. Revelation is truth or facts
that God has made known to man. Inspiration refers to the written record
of those facts. Since the Scripture is complete neither of these are taking
place today.
2. The Scripture is inspired and not the writers (II Tim. 3:16) and it is the guarantee that what was written was without error and has power in and of itself. Rom. 1:16
3. The word inspiration is actually "God breathed". He "breathed" the very thoughts,
words and form of the words into the writers.
B. Nature of inspiration
1. Inspiration is not the result of human research or the products of the
writers own thoughts. II Pet. 1:20,21 compare I Cor. 2:13
2. The writers did not always understand what they were writing. I Pet. 1:10; Dan. 12:8,9
3. The "breathing" of God's word in man by the Holy Spirit so that they were speaking or writing the very word of God. II Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:9; Ezek. 2:2 Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; Amos 7:14-16; I Cot. 2:13
C. Christ's testimony
1. Old Testament - Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:39; Nk. 7:10-13; Ht. 5:18; 24:35
2. New Testament - Jn. 15:27; 14:26: 16:12,13; Lk. 10:16; Jn. 17:20
D. Others testimony
1. Paul quotes from both Deut. and Luke and calls them both Scripture. I Tim. 5:17 2. Peter speaks of the writing of Paul as Scripture. II Pet. 3:15
E. Results of Inspiration
1. It has no errors because of God superimposing His thoughts on the writers.
2. Infalible or not capable of leading into error rightly understood. They
are incapable of teaching deception and therefore has final authority.
(It was not until the 1700's that people began question%ng the inspiration of Scripture and now there are probably many who don't believe in the inerrancy an~ infallibilityfin the ministry.)
III. Other prerequisites of Bible Study
A. Regeneration. A person must be a believer in order to understand Scripture. John 3:3; I Cor. 2:10-14 For an unbeliever to try to understand spiritual things is like a deaf man trying to judge the quality of music. He can't.
Also one must be willing to study. II Tim. 2:15; Jude 3
IV. Tools for Bible Study
A. Bibles - Since there are many translations of the Bible in English it is
important to try to find the translations that are close to the original in
meaning.
1. Some of the more popular ones are:
King James and the New King James; New American Standard; Tyndale; Revised Standard; Thompson Chain Reference
2. It would probably be good for Bible Study to stay away from the paraphrased Bibles.
3. There are also topical Bibles which lists all verses under one topic as the Nave's Topical or Bibles in chronological order as the Narrated Bible.
Dictionaries
1. Much like a regular dictionary except a Bible dictionary has more explanation on the entries.
2. List: Ungers, New International, New Bible, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Wycliff, Zondervan. Vine's Expository is a good Greek (in English) dictionary.
Concordance
1. Takes every word in the Bible and lists it in alphabetical order in the phrase it is found in. It also gives the Hebrew and Greek words and meanings.
2. List: Strong's, New American Standard, Young's Analytical, Crudens.
Commentaries
1. Good tool for additional information such as cultural or historical background and cross-references. Keep in mind when using commentaries that you are simply reading another persons interpretation of Scripture. It is good when using commentaries to compare several and use your o~m judgment as to which bast fits with the text.
2. List: New Bible CoI~mentary, Layman's, Matthew Henry, Tyndale, Wycliff
and volumes of individual book commentaries.
V. Methods of Bible Study
A. Word Study - taking a word or phrase and following it through the book or Bible to gain understanding of how it is used.
1. Example: Take an important word and use a concordance to look up Scripture where that word is used and pick the verses which appear to be most useful for your study and compare. You may want to stay with one particular x~iter to see how he uses it or go throughout the x~ole Bible. You can also use this to come up with a systematic doctrine study.
2. Contextual - Using the surrounding verses and paragraphs in order to get the exact meaning. Be careful of taking verses out of their context and giving them a meaning other than what the writer meant. Remember no verse stands alone but Scripture interprets Scripture and there is only one interpretation. 1. Points of contextual interpretation.
a. The immediately preceding and following verses, better yet, paragraphs.
b. The entire book or letter in order to get the general theme.
c. Context of the entire Bible and what it has to say on the subject.
d. Historical Context will have a bearing on your interpretation. Many of the promises of the Bible simply were not meant for us because of the historical situation. Questions of where, when, why, to whom and by whom are always important to ask.
e. Cultural context means we have to find out what the culture of the day has to do with sacrificed to idols, the dress and customs of the time.
Application - applying what we have learned to our life and growing from it.
1. All this study is useless to us if we are studying only for knowledge or for any other reason than our spiritual growth or to help others grow. It should all lead to a further knowledge of and understanding of Jesus Christ. For Jesus says in John 17 that eternal life is knowing God and His Son, not in how many Scripture verses we know or anything else. hay God use your Bible study to accomplish the only thing He wants to accomplish and that is transforming us into being more like His Son. II Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2
RAHAB THE PROSTITUTE
Do you ever feel you are not worthy or righteous enough to be blessed by God? I know I do. I feel like I am 'less than' those who think they are so great, righteous, wonderful, perfect.............and make sure everyone knows they are such. Because some see themselves as such they believe they are being blessed by God with eternal life. Maybe it's just my perception of such people but often when I am around them I get the very strong impression that they think they are better than...........and because they are God is very pleased with them.
This type of person is called a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the religious leaders in Jesus' day. They had a set of rules by which they judged whether someone else was righteous and blessed by God or who was a sinner and cursed by God. Even though we don't necessarily call people by the name 'Pharisee' today, we still have them around and they are still passing judgment on others. They judge others on whether or not they work righteous work for God and either accept or condemn them according to that work.
It is interesting to me that the harshest criticism Jesus gave was directed toward the Pharisees. In one place Jesus even told them the tax collectors and whores would get into heaven before they would. Why would Jesus say something like this to people who seemed to be doing all the right things and 'had it all together'? Could it be because they were only seeing what a person does and not what is in their hearts? Could it be their righteousness was self righteousness and not the righteousness given as a gift from God when we trust Him? Were they trusting themselves and since they were so good thought didn't really need God at all?
This bring me to Rahab the Harlot (the word for whore or prostitute in the Bible). Her story is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua in the 2nd chapter if you are interested in the details.
How many of us would be willing to say that God could be pleased with a hooker? Yet, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, in the New Testament that is exactly what is written. God was pleased with Rahab the Prostitute, not because she was a prostitute but because she had faith in Him. But many, it would seem, think that she must have been lost and condemned because she was a prostitute. After all, she wasn't actually doing the 'work' of a Godly person.
I wonder what would happen if that incident Rahab was involved in took place today?
How do we judge people? Is it on their looks, actions, track record or whether or not they are doing a good Christian work according to our standards? Are these outward appearances what we use to judge whether someone else is really a Christian? Have we been appointed by God to be 'the' supervisor making sure everyone does what they are supposed to?
What is really REALLY interesting to me is that God uses Rahab as an example of working faith. Abraham, yes, I can understand that. Abraham was the main character, the father so to speak of our faith. But Rahab
the WHORE?
I can see it now. We have our nice little church sitting on the corner in our nice little clean town filled with our nice little good Christians then Rahab the whore moves in next door! She starts entertaining men who came from out of town. The supervisor elders in the church are in an uproar. The church tries to convert her, make her change her ways, but that doesn't work. Since she isn't cooperating they have a church meeting to devise some method of getting rid of her since she is tainting their nice little church.
They decide that since they can't get her to change maybe if they threaten her she will at least get rid of the men who are staying with her. So they go with prayer book arsenal in hand to get rid of the men.
She sees them coming and hides the men on her roof. The supervisors asks where the men are and she lies to them and tells them they left. She even tells them to hurry in their pursuit of them because they didn't leave very long ago.
After the supervisors leave she sneaks the men out and tells them what to do to avoid being found by the supervisors because she knew in her heart that what the men had told her was true about their God.
Now, honestly, how many Christians today would have judged Rahab as being a lost sinner?
She would have been condemned for:
1. She was a WHORE!
2. She confirmed that she was a whore by having two men staying with
her.
3. She lied about them being there.
BUT YET GOD USES HER AS AN EXAMPLE OF WORKING FAITH!!!!!!
Most people use the "works" issue to judge whether or not someone is a 'good' Christian. And this is always according to their standards.
So in this example who would be the 'sinner'? Rahab or the raging people who tried to get rid of the men staying with her?
Just something to think about when we get so bent out of shape because someone else isn't doing what 'we' think is good Christian 'work'. God sees the heart, we only see the actions and judge another according to those actions. Rahab was a prostitute but placed her trust in God and received the gift of righteousness. God blessed her by saving her and her family even though, I'm sure, she felt unworthy of His blessings. If God did that for unworthy Rahab because she trusted Him, will He do less for me or for you? Rahab was righteous for one reason and one reason only. She trusted God and He gave her the gift of righteousness and it is the same for us.
( KJV) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the 'gift of righteousness' shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
This type of person is called a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the religious leaders in Jesus' day. They had a set of rules by which they judged whether someone else was righteous and blessed by God or who was a sinner and cursed by God. Even though we don't necessarily call people by the name 'Pharisee' today, we still have them around and they are still passing judgment on others. They judge others on whether or not they work righteous work for God and either accept or condemn them according to that work.
It is interesting to me that the harshest criticism Jesus gave was directed toward the Pharisees. In one place Jesus even told them the tax collectors and whores would get into heaven before they would. Why would Jesus say something like this to people who seemed to be doing all the right things and 'had it all together'? Could it be because they were only seeing what a person does and not what is in their hearts? Could it be their righteousness was self righteousness and not the righteousness given as a gift from God when we trust Him? Were they trusting themselves and since they were so good thought didn't really need God at all?
This bring me to Rahab the Harlot (the word for whore or prostitute in the Bible). Her story is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua in the 2nd chapter if you are interested in the details.
How many of us would be willing to say that God could be pleased with a hooker? Yet, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, in the New Testament that is exactly what is written. God was pleased with Rahab the Prostitute, not because she was a prostitute but because she had faith in Him. But many, it would seem, think that she must have been lost and condemned because she was a prostitute. After all, she wasn't actually doing the 'work' of a Godly person.
I wonder what would happen if that incident Rahab was involved in took place today?
How do we judge people? Is it on their looks, actions, track record or whether or not they are doing a good Christian work according to our standards? Are these outward appearances what we use to judge whether someone else is really a Christian? Have we been appointed by God to be 'the' supervisor making sure everyone does what they are supposed to?
What is really REALLY interesting to me is that God uses Rahab as an example of working faith. Abraham, yes, I can understand that. Abraham was the main character, the father so to speak of our faith. But Rahab
the WHORE?
I can see it now. We have our nice little church sitting on the corner in our nice little clean town filled with our nice little good Christians then Rahab the whore moves in next door! She starts entertaining men who came from out of town. The supervisor elders in the church are in an uproar. The church tries to convert her, make her change her ways, but that doesn't work. Since she isn't cooperating they have a church meeting to devise some method of getting rid of her since she is tainting their nice little church.
They decide that since they can't get her to change maybe if they threaten her she will at least get rid of the men who are staying with her. So they go with prayer book arsenal in hand to get rid of the men.
She sees them coming and hides the men on her roof. The supervisors asks where the men are and she lies to them and tells them they left. She even tells them to hurry in their pursuit of them because they didn't leave very long ago.
After the supervisors leave she sneaks the men out and tells them what to do to avoid being found by the supervisors because she knew in her heart that what the men had told her was true about their God.
Now, honestly, how many Christians today would have judged Rahab as being a lost sinner?
She would have been condemned for:
1. She was a WHORE!
2. She confirmed that she was a whore by having two men staying with
her.
3. She lied about them being there.
BUT YET GOD USES HER AS AN EXAMPLE OF WORKING FAITH!!!!!!
Most people use the "works" issue to judge whether or not someone is a 'good' Christian. And this is always according to their standards.
So in this example who would be the 'sinner'? Rahab or the raging people who tried to get rid of the men staying with her?
Just something to think about when we get so bent out of shape because someone else isn't doing what 'we' think is good Christian 'work'. God sees the heart, we only see the actions and judge another according to those actions. Rahab was a prostitute but placed her trust in God and received the gift of righteousness. God blessed her by saving her and her family even though, I'm sure, she felt unworthy of His blessings. If God did that for unworthy Rahab because she trusted Him, will He do less for me or for you? Rahab was righteous for one reason and one reason only. She trusted God and He gave her the gift of righteousness and it is the same for us.
( KJV) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the 'gift of righteousness' shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
AND YET, THEY MADE IT TO THE FAITH HALL OF FAME
And yet, they made it!
If you are a Christian, do you ever feel guilty that you don't have the faith you believe you should have to make it all work. Are you discouraged and depressed because others seem to have it all together and you don't. Do you struggle with doubts, self-condemnation, negative thinking, and wonder what it will all come to.? Do you wonder if God is there and really cares? Or, do you feel that God is an absentee Landlord?
Let's take a look at some of the people in the Bible. I think we will see that their lives were not all perfect and yet we know that they made it. They made it to the very heart of God. They didn't 'make it' because they were so perfect and faithful but because God is.
I am a Bible student and in my studies I have found that the great people in the Bible weren't so great and perfect. In fact, they were very imperfect and did a lot of stupid things. I remember when the great 'pillars of faith' in the Bible began falling off the pedestal for me. It didn't disappoint me when I found they were not so perfect as I had been lead to believe, instead it gave me hope. It gave me hope because they were no longer on a level with God miles higher than I could ever be but that they were human with weaknesses and made stupid choices just like me. They were imperfect just like me but God used them even though they screwed up. God used them not because they were great and had a great faith but because God is great. So, if that is the case, then maybe He would use me, too.
NOAH, THE DRUNK.
Most of us have heard about how by faith Noah listened to God and built an ark in which to save his family and in essence save the world. He is listed in our "Faithful hall of Fame" found in Hebrews 11. We always hear how great Noah was in being obedient to God's call to build an Ark with which to save himself and his family. We are told how great, faithful, and perfect Noah was and because that is all we have been taught, we look at Noah and others in the Bible and think that this is the reason God used them.
Funny, we never hear about how Noah, after settling down to farming after the flood, got so drunk on the wine he had made that he stripped off all of this clothes even to the extent that his sons had to come into his tent and cover his nakedness. Because of his drunkeness, he was exposed to his son Ham in such a way that a curse came upon Ham's son Canaan. What happened to Noah's faith, the faith that had built an Ark in which to save his family, and eventually, the world? What was it in Noah that made him into a drunk? What thoughts were going through his head at that time? Could it be that he was doubting his part in God's plan? God had worked through Noah mightily when he built the ark but now all Noah was doing was farming. Noah had seen the glory of God at work in miracles, but that time was gone and with it Noah's purpose for living seemed to be gone. We can't know for sure how he felt but we do know that he made it. He made it because in Hebrews 11:7 we read, "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
He was saved because of his trust in the Lord and not because of his feelings of inadequacy or lack of purpose. He made it in spite of becoming a drunk and making stupid choices. That gives me hope and shows me that God is the Faithful One.
ABRAHAM, THE LIAR
We have heard the story about Abraham.. God called him out of the land of Ur to give to him the promised land of Cannan. When he arrived in Canaan, Abraham traveled its width and length taking in all the wonderful land that God had given to him and his descendants. God had provided everything they needed during their trip to Canaan. Abraham is considered one of the Faithful, obedient servants of God, our Father in the faith.
After all the history Abraham had with God leading him, when famine struck the land, and things weren't going so well Abraham started to doubt God's faithfulness and provision. Famine drove them to Egypt for food and Abraham made Sarai, his wife, tell the Egyptians that she was his sister instead of his wife. He was willing to sacrifice his wife Sarai in order to save his own skin. Faithful Father Abraham who listened to God's voice and became His servant, lied to save his own skin, at least twice.
What was it that made Abraham feel as though he had to lie in order to remain alive? Could it be that he had looked at the good things God had dome for him and when that slipped through his fingers he began to doubt God's faithfulness to him. Yes, Abraham was a liar. It was even passed down to his son. Isaac, the one whom Abraham set off to sacrifice in obedience to God, did exactly the same thing as Abraham. Great Abraham and great Isaac both were liars. As a friend once told me, "A nut doesn't fall very far from the tree."
And, yet, Abraham (and Isaac) made it. They made it because their ultimate trust was in God and His sovereignty of choosing for them to make it and and not upon their own feelings, or obedience, or being perfect, or their faithfulness to God.
Maybe next time I’ll talk about Rahab the whore who is also listed in the Hall of Faith in the Book of Hebrews
If you are a Christian, do you ever feel guilty that you don't have the faith you believe you should have to make it all work. Are you discouraged and depressed because others seem to have it all together and you don't. Do you struggle with doubts, self-condemnation, negative thinking, and wonder what it will all come to.? Do you wonder if God is there and really cares? Or, do you feel that God is an absentee Landlord?
Let's take a look at some of the people in the Bible. I think we will see that their lives were not all perfect and yet we know that they made it. They made it to the very heart of God. They didn't 'make it' because they were so perfect and faithful but because God is.
I am a Bible student and in my studies I have found that the great people in the Bible weren't so great and perfect. In fact, they were very imperfect and did a lot of stupid things. I remember when the great 'pillars of faith' in the Bible began falling off the pedestal for me. It didn't disappoint me when I found they were not so perfect as I had been lead to believe, instead it gave me hope. It gave me hope because they were no longer on a level with God miles higher than I could ever be but that they were human with weaknesses and made stupid choices just like me. They were imperfect just like me but God used them even though they screwed up. God used them not because they were great and had a great faith but because God is great. So, if that is the case, then maybe He would use me, too.
NOAH, THE DRUNK.
Most of us have heard about how by faith Noah listened to God and built an ark in which to save his family and in essence save the world. He is listed in our "Faithful hall of Fame" found in Hebrews 11. We always hear how great Noah was in being obedient to God's call to build an Ark with which to save himself and his family. We are told how great, faithful, and perfect Noah was and because that is all we have been taught, we look at Noah and others in the Bible and think that this is the reason God used them.
Funny, we never hear about how Noah, after settling down to farming after the flood, got so drunk on the wine he had made that he stripped off all of this clothes even to the extent that his sons had to come into his tent and cover his nakedness. Because of his drunkeness, he was exposed to his son Ham in such a way that a curse came upon Ham's son Canaan. What happened to Noah's faith, the faith that had built an Ark in which to save his family, and eventually, the world? What was it in Noah that made him into a drunk? What thoughts were going through his head at that time? Could it be that he was doubting his part in God's plan? God had worked through Noah mightily when he built the ark but now all Noah was doing was farming. Noah had seen the glory of God at work in miracles, but that time was gone and with it Noah's purpose for living seemed to be gone. We can't know for sure how he felt but we do know that he made it. He made it because in Hebrews 11:7 we read, "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
He was saved because of his trust in the Lord and not because of his feelings of inadequacy or lack of purpose. He made it in spite of becoming a drunk and making stupid choices. That gives me hope and shows me that God is the Faithful One.
ABRAHAM, THE LIAR
We have heard the story about Abraham.. God called him out of the land of Ur to give to him the promised land of Cannan. When he arrived in Canaan, Abraham traveled its width and length taking in all the wonderful land that God had given to him and his descendants. God had provided everything they needed during their trip to Canaan. Abraham is considered one of the Faithful, obedient servants of God, our Father in the faith.
After all the history Abraham had with God leading him, when famine struck the land, and things weren't going so well Abraham started to doubt God's faithfulness and provision. Famine drove them to Egypt for food and Abraham made Sarai, his wife, tell the Egyptians that she was his sister instead of his wife. He was willing to sacrifice his wife Sarai in order to save his own skin. Faithful Father Abraham who listened to God's voice and became His servant, lied to save his own skin, at least twice.
What was it that made Abraham feel as though he had to lie in order to remain alive? Could it be that he had looked at the good things God had dome for him and when that slipped through his fingers he began to doubt God's faithfulness to him. Yes, Abraham was a liar. It was even passed down to his son. Isaac, the one whom Abraham set off to sacrifice in obedience to God, did exactly the same thing as Abraham. Great Abraham and great Isaac both were liars. As a friend once told me, "A nut doesn't fall very far from the tree."
And, yet, Abraham (and Isaac) made it. They made it because their ultimate trust was in God and His sovereignty of choosing for them to make it and and not upon their own feelings, or obedience, or being perfect, or their faithfulness to God.
Maybe next time I’ll talk about Rahab the whore who is also listed in the Hall of Faith in the Book of Hebrews
"If" and "Doubt"
My mother always told me that the older you get the faster time goes. I'm discovering what she said is true. I'm also discovering that the older I get the easier it is to look back and wonder if my life has had worth. I think about all the 'ifs'. 'If' I would have done this or that would I be more productive today. With those thoughts come thinking of the future and wondering 'if' I will be everything I should be or 'If' God will continue to work in my life. I'm learning it is an extremely hard process to learn to live only in the present within a world that constantly points either to the past or to the future.
One thing we can know for sure is that God knows. God knows what our past has done to shape us into what we are today. God knows the sins committed, the heartaches experienced, and the doubts we have had. The Good News to us, if we are believers in His Son, Jesus Christ, is that He is our 'goel', our 'kinsman redeemer'. He is the one who buys back all the lost ground for us. He is the one who takes the imperfect and makes it perfect. He is the One who takes our unrighteousnesses and gives us His righteousness. He is one One who took our death upon Himself and gives us His everlasting Life. He is our life, how can we help but love Him!
Considering what He has and is doing with our past, can we not trust the same from Him concerning our future? Easy words said, words I believe with every part of my being. However, the last years have been difficult years for me. They have brought me to standing at a crossroads not knowing which way to go. I know that what I teach, I have fought for and firmly believe, but yet, there is nothing I fear more than the possibility that I might not be in, and teach, the truth. I have had testing of my beliefs. I have, at times, felt a little like Jeremiah must have felt when he wrote Jeremiah 20:7-13. Verse 9 is a reality in my life for there have been times I have wanted to quit because the influence I know a teacher has upon others. But, I cannot, the truth, too, burns within my heart.
My family and those I teach have not been entirely aware of the battle which has raged within me for these past years. Although, I'm sure they have noticed something different but were not able to "put their finger on it". I have not shared much of this with anyone because I knew it was a time for me to wait upon the Lord. Even with everything that has gone before and all the feelings of doubt and self-criticism, I have known that God is faithful and He will complete what He starts. I am more convinced than ever that the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word is what we must base our lives on. We cannot have a foundation based upon our feelings, or the philosophy of the worlds system and have that foundation stay firm in the times of crisis. My convictions are stronger than ever of the importance of renewing our minds with the truths of Scripture. I am eternally thankful that I have the belief of God's sovereignty and His Love for that has been the enduring element in my crisis.
Even though they were not aware entirely of the problems I was having, I gained strength through the knowledge that Christ dwelt in me and in them and He knew everything. Once again, we come to the beginning of my letter, God knows. God knows the heartaches and heals them. God knows what and why He is working within our hearts. God knows the beginning and the end and everything in between. He even knows how hard it is for us to trust Him at times but also knows the doubts are what bring convictions.
I do not know what lies ahead for me. All I know is what is behind. The Creeds I just posted I wrote 20 years ago. Recently I was on an online study group on the Book of Hebrews with a bunch of pastors who were teaching a works salvation. During this time I fought hard for what I believe is the truth of Scripture, that we are saved by God's grace through faith and receiving the gift of righteousness and not by our own righteousness. But the fight brought tinges of doubt which forced me back into the Scripture to see if I was right or wrong. It was at that time I brought out the creeds I wrote when a new Christian and to my surprise my beliefs now are the same only much stronger. One of my constant prayers is that if I am in error that God will reveal that to me and I know He will because God is faithful and always finishes what He starts.
One thing we can know for sure is that God knows. God knows what our past has done to shape us into what we are today. God knows the sins committed, the heartaches experienced, and the doubts we have had. The Good News to us, if we are believers in His Son, Jesus Christ, is that He is our 'goel', our 'kinsman redeemer'. He is the one who buys back all the lost ground for us. He is the one who takes the imperfect and makes it perfect. He is the One who takes our unrighteousnesses and gives us His righteousness. He is one One who took our death upon Himself and gives us His everlasting Life. He is our life, how can we help but love Him!
Considering what He has and is doing with our past, can we not trust the same from Him concerning our future? Easy words said, words I believe with every part of my being. However, the last years have been difficult years for me. They have brought me to standing at a crossroads not knowing which way to go. I know that what I teach, I have fought for and firmly believe, but yet, there is nothing I fear more than the possibility that I might not be in, and teach, the truth. I have had testing of my beliefs. I have, at times, felt a little like Jeremiah must have felt when he wrote Jeremiah 20:7-13. Verse 9 is a reality in my life for there have been times I have wanted to quit because the influence I know a teacher has upon others. But, I cannot, the truth, too, burns within my heart.
My family and those I teach have not been entirely aware of the battle which has raged within me for these past years. Although, I'm sure they have noticed something different but were not able to "put their finger on it". I have not shared much of this with anyone because I knew it was a time for me to wait upon the Lord. Even with everything that has gone before and all the feelings of doubt and self-criticism, I have known that God is faithful and He will complete what He starts. I am more convinced than ever that the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word is what we must base our lives on. We cannot have a foundation based upon our feelings, or the philosophy of the worlds system and have that foundation stay firm in the times of crisis. My convictions are stronger than ever of the importance of renewing our minds with the truths of Scripture. I am eternally thankful that I have the belief of God's sovereignty and His Love for that has been the enduring element in my crisis.
Even though they were not aware entirely of the problems I was having, I gained strength through the knowledge that Christ dwelt in me and in them and He knew everything. Once again, we come to the beginning of my letter, God knows. God knows the heartaches and heals them. God knows what and why He is working within our hearts. God knows the beginning and the end and everything in between. He even knows how hard it is for us to trust Him at times but also knows the doubts are what bring convictions.
I do not know what lies ahead for me. All I know is what is behind. The Creeds I just posted I wrote 20 years ago. Recently I was on an online study group on the Book of Hebrews with a bunch of pastors who were teaching a works salvation. During this time I fought hard for what I believe is the truth of Scripture, that we are saved by God's grace through faith and receiving the gift of righteousness and not by our own righteousness. But the fight brought tinges of doubt which forced me back into the Scripture to see if I was right or wrong. It was at that time I brought out the creeds I wrote when a new Christian and to my surprise my beliefs now are the same only much stronger. One of my constant prayers is that if I am in error that God will reveal that to me and I know He will because God is faithful and always finishes what He starts.
My Creed: God the Holy Spirit
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity, diverse from and yet one with God the Father and God the Son. He is called by various names proving His diversity and oneness at the same time. Those names include the following: The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of God, The Spirit of the Father, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Glory, the Spirit of Grace, and my (God) Spirit. The Scripture uses the personal pronoun "He," proving Him to be a person with a mind, will, and emotions rather than an impersonal force.
The Holy Spirit is eternal even as God is eternal. He was present and active during the creation of the world. He has the attributes of God, such as: He is present everywhere, knows all things, is all-powerful, holy, and sovereign.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, He is responsible for the revealing of Truth to man, the recording of Truth through man, and the illuminator of Truth for those who believe. He convicts people of sin through the Truth and aids them in turning in faith from themselves to trusting in Jesus Christ.
He was active in the conception, life, works and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, thereby, giving Him the spiritual life of God Himself. By the power of the Holy Spirit within Him, Jesus lead a sinless life qualifying Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The Holy Spirit is the one who gives physical, intellectual, and spiritual life. Man, however, sinned in the garden and turned to his own way leaving him spiritually dead and incapable of producing good acceptable to God. Therefore, it is only by the Holy Spirit causing the new birth and applying the benefits of the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross, that man is acceptable to God.
For those who believe in Jesus Christ and have been born again, the Holy Spirit is active in the following areas: baptizing them into the body of Christ, indwelling and being with them forever, giving special gifts to them with which they serve the body, sealing them for eternity, filling (controlling) them, teaching and guiding them, giving assurance of being a child of God to them and He intercedes (prays) for them. He gives the power to know and understand the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Believers are not to trust themselves but accept their death with Christ on the cross, count themselves dead to sin, and live in total dependence upon Christ through the power of the Spirit. As Jesus did nothing of Himself while on this earth, but was in total dependence upon His Father to work in and through Him, so we are to be in dependence upon Christ through walking according to the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, although active in all area's of life and is the agent God uses to accomplish His work in us, does not take the glory for Himself. He instead brings all glory and focus to rest upon God the son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the "spotlight" that shines upon our Savior, drawing attention not to Himself but to Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Matthew 1:18; John 14:17; Acts 8:39; Genesis 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Matthew 10:20; Philippians 1:9; 1 Peter 4:14; Hebrews 10:29; Genesis 6:3; John 14:16,17; Isaiah 59:19
• Paragraph #2: Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 48:16
• Paragraph #3: 1 Peter 1:11,12; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:11,12; John 16:8,13
• Paragraph #4: Matthew 1:18; John 6:63; Romans 8:11; Luke 4:18
• Paragraph #5: Genesis 2:16; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10-12; John 3:5,6; John 6:63
• Paragraph #6: 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 14:16,17; 1 Corinthians 12:4,11; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 6:18; John 16:13; Romans 8:14-17,26; Ephesians 3:14-19; Romans 6:3-6; John 5:19
• Paragraph #7: John 14:26: John 15:26: John 16:7-15
The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity, diverse from and yet one with God the Father and God the Son. He is called by various names proving His diversity and oneness at the same time. Those names include the following: The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of God, The Spirit of the Father, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Glory, the Spirit of Grace, and my (God) Spirit. The Scripture uses the personal pronoun "He," proving Him to be a person with a mind, will, and emotions rather than an impersonal force.
The Holy Spirit is eternal even as God is eternal. He was present and active during the creation of the world. He has the attributes of God, such as: He is present everywhere, knows all things, is all-powerful, holy, and sovereign.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, He is responsible for the revealing of Truth to man, the recording of Truth through man, and the illuminator of Truth for those who believe. He convicts people of sin through the Truth and aids them in turning in faith from themselves to trusting in Jesus Christ.
He was active in the conception, life, works and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, thereby, giving Him the spiritual life of God Himself. By the power of the Holy Spirit within Him, Jesus lead a sinless life qualifying Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The Holy Spirit is the one who gives physical, intellectual, and spiritual life. Man, however, sinned in the garden and turned to his own way leaving him spiritually dead and incapable of producing good acceptable to God. Therefore, it is only by the Holy Spirit causing the new birth and applying the benefits of the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross, that man is acceptable to God.
For those who believe in Jesus Christ and have been born again, the Holy Spirit is active in the following areas: baptizing them into the body of Christ, indwelling and being with them forever, giving special gifts to them with which they serve the body, sealing them for eternity, filling (controlling) them, teaching and guiding them, giving assurance of being a child of God to them and He intercedes (prays) for them. He gives the power to know and understand the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Believers are not to trust themselves but accept their death with Christ on the cross, count themselves dead to sin, and live in total dependence upon Christ through the power of the Spirit. As Jesus did nothing of Himself while on this earth, but was in total dependence upon His Father to work in and through Him, so we are to be in dependence upon Christ through walking according to the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, although active in all area's of life and is the agent God uses to accomplish His work in us, does not take the glory for Himself. He instead brings all glory and focus to rest upon God the son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the "spotlight" that shines upon our Savior, drawing attention not to Himself but to Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Matthew 1:18; John 14:17; Acts 8:39; Genesis 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Matthew 10:20; Philippians 1:9; 1 Peter 4:14; Hebrews 10:29; Genesis 6:3; John 14:16,17; Isaiah 59:19
• Paragraph #2: Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 48:16
• Paragraph #3: 1 Peter 1:11,12; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:11,12; John 16:8,13
• Paragraph #4: Matthew 1:18; John 6:63; Romans 8:11; Luke 4:18
• Paragraph #5: Genesis 2:16; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10-12; John 3:5,6; John 6:63
• Paragraph #6: 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 14:16,17; 1 Corinthians 12:4,11; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 6:18; John 16:13; Romans 8:14-17,26; Ephesians 3:14-19; Romans 6:3-6; John 5:19
• Paragraph #7: John 14:26: John 15:26: John 16:7-15
My Creed: Jesus Christ, God the Son
GOD THE SON
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. What is attributed to God the Father in Scripture is also attributed to God the Son, Jesus Christ. It is said of both God and Jesus Christ that they are: the Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Shepherd, Rock, the great "I AM," the "ALPHA AND OMEGA," and the King. He is one with the Father in all that He is and does. It was for His claiming to be God that the nation of Israel rejected and handed Him over to Rome to be crucified.
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and was sinless in nature and action. Adam, himself being spiritually dead, could not pass spiritual life to his descendants; therefore, had Jesus been fathered by a descendant of Adam He would have been born spiritually dead. Jesus, however, was born the "seed of the woman" by the power of the Holy Spirit, thereby giving Jesus the very life of God Himself and was born without sin. He continued in His lifetime, being foreordained by God, free from sin qualifying Him as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world.
During His ministry, from His birth to His death, Jesus accomplished all that He was sent to do. He clarified all the Law and fulfilled it in its totality by His perfect obedience. He did many miracles which authenticated, without doubt, His claims to be God. He also fulfilled in His birth, life and death Old Testaments prophecies concerning Him being the Messiah.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. God is holy and spirit, man is a sinner and spiritually dead, therefore, something was need to reconcile the two. Man, being impotent in spiritual things, could not be the one to provide reconciliation. God was the only one who could deal with the sin issue. He did this by becoming the man, Jesus Christ, and taking all our sin upon Himself and offering Himself as the sacrifice needed for the sins of mankind. God, because of His nature of holiness, must punish sin and poured out all of His wrath and punishment upon Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary. He became the perfect Lamb offered in sacrifice to take away the worlds sin fulfilling John the Baptist's introductory words about Jesus to the world, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus died, both spiritually and physically because of our sin, upon the cross.
Jesus did not remain dead but was raised to newness of life on the third day according to Scripture. The trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is all said to be active in giving life and resurrecting Jesus Christ. Jesus, having made payment for sin, was victorious over sin and death. Death could not hold Him in the tomb. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance to the Christian. Indeed, if Christ is not risen we are still in our sins. The testimony of Scripture is "He is risen!" He now gives this resurrection life to all whom God has chosen.
The ascension of Jesus Christ took place after He physically appeared to his followers after resurrection. He ascended visibly in His resurrected body to heaven. Satan has usurped the position of being ruler of this world and the spiritual forces of wickedness are in the heavenlies. Jesus ascended through the heavenlies proving His victory over Satan and evil. He entered the third heave, the dwelling place of God the Father, and took His rightful place at God's right hand clothed with all power and authority. He now resides in heaven for believers. He is their advocate and intercessor and is preparing a place for them.
All authority to execute judgment has been given to Jesus Christ by God the Father. Jesus will someday return to this earth to execute His judgment and rule over mankind. There will come a day when "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." To Jesus Christ be all glory forever and ever. Amen
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: CREATOR-Genesis 1:1; John 1:3,10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9 REDEEMER-Psalm 78:35; Isaiah 47:4; Romans 3:24; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:13,14; SAVIOUR-Psalm 106:21; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:21; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 5:30,31; Titus 1:4; SHEPHERD- Psalm 23: Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:10,11; John 10; Hebrew 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25 1 Peter 5:4; ROCK- Deuteronomy 32:1-4; 2 Samuel 22:2,3; Psalm 18:2; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:6-8; "I AM"- Exodus 3:13,14; Isaiah 43:10,11; John 6:35; John 8:58; John 10:7; Revelation 1:17-18; "ALPHA AND OMEGA"- Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Revelation 1:17; Revelation 22:13; KING- Psalm 44:4; Psalm 47; Jeremiah 10:10; John 10:33; Luke 19:32-38; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Revelation 15:1-4; Revelation 19:11-16
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 5:3; Matthew 1:18,23; Luke 1:30-38; John 1:14; Galatians 3:16; 1 John 4:2,3; 1 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrew 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
• Paragraph #3: Matthew 5:6,7,17,18; Matthew 18:11; Matthew 20:28; Luke 4:18,19,43; Luke 12:49-53; Luke 24:27,44; John 1:29; John 3:13-17; John 4:34; John 5:36; John 6:38-40; John 12:27,46,47; John 18:37; John 19:30; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 5:8,9; Revelation 1:8,17-19
• Paragraph #4: Isaiah 43; John 1:29; John 10:17; Acts 2:24; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:17-24; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:13-18; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:18
• Paragraph #5: John 3:14-16; John 5:21,24; John 10:10, 17-18; John 11:25,26; John 17:2; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:2
• Paragraph #6: Job 15:15; Job 25:5; Psalm 47:5; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; John 1:51; John 7:33-39; John 12:31; John 14:2-4,12,30; Acts 1:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 4:8-10; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 9:24; 1 Timothy 2:24; 1 John 2:1
Paragraph #7: Matthew 16:27; Matthew 26:64; John 5:22; Acts 1:11; Romans 14:11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15:23-26; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Jude 14,15; Revelations 1:7
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. What is attributed to God the Father in Scripture is also attributed to God the Son, Jesus Christ. It is said of both God and Jesus Christ that they are: the Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Shepherd, Rock, the great "I AM," the "ALPHA AND OMEGA," and the King. He is one with the Father in all that He is and does. It was for His claiming to be God that the nation of Israel rejected and handed Him over to Rome to be crucified.
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and was sinless in nature and action. Adam, himself being spiritually dead, could not pass spiritual life to his descendants; therefore, had Jesus been fathered by a descendant of Adam He would have been born spiritually dead. Jesus, however, was born the "seed of the woman" by the power of the Holy Spirit, thereby giving Jesus the very life of God Himself and was born without sin. He continued in His lifetime, being foreordained by God, free from sin qualifying Him as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world.
During His ministry, from His birth to His death, Jesus accomplished all that He was sent to do. He clarified all the Law and fulfilled it in its totality by His perfect obedience. He did many miracles which authenticated, without doubt, His claims to be God. He also fulfilled in His birth, life and death Old Testaments prophecies concerning Him being the Messiah.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. God is holy and spirit, man is a sinner and spiritually dead, therefore, something was need to reconcile the two. Man, being impotent in spiritual things, could not be the one to provide reconciliation. God was the only one who could deal with the sin issue. He did this by becoming the man, Jesus Christ, and taking all our sin upon Himself and offering Himself as the sacrifice needed for the sins of mankind. God, because of His nature of holiness, must punish sin and poured out all of His wrath and punishment upon Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary. He became the perfect Lamb offered in sacrifice to take away the worlds sin fulfilling John the Baptist's introductory words about Jesus to the world, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus died, both spiritually and physically because of our sin, upon the cross.
Jesus did not remain dead but was raised to newness of life on the third day according to Scripture. The trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is all said to be active in giving life and resurrecting Jesus Christ. Jesus, having made payment for sin, was victorious over sin and death. Death could not hold Him in the tomb. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance to the Christian. Indeed, if Christ is not risen we are still in our sins. The testimony of Scripture is "He is risen!" He now gives this resurrection life to all whom God has chosen.
The ascension of Jesus Christ took place after He physically appeared to his followers after resurrection. He ascended visibly in His resurrected body to heaven. Satan has usurped the position of being ruler of this world and the spiritual forces of wickedness are in the heavenlies. Jesus ascended through the heavenlies proving His victory over Satan and evil. He entered the third heave, the dwelling place of God the Father, and took His rightful place at God's right hand clothed with all power and authority. He now resides in heaven for believers. He is their advocate and intercessor and is preparing a place for them.
All authority to execute judgment has been given to Jesus Christ by God the Father. Jesus will someday return to this earth to execute His judgment and rule over mankind. There will come a day when "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." To Jesus Christ be all glory forever and ever. Amen
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: CREATOR-Genesis 1:1; John 1:3,10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9 REDEEMER-Psalm 78:35; Isaiah 47:4; Romans 3:24; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:13,14; SAVIOUR-Psalm 106:21; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:21; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 5:30,31; Titus 1:4; SHEPHERD- Psalm 23: Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:10,11; John 10; Hebrew 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25 1 Peter 5:4; ROCK- Deuteronomy 32:1-4; 2 Samuel 22:2,3; Psalm 18:2; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:6-8; "I AM"- Exodus 3:13,14; Isaiah 43:10,11; John 6:35; John 8:58; John 10:7; Revelation 1:17-18; "ALPHA AND OMEGA"- Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Revelation 1:17; Revelation 22:13; KING- Psalm 44:4; Psalm 47; Jeremiah 10:10; John 10:33; Luke 19:32-38; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Revelation 15:1-4; Revelation 19:11-16
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 5:3; Matthew 1:18,23; Luke 1:30-38; John 1:14; Galatians 3:16; 1 John 4:2,3; 1 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrew 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
• Paragraph #3: Matthew 5:6,7,17,18; Matthew 18:11; Matthew 20:28; Luke 4:18,19,43; Luke 12:49-53; Luke 24:27,44; John 1:29; John 3:13-17; John 4:34; John 5:36; John 6:38-40; John 12:27,46,47; John 18:37; John 19:30; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 5:8,9; Revelation 1:8,17-19
• Paragraph #4: Isaiah 43; John 1:29; John 10:17; Acts 2:24; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:17-24; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:13-18; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:18
• Paragraph #5: John 3:14-16; John 5:21,24; John 10:10, 17-18; John 11:25,26; John 17:2; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:2
• Paragraph #6: Job 15:15; Job 25:5; Psalm 47:5; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; John 1:51; John 7:33-39; John 12:31; John 14:2-4,12,30; Acts 1:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 4:8-10; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 9:24; 1 Timothy 2:24; 1 John 2:1
Paragraph #7: Matthew 16:27; Matthew 26:64; John 5:22; Acts 1:11; Romans 14:11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15:23-26; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Jude 14,15; Revelations 1:7
My Creed: Mankind
MAN
Adam and Eve were created as mature, perfect, and righteous beings after God's spiritual image. They were spiritual beings with a body and soul and had all physical, emotional, and spiritual needs met by God. They did not have one need that was not met by God.
Adam and Eve, though their needs were all provided for, chose to go against God's command and ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. They sinned by choosing to go their own way and, in essence, set themselves up as their own god. God had previously promised that if they ate the fruit of the tree they would die. Therefore, when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit they died spiritually. This spiritual death resulted in a separation from God and eventually physical death.
Adam and Eve became parents of children after their own image. Since Adam and Eve themselves were spiritually dead, they could not pass on spiritual life to their descendants. Therefore, all who are born today are born spiritually dead; making them enemies with God, under bondage to sin, and without any spiritual understanding. They do not have the capacity to produce good that is acceptable to God, their hearts are wicked, and they do not even search after God.
God was not under any obligation to man to provide any type of solution to his problem. God would have been perfectly just and righteous to destroy Adam and Eve upon their act of disobedience. However, because of His grace and mercy, God provided a solution to the sin of man when He predestined the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, before the foundation of the world.
Jesus Christ voluntarily took the sin of the world upon Himself and made payment for that sin when He was crucified upon the cross. Jesus did not remain dead but was resurrected and given new life. God, in His grace, has chosen some out of fallen humanity to give this spiritual life to in order that they may glorify His name forever.
All mankind will exist for eternity. Those who have received the life of Christ will be forever with Him and will enjoy heaven and all the benefits of their new spiritual life. Those who do not receive new life will experience eternal condemnation and remain as they are, spiritually dead and separated from God forever.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Genesis 1:26;27; Genesis 2:7-9,16-18; Genesis 5:1,2; Deuteronomy 4:32; Job 31:15; Job 33:4; Psalmn 8:5; Psalm 119:73; Psalm 139:14; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 43:7; Hebrews 2:7,8
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 2:16,17; Genesis 3:4,5,14-24; Job 31:33; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Isaiah 43:27; Hosea 6:7; Romans 5:12-18; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22
• Paragraph #3: Genesis 5:3; Genesis 6:5-13; Genesis 8:21; Job 14:4; Job 15:14-16; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 7:20,29; Ecclesiastes 8:11; Isaiah 1:5,6; Isaiah 48:8; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; Romans 3:9-23; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:18
• Paragraph #4: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 6:5-13; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4-6; Job 10:12; Psalm 94:17,18; Romans 5:2-8,15-21; Acts 2:22-36; Revelation 13:8
• Paragraph #5: John 1:29; John 3:16; John 5:21-24; John 6:38-40; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:6-8,21; Romans 9:10-16; Romans 11:5; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Ephesians 1:5-12; Colossians 2:8-15
• Paragraph #6: Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Mark 3:29; Luke 20:36; John 3:14-21; John 5:24-29; John 6:40-47; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 14:10,11; Revelation 20:10
Adam and Eve were created as mature, perfect, and righteous beings after God's spiritual image. They were spiritual beings with a body and soul and had all physical, emotional, and spiritual needs met by God. They did not have one need that was not met by God.
Adam and Eve, though their needs were all provided for, chose to go against God's command and ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. They sinned by choosing to go their own way and, in essence, set themselves up as their own god. God had previously promised that if they ate the fruit of the tree they would die. Therefore, when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit they died spiritually. This spiritual death resulted in a separation from God and eventually physical death.
Adam and Eve became parents of children after their own image. Since Adam and Eve themselves were spiritually dead, they could not pass on spiritual life to their descendants. Therefore, all who are born today are born spiritually dead; making them enemies with God, under bondage to sin, and without any spiritual understanding. They do not have the capacity to produce good that is acceptable to God, their hearts are wicked, and they do not even search after God.
God was not under any obligation to man to provide any type of solution to his problem. God would have been perfectly just and righteous to destroy Adam and Eve upon their act of disobedience. However, because of His grace and mercy, God provided a solution to the sin of man when He predestined the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, before the foundation of the world.
Jesus Christ voluntarily took the sin of the world upon Himself and made payment for that sin when He was crucified upon the cross. Jesus did not remain dead but was resurrected and given new life. God, in His grace, has chosen some out of fallen humanity to give this spiritual life to in order that they may glorify His name forever.
All mankind will exist for eternity. Those who have received the life of Christ will be forever with Him and will enjoy heaven and all the benefits of their new spiritual life. Those who do not receive new life will experience eternal condemnation and remain as they are, spiritually dead and separated from God forever.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Genesis 1:26;27; Genesis 2:7-9,16-18; Genesis 5:1,2; Deuteronomy 4:32; Job 31:15; Job 33:4; Psalmn 8:5; Psalm 119:73; Psalm 139:14; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 43:7; Hebrews 2:7,8
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 2:16,17; Genesis 3:4,5,14-24; Job 31:33; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Isaiah 43:27; Hosea 6:7; Romans 5:12-18; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22
• Paragraph #3: Genesis 5:3; Genesis 6:5-13; Genesis 8:21; Job 14:4; Job 15:14-16; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 7:20,29; Ecclesiastes 8:11; Isaiah 1:5,6; Isaiah 48:8; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; Romans 3:9-23; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:18
• Paragraph #4: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 6:5-13; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4-6; Job 10:12; Psalm 94:17,18; Romans 5:2-8,15-21; Acts 2:22-36; Revelation 13:8
• Paragraph #5: John 1:29; John 3:16; John 5:21-24; John 6:38-40; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:6-8,21; Romans 9:10-16; Romans 11:5; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Ephesians 1:5-12; Colossians 2:8-15
• Paragraph #6: Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Mark 3:29; Luke 20:36; John 3:14-21; John 5:24-29; John 6:40-47; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 14:10,11; Revelation 20:10
My Creed: God the Father
GOD THE FATHER
God is an eternal God. He existed before time began and will exist after time, as we know it, ends. He has no beginning or end but is the eternal "I AM" and is the "ALPHA AND OMEGA." Time has been created for our benefit; however, God is in the eternal present and is "from everlasting to everlasting." God is the only One who can say, "I am God,...and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning." He, being God, sees the beginning and the end all at one time.
God is the Creator of the universe and sustains it. He chose to create simply out of His will. We are not needed by God to fulfill any emptiness or lacking in Him. He created because it was His desire and decree to do so. He created by His Word out of nothing. He spoke and it was. The universe has not only been created by His Word but is also held together by Him. He has a plan for all in creation and will accomplish that plan.
God is a sovereign God and does as He pleases at all times. He is ruler of all creation; including celestial, human, and animal. His sovereignty is displayed as He rules over the earth, the animals, nature, nations, individuals, and history. God, being sovereign, has ordained whatever comes to pass; however, He is not the author of sin. He sets up kingdoms and has appointed their time to rule. He has created man and has ordained his days. His reason for His sovereignty is because it is His pleasure to do so. I believe Scripture presents a God who is ultimately in control of the bad things as well as the good things that happen, and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been chosen. God's power is not limited in any way what so ever. The final outcome of His plan for history is His bringing all glory to Himself. In His times, He will make all things beautiful.
God is ever present and present everywhere. Since God is always present, He is in our hurts and crisis times as well as our joys and good times. For the Christian, God is always active in them through His Spirit who will never leave or forsake them. God may at times be silent to us, but He is not absent.
God is an all-knowing God. He knows the beginning from the end and knows His elect personally and intimately. Since He knows all things, there is nothing that we as humans can do that will take Him by surprise or that He does not anticipate us doing. It is because of His knowing all things that He took all our sin and placed it upon His Son, Jesus Christ when Christ died to take away the sin of the world.
God is holy and excels in purity. God, therefore, has a hatred of sin and must punish all sin because of His character of Holiness and righteousness. When God created, He created man as perfect and holy. However, because of His omniscience He knew of sin and it's resulting death. God provided a solution to the sin problem by foreordaining the sacrifice of Jesus Christ before the world even began.
God exists in a tri-unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are said to be active in creation, redemption, salvation, and the indwelling of a Christian. All three are said to have been active in the resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Exodus 3:14,15; Psalm 90:1-3; Psalm 102:12,24-27; Job 35:6,7; Isaiah 43:1-3; Isaiah 46:9,10; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 1:1,3; 1 Samuel 2:8; Ps. 11:3; Psalm 135:6; Nehemiah 9:6; John 5:26; Acts 17:24-29; Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:16,17
• Paragraph #3: Genesis 14:19,20; Genesis 24:3; Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 4:39; Deuteronomy 32:8,39-43; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 12:9; Psalm 50:10; Psalm 75:6; Psalm 115:3; Psalm. 135:6; Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:7,23; Jeremiah 27:5,6; Daniel 2:20,21; Daniel 4:17; John 10:29 Acts 2:23,24; Acts 17:24-26; Romans 9:14-19; Romans 14:11
• Paragraph #4: 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139:3-10; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 66:1; Jeremiah 23:23; Jeremiah 32:19; Acts 7:48,49; Ephesians 1:23
• Paragraph #5: Genesis 16:13; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 23:10; Job 24:1; Job 28:10; Psalm 103:14; Psalm 121:3; Psalm 139:1; Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 11:13; Matthew 10:29; Acts 1:24; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:29
• Paragraph #6: Exodus 3:5; Exodus 15:3; Deuteronomy 32:4; Joshua 24:19; 1 Samuel 2:2; Job 34:10; Job 36:23; Habakkuk 1:12,13; Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:2; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
• Paragraph #7: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 1:18-20; Matthew 12:28; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 1:1-18; John 10:30; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:7
God is an eternal God. He existed before time began and will exist after time, as we know it, ends. He has no beginning or end but is the eternal "I AM" and is the "ALPHA AND OMEGA." Time has been created for our benefit; however, God is in the eternal present and is "from everlasting to everlasting." God is the only One who can say, "I am God,...and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning." He, being God, sees the beginning and the end all at one time.
God is the Creator of the universe and sustains it. He chose to create simply out of His will. We are not needed by God to fulfill any emptiness or lacking in Him. He created because it was His desire and decree to do so. He created by His Word out of nothing. He spoke and it was. The universe has not only been created by His Word but is also held together by Him. He has a plan for all in creation and will accomplish that plan.
God is a sovereign God and does as He pleases at all times. He is ruler of all creation; including celestial, human, and animal. His sovereignty is displayed as He rules over the earth, the animals, nature, nations, individuals, and history. God, being sovereign, has ordained whatever comes to pass; however, He is not the author of sin. He sets up kingdoms and has appointed their time to rule. He has created man and has ordained his days. His reason for His sovereignty is because it is His pleasure to do so. I believe Scripture presents a God who is ultimately in control of the bad things as well as the good things that happen, and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been chosen. God's power is not limited in any way what so ever. The final outcome of His plan for history is His bringing all glory to Himself. In His times, He will make all things beautiful.
God is ever present and present everywhere. Since God is always present, He is in our hurts and crisis times as well as our joys and good times. For the Christian, God is always active in them through His Spirit who will never leave or forsake them. God may at times be silent to us, but He is not absent.
God is an all-knowing God. He knows the beginning from the end and knows His elect personally and intimately. Since He knows all things, there is nothing that we as humans can do that will take Him by surprise or that He does not anticipate us doing. It is because of His knowing all things that He took all our sin and placed it upon His Son, Jesus Christ when Christ died to take away the sin of the world.
God is holy and excels in purity. God, therefore, has a hatred of sin and must punish all sin because of His character of Holiness and righteousness. When God created, He created man as perfect and holy. However, because of His omniscience He knew of sin and it's resulting death. God provided a solution to the sin problem by foreordaining the sacrifice of Jesus Christ before the world even began.
God exists in a tri-unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are said to be active in creation, redemption, salvation, and the indwelling of a Christian. All three are said to have been active in the resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY PARAGRAPH
• Paragraph #1: Exodus 3:14,15; Psalm 90:1-3; Psalm 102:12,24-27; Job 35:6,7; Isaiah 43:1-3; Isaiah 46:9,10; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6
• Paragraph #2: Genesis 1:1,3; 1 Samuel 2:8; Ps. 11:3; Psalm 135:6; Nehemiah 9:6; John 5:26; Acts 17:24-29; Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:16,17
• Paragraph #3: Genesis 14:19,20; Genesis 24:3; Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 4:39; Deuteronomy 32:8,39-43; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Job 12:9; Psalm 50:10; Psalm 75:6; Psalm 115:3; Psalm. 135:6; Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:7,23; Jeremiah 27:5,6; Daniel 2:20,21; Daniel 4:17; John 10:29 Acts 2:23,24; Acts 17:24-26; Romans 9:14-19; Romans 14:11
• Paragraph #4: 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139:3-10; Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 66:1; Jeremiah 23:23; Jeremiah 32:19; Acts 7:48,49; Ephesians 1:23
• Paragraph #5: Genesis 16:13; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 23:10; Job 24:1; Job 28:10; Psalm 103:14; Psalm 121:3; Psalm 139:1; Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 11:13; Matthew 10:29; Acts 1:24; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:29
• Paragraph #6: Exodus 3:5; Exodus 15:3; Deuteronomy 32:4; Joshua 24:19; 1 Samuel 2:2; Job 34:10; Job 36:23; Habakkuk 1:12,13; Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:2; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
• Paragraph #7: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 1:18-20; Matthew 12:28; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 1:1-18; John 10:30; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:7
Welcome to my thought processes. I am a Christian Bible student who sees things a bit differently than most and I am going to write what I think the Bible is telling us. You may agree you may vehemently disagree but one thing I think you will find is that I will make you think and maybe re-evaluate some of what you have been taught. I might be right, I might be wrong but if I am right then a lot of us have been brainwashed, so to speak. So, go ahead, be bold and subscribe to my thought provoking note page.
If what you find here makes sense to you then please feel free to share this with others.
If what you find here makes sense to you then please feel free to share this with others.
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