|
|
The Bible is the revealed word of God, written by human men moved by the Holy Spirit. It contains the only foundation for our salvation.
The God of the Bible is one God, not three. The Holy Spirit is the power of God.
The Lord Jesus is the son of God, designated such at his baptism, at his transfiguration, and by his resurrection from the dead. He was born of Mary, and thus was also son of man--the seed of the woman that was promised to crush the head of the serpent.
Jesus shared our flesh and blood, being tempted in all points like as we, yet committed no sin.
Jesus submitted himself to death on the cross in obedience to his Father, and thus provided a propitiation for our sins.
Jesus was resurrected from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.
Jesus now serves as our advocate and high priest.
Jesus will return to earth physically to establish the
At his appearing, Jesus will raise the dead in Christ. Those that are not responsible will remain in the congregation of the dead.
Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead; he will give eternal life to the just and the second death to the unjust.
Man is mortal; he returns finally to dust and remains there unless associated with Jesus and the power of his resurrection.
The gospel consists of the things concerning the
Confession of faith in the true gospel followed by baptism--immersion in water--into the name of Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.
The devil described in the Bible is not an immortal spirit, but the carnal mind in the individual
I. The Bible is God's only Written revelation
The book currently known as the Bible, and also known as the Scriptures, is the only written revelation God has given to Man. The Scriptures consist of the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the apostles of Christ. This revelation was made by the Holy Spirit through God-selected men. It is without error, and is the Word of God. 2 Tim 3:16; John 12:48; 1Cor 2:13; Heb 1:1,2; Jer 36:1,2; 1 Cor 14:37
II. Belief in the Scriptures is essential to salvation
We must believe the doctrines that are taught in the Bible in order to be
saved. Mark 16:15; John 12:48; 2 John 9,10; 2 Thess 2:10-12;Heb 3:12-19; 2 Thess
1:9,10; 1 Cor 15:1,2
THE SCRIPTURES have been revealed and inspired by God and are a record of His relationship to His plan and purposes for mankind. 1 Thess 2:13;2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Tim 4:1-4; 2 Pet 1:19,20; 1 Pet 1:10-12; John 11:51;Dan 2:28-30
II. As authority
Revealed and inspired by God, the Scriptures are the only infallible standard of right. Their unique and exclusive authority destroys all the opposing and false standards of authority that are prevalent in the world, among which are:
(a) Our Hearts; Prov 28:26; Num 15:37-40; Deut 29:18-20; Jer 9:13, 14; 11:7,8; 23:16,26
(b) Our Thoughts; Isa 55:7-9; Acts 26:6; John 16:2; 2 Cor 10:4,5
(c) Our Conscience; 2 Tim 1:3; Acts 23:1; 1 Tim 1:12,13
(d) Our Ways; Isa 55:6-9; Judges 2:19; Isa 53:6; Hos 10:13
(e) Our Wills; Luke 22:41,42; John 5:30; 6:38
III. As the standard
(a) For God's gift to the faithful. Rom 6:23; John 6:40; Rev2:7,11; 3:5,21; Deut 30:19
(b) For God's rewards to the Saints. 1 Cor 3:12-15; Rev 5:10;Matt 16:27; Rev 1:6; Matt 5:11,12; 19:28; Luke 6:22,23,35
(c) For God's punishment of the wicked. Mal 4:1; Prov 1:24-28;Isa30:12-14; Psa 81:11,12;
2 Chron 36:14-17; Prov
13:13; Isa 5:24; Zech 7:11,12
I. Meaning of the word "gospel"
THE WORD "gospel" comes originally from "god-spell",
"god" being an Anglo-Saxon adjective for "good" and
"spell" meaning "news". The gospel, then, means good news
or glad tidings (Luke 8:1; Isa 61:1; Luke 2:10).The
gospel consists of "the things concerning the
II. The gospel is preached in both Testaments
The glad tidings of the gospel, instead of being limited and confined to the pages of the New Testament, as is generally supposed, are also published in the writings of the Old Testament. In fact, the gospel message was preached prior to and after the time of Christ. Some examples are:
(a) Those who lived before the Genesis flood 2 Pet 2:5
(b) Abraham Gal 3:8
(c) The Israelites in the wilderness Heb 3:16; 4:2
(d) The people of David's time Heb 4:7
(e) All those who received the word of God through the prophets prior to the birth of Christ 1 Pet 1:9-12; Hos 12:9,10
(f) To the nation of
(g) In the actions and the writings of the apostles and the disciples of Christ Acts 8:12; Rom 1:6; Mark 13:10
III. The gospel conditions leading unbelievers to salvation are:
(a) Hearing the gospel Rom 10:13-17
(b) Believing the gospel Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1,2; Rom10:11
(c) Confessing acceptance of the gospel Rom 10:8-10; 1 Tim6:13; Acts 8:35-37
(d) Obeying the gospel commencing with baptism Mark 16:15,16;1 Pet 1:22-25; Acts 5:29
IV. The gospel of the kingdom the only true gospel
The gospel of the kingdom, consisting of the things concerning the
I. What the
The
II. When the
At some future date known only to God, when all appropriate prophecies have
been fulfilled, God will send Christ in person to the earth to setup the
III. Setting up the kingdom is a destructive work
When Christ returns to establish the
IV. Setting up the
The results of God's wrath are destructive, deadly, and extensive, but since His purpose is to ultimately prepare a world suitable for the inhabitants He has chose, God remembers mercy. Hab 3:2; Isa 35; Isa 2:4; Jer30:18-22; 1 Cor 2:9,10; Zep 3:14-20
V. Where the
The
VI. What constitutes "the things" concerning the
"The things" concerning the
(a) The King: Jesus Christ, the son of God. Luke 1:30-33;Isa 6:6,7; Zech 9:9; 14:9; Jer 23:5,6
(b) The Ruling Body: Subordinate kings and priests who assist the
King in governing the subjects of the
(c) The Laws: Such as may be required so that Christ and His associate rulers (the saints) can govern the world in justice and love.Isa2:2-4; 42:4; Micah 4:2
(d) The Subjects: A remnant of the world population that will survive the destructive phase preceding the establishment of the kingdom. Mostly the subjects will be infants and young children. Adults will be those who are meek, willing, and well disposed. These subjects will be mortal remnants of both Jews (Israelites) and non-Jews (Gentiles). Micah4:1-3,6-8; Zech 8:3-6; Deut 1:39; Zech 2:10-12; 8:7,8; 14:16; Isa 11:6-12;65:20; Psa 72:4; 102:28
(e) The
(f) The Territory: The original
I. Christ's reign is gracious in purpose, but the he must subdue all enemies
THE MISSION of Christ's reign on earth is to completely destroy all enemies from the earth (1 Cor 15:25). The following accomplishments of his reign are representative only:
(a) All human governments shall be abolished and the nations absorbed by one
kingdom; the kingdom; the
(b) There will be but one religion; the religion of Christ and his kingdom; all idols and false prophets shall be destroyed. Zech 14:16; Isa 2:18,20;2 Pet 2:1; Isa 66:22,23; 42:17; Zech 8:22,23; 13:12; Zeph 3:9; Mal1:11; Eph 1:10,22; Rev 15:4
(c) War shall cease until the end of the age. Isa 2:4; Rev 20:7-9;Psa46:8,9; Zech 9:10
(d) Premature death will exist no more Isa 65:20,23; Zech 8:4,5
(e) The
(f) The city of
(g) The houses of
(h) The earth and its animal inhabitants, to a large extent, will partake of the blessings of the times. Hos 2:18; Isa 65:25; Isa 11:6-9;Ezek 34:25,28
II. The reign of Christ is a transitional period
The subjects of the kingdom of God, the remnants of the Jewish and Gentile nations who find grace and survive as "the left of the nations" (Zech 14:16)at the coming of Christ and the setting up of the kingdom of God, multiply rapidly with the pains of child-birth lessened. They soon develop into numerous and strong nations. Some of the people are righteous, and some of them are wicked. Sin and death, although mitigated, continue among both classes during the reign of Christ. Isa 60:21,22; Gen 3:16; 1 Tim2:15; Isa 65:17-25; Zech 8:4-6
III. A "little season" of judgment after the reign expires
During this "season" the just and the unjust of that age, including both the living and the dead, are judged. The righteous are approved and immortalized; the wicked are rejected and the condemned to shame and the second death. Mortality has now been abolished by salvation and destruction, and with the end of mankind’s sinful nature, death, "the last enemy," is destroyed. Rev 20:11-15; 1 Cor 15:26; Rev 21:3,4,7,8
IV. Christ's supremacy ends; God's supremacy begins
With the abolishment of "all enemies" from the presence of the Lord
and from the face of the earth, there comes a change in the administration of
the
I. There is one God, the Father
THE "ONE GOD" of the Old Testament is revealed as "the Father" in the New Testament. The popular, but false doctrine of the Trinity confuses the revealed relations of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and destroys a belief in one God to make room for a belief in many gods. It undermines Christianity to establish Paganism. Mark 12:29-32; 1 Cor 8:4-6; Deut6:4; Eph 4:6; John 17:3; Isa 45:5
II. Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Jesus Christ is the Son of God because he was conceived in Mary by the power of God (His Holy Spirit). Even before creation, God's plan was to glorify Himself through the works of His son. Although he will one day rule the world, Jesus recognized that he was always subordinate to his Father (not EQUAL WITH). Luke 1:35; John 3:34,35; 14:28; 17:5; Heb2:9,10; Matt 1:20,21; Acts 2:22; John 5:30; Gal 4:4; Gen 3:15; 1 Cor 15:24-28
II. Jesus Christ is our High Priest
Since Christ was totally obedient to God's will, he was raised from death
and later passed into the heavens where he now serves as our High Priest. As
such he functions as mediator between the Father and sinners who come to God by
him, and an advocate for his own house, the
I. The Spirit of God
God's spirit is His radiant power and energy operating throughout the heavens and the earth. This spirit is God's power of creation, operation, and destruction. It is what gives the breath of life to all living creatures and is the source of all physical laws governing the universe. It is His spirit or power that defines God as all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere. Psa 139:2-12; Gen 1:1,2; Job 26:13,14; 33:4; Psa 104:30;Heb 1:10; 11:3
II The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit (frequently called the Holy Ghost by the KJV translators)is God's power focused to accomplish a specific purpose. The word holy simply means set apart to the service of God. The Holy Spirit was used both in the Old and New Testaments to perform miracles (events which are contrary to God's normal physical laws). Some examples are: bringing the dead back to life, healing of the sick and those with physical disabilities, parting bodies of water, walking on water, and controlling of minds for God’s purposes (as in writing the Scriptures, speaking in foreign languages, etc.) Luke 1:31,34,35; 2 Pet 1:21; 1 Cor 12:6-11; Luke 4:18; Isa61:1,2a; John 3:34; Acts 1:5-8; 2:4-11; 11:15,16; Micah 3:8
III. The gifts of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were powers bestowed on the apostles and others to help them spread the gospel, establish the early churches and write what became the New Testament. When this work was accomplished and the apostolic era ended, the Holy Spirit gifts ceased from the earth, not to exist again until the Kingdom age.
(a) Jesus foretold that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the Spirit of truth, would be given to the apostles after his ascension. John14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:5-8
(b) The Holy Spirit gifts given to the apostles was passed on to other believers whenever the apostles prayed and then placed their hands on the designated recipient. As their work was completed and the apostles died, the period of the Holy Spirit gifts came to an end. Acts 8:14-17; 19:6;Acts2:3,4; 1 Cor 13:8 to 14:6; Luke 9:1,2
(c) Although not called "gifts" in the Old Testament, certain powers
were granted to men such as Elijah to perform miracles. All Holy Spirit gifts
were given in a limited form, except in the case of Christ. They were but a
measure (the first fruits) of the heavenly powers which the redeemed shall
enjoy fully in the
(d) Although the "gifts" ceased with the end of the apostolic era, the Spirit of the truth remains within believers by virtue of the word of God (the Bible). This Spirit of truth which dwells in the "temples" of the saints is what God will use to quicken them when Christ returns. The Holy Spirit continues to be the means whereby God protects, chastens, and answers the prayers of His saints. Rom 8:11; 2 Cor 3:3; 1 Cor 3:16;1Cor 2:13; 12:8; John 16:13; 2 Tim 3:16,17
(e) Holy Spirit gifts were also used for punitive purposes. Acts5:1-11; 13:9-11; 2 Kings 5:14-27
(f) While certain men were given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, our salvation
is a special gift of God given only to those who believe and obey the gospel.Eph2:8,9;
Luke 8:1; Acts 8:12; 2 Tim 3:15; 1 John 5:11-13; Rom 6:23; John6:63-65;
14:6
I. The Soul
The word "soul", as used in the Bible, comes from the Hebrew and Greek words which mean primarily a creature or person. These words also are translated into other English words that are descriptive of mankind's nature, such as, heart, life, mind, etc. Biblical use of the "soul" NEVER IMPLIES INHERENTIMMORTALITY. In fact, ample testimony indicates that the soul can sin and does die.
(a) creature or person - Gen 2:7; 1:21,24; 14:21; Num 31:28;Psa 105:18 (margin)
(b) heart, life, mind - Gen 1:20,30; Job 12:10 (margin); Eph6:6; Gen 23:8; Phil 1:27
(c) souls sin and die - Ezek 18:4,20; Acts 3:23; Jdg 16:30 (margin);Job 7:15; Lev 5:1,15; Matt 10:28
II. The Spirit
The Greek and Hebrew words translated in the Bible as "spirit" primarily mean breath or breath of life. These words are also translated as various conditions of the mind. As applied to mankind, the Biblical uses of "spirit” NEVER IMPLY ANYTHING IMMORTAL.
(a) breath, breath of life - Gen 6:17; Psa 104:29; Job 33:4; Gen7:15,22; Ecc 3:19; James 2:26 (margin)
(b) conditions of the mind (heart) - Gen 26:35 (margin); Josh 2:11;John11:33; Gen 41:8; Josh 5:1; Psa 34:18; Isa 66:2; Dan 2:1,3; John 13:21
III. The Ghost
Biblical use of the word "ghost" as related to mankind is always expressed as "yielded up" or "gave up the ghost" which simply means expiration of life. Job 11:20; Mark 15:37,39; Acts 5:5,10;Gen 25:8,17; 49:33;Luke 23:46; Acts 12:23
IV. Inherent mortality
(a) Mankind is declared to be mortal (a creature of the dust) and possesses a sinful nature. Gen 3:19,22; Psa 49:12,16-20; Rom 5:12; Gen 7:22;Job 4:17; Psa 89:48; 1 Cor 15:21,22
(b) Mankind is affirmed to be unconscious in death. Job 14:12-14;Ecc 9:5,6,10; Acts 13:36; Psa 6:5; 146:3,4; Isa 38:18,19; Job 3:11-14
V. Acquired immortality (eternal life)
(a) Immortality is a conditional gift offered to mankind through faith in Christ. Rom 6:23; John 6:40; 17:2; Rom 2:7; 2 Tim 1:1,10; 1 John2:17,25; Titus 1:2
(b) Mankind obtains immortality at the resurrection. Dan 12:2; John5:28,29; 1 Thess 4:16,17; John 6:39,40; Luke 14:14; Isa 26:19; Acts24:15; 1 Cor 15:51-54; Job 19:25-27; Phil 3:10,11,20,21
(c) Immortality (eternal life) shall be enjoyed on the earth. Psa37:11,34; Rev 5:10; Prov 11:31; Dan
7:27; Matt 5:5
I. The Devil
(a) Sin, a bodily infliction, is disobedience or rebellion against God’s commands. We sin when acting upon temptations that spring from our own lust and pride. The word "devil" as used in the Bible is merely a personified expression for our sinful nature. 1 John 2:15-17; James 1:13-15; Rom5:12,19; James 4:1-3,7-8
(b) In some cases "devil" (demon) is used to represent afflictions of the body other than sin such as: Physical disabilities and mental illness.John6:70; Matt 9:32; Mark 5:1-15 (legion - multiple personalities)
II. Satan
"Satan" is a Hebrew word meaning adversary. Biblical references using the word "satan" simply mean one who is opposed to or an adversary of God or an individual (1 Chron 21:1 compare 2 Sam 24:1). Matt 16:23; 1 Sam29:4; Num 22:22; 2 Sam 19:22
III. Destruction of the Devil
Since the word "devil" represents our sinful nature, it also represents
the cause of death for all mankind. When Christ, who was sinless, died he
opened the way to eternal life for all believers living or dead. The gift of an
immortal nature will bring an end to mankind's sinful nature. Thus, through his
death Christ will destroy that which has the power of death, our sinful nature
or the "devil". Heb 2:14; Rom 8:3; James 1:13-15; 2Tim 1:10;
John 1:29; Rom 6:23; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:8; Acts 10:43
I. The Resurrection
Resurrection is a future awakening to life and consciousness of people who are dead and in the dust of the earth. Job 14:13-15; 19:25-27; Psa17:15; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:1,2; 1 Cor 15:12-23
II. Subjects of the Resurrection
Those who are raised from the dead consist of two classes only; the JUST and the UNJUST (the righteous and the wicked), both of whom had a knowledge of the gospel during their lifetimes. Both classes are raised simultaneously for reward and punishment. John 5:28,29; Dan 12:1,2;Matt13:38-43; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 2 Tim 4:1
III. God's gift to the righteous
Those who believe the gospel, are baptized, and remain faithful constitute
the righteous class. Both the living and those raised from the dead are granted
eternal life by God. The righteous dead come forth at the resurrection invested
with immortality and the righteous among the living are changed simultaneously.
(See VI (b) of "The Things Concerning the
IV. Reward of the righteous
The reward for the righteous will be to function as kings and priests with
Christ in the
V. Punishment of the wicked
That class which is called "THE UNJUST" embraces apostates and all others who have known the gospel, but rejected it either by disbelief or disobedience. They come forth at the resurrection and in company with the wicked who are alive at the time will:
(a) Suffer the agony of shame and rejection. Matt 7:21-23; Luke13:27,28; Job 21:30; Psa 37:34; 2 Thess 1:6-10
(b) Then be cast into hell and burned to ashes, like stubble. Mal4:1-3; Rev 21:8; Psa 21:8,9; 145:20; Isa 66:24; Matt 10:28; 25:41
(c) Final destruction of the wicked is permanent. Hell, in this sense refers
to a place outside of
VI. The irresponsible class
At the resurrection, those of mankind who were ignorant of the gospel are not eligible for reward nor appointed punishment. They are irresponsible and their existence terminates forever when they die. There is no scriptural basis for a future probation of those who were irresponsible at death.Prov21:16; Jer 51:39, 57; Psa 49:6-8,16-20; 88:3-5; 103:14-17; Isa 26:13,14;43:16,17; Job 20:5-8
Those who acquire a knowledge of the true gospel message are obliged to follow the Commandments of Christ as given verbally by him and through his apostles. These are too numerous to be given here, except for several more significant ones. Others can be found in the Scriptures. John 15:10,17; 1 John 2:3,4; Matt 7:21;28:20; 1 Cor 14:37; 1 John 5:3-6; Rev 22:14
I Baptism
Baptism expresses the faith of the candidate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is only valid when accomplished after a candidate had expressed belief in the gospel defined herein. Mark16:15,16; Acts 8:12,36-39; Acts 2:38,41; 16:30-33; 18:8; 1 Pet 3:20,21
Baptism (complete immersion in water) is the initial step of obedience for a new believer because:
(a) It was commanded by Christ to bind the believer to him in a covenant relationship. Thus the baptized believer becomes an heir to the promise made to Abraham by God. Rom 6:3-5; Gal 3:27-29
(b) Without baptism a knowledgeable person fails to achieve a covenant relationship with Christ. Likewise baptism without knowledge of the true gospel is invalid. Mark 16:15,16
(c) Baptism wipes away past sins and unites each believer with the death of
Christ so that they may be partakers of his resurrection when he returns.Rom6:3-5;
(d) Baptism begins the development of a new creature in Christ. Achieving maturity of this new creature is a process that encompasses a lifetime of endeavor and experiences. Eph 4:12-16; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 3:18
II. Communion (Fellowship)
Communion is a memorial service dedicated to the remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death which made salvation possible for all baptized believers in the gospel. Communion is observed jointly by church members and others of "like precious faith".
(a) This memorial service, as instituted by Christ and decreed by the Apostles, is observed on the first day of each week (Sunday). Observance of this memorial by believers is essential to maintaining a close relationship to Christ and his followers. Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 6:53-56;1 Cor 10:16; 16:2; Acts 20:7
(b) Communion should be observed only after self-examination by each participant as prescribed in the scriptures. 1 Cor 11:27-29; 1 John1:6-10
(c) The memorial of Christ's death consists of the "breaking of bread” representing his broken body - and drinking of the "fruit of the vine” representing the blood shed for the remission of sins. Matt 26:26-29;Acts2:42; 1 Cor 10:16
(d) From the observance of this ordinance the Church (the Greek word "ekklesia" is a word better used, meaning a called out or chosen one) must prohibit participation by the world, exclude adherents to false religions, and remove from Communion its own members for doctrinal and moral transgressions. 2 Tim 3:1-5; 2 John 10:11; 1 Cor 5:11; 2 Thess3:6; Rom 16:17,18
III. Relationship to the world
As followers of Christ, all baptized believers are in the world but not of the world. Their objective is to abstain from the worldly things that surround them and find sanctuary in the Church which is the "onebody of Christ." 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4; 1 John 2:3-6; 5:4; 1 Cor10:16,17; John 8:23; Eph 1:20-23; 2:20-22
Some of the scriptural expectations for baptized believers are:
(a) They must first love God and His Son, then the Church and their neighbors. Matt 22:36-40; 1 John 4:7-11; Deut 6:5; 10:12; Lev 19:18;Rom 12:10-14
(b) They must love the people of the world and attempt to deliver the gospel message, even while enduring hatred and unkindly acts. Matt 5:44;1 Pet 3:15; Luke 6:35; 1 Pet 3:8,9; 2 Tim 4:2
(c) As members of the "one body" of Christ they should love and care for other members as they do for each part (member) of their own body. As the Church serves to nurture its members, they should strive to support and serve the Church. Members should not forsake Church assemblies, especially those for the memorial service. Rom 12:4,5; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12:12-14,25-27;John 15:17
(d) They are required to avoid violence, warfare, military service, or allegiance to any worldly government, whether national or local. This includes involvement in political activities, service in the military and use of legal remedies to settle grievances or compensate for loss or avenge wrongdoing. Matt 5:39-41; Rom 12:19-21; Matt 26:52; 1 Thess 5:15;Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 2:21,23
(e) They should conduct their lives in accordance with the standards set forth by Christ and his apostles in the Bible. Our goal is to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Rom 12:1,2; Eph 5:1-7
>